Mercer Times

The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (NJDCF) has announced the expansion of its Family Connects NJ program, a universal nurse home visitation initiative. Contracts have been awarded to two partner agencies to extend free nurse visits to families with newborns in six additional counties starting January 2025. This initiative will now cover Somerset, Sussex, Passaic, Hudson, Bergen, and Ocean Counties.

The universal nurse home visitation program was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy in July 2021. The aim is to support families welcoming a newborn through childbirth, adoption, or foster care placement and those experiencing stillbirth or neonatal loss. "Having a strong support system during the early days of parenthood is crucial," stated Governor Murphy. He emphasized that the program ensures new mothers and their babies access necessary care and resources.

First Lady Tammy Murphy highlighted the program's role in making New Jersey a leader in equitable postpartum care: "Family Connects NJ is the most robust universal nurse home visitation program in the nation." She expressed excitement about expanding this vital program into more counties.

The importance of this initiative is underscored by findings from the New Jersey Maternal Mortality Review Committee, which reports that hypertensive pregnancy disorders are a leading cause of preventable pregnancy-related deaths. In March alone, 14% of nurse home visits resulted in referrals for emergency follow-up care due to conditions like post-partum hypertension.

Christine Norbut Beyer, NJ DCF Commissioner, noted that the Family Connects NJ program offers significant support during what can be a hectic time for new parents. "Through this program, we can ensure a healthy start for both baby and their family," she said.

Governor Murphy's FY2025 budget supports maintaining services in existing counties while expanding them to new areas. Families will receive up to three visits from trained nurses who provide health check-ups and connect families with necessary services.

Partner agencies Central Jersey Family Health Consortium and Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ will implement the expansion into six new counties. Approximately 46% of UHV program staff are multilingual, accommodating diverse linguistic needs within communities.

Katherine Stoehr, First Deputy Commissioner at DCF, praised the specialized training nurses receive: "It’s so important to help build parents’ confidence and knowledge."

Data shows that Family Connects NJ has reduced postpartum depression rates and emergency department visits while increasing connections to community resources. Sanford Starr from DCF’s Division of Family and Community Partnerships confirmed these successes: "Our data shows how lifesaving this program has truly been."

A statewide network connects nurse providers with community programs through Connecting NJ hubs as part of the initiative.

For more information on Family Connects NJ or Nurture NJ initiatives visit their respective websites.