Research Highlights Reach and Impact of New Jersey’s Universal Post-Partum Home Visiting Program

Rutgers Health researchers evaluate the early-stage implementation of Family Connects NJ and its role in advancing maternal and child health throughout the state

Family Connects NJ, the state's universal nurse home visitation program, has reached a diverse population of more than 3,600 families from June 2024 through May 2025, according to Rutgers Health researchers.

The findings are detailed in the Rutgers School of Public Health's report, "Tracking the Progress of Family Connects NJ: Advancing Maternal and Child Health and Equity Across New Jersey."

Previous research provides evidence that universal nurse home visitation is linked to improved maternal and infant health outcomes, including breastfeeding initiation and increased attendance at postpartum visits

Through this program, we have reached thousands of families, with 17% of in-home nurse visits resulting in a referral for a significant infant or maternal health concern that could not wait until the family's regular medical care appointment.

Tammy Murphy

Rutgers' new analysis of state-level data revealed that 80% of initial nurse visits were completed within three weeks of birth, exceeding The Family Connects Internationalbenchmark of completing at least 70% of home visits within 21 days. The evaluation team said this outcome reflects the program's goal of fostering early engagement during the critical postpartum period.

This analysis is part of a broader evaluation of Nurture NJbeing conducted by the School of Public Health and led by Leslie M. Kantor, a professor and chair of the school's Department of Urban-Global Public Health.

"Implementing statewide programs is complicated and the evaluation shows that New Jersey is making real progress toward ensuring that all New Jersey families have access to this evidence-based model," Kantor said.

In 2021, New Jersey passed landmark legislation and became the second state in the nation to guarantee universal nurse home visits to all families welcoming a new baby. Through Family Connects NJ, birth, adoptive and kinship caregivers receive a personalized 90- to 150-minute home visit by a specially trained nurse.

During the visit, the nurse comprehensively assesses newborns and parents; provides education on topics such as feeding, safe sleep and postpartum recovery; and connects families with additional resources.

To prepare for the rollout of Family Connects NJ, New Jersey partnered with hospitals to make it easier for families to enroll. The state also strengthened its community support network by hiring community alignment specialists in all 21 counties to build partnerships with local organizations and maintain up-to-date resource directories for families.

According to the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, the state has served more than 8,000 families since the launch of the program in January 2024.

"An advantage of universal programs like Family Connects NJ over income-restricted models is that they promote equity and inclusivity and carry less stigma because every family has access to support," said Felix Muchomba, who led the analysis and is an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Social Work. "We see this in Family Connects NJ's broad reach across demographic categories, including age, race, ethnicity, language and socioeconomic status, while strongly engaging families from marginalized and economically disadvantaged backgrounds."

An advantage of universal programs like Family Connects NJ over income-restricted models is that they promote equity and inclusivity and carry less stigma because every family has access to support.

Felix Muchomba

Associate Professor, Rutgers School of Social Work

The Rutgers evaluation team foundthat Family Connects NJ plays a crucial role in linking New Jersey families to additional support services. The analysis revealed that 50% of visited families were referred to other programs or services, including parenting education programs and material supports such as the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Additionally, Rutgers Health researchers found 16% of families received referrals for maternal health, infant health, or caregiver well-being, such as elevated blood pressure, signs of postpartum infection and caregiver mental health.

Moreover, the analysis suggests Family Connects NJ reaches a broad and diverse population, including those from historically marginalized and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Compared with New Jersey's birthing population, program participants were more likely to identify as Hispanic or Black and to have Medicaid insurance coverage. Additionally, 37% of participating families spoke Spanish at home and another 12% spoke one of more than 20 different non-English languages.

"Family Connects NJ is the nation's most robust nurse home visitation program, and it is one of New Jersey's most powerful tools to ensure every new parent has access to the care and support needed in the early days of parenthood," said New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy. "Through this program, we have reached thousands of families, with 17% of in-home nurse visits resulting in a referral for a significant infant or maternal health concern that could not wait until the family's regular medical care appointment. I am thrilled that Family Connects NJ is continuing to expand, and I encourage all new parents to take advantage of this incredible resource."

According to researchers, Family Connects NJ's strong early performance indicates that, as the program rolls out, it can sustain its achievements and grow its impacts. To ensure this continued success, the evaluation team recommends strategically expanding the state's sustainable home visiting workforce, analyzing program fidelity and conducting ongoing evaluation to guide future investments.

To learn more and schedule a nurse visit, families can visit FamilyConnectsNJ.org.

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