1

RutgersEffenaitchFoundation
Supporting the Health Needs of New Jersey Since 2010
26 Nichol Avenue, Room 208
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-2882

NameofApplicantOrganization:
TheFirstThousandDays
OrganizationAddress:
802
WashingtonAve
UnionBeach,NJ07735
ContactPersonEMailAddress:
tanvi.dalal10@gmail.com
ProjectTitle:
TheFirstThousandDays
TargetPopulation:
Pregnantwomen,mothersandchildrenuptotheageoftwo,children
betweenthreeandsixyearsofagecanattendeducationalsessions.
ProjectGeographicArea:
UnionBeach,NewJersey
ProposedBudget:

Request TotalBudget
ofREF
$75,000 $128,000

OrganizationsMissionStatement
Topreserveandprotectthehealthoflowincomewomen,infantsandchildrenwhoareat
nutritionriskbyofferingvariousbeneficialservices,educationalprograms,andreferralsto
healthcare.
PurposeofProposedProject
Thepurposeofthisprojectistoinspireandmotivatenutritiousmeals,preventivehealthand
childdevelopmentalpracticesinlowincomecommunitiesbyeducatingmothersandtheir
childreninthehopesofalleviatingtheeffectsofmalnutritionandpovertyandtohelpchildren
reachtheirpotentialbothmentallyandphysically.
BriefSummaryofproposedproject
ThelowincomewomenandchildrentheBoroughofUnionBeach,NewJerseyareatparticular
riskforundernourishmentduetolimitedaccesstoprogramssuchasWIC,asaresultoflackof
transportation.Theyareunabletotraveltoothercountiesorstatesforsuchprograms.TheFirst
ThousandDaysprogramwillalleviatetheissuesthispopulationfacesbyeducatingpregnant
mothersthroughpregnancyandthefirstyearoftheirbabyslifeandprovidingassistancein
manyaspectsoftheirlivesfrommentaltophysicalhealth.Withourmanyplansofaction,we
canimprovethelivesoftheseindividualsinUnionBeach.

I.

ProjectBackground
[
EmilyBabrisky
]

Thepurposeofthisprojectistoinspireandmotivatenutritiousmeals,preventivehealthand
childdevelopmentalpracticesinlowincomecommunities.Thiswillbeaccomplishedby
educatingmothersandtheirchildren.Allofthisisinthehopesofalleviatingtheeffectsof
malnutritionandpovertyandtohelpchildrenreachtheirpotentialbothmentallyandphysically.
Therearemanyaspectstothisprojectthatwillhelpusultimatelyreachthisgoal.Thespecific
aimofthisprogramistofocusonthefirstthousanddaysoflife,betweenawomanspregnancy
andthechildssecondbirthday,becausethistimeisacrucialtimeindevelopment.Asstatedin
thefollowingprojectdescription,therearemanyplanswithintheprogramthatwillhelpreach
thisgoal,suchasthePregnancyClub,withthespecificaimofencouragingpregnantmothersto
speakfreelywithothersaboutimportanttopicswhileeducatingthem.Anotherplanisthe
NutritionandWeaningCarewiththeaimofeducatingmothersaboutthetransitioningperiod
betweeninfancyandchildhood.Issuessuchasreductionofsugarsweetenedbeveragesand
increaseinphysicalactivityareaddressedhere.TheaimoftheChildDevelopmentplanisto
encourageamothersconnectionwiththeirbabyinordertopromotepositivedevelopment.The
aimofthePreventiveHealthClinicistoscreenformalnourishmentand/ordeficiencies.Finally
theaimoftheCounselingSessionsistohelpthementalhealthofthemotherswhomaybeina
stressfulsituationorhavingahardtimeadjustingtochange.

