Burke Foundation awards $6.5M to boost maternal care in NJ – NJBIZ

Report on the Burke Foundation’s Strategic Investment in New Jersey’s Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The Burke Foundation has announced its largest multiyear grant award in its history, totaling $6.5 million. This strategic investment is designated to enhance maternal and infant health and support early childhood development throughout New Jersey. The funding reflects a commitment to evidence-based initiatives that align with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on the critical first 1,000 days of life from pregnancy through a child’s second year. The investment model prioritizes fewer, larger grants to accelerate lasting impact and foster public-philanthropic partnerships.

Strategic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The foundation’s investment directly contributes to the advancement of key SDGs by addressing interconnected issues of health, education, equality, and economic stability. The initiatives funded are designed to create a sustainable positive impact on society, reflecting the long-term economic benefits of early childhood programs, which can return up to $13 for every dollar invested.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The core focus of the grants is to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, reduce mortality, and provide comprehensive physical, behavioral, and developmental support.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: By investing in early childhood development, the grants support the foundational stages of learning, setting children up for future success in education.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: Enhancing maternal health services and supporting access to child care empowers women, promoting their health and enabling greater economic participation.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The funding recognizes high-quality child care as essential infrastructure that supports a stable workforce and contributes to the state’s economic competitiveness.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: A primary objective is to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities by expanding access to quality, equitable care in underserved communities.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The investment model is built on collaboration between philanthropy, government bodies like Nurture NJ, and community organizations to achieve shared objectives.

Analysis of Grant Allocations and SDG Impact

The $6.5 million is allocated across four key initiatives, each designed to address specific aspects of maternal, infant, and early childhood well-being while advancing the SDGs.

1. HealthySteps — $1.5 million

   This grant expands an evidence-based pediatric care model that integrates child development specialists into primary care teams. This approach holistically addresses the behavioral, developmental, and social-emotional needs of children from birth.

   • SDG 3 Impact: Promotes comprehensive well-being by integrating mental and developmental health into standard pediatric care.
   • SDG 4 Impact: Provides critical early support that establishes a strong foundation for lifelong learning and development.

2. Start Strong NJ — $1.5 million

   This funding supports a statewide campaign to make high-quality, affordable child care accessible to all New Jersey families. The initiative unites diverse stakeholders to advocate for child care as essential economic infrastructure.

   • SDG 4 Impact: Advances quality early childhood education and care.
   • SDG 8 Impact: Strengthens the state’s economy by enabling parents to participate in the workforce.
   • SDG 5 Impact: Particularly supports the economic stability and empowerment of women.

3. South Ward Wellness Center — $500,000

   A capital investment to support the creation of a community health hub in Newark. The center will provide a range of integrated services under one roof.

   • SDG 10 Impact: Directly targets the reduction of health inequalities by providing culturally responsive, localized services to an underserved community.
   • SDG 3 Impact: Offers comprehensive maternal and child health services including doula care, lactation support, mental health counseling, and CenteringPregnancy/Parenting programs.

4. Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Fund — $3 million

   This grant seeds a public-philanthropic partnership with the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (NJMIHIA) and its new Innovation Center in Trenton.

   • SDG 17 Impact: Serves as a model for public-philanthropic partnerships aimed at achieving large-scale social goals.
   • SDG 3 Impact: Aims to foster systemic advancements in clinical care, workforce development, and data-driven health models to improve maternal and infant health outcomes statewide.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses issues related to maternal and infant health, early childhood development, reducing health disparities, and fostering partnerships. These themes directly connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The core focus of the article is on strengthening maternal and infant health through various funded initiatives.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The emphasis on early childhood development and access to high-quality child care aligns with the foundational aspects of education.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: A stated goal of the funding is to “help eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities in the state.”
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article highlights the formation of public-philanthropic partnerships and multi-stakeholder collaborations to achieve the health and development objectives.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the initiatives and goals described in the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio. The article’s central theme is to “strengthen maternal and infant health,” directly contributing to this target through programs like the South Ward Wellness Center which provides expanded doula care and CenteringPregnancy initiatives.
   • Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age. The focus on the “critical first 1,000 days of life, from pregnancy through age 2” and programs like “Family Connects NJ,” a universal nurse home visitation program, are aimed at improving infant health outcomes and preventing mortality.
   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The HealthySteps model, which supports “children’s behavioral, developmental and social-emotional needs,” and the provision of “mental health counseling” at the South Ward Wellness Center directly address the promotion of mental health from an early age.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education. The “Start Strong NJ” initiative, which aims to build a “statewide campaign to make high-quality, affordable child care affordable for all New Jersey families,” is a direct effort to achieve this target. The article notes that investing in these programs helps children get “set up for success in school and in life.”

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… race, ethnicity… or other status. The article explicitly states that the grant awards will “help eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities in the state.” Initiatives like the South Ward Wellness Center, which centers “local voices and culturally responsive services,” are designed to reduce these inequalities in health access and outcomes.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article showcases this target through the creation of the “Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Fund,” described as a “$3 million… novel public-philanthropic partnership.” Furthermore, the “Start Strong NJ” initiative “unites business, community, parents, educators, funders and advocacy groups,” exemplifying a multi-stakeholder partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

While the article does not cite specific quantitative indicators, it implies several ways to measure progress towards the identified targets:

1. For SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):

   • Implied Indicator for Target 3.1 & 3.2: A reduction in maternal and infant mortality and morbidity rates. The success of Nurture NJ and related programs would be measured by improved health outcomes for mothers and babies across New Jersey.
   • Implied Indicator for Target 3.4: Increased access to and utilization of developmental and mental health services for young children and families. The expansion of the “HealthySteps” model and services like “mental health counseling” at the wellness center suggest that progress can be measured by the number of families receiving these supportive services.

2. For SDG 4 (Quality Education):

   • Implied Indicator for Target 4.2: Increased access to and affordability of high-quality child care. The “Start Strong NJ” campaign’s goal to make child care affordable for all implies that progress would be measured by the percentage of families who can access such services and the overall enrollment in high-quality early childhood programs.

3. For SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):

   • Implied Indicator for Target 10.2: Reduction in the gap in health outcomes between different racial and ethnic groups. The stated goal to “eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities” means that a key metric for success would be the narrowing of disparities in maternal and infant health statistics.

4. For SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):

   • Mentioned Indicator for Target 17.17: The amount of financial resources committed to public-private partnerships. The article explicitly mentions the “$3 million over five years” for the “Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Fund” as a key investment in a public-philanthropic partnership. The number of partners involved in initiatives like “Start Strong NJ” (business, community, parents, etc.) also serves as an indicator of successful multi-stakeholder collaboration.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: njbiz.com