South Ward Healthy Beginnings

is a program within the South Ward Promise Neighborhood, located in Newark, New Jersey.

Designed to Provide Accessible:

Quality maternity care
Support families with ensuring children are kindergarten ready
Create career pathways in maternal health

SWHB Improves the Outcomes of Children and Families by

Reducing Sources of Stress

Strengthening Children's Core Skills

Supporting Responsive Relationships

Throughout pregnancy, and for the first 0-6 months of an infant's life,

birthing people receive comprehensive, culturally-responsive services which include Health Education, Prenatal, Care Coordination, Labor and Breastfeeding Support, Postpartum Care, Mental Health, Social Support and Counseling.

These services are coordinated through a care management team led by the care manager

A care team is provided to the family and together they track the development of the child through evidence based milestones

From 7 months to five years of a child's life,

mothers and families are supported to ensure children are ready and healthy for kindergarten. This is a pivotal period as a child's brain begins to grow and develop and when the foundations for their lifelong health and learning abilities are built.

The SWHB Perinatal Workforce Pathway program is designed to increase the number of maternity care providers and other perinatal health workers who offer culturally congruent support to women throughout their pregnancies, labor/delivery, and the postpartum period.

graph showing increase in the number of maternity care providers and other perinatal health workers

Childbirth Educator

empowers birthing people through education by equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed choices throughout the birth and parenting process.

Doula

is a professional labor assistant who provides physical and emotional support to gestational parents during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.

Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)

supports the lactating parent through any issues or challenges they are experiencing.

Community Health Worker

is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has a close understanding of the community served.

Help make a difference in the South Ward Promise Neighborhood