ThetotalpopulationestimateforthetownofUnionBeachasof2010was6,245people.50.4%
ofthistotalpopulationwasfemale.Thisfemalepopulation,especiallytheAfricanAmerican
femalepopulaceisatriskforhealthdisparities.Femaleheadedhouseholdshavethelargest
percentage,33.2%oftheirpopulation,livingbelowthepovertylevel.Thislowsocioeconomic
statusleavesthesewomenatagreatdisadvantage.BeingthatUnionBeachissosmall,1.889
squaremiles,itdoesnotcontainmanyoutletsforfoodmarketsanditsprogramsforassistance
arelocatedinsurroundingmunicipalitiesandarenoteasilyaccessiblewithouttransportation.
Duetothefactthatmanyoftheselowincomefamiliesdonotowncarsorhavemeanstoafford
publictransportationtoaccesstheassistancethattheyneed,anewassistanceprogramgeared
towardstheirneeds,isnecessaryinthetownofUnionBeach.Thisprogramwillprovide
educationandassistancetopregnantwomenbelow130%ofthepovertythresholdandtheir
children.Itwillbeeasilyaccessibleandconvenienttothepopulation,takingplaceneartheEarly
YearsDevelopmentCenterandTotsvilleChildcareCenter.Theeducationsessionsforthe
mothersandthechildrenwillbeflexibleandonaneedtoneedbasis.Itmustalsoofferdifferent
planstoassessthemanydifferentneedsthesefamiliesmaybefacing,frommentalhealththe
physicalhealthandeverythinginbetween.
ItisclearthattheexistingsituationinUnionBeachisnotideal.Basedonanevidentneedfor
interventionthefollowingprocesswillprovideastepbystepframeworkfortheprogramweare
attemptingtoimplement.

Analysis:
Todeterminetheseverityoftheproblemintheareastudieswillbeconducted.We
willquestionpregnantandpostpartummothersaboutmanyaspectsoftheirlife.Incomewillbe
anidentifier,aswellasthementalhealthstatus,physicalstatus,nutritionalstatusandfood
availabilityforboththemothersandthechildren.Thiswillgiveusabettersenseofhow
damagingthedifficultieswearefacingare.Toidentifythefactorsthatareinhibitingthe
participantsfromanimprovedlifewewillconductasurveythatwilldeterminethemainfactors
oflifethatcontributetolowhealthstatus.Assessmentofexistingprogramsisnonapplicable,as
therearenoexistingassistanceprogramsinthemunicipalityofUnionBeach,onlyin
neighboringareas.

StrategicDesign:
Themainobjectivesofthisprogramarereducedprematurebirths,increased
proportionofbreastfedbabies,andoverallimprovednutritionandwellnessinpregnantwomen,
mothers,andchildren.TheprimarycommunicationchannelwillbeFacetofacecontact.
Personalcommunicationisbelievedtobestrongestchannelofcommunication.Physical
presence,asopposedtoothertechnologicalreplacements,providestheopportunityfor
expressionoffacialexpressionsandtoneofthespeaker.Thishelpswithinterpretationofthe
messageaswellastheevaluationofanaudience.Italsoprovidesaforumtoaskoranswerany
followupquestions.Whilephysicalappearanceisnotalwaysafeasibleoptionforbusymothers
ofsmallchildren,asecondoptionofelectroniccommunicationwillbeimplemented.This
encompassesemail,textmessaging,andsocialmediaplatforms.Whilelesspersonal,thisoption
isoftenmoreconvenientandiseasiertoreachlargegroupssimultaneously.Lastly,mailwillbe
included,todeliverimportant,andmoreprivateinformationtoindividualparticipants,(e.g.
resultsofphysicalexaminations).Theimplementationplanandevaluationstrategyarefurther
explainedintheProposalDescription.

DevelopmentandTesting:
Thedevelopmentofthisprograminvolvestheassessmentofthe
currentstandingoftheparticipants,conductionofresearch,submissionofproposal,
implementationofprogramandevaluation.Theimplementationoftheprograminvolvesthe
executionofthedifferentstrategies(e.g.Pregnancyclubs,Counselingsessions),thetrainingof
ourorganizationsstaffandtheenrollmentoftheparticipants.Evaluationusingformative
assessmentduringtheprogramwillallowconstantchangeandimprovement.Oncetheprogram
isinplaceforayearitwillbetestedusingsummativeevaluation.Thiswillallowustoassess
enrollmentratesandtheoutcomes.Intheeventthatproblemsarise,wewilltakethetimeto
revisetheprogram.Alleviatinganyissues,thenewprogramwillberetestedinayearstime.We
willbeabletodetermineanyfutureneedsandmakeadjustmentsconcerningthoseneedsinorder
toplanforcontinuityandselfefficacyinthefuture.Whenevaluatingitisalsoveryimportantto
noteifanyimprovementisduetoourimplementationsorthepossibilityofotherfactors
influencingchange.

