Home visiting is a cornerstone of YCS’s community-based care, bringing support directly into the home to build strong foundations from the very start. Our trained professionals partner with expectant parents and families of young children to offer guidance on pregnancy, child development, caregiving, attachment, health, and family wellbeing. These services are voluntary, strength-based, and tailored to each family’s unique needs, working to reduce stressors, enhance parent-child bonds, and help children reach developmental milestones with confidence.

Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) 

The YCS Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is a home visitation program for at-risk, low-income first-time mothers, providing support from pregnancy until their child’s second birthday. Since 2007, our nurses have guided mothers in prenatal care, newborn care, and long-term family planning, empowering them to build a healthy, stable future. The program is free of charge, serving up to 250 families in Essex and Morris counties, with funding from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

How We Help 

  • Prenatal guidance – Nutrition, substance use reduction & health support 
  • Birth preparation – Understanding labor, delivery & newborn care 
  • Postnatal care – Monitoring infant growth, feeding, bonding & development 
  • Long-term support – Helping mothers with education, employment & self-sufficiency 

Program Outcomes 

  • Healthier pregnancies & reduced substance use 
  • More confident, emotionally prepared mothers 
  • Stronger parent-child bonds 
  • Better school readiness & future economic stability 
Parents as Teachers (PAT) 

Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a home visitation program that empowers parents to be their child’s first teacher, offering personalized education and support for at-risk families in Hudson County. Since 2013, YCS has helped parents strengthen family bonds, reduce stress, and prepare children for academic success. The free program is funded by The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ and is available in English and Spanish. 

Program Overview 

  • Biweekly 60-90 minute home visits (weekly for newborns) 
  • Guidance on nutrition, safety, sleep & child development 
  • Parenting support & stress management strategies 
  • Connection to local resources 
  • School readiness preparation 

PAT Goals 

  • Strengthen family resilience 
  • Reduce parental stress 
  • Increase knowledge of child development 
  • Ensure school readiness & success