Posted on September 15, 2025
Diane Dellanno
Senior Policy Analyst
Early Childhood
For more information on this topic, contact Diane at ddellanno@acnj.org
Anyone who is a parent, or knows someone who is a new parent, understands that all parents of newborns could use a little extra support when they welcome the newborn into their lives. Fortunately, in New Jersey, thanks to a fairly new program known as Family Connects NJ, parents of newborns — whether through birth adoption, as a resource parent, or as a kinship caregiver — can now receive the support they may need as they navigate the challenges, joys, and adjustments of parenthood.
Family Connects NJ is an evidence-based, voluntary, universally offered support program for ALL families. The program connects parents with a specially trained nurse for a personalized follow-up visit at home within the first two weeks after their child’s birth. During the Family Connects NJ visit, the nurses assess the health of both the parents and the newborn, screen for potential complications, and answer questions about their newborn, such as feeding and sleeping concerns. They also connect parents to community resources based on their specific needs.
Universal in-home nurse visitation, as provided by Family Connects NJ, is an essential part of the program to help address maternal health concerns in NJ during the postpartum period. Although The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that all women have contact with their OB/GYN or other clinician within the first three weeks postpartum, most women in the US traditionally have their first postpartum visit between four to six weeks after delivery. As many as 40% of mothers do not attend a postpartum visit, and attendance rates at postpartum appointments are even lower among those with limited resources, such as unstable housing, communication challenges, or transportation barriers. Maternity care deserts, and a lack of coordinated postpartum follow-up contribute to preventable complications and poor outcomes.
Research on the Family Connects model has demonstrated significant benefits for families including:
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- Healthier Starts for Babies: 50% fewer emergency room visits and overnight hospital stays in the first year
- More Confident and Calmer Mothers: 30% lower likelihood of postpartum depression or anxiety
- Stronger Child-Parent/Caregiver Bonds: Increased hugging, comforting, and reading, leading to greater responsiveness to infants’ needs
- Safer, More Nurturing Home Environments: Families implemented simple changes to enhance safety, stimulation, and care for their babies
- Improved Postpartum Care: More mothers attended their 6-week postpartum health check
- Better-connected Families and Thriving Communities: Families discovered more local resources and support, with a 15% increase in community resource engagement
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NJ is already seeing similar program benefits as reported in a recent NJ Spotlight article. Among families served thus far, three in four families visited were referred for additional support services and 17% required follow-up medical attention.
Family Connects NJ is currently available in 11 counties: Bergen, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Middlesex, Mercer, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, and Sussex. Since the program began in January of 2024, over 5,000 families have completed a home visit (NJ Department of Children and Families, September, 2025). The program will be expanded in January of 2026 to include Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Monmouth, and Salem counties. It will be available statewide as of January 2027, when the final counties of Hunterdon, Morris, Union, and Warren will be added.
To learn more about Family Connects NJ or schedule a visit, please explore Family Connects NJ.