In1972Women,Infants,andChildren(WIC)wasestablished.Thisorganizationservices
pregnant,breastfeedingandpostpartumwomenandchildrenuptotheageoffive.Itsservices
providesupplementalnutritiousfoodsaswellasnutritioneducationandcounseling,
breastfeedingpromotionandsupport,immunizationscreeningandhealthcarereferrals.Its
eligibilityrequirementsinregardstoincomearebelow185percentofthepovertylevel(WIC
2015).Theparticipantsmustalsobeatnutritionalrisk.Currently,WICservices8.6million
participantspermonth,ajumpfromthe88,000initsfirstyear.Thisprogramhasmany
similaritiestoourproposedprojectandithasbeenproventobesuccessful.Accordingto
JonathanCrane,prenatalWICparticipationisassociatedwithimprovedbirthoutcomes,reduced
incidenceofirondeficiencyanemiaandalsogeneratessavingsinMedicaidcostsafterbirth
(Crane,1998).
Thesepositiveeffectscomefromtheencouragementofbreastfeeding,nutrition
education,andservicessuchasimmunizationsprovidedfromhealthclinics.Theseservicesare
alsoincludedinourprogram,thereforeitcanbeconcludedthatTheFirstThousandDayswill
alsohavepositiveeffectsonitsparticipants.

Evidencesuggeststhatbreastfeedingisassociatedwithpositivehealthbenefits(Jacobson
2014).Ithasbeenshownthathumanmilkprovidesprotectionfrominfectiousdiseasesduring
infancychronicdiseasessuchasdiabetesandobesityandlaterinchildhood.Inadditionitalso
candecreasetherisksofSIDSandneonatalmortality(Jacobson2014).Thebenefitsarenot
exclusivetotheoffspring,asthemothercangreatlybenefitfrombreastfeedingaswell,in
decreasingrisksofcancer.Therearemanyprograms,whichhaveproventobesuccessful,which
encouragebreastfeedingandeducatemothersaboutitsmanybenefits.Therearemanysmall
organizationswhopromotebreastfeedingfornewmotherssuchastheTheHigh5forMomand
BabyprogramandTheKansasBreastfeedingCoalitionInc.,bothlocatedinKansas,for
example.Basedonrecentresearch,theseprogramshavebeenproveneffective(Jacobson2014).
Themostwellknownprogramwhichfocusesontheeducationandpromotionofbreastfeeding,
isWIC.
Breastfeedingsuccess/initiationintheWICpopulation,andparticularlyinNewYork
City,hasgrownsignificantlyinthepastfewyears(Landau2011).RatesofbreastfeedingWIC
participantshaveincreasedinverylowincomecommunitiesfrom77.3%to86.7%in2010/2011
(Landau2011).WICemployscreativewaystoencouragebreastfeedingsuchas:

Lactationclinics

BreastfeedingBabiesPlayGroup

BreastfeedingToddlersPlayGroup

BreastfeedingMomsClub
Allofthesearesimilartotheprogramsthatweoffertopromoteandeducate(e.g.Pregnancy
Club,NutritionandWeaningCare,etc.).
Theimportanceofencouragingbreastfeedinginlow
incomeruralpopulationsiswhyitisanimportantobjectiveofourprogram.Aswecanseefrom
previousresearch,thisfocuswillhelpmothersandchildrenalikeinmanyaspectsoftheirlife.

1. Crane,J.(1998,May7).Chapter7.InSocialProgramsthatWork(p.185).NewYork:
RussellSageFoundation.
2. Jacobson,L.,TwumasiAnkrah,P.,Redmond,M.,Ablah,E.,Hines,R.,Johnston,J.,&
Collins,T.(2015).CharacteristicsAssociatedwithBreastfeedingBehaviorsAmong
UrbanVersusRuralWomenEnrolledintheKansasWICProgram.
Maternal&Child
HealthJournal
,
19
(4),82883912p.doi:10.1007/s1099501415802
3. Landau,T.(2011).Breastfeedingcasestudy:NewYorkCityTheWICprogram'svital
roleinbreastfeedingsuccess.
BreastfeedingMedicine
,
6
(5),277279.
doi:10.1089/bfm.2011.0067
4. WICEligibilityRequirements.(2015,August25).RetrievedNovember30,2015,from
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wiceligibilityrequirements

II.ProjectDescription[TanviDalal]

Targetaudience:
TheBoroughofUnionBeachdoesnothavefoodassistanceprogramssuchas
WIC.Therefore,ourtargetpopulationwillbelowincomewomenandyoungchildren,whodo
nothaveaccesstoprogramsthataredirectedtowardshelpingthem.Ourprogramwillbe
focusingprimarilyonpregnantwomen,mothersandchildrenuptotheageoftwo.However,our
educationprogramswillbeopenforchildrenbetweentheagesofthreeandsix,whoaretaught
directlyabouttheimplicationsofhealthyeating.

