United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC) is proud to announce it has received a $70,000 grant from the Healthcare Foundation of NJ. This one-year grant supports the Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) program in decreasing disparities and achieving crucial health and wellness outcomes for vulnerable first-time mothers and their young children. This grant will pay the salary of one trained nurse dedicated to clients residing in Elizabeth, Springfield, and Union, NJ for one year.
UWGUC coordinates the NFP program in Union County with grant funding from the Department of Children & Families. The services are directly provided by the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ. Each mother in the NFP program is partnered with a registered nurse early in her pregnancy and receives ongoing nurse home visits that continue through the child’s second birthday. Nurse-Family Partnership introduces vulnerable first-time parents to caring maternal and child health nurses. The NFP program achieves three important objectives; improving pregnancy outcomes; improving child health and development; and improving families’ economic self-sufficiency.
“On behalf of the trustees and staff of The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, I am pleased to support the valuable work that UWGUC is doing reducing disparities in the delivery of healthcare and improving maternal and child health. Sadly, NJ ranks among one of the lowest states in our nation in terms of maternal health care. The Nurse Family Partnership is a critical step toward enhancing the lives and health of Union Counties’ children and their families.” said Michael Schmidt Executive Director and CEO of The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey.
“We are grateful for the generous gift made by the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey this year,” remarked James W. Horne, Jr., CEO of United Way of Greater Union County.” We are committed to ensuring first-time moms have the support and resources they need for a healthy pregnancy. Our partnership with the NFP has proven to make a difference in the lives of first-time mothers and their children. The grant from The Healthcare Foundation of NJ will help us to continue supporting mothers and children in Union County.”
UWGUC can serve 70 mothers and babies within the program. The Nurse Family Partnership allows nurses to deliver the support first-time moms need to have a healthy pregnancy, become knowledgeable and responsible parents, and provide their babies with the best possible start in life. The relationship between mother and nurse provides the foundation for strong families and lives are forever changed - for the better.
About United Way of Greater Union County
United Way of Greater Union County’s mission is to improve lives and build strong communities by uniting individuals and organizations with the will, passion, expertise, and resources needed to solve problems.
United Way works to advance the common good for all in the areas of Education, Income Stability, Health, and Family Strengthening – the building blocks for a good life. Education is essential to getting and keeping a job with a livable wage and health benefits. An income adequate to pay for today’s necessities and save for the future provides families some sense of financial stability. Access to quality health care keeps children on track in school and adults productive at work. Strong, vibrant, and healthy families are the cornerstone of every community.
About The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey
The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey (HFNJ) is an independent, endowed grant-making organization dedicated to reducing disparities in the delivery of healthcare and improving access to quality healthcare for vulnerable populations in the greater Newark, NJ area and the Jewish community of Greater MetroWest NJ. It supports the infusion of compassion and humanism into the healthcare delivery system. Since its founding in 1996, The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey has granted nearly $172 million to 480 agencies.
To learn more about HFNJ please visit www.hfnj.org