Gov. Sherrill aims to fund home nurse visits for newborns, moms in all 21 counties

WHY IT MATTERS

New Jersey is moving toward universal home nurse visits for all newborns and mothers across its 21 counties, a healthcare expansion that connects families to critical support services during vulnerable early parenting months. Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s budget proposal allocates $12.8 million to complete statewide rollout of Family Connects NJ by early 2027, addressing gaps in postpartum care and maternal health that currently leave some regions without access to trained home health professionals. The initiative represents a significant investment in preventive care infrastructure, helping identify health complications, screen for postpartum depression, and link families to assistance programs including housing support, food security, and mental health services.

WHAT HAPPENED

Gov. Sherrill included $12.8 million in her first budget proposal—a $60.7 billion plan released last week—to expand Family Connects NJ to the four remaining counties by January 2027. The program, overseen by the state Department of Children and Families, dispatches specially trained nurses to visit families at home within two weeks of a newborn’s birth, adoption, or in cases of stillbirth or infant loss.

Family Connects NJ launched in 2024 with operations in four initial counties and has expanded incrementally each year. Sherrill’s budget funding would extend services to Hunterdon, Morris, Union, and Warren counties, completing coverage across all of New Jersey’s counties. The governor framed the investment as part of her administration’s commitment to supporting families from infancy forward, stating during budget announcement remarks that “parenting is hard. Parenting right now is even harder. That’s why this budget invests in our children from the moment they’re born.”

The proposal now advances to state lawmakers, who must draft and finalize a detailed fiscal year budget by July 1. Former Gov. Phil Murphy allocated at least $50 million across multiple budget cycles to establish and expand the program before leaving office in January following two terms.

BY THE NUMBERS

Family Connects NJ has demonstrated measurable impact during its initial expansion phase. State officials report that trained nurses have conducted more than 10,000 home visits to families across counties currently served. During 2025 alone, more than 50 percent of families visited were connected to wraparound resources addressing basic needs and health services. Approximately 1 in 6 families required emergency care referrals, indicating the program’s role in identifying serious health concerns. The Family Connects model operates in more than 60 communities nationwide, with New Jersey positioned as only the second state—after Oregon—to pursue full statewide implementation.

ZOOM OUT

The expansion reflects a national movement toward universal postpartum home visiting as a public health strategy. Research has documented connections between early nurse home visits and improved maternal mental health outcomes, reduced emergency department utilization among newborns, and better family engagement with healthcare and social services. Oregon launched its statewide program several years ago and has become a model for other states examining similar universal approaches.

Postpartum care gaps exist across many states, with rural and low-income families particularly underserved. New Jersey’s effort to achieve universal coverage across all 21 counties distinguishes it from programs in most states, which remain limited to specific geographic areas or population subgroups. The Burke Foundation, a New Jersey-based philanthropy focused on healthy families, has supported program promotion and expansion, reflecting private sector engagement alongside public funding.

The timing of Sherrill’s proposal aligns with broader state policy attention to maternal and infant health, particularly following national trends showing increased maternal mortality and postpartum mental health crises. Universal home visiting programs address both prevention and early intervention, connecting families to mental health services, lactation support, and basic assistance simultaneously.

WHAT’S NEXT

The budget proposal enters the legislative phase, where state lawmakers will review and negotiate funding allocations through early July. Approval would enable the Department of Children and Families to begin implementation planning for the four pending counties, with January 2027 targeted as the launch date for service delivery.

Implementation will require recruiting and training additional nurses to meet demand in the newly served areas. The department must establish operational infrastructure, establish community partnerships for resource referrals, and coordinate with local health departments and hospitals to identify eligible families for enrollment.

Program continuation will depend on sustained legislative funding beyond fiscal year 2027. State officials and the Burke Foundation will likely track and publicize outcomes data to demonstrate return on investment and build political support for ongoing appropriations.