Programdetails:
Inthisprogramwefocusoninspiringandmotivatingnutritiousmeals,
preventivehealthandchilddevelopmentalpracticesinlowincomecommunities.Inorderto
achievethisweimplementauniversalapproach,byempowering,embracingandeducating
mothersandchildren.Wehopetoalleviatethesevereeffectsofmalnutritionandpovertytohelp
childrenreachtheirpotentialbothmentallyandphysically.Inordertoqualifyforthisprogram,
participantsmustbebelow130%ofthepovertythreshold.WeofferTheFirstThousandDays
Program.Thethousanddaysbetweenawomanspregnancyandthechildssecondbirthday
offeracriticalwindowofopportunitytoshapehealthierlives.Therightnutritionforthemother
andchildduringthistimeperiodcanhaveaprofoundimpactonachildsabilitytogrow,learn
andevenriseoutofpoverty.Forinfantsandchildrenundertheageoftwotheconsequencesof
malnutritionareparticularlysevere,andsometimes,irreversible.Thereforewefocusonthistime
periodtobetterhelppregnantmothersandchildren.Ourprogramincludes:

PregnancyClub
Womenareencouragedtoattendourpregnancyclub,wheretheyareeducatedonhowtogive
birthtowellnourishedbabies.Topicssuchasthenecessityofconsumingnoalcoholic
beverages,eatinghealthyandprimarily,theimportanceofbreastfeedingforatleastsixmonths,

arediscussed.Weencourageawarmandopenenvironment,wherewomencanspeaktheirmind
honestly.

NutritionandWeaningCare
Nutritionistsguidemothersthroughahealthyweaningprocess.Theydistributevitamins,
mineralsandnutritionalsupplementssuchasPediaSure.Theyalsospeakabouthealthyeating
habitsforthechild,suchasareductionofsugarsweetenedbeveragesandreducedtelevision
timesomethingmothersareverylikelytoengagetheirchildrenin.Encouragingtheoptionof
drinkingmilkversussweetenedbeverages,orphysicalactivityversustelevisiontimeiscrucial
forthechildshealthandintellect.

ChildDevelopment
Mothersaretaughthowtoconnectwiththeirbabiesinordertostimulatetheirmotorand
intellectualdevelopment.Furthermore,weencouragethemtoeatmealstogetherasafamily,as
thistoo,helpsachilddevelopandgrowemotionally.

PreventiveHealthClinics
Here,wediscussthechildsgrowthbymeasuringandweighingthemandrecordingresultsof
theirprogressonagrowthchart.Dependingontheresults,weconductonetoonesessionsfor
childrenwhoaremalnourishedandneedhelp.Wealsoconductbloodteststoscreenfordiseases
anddeficiencies.WehavepartneredupwithBayshoreCommunityHospital,wherewerefer
patientstospecialists.

CounselingSessions
Underprivilegedmothersoftenhaveastressfulhomeandworkenvironment.Theyarelesslikely
tolistentoguidanceandadoptahealthierlifestyle,iftheirdaytodaylivesarecausingthem
enoughgrief.Therefore,weoffercounselingsessionstoaidthemintheprocessofchangeand
alleviatetheirproblems.

Ourprogramalsoincludestrainedfieldworkerswhowillgoshoppingwithmothers,whoneed
helpmakinghealthier,economicalfoodchoices.Inadditiontoprovidingfieldworkerswho
encouragenutritionalfoodchoices,wealsoprovideamonthlystipendformothersandchildren
uptotheageoftwo,enrolledinourprogram.
Wealsoconducthealtheducationsessions,awarenesscampaignsandblooddrives.Weeducate
childrenbetweentheagesofthreetosixdirectlyaboutbalancednutrition.

