Maternal and child health services - background: new jersey (NJ) is one of the nation's most urbanized, densely populated, racially and ethnically diverse states

NJ's diversity highlights the importance of addressing disparities in health outcomes and the need to ensure a culturally competent workforce and service delivery system. NJ's disparities in maternal health outcomes are known to be among the highest in the united states. The division of family health services (FHS) within the new jersey department of health (njdoh) houses the title v program (TVP). IT is charged with promoting and protecting the health of mothers, children, and adolescents, including those with special health care needs and at risk populations, and reducing disparities in health outcomes by ensuring access to quality comprehensive care. The maternal and child health block grant application and annual report that TVP submits each year to the maternal child health bureau (mchb) provides an overview of initiatives, state-supported programs, and other state-based responses. These initiatives and programs are strategically designed to address the maternal and child health needs in NJ as identified through our continuous needs assessment process and in concert with the njdoh's strategic plan, the state's health improvement plan, healthy NJ 2030, and the collaborative process with other maternal child health partners. Methodology: through partnerships and collaborations with other state agencies, family organizations, public and private entities, and other MCH partners, FHS is working to improve health outcomes for mothers, children including children, and youth with special health care needs, and families as well as working to eliminate disparities. Initiatives and programs are developed and fine tuned to strategically address MCH needs identified through continual needs assessment, public input, and in concert with nurture NJ, the njdoh strategic plan, the state's health improvement plan, healthy NJ 2030 and other MCH needs assessments and findings. Results: findings included the need for trusted support persons in the community who can advocate for birthing people and families and provide education, resources, and help to navigate the complex healthcare system. NJ has developed and expanded a perinatal workforce, including community health workers, doulas, home visitors, and others, to address healthcare needs and social determinants of health issues. Families with children and youth with special health care needs continue to need coordinated, family-centered, community-based, and culturally competent services. Conclusions: NJ's TVP continues to support the work and mission of title v and actively works on developing innovative ways to improve the health and well-being of NJ women and children, including those with special health care needs and families