At the Partnership, every day is an opportunity to make a difference. We’re dedicated to changing the paradigm in maternal and child health. From community outreach to home visits and advocacy initiatives, our team works tirelessly to support families, improve maternal and child health outcomes, and create healthier communities. On January 23, 2025, in honor of Maternal Health Awareness Day, our team was in action—connecting with families, delivering essential services, and advancing key initiatives. Here’s a look at the impact we made in just one day.
- We partnered with Central Jersey Family Health Consortium and The Cooperative to recognize Maternal Health Awareness Day with a day of action. Over 140 healthcare professionals gathered for educational presentations and networking to move toward ending the maternal health crisis in New Jersey and ensuring that all families thrive. We were honored to be joined by First Lady Tammy Murphy.
- Connecting NJ assisted 65 people in the community to obtain reproductive health care and pregnancy resources.
- A doula from the Community of Caring program provided much-needed support to a mother experiencing a difficult birth. The family is doing well.
- We facilitated two virtual support groups the promoted the emotional well-being of pregnant women and new mothers through the NJ Postpartum Resouce & Support Network.
- Family Connects NJ completed 12 two-hour postpartum home visits in Essex, Passaic, Hudson, and Bergen counties. These visits, completed within two weeks of birth, help ensure the health of both the mother and the baby.
- Our supportive home visitation programs – Nurse-Family Partnership, Healthy Families, and Parents As Teachers – conducted home visits with 70 families on Thursday providing dedicated one-on-one maternal and child health care. We ensured every mother received the emotional support, vital resources, and compassionate guidance needed. These programs cover Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, and Union counties.
- Our Family Success Centers in Dover and Irvington provided practical assistance to 30 people in need of baby supplies, paperwork assistance, resume help, and more.
- The FELLAS team were Newark engaging fathers at a school to enroll in the upcoming session that supports fathers in Essex County.
- The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Healthy Homes staff attended a workshop based on the Interconnection between Health Equity, the Social Determinants of Health and the Impact of Intersectionality (in Rural Communities). They also conducted outreach in Bergen County to increase awareness of the dangers of lead and other household toxins.
- The Early Childhood Specialist team initiated phone contact with 67 families and assisted two families in completing the Ages and Stages Developmental Questionnaire for their young children. The program covers Bergen, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, and Union counties.
- The Prematurity Prevention Initiative participated in Zufall Health’s first Maternal Health Awareness Day event, sharing resources and education on chronic illnesses that impact pregnancy. By empowering parents with knowledge, we are helping more babies reach full term.
- Smart Choices for a Healthy Life educated 136 students on impacting their choices regarding healthy and well-balanced eating habits and other ways we can care for our bodies for 4th and 5th graders.
- The Fetal Infant Mortality Review committee convened to discuss recent infant deaths and work with hospitals and healthcare providers to implement systematic changes and prevent future family tragedies.
- The Immunization staff educated more than 50 individuals on vaccines at a community event. Their team also led a webinar on NJIIS Fundamentals, helping healthcare professionals strengthen their immunization practices.
- We participated in a Maternal Health Awareness Day event at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson. Our Postpartum Doula and Family Connects NJ staff shared resources and referral information for the hospital staff.
- The Prematurity Prevention Project visited a high school in Paterson to raise awareness about substance use and abuse during pregnancy and pre-conception. The presentation was conducted in Spanish.
- The Teen Outreach Program taught 60 middle school students on making healthy choices. They also presented at a family success center in Bergen County where they engaged 24 parents to join the upcoming Teen Speak parenting workshop.
- We can’t forget our human resources and administrative staff who processed who interviewed potential new hires, screened candidates, processed grants, executed reports, planned community events, connected with other community organizations, and ensured that we can succeed in our mission.
Every interaction, visit, and program in the Partnership amplifies, supports, and empowers our communities, driving us toward the same goal. Whether providing direct services, leading educational initiatives, or stepping in during a crisis, our team is changing the paradigm in maternal health.
“We’re not just providing services—we’re building a healthier future for our communities.”