Programduration:
TheFirstThousandDaysprogram,alongwiththeeducationsessions,will
beconductedfor12months(oneyear).Inordertoachievemaximumresults,participantshave
tocommittimeandefforttowardsimprovingtheirlifestyleandadoptingchange.Weexpect

motherstoattendthepregnancyclubonceaweek.Counselingsessionsdependentirelyonthe
motheriftheythinktheywouldbenefitfromasessionorafewsessions,theycanutilizeour
services.However,iftheythinkitisnotnecessary,theydonothavetoattendthematall.Weask
childrentocomebackeverytwomonthstorecordtheirweightandheight,inordertochecktheir
progress.Iftheydonotseemtobemakingprogress,weaskthemtocomeinonceeverytwo
weeksforanutritioncounselingsession.Forthechilddevelopmentsessions,weencourage
motherstocomeinonceamonth.Ifmothersneedhelpshopping,tomakehealthier,more
economicalchoices,atrainedfieldworkerwillaccompanythemonceortwice,untiltheyare
confidentaboutdoingitontheirown.Ourhealtheducationsessionsareconductedoncea
month,andareopentomothersandchildrenuptotheageofsix.Ourstaffworksfrom10amto
5pm,fivedaysaweek.

Location:
TheprogramwilltakeplaceneartheEarlyYearsDevelopmentCenterandTotsville
ChildcareCenter,atUnionBeach.Theaddressis:802
WashingtonAve,UnionBeach,NJ07735

Staffduties:
Ourstaffincludesaprogramdirector,trainingdirector,phlebotomist,anutrition
teamandheaddietician,acommunityteam,healtheducatorandtherapist.Theirdutiesinclude:
Programdirector
:TanviDalalwillbetheprogramdirector.Shewill
providethevisionand
leadershiptodefineandcarryouttheprogramsstrategicmissionwhileidentifyingandworking
withkeypartnerssuchasBayshoreCommunityHospital,throughout.Sheisalsoresponsiblefor
buildingpartnershipswithothernonprofitorganizationsinordertoincreasetheprograms
reach.Furthermore,theprogramdirectorinterviewspotentialnutritioninternsorvolunteers,at
thefinalstageoftheprocess.Finally,shewillmakesurethattheprogramisachievingexpected
outcomesandemployeesaresatisfiedandhappywiththeirworkingconditions.
Trainingdirector
:Responsiblefordevelopingthetrainingcenterforemployeesinaccordance
withthestrategicmission,includingoverseeingthetrainingoffieldworkersandinternsor
volunteers.Thetrainingdirectorwillworkundertheguidanceoftheprogramdirectorin
achievingtheobjectives.
Phlebotomist:
NeekaTabatabaeiwillbethephlebotomist.Sheconductsandcoordinatesblood
driveswheredonationsaremadeforthepatients.Shewillalsocarryoutbloodtestingfor
childrenormotherstotestfordiseasesordeficiencies,inaclinicalsetting.
Nutritionteam
:Headedbytheheaddietician,RebeccaFink,thisteamconsistsoftwoother
professionallytrainednutritionistswhohaveapassionforcommunitynutrition.Wealsohavea
thirdnutritionistfromtimetotime,whoisanutritioninternorvolunteer.Theyareresponsible
fordesigningandimplementingthenutritionprogramofTheFirstThousandDays,underthe
supervisionandguidanceoftheheaddietician.
Thisteamencouragestheadoptionoftheconcept
oflowcosthealthyeatinginthecommunity,viapresentationsandclinicalsessions.Thehead
dieticianencouragesmothersandchildrentoeathealthierbymakingastrategicdietplanwith
them.Throughintensivecounselingattheclinics,continuoussharingofinformationregarding

nutritionandpracticalsessionsconductedinthecommunity,thisteamisabletoimpactthe
eatinghabitsofnumerousfamiliesanextremelychallengingtask.
Communityteam:
Thisteamconsistsoftwofieldworkersandonesocialworker,alongwithone
socialworkervolunteerwhoareresponsibleforcommunityempowermentandmobilization.
Thisteambuildsrelationshipswiththecommunityinordertoexpandourprogramand
encouragemoreclientstocomeinandutilizeourservices.Therelationshipwiththecommunity
isextremelyimportantindevelopingtheprogramandsuccessfullyimplementingitforthe
communityofUnionBeach.
Healtheducator
:EmilyBabriskywillbethehealtheducator.Educationisavitalcomponentof
theprogram.Thehealtheducatormanagesandconductsthemonthlyhealtheducationsessions
formothersandchildren.Furthermore,shewillalsotalkabouttheimportanceofbreastfeeding
anddiscussproblemsandgrievancesofmothersatthepregnancyclub.
Therapist:
Conductscounselingsessionsformotherswhochoosetoattendthem.Theyprovide
possiblemethodstoimprovetheirdomesticandworkenvironment.

