News from Project Self-Sufficiency

  Project Self-Sufficiency has earned a prestigious endorsement from Parents as Teachers National Center, Inc ., (PATNC) as a Blue Ribbon Affiliate, making it one of the top-performing home visiting affiliates within Parents as Teachers’ international network. The official designation was made in October 2024.   Being named a Blue Ribbon Affiliate affirms that Project Self-Sufficiency is a high-quality member of the home visiting field, implementing the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model with fidelity. Families in Sussex and Hunterdon Counties are positively impacted by the services delivered by this program.   The program includes home visits, group connections, child screening, and connections to community resources. It equips parents with knowledge and resources to prepare their children for a stronger start in life and greater success in school.   “To earn the Blue Ribbon Endorsement, we underwent a rigorous self-study and review process fro...

Kori Bodle Kori Bodle has faced several exciting challenges during the past few months, including launching a career, getting a driver’s license, buying a car, and planning a wedding.   Now pregnant with her first child, she considers herself fortunate to be able to rely on the advice from the personal nurse provided through Project Self-Sufficiency’s Nurse Family Partnership program, particularly as she navigates her first pregnancy during a pandemic. “I didn’t think I would be able to have children, so just getting pregnant was a surprise.   I’m 28 weeks pregnant now and I’m feeling great,” commented Bodle, who works as a Behavioral Technician at a Sussex County drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility and has started coursework towards the next step in her career.   “We had a case of Covid-19 at work, so I stopped working for a week.   I got tested and went back to work.   I want to get certified as a Peer Recovery Specialist.” Women...

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 tho...