Pregnant Women and Parents of Young Children Can Find Help at Local Agency

Parents of infants and toddlers, or those who are pregnant with their first child, are invited to receive advice and support from a certified nurse or family support worker through Project Self-Sufficiency. The agency offers a range of family support programs to income-eligible families in Sussex, Warren and Hunterdon counties. The programs are free, voluntary and confidential. Those who register prior to June 30^th and complete their first consultation can receive a $50 Shop Rite gift card.

Participants in the agency’s family support programs receive free parenting tips, baby items, information about childhood health, and other topics from certified nurses or family support workers. The programs combine one-on-one discussions with educational outings for mother and child to help parents boost literacy levels, address health issues, and help prevent potential developmental delays. Women who are pregnant or parenting infants, as well as those with children up to the age of three are eligible.

Three different family support programs are offered by Project Self-Sufficiency; placement in each program is dependent on the client’s location, pregnancy, and other factors. The Healthy Families program is open to at-risk single parents, teen parents, and two-parent families. Services are offered during pregnancy and are available until children are three years of age in Sussex and Northern Warren Counties. The Nurse Family Partnership® program at Project Self-Sufficiency offers home visits to pregnant women who are expecting their first child in Sussex, Warren and Hunterdon Counties. Nurses assist participants throughout the pregnancy, immediately after the birth and during infancy and early childhood. The Parents as Teachers program is designed for women in Sussex and Hunterdon Counties who are parenting an infant or toddler.

PSS Client Adrienne & her son, Miles

“My nurse was really great. She was always very easy to talk to, really friendly and great with my son,” commented Project Self-Sufficiency Nurse Family Partnership client, Adrienne Tremain, who has graduated from the program now that her son is older. “It was nice to be able to talk to somebody who was outside of my circle of friends or family. I felt really comfortable talking with her. She brought me information she thought I would need during my pregnancy and throughout my son’s first two years of life. We discussed what to expect at each stage of the pregnancy and she made sure that he was on track with all of his developmental milestones. Now I’m in grad school. I am studying to become a clinical mental health counselor and I want to focus on maternal mental health and perinatal mood disorders.”

Mothers also can meet regularly with other women in similar circumstances by attending monthly gatherings held virtually or at Project Self-Sufficiency. Participants receive the latest information about household safety, parenting, health and wellness, and other topics, while enjoying lunch and engaging in craft projects with their children. If held on site, mothers can also take advantage of the other programs and services available to families at the agency. Transportation to the monthly meetings is available to women in need.

Project Self-Sufficiency’s family support services are available to income-eligible residents of Sussex, Hunterdon and northern Warren Counties. To find out more about the family support programs offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or 844-807-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Little Sprouts Recognized for Excellence

The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center was recently awarded a four-star rating from Grow NJ Kids , the state-sponsored initiative to raise the quality of child care and early learning throughout New Jersey. The rating is based on a rigorous process which considers documentation, classroom environment, in-person observations, and other factors. The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center is an expansive childcare and preschool facility which offers space for 83 youngsters, ages 6 weeks to 6 years, and is operated by Project Self-Sufficiency at 127 Mill Street in Newton. Jennifer Blohm is a Technical Assistance Specialist from the Central Jersey Family Health Consortium , one of three agencies assigned to provide technical assistance and support to programs participating in Grow NJ Kids. Blohm was so impressed by the quality of the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center environment, that she decided to enroll her own child in the preschool. “The goal of Grow NJ Kids is t

High School Diploma Program Launches in March

Enrollment for the next session of the New Jersey Youth Corps program at Project Self-Sufficiency is underway. The sixteen-week program launches in March and is currently being offered as a hybrid of virtual and in-person curricula and activities. The New Jersey Youth Corps gives those who have not completed high school the opportunity to boost their literacy skills, prepare for the high school equivalency exam, obtain on-the-job work experience, and transition into a career, college or the military. Interested participants are invited to attend virtual Open House hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency to learn more about the New Jersey Youth Corps and to complete an application. Virtual Open Houses will be held on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m., January 19 th , 26 th , February 2 nd , 9 th , and 16th, as well as Thursdays at noon, January 21 st , 28 th , February 4 th , 11 th, and 18 th . In addition, Project Self-Sufficiency is offering a $100 gift card to those who refer a young a

Volunteers and Paid Instructors Needed for High School Equivalency Program

Paid instructors and volunteers are needed to work with young adults in the New Jersey Youth Corps high school equivalency and employment skills training program at Project Self-Sufficiency. Program coordinators are searching for help with tutoring in science, math, social studies, and English as well as assistance with community service projects. Tutors will also assist with basic reading comprehension and vocabulary. Opportunities are available Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; a part-time, flexible schedule is offered. "The situation is ideal for college students or educators who might be taking a break from their regular schedule due to the pandemic,” notes Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. Those with experience in business, construction trades, building maintenance and landscaping are particularly welcome. The New Jersey Youth Corps gives young adults the opportunity to augment their literacy skills, prepare for the hig

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