III.ProjectEvaluation[RebeccaFink]

Formative evaluation
: We will monitor ongoingenrollmentintheprogram.Therewillbeafile
for each participant created upon enrollment, and records ofeachvisitwillberecorded.Wewill
combine the data from each individual to measure the overall enrollment rate andpercentageof
peoplewhocontinuetheprogramandforhowlong.

Summative evaluation: The following outcomes will be used to measure the success of our
program:
Reducedprematurebirths:
Percentageofallbirthsthatarepremature
Ratio of Black nonHispanic preterm births to white nonhispanic preterm birth
rate
RatioofHispanicpretermbirthratetoWhitenonHispanicpretermbirthrate
RatioofMedicaidpretermbirthratetononmedicaidpretermbirthrate
Infantmortalityrate
Percentageofbirthsthatarelowbirthweight
Percentageofwomenwhosmokeduringthelastthreemonthsofpregnancy
Increasedproportionofbreastfedbabies:
Percentageofallinfantsthatareexclusivelybreastfedinthehospital
Ratio of Black nonHispanic to White nonHispanic infantsexclusivelybreastfed
inthehospital
Ratio of Hispanic to White nonHispanic percentage of infants exclusively
breastfedinthehospital

Ratio of Medicaid to nonMedicaid percentage of infantsexclusivelybreastfedin

thehospital
Percentageofinfantsexclusivelybreastfedat3monthsofage
Percentageofinfantsexclusivelybreastfedat6monthsofage
Percentageofinfantsexclusivelybreastfedforlongerthan6months
Improvednutritionandwellnessinpregnantwomenandmothers
increasednumberoftimesperdaythatmothersconsumevegetables
proportion of mothers who take advantage ofWICbenefitstopurchasenutritious
foods
proportionofmotherswhoredeemSNAPbenefitsatfarmersmarkets
proportionofmotherswhoreportengaginginregularactivity

We will use a variety of ongoing measurements to gauge the success of the program. We will
measure birth weights of infants born throughout the duration of the program. Although the
oneyear length of the program may not be enough time to see in marked improvement in
birthweight, having these measurements on record will be useful for future programs to see if
there are any improvementsovertime.Wewillalsouseincreaseddurationofbreastfeedingasa
measure of success. We will use periodic phone checkins with mothersorask them toreportin
person whether or not they are breastfeeding and whether or not they are supplementing with
formula. We will measure increasedknowledgeofgoodnutritionbasedonaquestionnairegiven
atthestartoftheprogram.Thisquestionnairewillalsoincludeasurveyofphysicalactivity.

Challenges: Challenges we have identified for our project include findingreliablestaffwhoare

educated in nutrition and maternity care, reducing barriers to transportation, and maintaining
highretentionrates.

Finding staff to assist with our program could present a challenge. We will minimize this
challenge bylookingtoresourcesatnearbyRutgersUniversityinNewBrunswick,NJ.Sinceour
core staff members are affiliated with the university and the nutrition faculty, we wouldbeable
todrawupontheseconnectionstofindvolunteersforourprogram.Anotherchallenge weforesee
is transportation for participants to and from ourfacility.Wehopetominimizethischallengeby
locating our facility nexttoalocaldaycarecenter,sothatmotherswhosechildrenareenrolledin
daycaredonothavetomakeaseparatetrip.

As a new program, mothers may be skeptical of the necessity of the education and services we
provide. They may also not be open to outsiders tellingthemhowtoraisetheirinfant,asraising
a child is a very personal experience influenced by ones family and cultural background.We
would minimize this barrier by thoroughly researching the cultures of the community and
spending time with the mothers to get to know them and their beliefs, before trying totellthem

10

what they should and should not be doing for a successful pregnancy and birthing.Wealsoaim
to promote and strengthen community ties through our group programs such as the pregnancy
club. The power of having peers who are also making positive changes will encourage mothers
tostayinvolvedinourprograms.

Future directions: If successful, The First Thousand Days could be expanded to include
nutrition programs for childrenbeyondinfancyandtoddlerhood.Itcouldpartnerwiththenearby
daycare or local elementary schools to have educational programs for kids about having their
own vegetable gardens or learning about new healthy foods. We could also form anevenlarger
network with other similar nonprofit organizations or government services to be able to refer
families to other services that may be useful to them. By forming close relationships not only
with other nonprofits or charities but with health organizations and hospitals as well, we can
ensure that not only are we able to easily refer mothers to other service, butotherorganizations
will be able to refer their clients to our services. This would expand our reach and deepen our
impact.

