About
About the Nurture NJ Evaluation
Nurture NJ is a statewide initiative to improve maternal and infant health, with a focus on reducing racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes. This comprehensive initiative leverages policy, funding, and workforce investments to build a safe, high-quality system of care and facilitate supportive community services.
Under the leadership of Dr. Leslie M. Kantor, Professor and Chair of the Department of Urban-Global Public Health, a team of community and academic researchers partnered with the State of New Jersey to evaluate the initiative’s progress towards making New Jersey the safest and most equitable place to have and raise a baby.
Since January 2024, the evaluation team has sought to better understand the impacts of the Nurture NJ initiative. These efforts have included:
- Speaking with Black and Latina moms in New Jersey about their pregnancy, birth and postpartum experiences and getting their recommendations to improve experiences for families in the state;
- Describing the scientific research that underpins many of Nurture NJ’s legislative policies;
- Summarizing the implementation status of Nurture NJ policy and programmatic investments;
- Analyzing the impact of Nurture NJ policies and investments on the trajectory of maternal and infant health outcomes;
- Examining the ripple effects of the initiative on the maternal health landscape in the New Jersey and;
- Understanding the impact Nurture NJ on the perinatal workforce in in New Jersey.
This website provides a centralized location to access the evaluation’s publications, for both the citizens of New Jersey and anyone interested in learning about the progress Nurture NJ has made toward its goals.