The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (NJ DCF) announced a major milestone in its mission to support new parents, expanding the Family Connects NJ (FCNJ) program to six additional counties. With this latest rollout, the Universal Nurse Home Visiting service is now available across all of South Jersey and the majority of Central and North Jersey, keeping the state on pace for full statewide implementation by next year.
Families in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Monmouth and Salem counties can now access free, professional support from registered nurses in the comfort of their own homes.
The expansion comes at a pivotal time for maternal health in the Garden State. Recent data from the New Jersey Maternal Data Center reveals a sobering reality: 86.7% of pregnancy-related deaths in the state were determined to be preventable. Furthermore, significant racial disparities persist, with Black, non-Hispanic women facing a mortality rate 7.6 times higher than white, non-Hispanic women.
“Ensuring that our families, particularly our mothers, receive the medical care they need is a top priority,” Gov. Mikie Sherrill said. “The early days are critical, and having access to timely medical care can have a significant positive impact on long-term health and well-being.”
Since its launch in January 2024, FCNJ nurses have performed nearly 9,000 visits. The program’s impact is backed by more than just testimonials; it is rooted in urgent medical intervention.
According to Brandie Wooding, program director for FCNJ, the necessity of the program is increasing:
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In 2024, nurses identified serious postpartum health concerns in 14% of visited families.
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In 2025, that figure rose to 18%, with nurses identifying issues such as elevated blood pressure, infections, infant weight gain challenges, and postpartum mental health crises.
A recent report highlighted the program’s lifesaving potential when two visiting nurses identified a newborn in respiratory distress. The nurses coordinated an emergency transport to the hospital, an intervention the mother later credited with saving her child’s life.
Family Connects NJ is a voluntary, free service available to all families welcoming a newborn, whether through birth, adoption, or kinship placement.
Key features of the visit include:
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Timing: Typically scheduled within the first two weeks of the baby arriving home.
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Health Checks: Clinical assessments for both the birthing parent and the newborn.
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Expert Guidance: Professional advice on breastfeeding, safe sleep, and newborn care.
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Community Links: Referrals to local resources and support systems.
“We meet families where they are—in their own homes—at a time when health complications can unexpectedly arise,” Sanford Starr, NJ DCF assistant commissioner said.
With 17 counties now active, New Jersey continues its push to become the safest state in the nation to deliver and raise a child.
