Over the last year, our Family Connects New Jersey (FCNJ) program has partnered with Employment Horizons, a nonprofit serving individuals with disabilities through employment services and opportunities, to assemble the baby bags delivered to families during their universal, free nurse home visit in the critical first weeks after a newborn is welcomed.
“By working together, the Partnership and Employment Horizons can support individuals and families holistically — connecting health, social services, and meaningful employment opportunities,” said Jessyca Ramos, Director of Nursing for FCNJ Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties at the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health. “This partnership allows us to address immediate needs while also supporting long-term stability, independence, and inclusion within the community, especially for individuals with disabilities.”
Employment Horizons program participants have assembled more than 3,000 baby bags in the past year, each complete with diapers, onesies, and other newborn essentials. Previously assembled by the FCNJ team, bags are now assembled by Employment Horizons.
“This partnership allows the FCNJ program to focus on its mission and enables Employment Horizons to do more for its mission,” said Samantha Oras, Chief Operating Officer of Employment Horizons.
Employment Horizons Provides Person-Centered Support
Employment Horizons provides a full scope of employment services and opportunities for people with disabilities across northern New Jersey and is committed to supporting people each year through job placement, training, and workplace support. Formerly known as the Occupational Training Center of Morris County, the organization was founded in Morristown in 1957 by a group of forward-thinking parents who wanted to expand opportunities for their children with disabilities and special needs. Last year, the organization served 633 individuals through its programs, including Agency-Based Employment, Culinary Arts Training, Readiness for Individual Success in Employment (RISE), and Supported Employment. Each client also receives counselor support to meet individual needs and get the most from the program.
“Everything is really person-centered. It’s all about client choice and whatever the individual really wants and what they feel is best for them,” Oras said about the agency’s programs.
Meaningful Employment Opportunities & Support for Families Welcoming a Newborn
We had the incredible opportunity to meet some of the individuals who help make the baby bags, including Kaci, a material handler who oversees bag fulfillment. Kaci said she likes that the bags go to mothers and explained that, after recently becoming an aunt, she has firsthand experience with how many people need help once they have kids. She added that she would love to see a program like FCNJ nationwide.
“It’s a very good job that we can do here,” said Samuel Castro, Director of Fulfillment and Facilities at Employment Horizons. “It’s exciting to see that we are helping you guys and helping people out in the community.”
Karen Rynearson, Manager of Fundraising and Events at Employment Horizons, said that program participants love doing the FCNJ job because they find both joy and meaning in making the baby bags.
“This has been a great job for our clients,” said Oras. “It’s just wonderful for us to be able to help out and give work to our clients while also helping the community.”
An Impactful Partnership
The feeling is mutual. We are grateful for this partnership and for all the Employment Horizons program participants helping to create baby bags for FCNJ. Families who receive the bags are incredibly appreciative, Ramos noted, adding that they are a valuable resource for them. A small bag of diapers and other baby essentials helps support families through the early days at home with their newborn.
“I really appreciate being able to partner with a local New Jersey nonprofit that can support us and our mission, and we can support them and their mission. I think it’s so special,” said E. King, Nursing Administrative Coordinator for FCNJ at the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health. “As someone who has formerly worked with adults with disabilities, I think this organization is just so impactful in creating not only the skills, but the opportunities for adults to have some normalcy in their lives and be able to do the things that they want to do.”
We extend our gratitude to Employment Horizons and the program participants who make our baby bags. Your work helps FCNJ provide helpful resources to New Jersey families, making a positive impact on our local communities.
About Employment Horizons
Located in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, Employment Horizons works to help people with barriers to employment achieve their individual vocational objectives and establish self-sufficiency in the community. The organization serves all northern New Jersey counties except Bergen and Hudson, and most programs require referrals from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), though some accept self-referrals. Program details can be found here. If you or someone you know would like to be referred to Employment Horizons, you can contact your local DVRS office or call 973-538-8822 to speak with an Employment Horizons team member who will guide you through the process. If you are a business looking for help getting a job done or a community member who wants to learn more, the team would love to connect with you. Please call 973-538-8822.
About Family Connects New Jersey
New babies don’t come with instructions, but they can include a free home nurse visit. Family Connects NJ is a statewide program that offers free, voluntary health and wellness assessments by specially trained nurses to all New Jersey families in the comfort of their homes. During the critical first weeks following childbirth, Family Connects NJ provides families with a private home visit from a nurse who checks the baby’s weight and assesses the physical and emotional health of both baby and parents. Family Connects NJ nurses also answer questions and provide information on important topics such as feeding, sleeping, and available community resources, if needed. Nurse visits are provided at no cost to all New Jersey families, regardless of insurance, income, or immigration status. The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey operates FCNJ across northern New Jersey. Learn more about the program and request a nurse visit at FamilyConnectsNJ.org.