In July 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law P.L.2021, c.187 to create a statewide, universal home visiting (UHV) program for newborns in the State of New Jersey.1 The program has been branded in New Jersey as Family Connects NJ. New Jersey is the second state in the country to legislate a statewide program through which families with a newborn can have a specially trained nurse visit their home in the first few weeks after the child’s birth. The services are free, voluntary, and meant for families of all backgrounds and incomes. It will also be available to resource families, adoptive families and parents experiencing the tragedy of a stillbirth. During home visits, nurses will check the physical and emotional health of the parents and baby, provide information helpful to families, and offer referrals to community resources. This approach is an “evidence-based model”, meaning research has shown that it is effective in helping families.
This has not rolled out to the entire state. It will gradually be expanded throughout the state. For more information, please use the link below.
https://www.familyconnectsnj.org/rollout
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