Congressman Rush Holt VisitS

Children’s Futures AnnouncING $3.5 Million IN FEDERAL FUNDING

Trenton, NJ, June 23, 2009 — As Trenton families approach the end of another school year, they can celebrate not just the warm weather but the awarding of significant Federal funding for center-based and home visiting programs focused on improving early childhood health, parenting skills and school readiness.  Children’s Futures (www.childrensfuture.org), announced on Tuesday that it has received its first-ever full funding of a renewable $700,000 per year, five-year Healthy Start grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Children's Futures directs a city-wide collaboration in Trenton involving dozens of health providers and social service agencies focusing on strengthening the lives of thousands of Trenton residents annually to ensure families have the support and resources they need to get their children off to the best possible start in life.

Congressman Rush Holt (12th Congressional District) announced the competitive grant in the lobby of Children’s Futures East Ward Parent/Child Center partner, St. Francis Medical Center. Prior to the announcement the Congressman participated in a roundtable discussion with Trenton parents participating in HRSA-funded programs at Children’s Futures. Prior to 2009, the Healthy Start grant had only been awarded to the City of Trenton, making today’s announcement a historic step in the growth of Children’s Futures in Trenton.

“I am pleased that Children’s Futures again received a federal Healthy Start grant. Fewer than 100 of these grants were awarded nationwide, and I know this funding will be used to great effect,” said Congressman Rush Holt. “Research consistently demonstrates that early childhood education and health care have profound long-term effects. It means high rates of graduation and lower rates of delinquency and drug use, stronger emotional maturity and self-esteem, and greater aspirations. It is exactly this kind of intervention that children need and it is exactly this kind of intervention that Children’s Futures provides.”

Congressman Holt was joined by Jeff Sagnip, Director of Communications for Congressman Chris Smith, who read a letter of congratulations from the Congressman.  Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer was also on hand and made remarks while joining Floyd Morris, President of Children’s Futures, and St. Francis Medical Center President and CEO Gerard Jablonowski, for a tour of the East Ward Parent/Child Center.  The group met with parents and children at one of Children’s Futures “Cooking and Milk” literacy programs.


“This is a great day for parents and children in Trenton,” said Children’s Futures President Floyd K. Morris, Jr. “We are honored that the Federal Government has shown such a high level of confidence in Children’s Futures.  These funds will provide us the means to continue offering vital services that strengthen families during the earliest years of childhood.”

Sagnip conveyed greetings from Congressman Chris Smith.

Morris lauded Congressmen Smith and Holt for their support of the grant award as well as the City of Trenton, under the leadership of Mayor Palmer, which has partnered with Children’s Futures under previous HERSA grants and continues to be a key partner in the delivery of Children’s Futures services.

The HRSA dollars will support six Children’s Futures centers and Nurse Family Partnership home visiting activities which help Trenton families through parenting programs, health care access, and child development programs that focus on early childhood health and development ranging from healthy pregnancies and birth outcomes to ensuring children are prepared to enter pre-school ready to learn.

About Children’s Futures

Children’s Futures Inc. (CF) is a nationally recognized, Trenton, New Jersey-based nonprofit organization created to improve health and developmental outcomes for children. As a major catalyst for change, CF also advocates for important policy initiatives to improve maternal and child health; convenes local stakeholders to model best practices on early childhood development; provides technical assistance and training for service providers; and serves as a clearinghouse of objective child health information. Core to CF is its role in Trenton directing a seven-year collaboration of health, social service, and educational institutions that work together to implement innovative approaches to improving child health and development at scale. CF began in 2001 with support that continues from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans. Children's Futures is part of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Vulnerable Populations Portfolio, which is dedicated to examining the critical relationships between health and where and how people live, work, learn and play.   For more information about Children’s Futures, please visit childrensfutures.org.