Part of the global Healthier Together II series highlights how in-home nurse visits are making a measurable difference for families across the state

Princeton, NJ — March 16, 2026 — In her first budget address, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill highlighted a major expansion of Family Connects NJ, underscoring the administration’s commitment to supporting families and improving maternal and infant health across the state.

The Governor announced that her budget proposal includes wide-ranging support for programs serving parents and children, including expanding Family Connects NJ, the state’s nation-leading universal nurse home visiting program, to become available statewide for the first time.

“This budget invests in our children from the moment they’re born,” Gov. Sherrill said. “It expands the Family Connects home visitation program to every county so parents of all
newborns can have a specially-trained nurse visit them at home.”

The announcement comes as a new short film shines a global spotlight on Family Connects NJ and the impact the program is already having for families. Produced by BBC StoryWorks
Commercial Productions for the Burke Foundation, the film is part of the Healthier Together II series presented by the WHO Foundation, which showcases innovative approaches improving
health and well-being around the world.

“Family Connects NJ provides mothers and babies with vital care and guidance during those vulnerable first weeks after birth,” said Atiya Weiss, Executive Director of the Burke Foundation. “By offering universal nurse home visits, we normalize support, reduce stigma, and identify health concerns early. With more than 9,000 visits to families across New Jersey, we see how
this model strengthens maternal health, supports infant well-being, and builds parent confidence from day one. Research on this model shows that every $1 invested can save more than $3 in health care costs before a child turns two. We hope this film helps more people understand the life-saving impact this program can have for mothers and babies.”

The short film follows Family Connects NJ nurse Diana Gonzalez on a home visit, offering a close look at how early, in-home nurse support helps families navigate the critical first weeks
after birth. Through the program, specially trained nurses offer a free visit to every family with a newborn in participating counties, assessing maternal recovery, infant health and weight gain, safe sleep practices, caregiver mental health, and broader family needs. When concerns are identified, nurses connect families directly to ongoing care and community-based services.

The film captures the complexity of the postpartum period and the power of timely, relationship-based support.

“Those first two weeks after birth are so vulnerable,” Gonzalez says in the film. “A lot can change very quickly. Having someone there who really sees you can make all the difference.”

Unlike traditional home visiting programs that rely on income eligibility or risk criteria, Family Connects NJ is offered universally, regardless of income, background, or risk level. The
program also serves families who have experienced stillbirth or neonatal loss, as well as those adopting or fostering a newborn.

“Health is so much more than health care. It really is about life and about how people are accessing resources across the lifespan,” said Lisa Asare, President and CEO of the NJ
Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority. “A non-income-based and non-risk-based program for all families has changed the game. Family Connects NJ helps to reduce stigma
because families don’t have to qualify. They don’t have to explain why they need the service. It becomes part of the fabric of how we provide care in New Jersey.”

Early results show strong uptake and impact. Independent evaluation by researchers at Johns Hopkins University indicates significant early outcomes during the program’s first year of
implementation (January 2024–January 2025):

● More than 2,500 newborn home visits provided across five counties

● 51% of participating families connected to at least one community resource

● Serious health concerns identified in 14% of families before the next scheduled medical appointment

● 60% of referred families successfully connected to recommended resources

● 100% of caregivers reported feeling listened to and said their questions and needs were treated as a priority

By identifying concerns early — from postpartum hypertension to mental health challenges — the program helps prevent complications from escalating while strengthening parent confidence during a pivotal developmental window.

Family Connects NJ is being implemented statewide through coordination led by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families in partnership with the model developer, Family
Connects International, and philanthropic partners including the Burke Foundation. With the Governor’s proposed expansion, the program would reach all 21 New Jersey counties.

The film was released March 16 and is now available to a global audience.

To watch the film and learn more about Family Connects NJ, visit: https://burkefoundation.org/news/family-connects-nj-film/#watchfilm