Content created by Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA)
The Newborn Supply Kit program is made possible through a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the nonprofit organization, Baby2Baby.
The Kit is modeled on successful programs in other countries and seeks to:
- Reduce the time, stress, and burden on new parents to obtain immediately needed supplies.
- Increase knowledge about government services and community resources for new families.
Equitable distribution of the Kits can help reduce the stigma associated with seeking government services and reduce disparities in communities that are typically underserved.
Results from the 2023 Newborn Supply Kit Pilot
To help us understand if the program was achieving its goals, the Newborn Supply Kit team performed an evaluation of the program to assess its impact. The findings from the 2023 Newborn Supply Kit pilot program show promising results for many of our key outcomes of interest.
- High Satisfaction: 97% of recipients were satisfied or extremely satisfied with their Kit and would recommend it to other new parents.
- Reduced Anxiety and Financial Stress: Two-thirds of respondents felt less anxious and worried after receiving the Kit.
- Increased Trust in Government and Resource Connections: Positive trust in government more than doubled after receiving the Kit.
“This is an incredible and life-changing Kit for so many families in a state where many people are struggling or worried about having the resources to care for their baby.” – New Mexico Mom, Evaluation Feedback
Inventory List
Postpartum Care
- Overnight Pads
- Witch Hazel wipes
- Nipple Cream
- Nursing pads
Newborn Care
- Thermometer
- Nasal Aspirator
- Vitamin D3
- Diaper rash ointment
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Receiving blankets/swaddle
- Socks
- Burp cloth
- Shampoo
- Lotion
Resources
- Educational flashcards
- Voucher for grocery delivery
Baby2Baby is a mega diaper bank and nonprofit organization that provides essential items to children in need across the country. In the last 11 years, Baby2Baby has distributed over 270 million items to children in homeless shelters, domestic violence programs, foster care, hospitals and underserved schools as well as children who have lost everything in the wake of disaster. Baby2Baby is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
HHS is neither involved in fundraising for Baby2Baby’s program operations, nor in the procurement and distribution process for the Newborn Supply Kit contents. For the pilot, Baby2Baby is HHS’ partner in implementation and carries full responsibility for independently financing and implementing initiative logistics.
As we look to expand, we welcome collaboration from additional partners as we scale this program more broadly. Email us if you’re interested in partnering with us.
The second phase of the Newborn Supply Kit Program will expand on the three initial distribution states by adding seven additional states to service:
- Alabama
- Arkansas*
- California
- Georgia
- Louisiana*
- Mississippi
- New Mexico*
- New York
- Tennessee
- Texas
During the continuation of the pilot, the Kits will be distributed to families at participating Federally Qualified Health Centers, hospitals or through community-based organizations. There are no strings attached or requirements to receive a Kit. This is an opt-in program. Any family that has received services from our partners is eligible to receive a Kit, regardless of income status or other qualifiers.
We plan to expand the program to more locations so that more families can have access to these Kits after the birth of their new baby.
On December 13th, 2021, President Biden signed E.O. 14058, Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government. Executive Order 14058 directs the Federal government to identify “life experiences” that require interactions with multiple Federal agencies. Too often, people have to navigate a web of government websites, offices, and phone numbers to access the services they depend on. Government needs to better design and deliver services to meet people’s needs in these moments.
This charter establishes the President’s Management Council’s cross-government effort and interagency team, as envisioned in E.O. 14058, to tackle the designated life experience of “Having a child and early childhood.”
Our north star is that every family with a child under 5 should have access to: health care, food, employment security and financial stability, housing, and child care, with a focus on optimizing parents’ health and well-being, as well as their babies’.
The vision for the Newborn Supply Kit is to be a one-time, universal service delivered in collaboration with community organizations. The Kit provides families with basic physical supplies crucial to the first few weeks after delivery, as well as information about Federal programs and benefits, key developmental milestones, and other helpful information to build trust and form a foundation of relationships for further service connections.
Learn more about the “Having a child and early childhood” Life Experience Project.
News
Supporting Families in Moments that Matter: Newborn Supply Kit Pilot Results Show Reduced Emotional and Financial Stress for New Moms and Improved Trust in Government
October 28, 2024 | BLOG
Newborn Supply Kit Shows Promising Early Results
December 04, 2023 | BLOG
How We Co-Designed the Newborn Supply Kit with Mothers: Supporting Families in the Crucial First Weeks after Having a Baby
June 08, 2023 | BLOG
HHS and Baby2Baby Announce Partnership to Support New Mothers with a Newborn Supply Kit During Visit by Vice President Kamala Harris
May 19, 2023 | NEWS RELEASE
How to partner with us
Interested in partnering with the Department of Health and Human Services to support the Newborn Supply Kit Program? Contact our Office of Strategic Partnerships team at partnerwithus@hhs.gov.