State Adolescent Health Coordinator
Child and Adolescent Health Program, New Jersey Department of Health
Trenton, New Jersey
Jennie Blakney is the State Adolescent Health Coordinator at NJ Department of Health in the Child & Adolescent Health Program, overseeing SRAE, PREP and statewide youth engagement. She holds a BA in Psychology from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a dual master’s degree in Human Sexuality Education and Marriage and Family Counseling from New York University. Ms. Blakney has an extensive background as a sexual health educator and trainer, with expertise in adolescent sexual health and positive youth development including youth empowerment and engagement. She has worked in the field for over 20 years. Prior to working with NJDOH, Ms. Blakney worked with Central Jersey Family Health Consortium for 10 years as Adolescent Health Initiative Program Manager, where she oversaw the implementation of Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program via an OAH-TPP and PREP grant as well as a PAF sub-grant serving pregnant teens in Trenton NJ. Prior to her work with CJFHC, Ms. Blakney was Program Coordinator for New York Peer AIDS Education Coalition, a Harm Reducation organization that trained youth to deliver life saving information and harm reduction techniques to thier peers who were engaging in sex work and IV drug use. Ms Blakney also held a position as Director of the Neutral Zone, a Manhattan based full-service center for LGBTIQ youth and Director of Prevention at New York Harm Reduction Educators.