Community

Thank you for joining us as we work toward achieving Nurture NJ’s mission to make New Jersey the safest, most equitable place in the nation to deliver and raise a baby. On this page, you can find the recommended activities and associated resources to aid you and your fellow community members in implementing the plan.

Click on the STEP below that represents where you are in the process of supporting Nurture NJ.

If you are just beginning, click on Step-1.
If you have been implementing your Nurture NJ action areas for more than three months, click on Step-2.
If you are more than six months into implementation, click on Step-3.
Finally, if you have been working on Nurture NJ initiatives for more than nine months, click on Step-4.

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

These recommendations apply to you if you are one or more of the following:

Community members/citizens
Community-serving organizations
Faith community
Community health workers
Peer counselors
Doulas
Grassroots leaders
Housing and homeless advocates
Task forces

We are thrilled to work in community with you. Welcome aboard!

Recommendation 2.1

State departments and agencies, in partnership with the private sector, nonprofits, community leaders, and funders, should develop an infrastructure for community-level power- and knowledge-building in communities with high Black maternal and infant mortality.

Activities to Begin in Support of 2.1

In preparation for further funded work, community members should familiarize themselves with the goals and tactics of the Strategic Plan and begin organizing to establish priorities based on individual circumstances.
Community members should seek out women’s stories; document and record them (with consent) for shared learning and deeper understanding.

Tools, Resources and Models

The Nurture NJ Strategic Plan
Nurture NJ Strategic Plan Companion Document: A Deeper Dive into Data and Key Concepts.

Recommendation 4.2

Through a statewide communications campaign, promote a fundamental shift in ideology around the role of life course experiences, and environmental and social exposures on the health of women and infants.

Activities to Begin in Support of 4.2

Community members should seek learning on:
1. the problem of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality
2. root causes and contributors
3. non-status quo approaches
4. women’s experiences

Tools, Resources and Models

The Nurture NJ Strategic Plan
Nurture NJ Strategic Plan Companion Document: A Deeper Dive into Data and Key Concepts.

Recommendation 2.1.4

Recommendation 4.2 Continues

Activities to begin in support of 4.2

Individuals should conduct a self-assessment and one on their organization’s Racial Equity Capacity using provided assessment tools.
Determine training needs to increase equity capacity.
Determine joint training needs of team/network.
Report training needs to leadership.

Tools, Resources and Models

Nurture NJ Strategic Plan Companion Document: A Deeper Dive into Data and Key Concepts. Articles:
I.1, New Jersey Women Speak: New Jersey Isn’t the Greatest Place to Give Birth Now
I.2, Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in New Jersey
I.3, Infant Mortality in New Jersey
I.3, Building Infrastructure to Support, Promote and Maintain Racial Equity and Community Power-Sharing in All Policies and Processes of Nurture NJ
I.1, Colorado Health Equity Assessment Tool
I.2, Assessing Organizational Racial Justice
I.4, Resource Guide, Section II- Equity Assessment tools
I.1, Webinar Slides for Structural Change adapted to Nurture NJ

Recommendation 4.2 Keeps Going

Activities to Begin in Support of 3.3

Seek training according to equity assessment.
Formally modify work processes to incorporate learning tools.

Tools, Resources and Models

The Nurture NJ Strategic Plan
Nurture NJ Strategic Plan Companion Document: A Deeper Dive into Data and Key Concepts. Articles:
- I.1, New Jersey Women Speak: New Jersey Isn’t the Greatest Place to Give Birth Now
- I.2, Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in New Jersey
- I.3, Infant Mortality in New Jersey
- I.4, Data Snapshot: Women’s Access to Healthcare, Social Services, and Supportive Policy.
- I.5, Issue in Focus: Adverse Childhood Events, Substance Use and Infant and Maternal Morbidity and Mortality
- I.6, Racism in the United States
- I.7, The Science: Pathways of Racism’s Impact on Health