Menendez, Booker announce $10M for new and expecting moms, NJ families

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U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, both Democrats, announced on Monday the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services $10,821,021 for its Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program, providing services to women during pregnancy and to parents with young children.

“Home visitations by nurses, social workers and other professionals are proven to improve the prenatal health, development, education and economic self-sufficiency of low-income children and families,” said Menendez, who was a key architect of the program and is a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, which sets national health policy. “This funding will go a long way to help us build upon proven programs in New Jersey that are already helping children in at-risk households,” Menendez said.

“Providing pregnant women and new parents with additional support and resources ensures that babies are born healthy and parents learn to provide the care their child needs to thrive,” said Booker. “This funding will help expand a proven program that supports families in need and will make a lasting difference in the lives of many New Jersey families.”

Menendez said that through MIECHV, nurses, social workers or other professionals visit at-risk families in their homes to evaluate their living situations and provide information on resources available to improve the health, educational and economic opportunities for at-risk children. Resources include health care, early education, parenting skills, child abuse prevention, and nutrition education or assistance.

Menendez spearheaded a five-year re-authorization in 2017 to ensure families across the nation continue to receive services from this important program. The program serves all 21 counties in the state.