The immediate postpartum period is a vulnerable time for any new parent and baby. Parents may have many questions around caring for their new child, or maternal or newborn complications can occur. Through the expansion of New Jersey’s universal home visiting program, Family Connects NJ (FCNJ), into six additional counties in January 2025, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families is hoping to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across the state.
FCNJ is helping to bridge the service gap and meet families where they are – in the comfort of their own home. During the visit, specially trained nurses provide customized care to the birthing parent and baby. This includes conducting physical assessments of vital signs, providing anticipatory guidance, and connecting families to community resources, if needed.
Bringing home a newborn is an exciting and emotional time for any parent. But it’s also an adjustment to a life caring for the new addition to their family. Whether it’s a first baby or one of many, it is always a busy and hectic time. It’s easy for a parent to miss the signs that something may be wrong with their own health or that of their baby’s.
This is where Family Connects NJ is helping New Jersey families to be safe, healthy and connected.
Family Connects NJ is a universal newborn home visitation program designed to support ALL parents and families welcoming a newborn through childbirth, adoption, or foster care placement. The program also provides much needed support to families that have experienced the tragedy of stillbirth or neonatal loss. Visits are typically scheduled within 2 weeks of delivery, or the welcoming of a newborn home.
FCNJ launched last year, in Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Mercer and Middlesex Counties. And beginning next month –January 2025 – the program will expand to Bergen, Hudson, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, and Sussex Counties. Services will continue to roll out until statewide.
FCNJ services help to ensure the baby and birthing parent are doing well during the fourth trimester – the period of time between arriving home and their scheduled postpartum visit with their doctor, which can often be a critical time.
According to the CDC, more than 80% of pregnancy-related complications are preventable. In New Jersey, specifically, hypertensive pregnancy disorders are a leading cause of preventable pregnancy-related deaths.
Since its launch, FCNJ visits have resulted in numerous instances in which a mom or baby have been referred for immediate follow-up, either with the family’s medical provider or the local Emergency Department. The most common concern was hypertension.
As one of our most valued partners – the NJ State Nurses Association – we look to you to help get the word out about this life-saving program
To learn more about Family Connects NJ visit https://www.familyconnectsnj.org/
Schedule a FCNJ visit at https://www.familyconnectsnj.org/interest-form
