ICYMI: New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority Announces G.L.O.W. Program Awardees Through $1 Million Community Investment Initiative

TRENTON, NJ [July 22, 2026] - The New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (NJMIHIA) today announced the awardees of its G.L.O.W. Program (Grant for Lasting Outcomes in Women's Health), a first-of-its-kind $1 million statewide investment designed to strengthen community-based maternal and infant health organizations while expanding trusted, community-rooted support systems for mothers, babies, and families across New Jersey.

The initiative combines $750,000 in direct grant funding with up to $250,000 in mentorship, technical assistance, leadership development, and organizational capacity-building provided through the NJMIHIA Academy. Together, the programs will help organizations strengthen operational infrastructure, communications, sustainability, program management, and long-term community impact.

The G.L.O.W. Program generated strong statewide interest, with 42 organizations expressing interest and 27 submitting completed applications. Following a review process, NJMIHIA selected 15 organizations representing North, Central, and South Jersey whose work aligns with the Authority's strategic priorities of innovation, workforce development, mental health, and community engagement.

"The G.L.O.W. Program reflects New Jersey's continued commitment to advancing equitable maternal and infant health outcomes by investing directly in the organizations and trusted messengers closest to the communities they serve," said Governor Mikie Sherrill. "These organizations are strengthening the support systems that families rely on every day, and their work will help build a more connected, responsive, and equitable maternal health ecosystem across our state."

The awardees represent a diverse portfolio of community-driven solutions that will strengthen New Jersey's maternal and infant health ecosystem. Funded projects include AI-powered maternal health technologies, digital care coordination platforms, doula workforce development, paternal engagement initiatives, perinatal mental health services, lactation support, occupational therapy, maternal health education, and culturally responsive community outreach. Many projects address multiple priorities simultaneously, creating comprehensive approaches to improving maternal and infant health outcomes.

Northern region

1. A Work of Heart Counseling
2. Baby, Please Birth Services
3. Bloom Baby LLC
4. Healthy People Worldwide
5. Reimagined Mind
6. SmartBody LLC
7. Take Care of You

Central region

1. Hey Black Dad
2. Medifvu LLC
3. Stateam LLC

Southern region

1. Abounding Love Doula
2. Across the Spectrum Doula
3. Aim Habonim, Inc.
4. Hey Mama Lactation
5. The WOW Center

Together, these organizations reflect NJMIHIA's commitment to investing directly in trusted community-based organizations that understand the needs and priorities of the families they serve. Their work will strengthen New Jersey's perinatal workforce, expand access to culturally responsive care, and improve maternal mental health support, foster innovation, and advance community-informed solutions that improve maternal and infant health outcomes statewide.

"The G.L.O.W. Program and NJMIHIA Academy represent far more than a funding opportunity. They are an investment in the organizations, leaders, and trusted community partners helping shape healthier futures for families across New Jersey," said Lisa Asare, President and CEO of NJMIHIA. "Each of these organizations brings deep community trust, lived experience, and innovative ideas to improving maternal and infant health. Through funding, mentorship, and capacity-building support, we are helping build stronger organizations, stronger community partnerships, and a stronger maternal health ecosystem where every mother and baby has the opportunity to flourish."

Launched earlier this year, the G.L.O.W. Program was created to help community-based organizations and birth support training entities expand their capacity and strengthen their ability to deliver high-impact maternal and infant health services. Eligible applicants included organizations providing doula, midwifery, community health worker, and lactation support training and services throughout New Jersey.

In addition to grant funding, every awardee will participate in the NJMIHIA Academy, receiving individualized mentorship, organizational assessments, leadership development, technical assistance, communications guidance, peer learning opportunities, business development support, and sustainability planning designed to strengthen long-term organizational capacity and maximize community impact.

"Community-based organizations are often the first to identify solutions and the last to receive the sustained investment needed to grow them," said Barbara George Johnson, Chair of the NJMIHIA Board. "Small organizations face significant funding challenges despite delivering trusted, community-rooted interventions that improve outcomes for mothers and babies. By providing not only financial support but also ongoing capacity-building and technical assistance, the G.L.O.W. Program helps these organizations strengthen their infrastructure, expand their reach, and scale the solutions that communities need most."

Strengthening community-based maternal and infant health organizations is critical to improving outcomes and addressing longstanding disparities in care. The New Jersey Maternal Mortality Review Committee has found that more than 80% of pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths are at least partly preventable, with many influenced by nonclinical and structural factors including mental health conditions, discrimination, food insecurity, transportation barriers, housing instability, and gaps in access to care.

"Community-based organizations are true impact players in the mission to improve maternal and infant health. They bring both deep connection to the families they serve and a grounded understanding of challenges and opportunities we face," said Dr. Raynard E. Washington, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health. "The G.L.O.W. Program represents an important investment to make care easier to get, strengthen the perinatal workforce, and deliver more culturally responsive support for moms, babies, and families across our state."

By supporting organizations across North, Central, and South Jersey, the G.L.O.W. Program was intentionally designed to promote regional equity while building a stronger statewide network of community-rooted maternal and infant health leaders. Notably, three awardees were also former recipients of the Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT)'s Maternal and Infant Health Research & Development Grant Program, illustrating the importance of sustained collaboration across New Jersey's innovation and healthcare ecosystems to accelerate meaningful change for mothers, babies, and families.

"At CSIT, we believe that bold ideas and innovative solutions have the power to transform maternal and infant health across New Jersey," said Judith Sheft, Executive Director of the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT). "It is especially rewarding to see several recipients of NJMIHIA's G.L.O.W. Program recognized after previously receiving support through CSIT's Maternal and Infant Health Research & Development Grant Program. Their continued success demonstrates the importance of investing in innovation from early-stage development through implementation and reinforces the value of strong partnerships that help bring promising solutions to the communities that need them most."

Grant recipients will begin implementing their projects over the coming months while participating in the NJMIHIA Academy's year-long capacity-building program, positioning their organizations for long-term sustainability and greater statewide impact.

About the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority

The New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (NJMIHIA) is the nation's first state authority dedicated exclusively to improving maternal and infant health outcomes and addressing racial and ethnic disparities in care. Established in 2023 through landmark legislation, NJMIHIA connects and aligns healthcare, community, policy, workforce, and innovation systems to strengthen support for mothers, babies, and families across New Jersey. Through workforce development, community-rooted innovation, public-private partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration, NJMIHIA is helping build a coordinated maternal and infant health ecosystem grounded in trust, equity, data, and accountability. Guided by its vision of "a world where all mothers and babies flourish," NJMIHIA is working to position New Jersey as a national model for equitable maternal and infant health innovation.