New Jersey

State and Local Programs Focused on Perinatal Care

Nurture NJ – Maternal and Infant Health Initiative

Nurture NJ is a statewide campaign dedicated to making New Jersey the safest and most equitable place in the nation to deliver and raise a baby. The initiative focuses on improving maternal and infant health outcomes, reducing health disparities, and promoting access to quality care for all families.

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program
The New Jersey WIC program provides supplemental nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, and health education to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as infants and children up to age five. Services include health screenings, nutrition education, lactation consultation, and referrals to health and social services. Eligibility is based on income and nutritional risk.

Healthy Women, Healthy Families (HWHF) Initiative
Administered by the New Jersey Department of Health, HWHF focuses on reducing health disparities among perinatal populations, particularly Black non-Hispanic and Hispanic communities. The initiative implements municipality-based activities such as postpartum doula services and expanding breastfeeding education sessions to non-traditional groups, including fathers, grandparents, and teens.

Home Visiting Programs

Family Connects NJ Universal Home Visiting
New Jersey provides all new parents with access to home visiting services through Family Connects NJ. This evidence-based program offers in-home nurse visits to assess maternal and newborn health, provide education on infant care and breastfeeding, and connect families to community resources. The program is available to families welcoming a newborn through birth, adoption, foster care, or kinship placement.

Home Visitation Programs by DCF
The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) supports evidence-based home visiting programs, including Healthy Families, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers. These programs aim to improve the physical and emotional well-being of infants, children, and their families by providing community-based education and in-home support to parents.

Nurse-Family Partnership

Provides support to first-time mothers during pregnancy and early parenting years.