Our Family Strengthening model
The Union County Family Strengthening Network (UCFSN) supports families facing barriers and creates opportunities for every person to succeed from birth to adulthood. The network is a unique public-private partnership between United Way of Greater Union County and businesses, government, schools, faith-based and non-profit organizations.
Through a robust partnership including the Wilf Family Foundation, the Department of Children and Families and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, United Way of Greater Union County supports the Hillside Family Success Center, James Kellogg Multicultural Family Success Center, Rahway Family Success Center and the Village Family Success Center to provide vital services.
Our Family Success Centers provide wrap-around critical resources and services to families who find themselves in crisis. With the support from our Family Success Centers, each year, thousands of families receive services in job preparation and training, emergency funds for housing and food, social services, counseling, parent workshops and more.
Health and Well-being
Sustaining a Culture of Health In Plainfield
United Way of Greater Union County gained the support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-New Jersey Health Initiative to establish the Healthy Plainfield Coalition. The Coalition works in partnership with the City of Plainfield and key stakeholders to build and maintain a comprehensive approach to healthy lifestyle living. In the past year, the Coalition has provided healthy workshops in diabetes, prevention and wellness programs and, nutrition education. Between November 1 and December 15, 2018, 750 families were assisted in the enrollment and re-enrollment process for federal health insurance plans. In order to increase access to fresh food, five distribution sites in the city were created where residents can purchase fresh fruit and vegetables. On average, over 1000 households per month receive free fresh food. The Coalition also developed a transportation directory so that residents can have access to the different types of transportation options. In addition, the Coalition supported the implementation of an online one-stop shop for community resources. Union Connects is a community website and an online search engine tool that provides resources to users looking for services available in housing, health, food, employment and more. Residents can search services by zip code, professional staff can create and track referrals and, administrators can analyze trends. Supporting Union County’s Vulnerable First-Time Mothers
A recent study suggested that Union County has one of the highest rates in infant mortality, low birth weights and teen pregnancy than other counties in New Jersey. Moreover, 21% of Union County’s mothers do not receive early prenatal care.
The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) provides home visitation services to vulnerable first time expectant mothers and their children. Women paired with specially trained nurses receive regular home visits and are provided with valuable resources and support needed for a healthy pregnancy. One hundred percent of the families served through NFP are at or below the federal poverty level, earning less than $21K per year for a family of three and less than $17K for a family of two. On average, the nurse to family ratio is 15 to 1, serving a total of 247 families during the 2018-2019 fiscal year.
Outcomes from services
67% decrease in teen births
97% of new mothers decided to breastfeed
92% of mothers have a primary care provider
88% of children are up-to-date on immunizations
96% have been screened for lead
Ryan White Program
United Way of Greater Union County provides administrative support to the Planning Council to ensure a system of care for all eligible persons living with HIV/AIDS in the Newark Eligible Metropolitan Areas. The Newark Services Planning Council serves residents of Essex, Morris, Sussex, Union and Warren counties.
To Learn more about our programs and services, hover over “Our Impact” at the top of your screen.