Children & Family Community Services

VNACJ home visitation programs for families at risk are designed to promote healthy pregnancies, healthy childhoods and self-sufficiency.

Additional Programs.

Healthy Families Program

The Healthy Families Program is an intensive home visitation program by specially trained lay staff for at risk, first time mothers in Asbury Park, Long Branch, and Perth Amboy, NJ.

Working closely with community health nurses, experienced family support workers visit expectant mothers in their last trimester of pregnancy or within 2 weeks of the birth of the infant to offer parenting assistance and community resource assistance. We help mothers with prenatal and postpartum care as well as offer strong family support including job training, education, nutritional counseling, housing, and transportation.

For referral or additional information, call 732-502-5158 or Contact Us.

Nurse Family Partnership (NFP)

Through a partnership with the United Way of Central Jersey, the VNACJ Nurse Family Partnership program was the second NFP site in New Jersey and has become a signature program for success in helping first time moms living in Middlesex County and Franklin Township. In October of 2007, VNACJ received a grant to initiate NFP services for the first time to qualified residents in Monmouth County.

The Nurse Family Partnership program has had a positive impact on children and mothers and reports:

  • 48% reduction in child abuse and neglect
  • 59% reduction in arrests
  • 90% reduction in adjudications as PINS (person in need of supervision) for incorrigible behavior
How We Help: Trained NFP nursing professionals with an extensive background in maternal child health provide weekly or biweekly visits with the goal of improving pregnancy outcomes; improving child health and development, and improving the economic self-sufficiency of the mom and family.

Services can include parent education, health care, child protection, education, criminal justice, mental health, welfare and public assistance, and taxes.

Who We Help: First-time moms are enrolled between the 16th week and 28th week gestation, prior to the child's birth. The families are followed through the child's second birthday.

For referral or additional information, call 732-502-5158 or Contact Us.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Initiative for Parents (TIP)

Specially trained staff provide home visitation to help parents develop parenting skills and prepare for employment. Visitation begins at pregnancy and continues through the first year of the child's life. The program is available to eligible residents of Monmouth County.

For referral or additional information, call 732-224-6974 or Contact Us.

STAR - Start to Achieve and Realize Your Potential

A four-week job search program for individuals receiving Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) benefits in Monmouth County. Program designed to provide Work First New Jersey clients with valuable information including effective job search techniques, communication skills, money mangagement, and community resources.

For additional information contact 732-224-6657.

Child and Parent Program (CAPP)

Through the Child and Parent (CAPP) program, home visitation by a registered nurse is available for at-risk mothers and babies who reside in Monmouth County and who are not eligible under other funded programs.

For referral or additional information, call 732-224-6974 or Contact Us.

Nurse Case Management for Lead Burdened Children

Case management services for children with elevated lead levels are available for residents of Monmouth County. This program is in coordination with Monmouth County Health Department.

For referral or additional information, call 732-224-6974 or Contact Us.

Special Child Health Services (SCHS) and Early Intervention Program (EIP)

Special Child Health Services is a grant funded, case management service provided by VNACJ for residents of Monmouth County. The Early Intervention Program provides direct services for infants and children.

Who We Help: A special child is any infant, child or young adult with a health problem or condition that interferes with normal growth or development. SCHS are provided to children from birth to age 21 and to their families, regardless of their ability to pay. EIP services are provided to children from birth to 3 years of age.

We help children who are:

  • Premature
  • Chronically ill
  • Medically fragile
  • Developmentally delayed - talking, walking, playing
  • Injured as result of serious accident
How We Help: Starting with a complete child/family needs assessment and evaluation, our case managers create a plan that addresses the child's medical, dental, education, developmental and rehabilitation needs. Once the plan has been created, we work with the family to obtain the services and support they need.

We have helped families with:

Early Intervention Services Medical Insurance
School-based ConcernsMedical Bills
Nursing ServicesTherapy Services
Social ServicesMental Health Resources
Community ResourcesMedical Equipment
Prescription DrugsNutritional Counseling

For more information, call us today at 732-224-6950 or Contact Us.

School-based Nurse Practitioner Program

VNACJ provides primary care through a school-based Nurse Practitioner program in 19 schools and in five school districts throughout Middlesex and Monmouth counties.

In 2008, VNACJ nurse practitioners cared for more than 1,900 students and saved more than 32,000 hours of absence due to illness. Nurse practitioners assess, treat, and educate students.

Services can include:

wellness visits prescriptions
sports physicalsimmunizations and record review
scoliosis screeninghearing and vision testing
TB testinghealth education

In addition to nurse practitioner services, VNACJ also offers substitute school nursing services provided by registered nurses.

School-Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP) in Asbury Park

As the first statewide effort in the Nation to place comprehensive services in or near secondary schools, VNAJC SBYSP staff are located at Asbury Park High School. They work with teens in grades 8-12 to help them finish school, acquire job skills and employment, prevent adolescent suicide and teen pregnancy, and to lead healthy, drug-free lives.

For referral or additional information, call 732-224-6974 or Contact Us.

Services to Day Care Centers

A specially funded program serving targeted day care centers in Monmouth County provides health consultation and immunization audits at each center.

For referral or additional information, call 732-224-6974 or Contact Us.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program

In 2008, more than 34,000 families with children under 5 received food and nutrition counseling through the VNACJ WIC supplemental nutrition program.

Eligible participants include pregnant and nursing mothers and children up to 5 years of age. The program includes nutritional counseling, anemia screening and vouchers for the purchase of selected nutritious foods. Services of a lactation consultant are also available. WIC programs are federally funded and available in Monmouth, Middlesex and parts of Somerset counties.

For referral or additional information on this or other community-based programs, call 732-224-6974 or Contact Us.