Plan for sustainability: Ideally, our projectwillbeabletocontinueforlongerthantheoneyear

of funding from RU Effenaitch. Possible sources of funding include a combination of one or
moreofthefollowing:
Grants from the NJ Department of Health, especially the grant for Outreach and
Education
Grants from EveryMotherCounts,a nonprofitthatprovidesgrantstoimproveoutcomes
forpregnancyandchildbirtharoundtheworld
Grants from March of Dimes, a nonprofit that
funds maternalchild health program
grants
Privatedonationsthroughfundraising

11

IV.ProjectSupplements**[NeekaTabatabaei]

MeasurementMaterials:
The First Thousand Days program will need measurement materials, including medical
instruments for the preventative health clinic service offered in the program. The preventative
health clinics will need a beam scale with a height rod in order to be able to measure and keep
track of height and weight. In addition, a baby scale with height rod is also needed for the
infants. Growth charts (samples attached) will be used to keep track of this date for each
individual throughout their time with the program. These clinics also perform blood tests, and
therefore need specific instruments to carry out the procedures. Needles of different sizes,
collection tubes, and bags are needed. In addition, there is a need of constant supplyof alcohol
wipes, cotton balls, medical tape, elastic bands, and disposable gloves in the clinic. Also
attachedisasamplelessonthatwouldbeusedinourpregnancyclub.

Timeline:
The following timeline displays what will be done within the next year in ordertogetTheFirst
Thousand Days program started and implemented successfully. Each task is projected to be
completed within the month or months indicated. The dates on the timeline begin with
September2015andwillrunthroughAugust2016.

Task

DevelopacommunityassessmentofUnion
Beach,NJinordertodetermineneed.

J F M A M J J A S O N D
a e a p a u u u e c o e
n b r r y n l g p t v c

X X

Establishideastoalleviatetheneedanddecideon
asingleprogram.

X X

Conductresearch,gatherteammembers,and
determinemethodsandprocedures.

X X

Determineinstrumentsandmaterialsneeded,
finalizeplans,submitletterofintent.

Writeandreviewproposal,recruitparticipants,
andsubmitproposal.

Evaluateresults.

Implementprogram.

X X X X X X X X

12

Gatherdataandfeedbackfromparticipants,note
anyimprovementsthatcanbemadealongthe
way.

Evaluateresultsafter1year,makeimprovements,
implementpermanentplansforprogram.

X X X X X X X

X X

Budget:
The following spreadsheet consists of the budget for starting up and implementing The First
Thousand Days program. With the $75,000 weareaskingforandtheadditionalgrantsfromthe
NJ Department of Health,Every MotherCounts,MarchofDimes,andprivatedonationsthrough
fundraising, we are aiming for a total budget of about $128,000 for the year. This will need to
cover salaries and benefits, equipment and measurement materials, supplies, and contractual
services. Fortunately, the township is allowing us to have the building space free of charge for
the first year in order to allow the funding to go to other important aspectsoftheproject,rather
than rent. If the program continues after one year, the townshiphasofferedaverylowmonthly
rent fee. Because this program offers a variety ofservices,muchofthefundingwillgotowards
personnel salaries, some of which will be alleviated by having volunteers and having some
personnel onlyavailableparttime. Thetherapist,phlebotomist,andcertainmembers on boththe
nutrition team and the community team will work part time and only be available on specified
days. This way, wewillbeabletooffertheexpertiseofvariousprofessionalsratherthanhaving
just one or two on staff full time. We have contacted our other donors and have received
estimates on how much each organization will beabletograntusforthisnextyear. Inaddition,
we have fundraised and will continue to fundraise throughout the year. There have also been a
few private donors who have contacted us and would like to donate and even volunteer for our
program. Having calculated and budgeted according to these estimates, we will have access to
the following monetary amounts from each organization: $17,000 from the NJ Department of
Health (NJ DoH), $13,000 from Every Mother Counts (EMC), $8,000 from March of Dimes
(MoD), and about $15,000 fromprivatedonationsandfundraising,totalling$53,000inaddition,
of course, to the $75,000 we are asking REF for. The money granted to us will bebudgetedas
shown below. The monetary values recorded in each column under the agencies represent the
amountofmoneydelegatedperagencypermonth.

