The legislation, in partnership with the Brooklyn Borough President, leverages technology to streamline support, and the vast network of NYC non-profits 

New York, NY (October 10, 2024) – Today, the New York City Council passed the Newborn Navigator Act, led by Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez. This legislation ensures new parents and guardians have access to essential resources, from childcare information to postpartum support, by leveraging technology to make accessing these services easy and user-friendly. The bill comes as a response to the urgent need for support during the critical early weeks after childbirth, often referred to as the “fourth trimester.”

“Maternal mortality is a crisis, and the data is clear: too many of these tragedies happen in the first six weeks postpartum when parents are most vulnerable,” said Council Member Jen Gutiérrez, who is currently pregnant with her second child and is the Chair of the Technology Committee. “The Newborn Navigator Act is a common-sense, tech-driven solution. We know the resources exist, so why are we making parents struggle to find them? This is a no-brainer. It’s affordable, it’s practical, and it’s exactly the kind of investment we should be making without delay.”

The Newborn Navigator Act mandates the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene work in partnership with other agencies to create comprehensive written materials and a user-friendly searchable online resource detailing the wide range of supports and services available to new parents—from child safety and breastfeeding guidance to mental health services and social services programs. Parents will be provided these materials within 30 days to the address on file of the birth report. The online platform will include information on community-based organizations (CBOs) specializing in maternal health, with easy-to-use features for both parents and providers.

The bill’s inspiration partially came from Angelica Colon, long-time District Director for the Council Member, who experienced firsthand the struggles of navigating parenthood without easy access to resources despite years of experience working in city government.

Angelica Colon, who is Afro-Latina, shared her experience: “When I left the hospital, even as a second-time mom, and a professional in constituent services, I just didn’t have the resources I needed. I experienced preeclampsia, and the language used by doctors was terrifying—words about death, with no real guidance or support when I was at my most vulnerable – I was sent on my way with fear. In the weeks after, I experienced postpartum depression and told my doctors, but no one offered me the help I desperately needed. The Newborn Navigator Act aims to make accessing support as simple as a few clicks, because no one should have to struggle to find the help they need during such a vulnerable time.”

The bill was drafted in partnership with the Brooklyn Borough President, Antonio Reynoso, who has dedicated much of his time to ensuring that giving birth is less deadly, and in collaboration with his Maternal Mortality Taskforce. 

“Too many families, especially Black and Brown families, endure preventable tragedies because our city fails to provide the care and access to resources new parents need to navigate early parenthood,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “The Newborn Navigator Act recognizes that there are immediate, accessible ways we could better support new parents in search of the resources and support networks that can bring ease to an incredibly stressful time. I’m grateful to Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez’s leadership and partnership as we work together to address the deep disparities in maternal and infant health.”

The legislation comes just two weeks after Council Member Gutiérrez’s passage of a bill providing mental health resources for new parents. The member has also passed bills concerning Doula care, and a taskforce aimed to develop services for new mothers. She is also the lead co-sponsor on the Universal Childcare bill at the City Council. Together, these bills demonstrate a commitment to practical solutions that prioritize the well-being of New Yorkers, especially the most vulnerable.

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