CFNP is a nursing program that supports the child welfare goals of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF)/Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P).
The mission of CFNP is to strengthen the health and well-being of children and families in New Jersey. The program supports the goals of DCF/CP&P by orienting, educating, and supporting nurses to provide compassionate, trauma-informed nursing care. Through a partnership with caseworkers, families, and the community, nurses advocate to ensure children, youth, and families receive services that contribute to stabilization.
The CFNs will close/terminate care coordination if:
Since its inception, the Child Health Program’s (CHP) partnering with CP&P has achieved notable outcomes for children in resource care. Recognizing the strength of the CHP, DCF initially expanded funding to the program through a Social Service Block Grant (SSBG) to address the needs of biological families in 10 counties most impacted by Super Storm Sandy.
CHP understands the unique needs of families involved in the child welfare system, the complexity of the healtheare system, and was well positioned to implement a Child and Family Nursing Team. The aim of this initiative was to develop a team of CFNs to support families in the counties affected by Super Storm Sandy, assess their health care needs, identify resources, coordinate care, and empower caregivers within the family. Collaboration with families, as well as with caseworkers and community providers, is essential to supporting and strengthening families that come to the attention of child welfare. Response to these initial services was well received and expanded to include additional counties.
The FXB Center is funded to implement and maintain the CFNP team to support CP&P access to CF nurses for care coordination and teaming on high-risk in-home cases. The CFNP staffing framework includes one Regional Nurse Administrator who supervises 16 CF nurses in seven counties – Camden, Cumberland, Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic, and Warren.
Children and families referred to the CF nurse have complex health and psychosocial care needs. They have been referred to CP&P and may be receiving special services from them. Support from medical homes, specialties, insurance companies, social services, and community services is frequently lacking. The CF nurse assists CP&P and families with accessing, navigating, and communicating with these services and systems.
Nina Colabelli, DNP, RN, APN, CPNP-PC
Program Director
973-972-9229
colabenb@sn.rutgers.edu