13

Items

REF

NJ
DoH

EMC

MoD

Private
donations

Totalper
Year

$2,000
$500

$2,000
$150
$750
$500

$5,900

$250
$500

$500
$150
$50
$100

$1,550

$500

$500
$150
$20
$50

$1,220

$500

$250
$150
$13.33

$913.33

$250

$500
$150

$17

$917

$30,000
$8,000

$45,000
$9,000
$10,000
$8,000

$110,000

$300

$3,600

$3,600

$2,400

$3,600

$7,200
$2,400

$9,600

$30
$166.67

$33.33

$360
$2,400

$2,760

ContractualServices
Telephone/Internet
Postage
Printing(brochures,etc.)
WebsiteUpkeep

$40
$20
$23.33

$50

$20
$16.67

$600
$480
$480
$480

Totals:

$75,000 $17,000 $13,000

$8,000

$15,000

$128,000

PersonnelSalary/Wages
ProgramDirector
TrainingDirector(4months
only)
NutritionTeam
Phlebotomist
CommunityTeam
Therapist

Subtotal:
MedicalInsurance
(for
fulltimeemployeesonly)
Equipment
(1timefee)
Computers/Printers
MeasuringScales

Subtotal:
Supplies
(estimatepermonth)
OfficeSupplies
BloodTestSupplies

Subtotal:

14

LettersofSupport:

TheFirstThousandDays
P.O.Box1121
UnionBeach,NJ07735

DearMs.Dalal,
Thank you for reaching out and telling us about your organization. We have reviewed your
proposal and have discussed its relevance to our mission, and believe that The First Thousand
Dayspresentsagreatmission,whichbuildsuponourownmissionhereattheMarchofDimes.

Your organizations plan for the future displays a route to a successful future, and more
importantly, a brighter future for the infants and young children in Union Beach. One of our
most recent focuses, the Folic Acid Campaign, strives to achieve a reductionintheincidenceof
neural tube defects and other birth defects of the brain and spine. Through the nutritional
guidance in your program during a womans pregnancy, we believe that, with proper funding,
your nutrition team will be prepared to educate women on the importance of folic acid, in
additiontoitsotherguidance.

After discussion with our research and finance teams, the March of Dimes has put forth an
$8,000 donation for the year to your organization. We hope that this donation will aid your
organization inaccomplishingitsgoalsandgetitof itsfeettoblossomintoafullyfunctionaland
successfulorganizationforthefuture.

Wewishyoutheverybestforthenextyear,andarelookingforwardtotheaccomplishmentsand
successofTheFirstThousandDays.

Best,
JoanneSmith

Awards,Scholarships,&GrantsDepartment
TheMarchofDimesFoundation

15

TheFirstThousandDays
P.O.Box1121
UnionBeach,NJ07735

Towhomitmayconcern:

My name is Brandon Leone, and I heard about your organization through a friend who is
involved in the NJ Department of Health. I am a resident of Holmdel, but I grew up in Union
Beach, and itisstillaplace Icareaboutverymuch. SinceleavingUnionbeach,goingtoschool,
and starting my career, I have been looking to give back, particularly to a cause aimed at
improving an important part of the community. When I was eight years old, my mother was
pregnant with my younger brother. Even though I was young, I can still remember hearing her
staying up at night crying because she didnotknowhow shewasgoingtobeabletoprovidethe
proper nutrients for the baby to grow properly throughout her pregnancy. We pretty much ate
cereal and McDonalds for most of our meals, and she did not want to be following that diet
while shewaspregnant. Therewerenotmanyresourcesforhertoreachouttothen,andIwisha
program like yours had existed to help her. I believe that there are many women, especially in
Union Beach, that wouldgreatlybenefitfromyourorganizationsservices. Iwouldliketomake
adonationinordertohelpgetthisprogramgoingandcontinueitssuccess.

Please let me know how I can make a donation. I would also liketobeavolunteerforanypart
oftheprogramthatneedsmyservices.Mybackgroundisinelementaryeducation.

Lookingforwardtoyourresponse,

BrandonLeone

16

SupplementsReferences:

"1in10BabiesIsBornPrematurely."
Home
.N.p.,n.d.Web.30Nov.2015.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.
Web.28Nov.2015.

Jacobson,HowardN."AHealthyPregnancy."
NutritionToday
23.1(1988):3037.Web.