As cancer rates rise and care grows more complex, Thyme Care's social work team helps New Jersey residents manage the emotional and practical challenges that shape the cancer journey.
When someone in New Jersey receives a cancer diagnosis, the first questions they ask rarely match the ones that come next. Treatment planning, insurance approvals, appointment schedules, and daily life concerns can collide quickly. For many families, the shock of a diagnosis is followed by the pressure of managing work, transportation, household needs, and the emotional toll of uncertainty.
New Jersey has consistently had one of the highest cancer incidence rates in the nation for many years. That reality has created an urgent need for coordinated support systems that address both clinical and practical barriers to care.
Thyme Care, a national oncology support organization, is working to fill those gaps. The company pairs cancer-trained nurses, social workers, and care partners with members to help them navigate symptoms, appointments, insurance issues, resource access, and emotional needs. The goal is to ensure people receive timely, high-quality care while feeling supported every step of the way.
A Social Work Program Built for Real-Life Challenges
For many oncology patients, the hardest part of treatment is not always the chemotherapy or radiation but the day-to-day strain that can disrupt care. That reality guides the work of Stephanie Broussard, DSW, LCSW-S, APHSW-C, Director of Social Work at Thyme Care.
"My role is to help our organization understand and support the parts of a person's life that matter most outside of their physical diagnosis," Broussard said.
Her team supports people with emotional distress, financial strain, food or housing instability, transportation barriers, caregiver stress, and the psychological impact of living with a serious illness. These needs often become more visible in states like New Jersey, where a high cost of living and transit can heighten strains on families already navigating cancer.
Broussard sees her team's work as an essential part of the care plan, not an add-on. "Research shows patients have better outcomes when they have access to social work. It should not be optional," she said.
Practical and Emotional Support During the Hardest Weeks
In addition to the elevated cost of living, New Jersey households also shoulder above-average costs when it comes to health care costs, including some cancer treatments. Studies show that people with cancer nationwide face higher rates of financial hardship, which is linked to delayed care and poorer treatment adherence.
In this environment, early social support can shift a person's entire experience.
"Navigating cancer while navigating life is overwhelming," Broussard said. When armed with a team of people capable of identifying practical support resources, patients and their families experience reduced stress and remain engaged in care. These social services can include coordinating transportation to infusion centers, locating a food pantry that delivers, or guiding families through benefits applications.
New Jersey residents served by Thyme Care can text or call the team 24 hours a day. The organization's clinicians also coordinate directly with oncology practices, primary care physicians, and specialists across the state. The aim is to strengthen care continuity for patients while reducing unnecessary emergency visits.
Catching Concerns Early to Prevent Crises Later
A key part of Thyme Care's model is proactive screening. This part of the process often gets overlooked by patients who fear being perceived as difficult or overly demanding.
"People minimize distress because they do not want to burden their care team, or they assume their symptoms are normal," Broussard said. "Cancer comes with significant symptom burden. Many patients will not call their provider because they are worried about being a bother."
As part of their proactive screening process, Thyme Care uses standardized tools that align with national guidelines, including distress thermometers from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. The team also deploys PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 screenings for depression and uses the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale when needed. These screenings allow the team to intervene early and help members avoid crises, a key element of maintaining overall patient well-being.
Supporting the Entire Household
Cancer affects the entire household. In multi-generational families, which are common across New Jersey, caregiving responsibilities can fall on relatives juggling work, school, transportation, or child care.
"Cancer does not just happen to the patient. It happens to the family," Broussard said. She also noted families often struggle silently during the first few weeks of treatment as a result.
Her team supports caregivers by helping them understand care plans, navigate insurance, coordinate logistics, and manage emotional strain. This approach helps stabilize the home environment, which can impact treatment continuity.
Strengthening Local Networks of Support
Thyme Care's presence in New Jersey is part of a broader effort to make whole-person cancer care accessible at scale. The organization works with health plans, oncology groups, primary care practices, and community partners to align resources and improve outcomes.
New Jersey's diverse population brings unique cultural, linguistic, and community support considerations. Thyme Care's model aims to strengthen those existing networks rather than replace them. Social workers often help connect individuals to local resources, faith communities, food programs, volunteer networks, and transportation partners.
"Sometimes our job is to connect the dots in a community that was always willing to help but did not know where to begin," Broussard said.
Whole-person cancer care is gaining traction nationwide as payers and providers seek ways to improve outcomes and reduce avoidable costs. For New Jersey residents, the availability of a fully integrated social work team offers a new layer of support during one of the most challenging times in life.
Thyme Care's approach reflects a growing recognition that cancer affects more than the body; it affects families, finances, communities, and emotional well-being. By addressing those realities head-on, the social work team helps patients find stability, clarity, and strength throughout the cancer journey.
What support does Thyme Care provide to New Jersey members?
Thyme Care offers symptom monitoring, logistics coordination, emotional support, benefits guidance, and resource navigation tailored to the needs of New Jersey residents.
How do social workers help people undergoing cancer treatment?
They address emotional needs, financial strain, transportation challenges, caregiver stress, and access to community resources.
Why are distress screenings important in cancer care?
They help identify emotional or physical issues earlier, reducing preventable complications and improving communication with care teams.
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