TRENTON, N.J. – Coinciding with National Preeclampsia Awareness Month and Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) has issued a Request for Proposal to expand the Family Connects NJ initiative to an additional six counties beginning January 2025. The initiative, which is part of the state’s Universal Nurse Home Visitation program, will extend services to Somerset, Sussex, Passaic, Hudson, Bergen, and Ocean counties.
Launched earlier this year, Family Connects NJ offers free nurse home visits to all families within two weeks of a newborn's arrival through birth, adoption, resource or kinship placement. It also supports families who have experienced stillbirth or neonatal loss. Initially available in Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, and Essex counties since January 2024, the program aims for statewide implementation by expanding incrementally each year.
First Lady Tammy Murphy emphasized the importance of early postpartum support: “When we officially launched the Family Connects NJ program earlier this year...mothers need a wide range of support within this extremely sensitive timeframe.” She added that by visiting families at home, barriers to accessing support are eliminated.
Murphy also highlighted the broader impact of the program: “The fact that nurses are both identifying physical challenges early and ensuring critical follow-ups...means we are actually building a stronger and more equitable system and state.”
Nurture NJ was launched by First Lady Tammy Murphy in 2019 as a statewide initiative aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in New Jersey. The Family Connects NJ addresses key recommendations from Nurture NJ’s Maternal and Infant Health Strategic Plan.
NJ DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer pointed out that new parents often overlook their own medical needs due to focusing on their newborns: “This expansion will help us continue to reach and support new parents in New Jersey within two weeks of birth...and improve maternal and infant health outcomes.”
According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, preeclampsia affects about 1 in 25 pregnancies in the United States. In New Jersey, it is one of the most common causes of pregnancy-related death during the early postpartum period. Major risk factors include age, first pregnancy, obesity, family history of preeclampsia among others.
Dr. Sanjna Shah noted that preliminary data shows significant intervention rates: “As of 5/9/24...14% of Family Connects NJ visits result in a referral...to emergency department or medical provider.” Sanford Starr added that these interventions are crucial for preventing maternal mortality: “Supporting and ensuring all parents and babies get a healthy start in life together is our number one goal.”
Research indicates positive outcomes associated with Family Connects NJ including lower rates of child maltreatment investigations and fewer emergency department visits within the first year.
New Jersey Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston stressed the importance of awareness regarding conditions like preeclampsia: “Preeclampsia is one of the most serious conditions associated with pregnancy...It is critical that people learn its signs and symptoms.” Baston also highlighted how evidence-based interventions like home visiting can improve health outcomes by addressing medical concerns and social determinants of health.
Perinatal mood disorders remain prevalent among birthing individuals. Data from New Jersey Pregnancy Risk Assessment (PRAMS) showed notable rates of depression before pregnancy (7.9%), during pregnancy (7.6%), and postpartum depressive symptoms (10.6%). These issues disproportionately affect minority mothers highlighting a need for supportive services.
Commissioner Beyer concluded by emphasizing community involvement: "We all have a role to play to help expectant pregnant and new moms succeed by sharing information connections..."
For more information about Family Connects NJ / Universal Nurse Home Visitation program visit https://www.familyconnectsnj.org/.
In 2022 DCF partnered with ChiByDesign to create the Maternal Success Toolkit aimed at supporting families before they reach crisis points through community engagement.
