UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL JERSEY INC

HEALTHNurse Family Partnership The evidence-based Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) program specifically serves low-income, first-time pregnant women, providing comprehensive parenting training and education, and additional supportive services, from the twelfth week of pregnancy through the child's second birthday. (Additional Information provided on Schedule O)The Nurse Family Partnership ('NFP') program, which consists of an intensive schedule of home visits by NFP-program-certified registered nurses, has proven successful in both the short and long term by ensuring that babies get a healthier start even before birth, by helping mothers take better care of themselves, and by helping children grow to adolescence with fewer behavioral problems. Program outcomes include: 67% reduction in behavioral and intellectual problems by age 6 19% increase in immunization rates for children 21% decrease in pre-term births A study of over 30,000 NFP families showed that pre-term births cost an average of $54,194, while a full time healthy birth averages $4,389.We also connected mothers in our NFP program to: New Jersey Department of Children and Families American Rescue Plan Funds for infant formula FEMA funds for grocery gift cards college coaching mental health counseling and supportTHE 2023 NUMBERS:400 NFP participants: 215 mothers, 185 babies

EDUCATIONFocusing on academic and life success for Middlesex County Children ages 0-5, our primary initiatives are 1) a Placed-based Initiative at JFK Elementary School in Jamesburg NJ, 2) Summer STREAM Stars summer and school-year program at JFK, and 3) Abriendo Puertas parent-training. (Additional Information provided on Schedule O)UWCJ's three focused 'Early Education' initiatives are:Place-based Initiative at JFK Elementary School in Jamesburg NJUnited Way of Central Jersey leads John F. Kennedy Elementary School's Early Childhood Council's long-term strategy to address the early education and development needs of preschool students and their families. Our Family Advocate stationed at JFK has an active caseload of over 60 families with a wide range of education, child development, health, immigration, nutrition, and financial hurdles. The Family Advocate also facilitated parent workshops, ESL classes, and community events. UWCJ also supported an in-school food pantry and a holiday food distribution. Jamesburg JFK School families also received FEMA-funded grocery gift cards. Summer STREAM Stars at JFK ElementaryUWCJ received Community Project funding from Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman (D-12) for a summer STREAM program for preschool and kindergarten students at JFK identified by their teachers in need of additional support to increase academic success. Students attended a half-day program of instruction in science, math, technology, engineering and the arts and reading.Students were eligible to take part in a summer afterschool program, and their parents participated in UWCJ-facilitated workshops. The learning continued at home with toolkits and home libraries that were shared with parents. The program continued into the school year with STREAM modules incorporated into an enhanced science curriculum.THE 2023 NUMBERS:76 preschool and kindergarten students in the STREAM program76 students participated in nutrition and physical education programs. 108 at-home learning kits providedAbriendo PuertasAbriendo Puertas (Opening Doors) is a 10-session, evidence-based parent leadership and advocacy curriculum for Latino parents with children ages 0-5. The program teaches parents that they are their child's first teacher, and equips them to advocate for their children as well. The Abriendo Puertas curriculum consists of several topics, including early childhood development, reading, social and emotional well-being and math. The program has significantly increased academic performance amongst Latino children.UWCJ staff facilitated two Abriendo Puertas workshops in the spring and autumn of 2023, with 11 program graduates.