>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "CHAT BOX" IS PROVIDED BY -- B ♪ >> MOTHER'S DAY IS FA FAST-APPROACHING BUT ANY MOM WILL TELL YOU THEY COULDN'T DO IT ALONE EVEN THOUGH MANY OF THEM ACTUALLY DO.

WELCOME TO C"CHAT BOX".

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

TODAY WE'LL TALK TO A NEW MOM WHO YOU MAY ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF DEALING WITH THE JGENUINE STRESSS OF MOTHERE, BEGINNING WITH POST PORTUM DEPRESSION AND LIVING UP TO THE UNREASONABLE EXPECTATIONS FROM THE REST OF US.

JOINING US NOW IS MY FREIEND AN COLLEAGUE AND YOU KNOW HER AS THE ANCHOR OF SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

BRIANA, HI.

>> DAVID, HELLO.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> WELCOME BACK.

IT'S BEEN A COUPLE WEEKS, AND I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT STILL TO GET R REACCLIMATED TO THE WORLD OUTSIDE OF THE COVID BUBBLE.

>> YEAH, IT'S CRAZY AND RAW AND BEAUTIFUL AND HECTIC AND ALL OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'D EXPECT IT TO BE.

WORKING FULL-TIME IN OUR JOB DOESN'T END WHEN WE LEAVE HERE AND THAT'S STUFF TOUGH WHEN YOU HAVE A NEW BABY AT HOME AND YOU'RE JUGGLING ALL THE EMOTIOS AND COMPLEXITIES THAT COME WITH NEW MOTHERED AND YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES THAT STILL EXIST OUTSIDE OF THAT.

AND YOU KNOW IT'S FUNNY.

I NEVER FEEL NERVOUS BUT THIS TOP IC STILL MAKES NEGET THAT LITTLE BUT TERFLY BECAUSE I JUS THINK THAT SHARING MY TRUTH ABOUT MY ENTIRE JOURNAL OF MOTHERED, HOPEFULLY, WILL GIVE THE SPACE FOR OTHER DISPARAGEMENTS TO DO THE SAME BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS THIS UNRELEALISTIC NARRATIVE OUT THE ABOUT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, WHAT SHOULDTLOOK LIKE AND THAT PRESSURE AND HAVING THIS BEAUTIFUL BABY COME INTO THE WORLD AND DEALING WITH, FOR ME, POST PPARTUM DEPRESSION AND ANXIOETY THAT STARTED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.

AND I STILL STRUGGLE WITH EVERY DAY, AND IT'S BEEN DAYS ARE FAST AND SLOW.

SOMETIMES IN THE SAME MINUTE WANT TO PUSH FAST-FORWARD, REWIND AND PAUSE ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME TO TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH SHAME AND SO MUCH EMBARRASSMENT THAT COMES WITH IT THAT SHOULDN'T BE THERE.

PERSONALLY, I THINK THE MORE WE TALK ABOUT IT AND NORMALIZE IT, MY HOPE IS THAT THAT WILL BE LESS SO THE CASE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT NEW TO YOU BECAUSE YOU BECAME A PARENT, BUT BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN COVERING ISSUES LIKE THIS, HAVE YOU NOT?

>> I HAVE, AND I ACTUALLY WOULD LIKE TO ASK OUR GUESTS THAT WE'VE INVITED, DR. JAM LI CAMPBELL.

DOCTOR, THANK YOU J, FIRST OF A.

SHE'S AN OB/GYN IN NEWARK BUT ALSO A MEMBER OF NEW JERSEY'S BLACK WOMEN PHYSICIANS ASSOCIATION AND MATERNAL HEALTH, PARTICULARLY BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH HAS BEEN A FOCUS OF OURS AND OF COURSE FOR YOURS, DOCTOR, AND I'M JUST CURIOUS WHAT YOU'VE WITNESSED AS FAR AS AN UPTICK IN POST PPARTUM AMONG PATIENTS.

AND ESPECIALLY AMONG WOMEN OF COLOR.

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME, DAVID AND BRIANA.

AND JUST IN YOUR OPENING, THERE IS SO MUCH TO UNPACK THERE.

I THINK PARTICULARLY FOR BLACK MOTHERS, WHAT COVID AND WHAT THIS PANDEMIC HAS UNCOVERED FOR MANY PEOPLE IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALREADY KNOW.

HEALTH DISPARITIES THAT EXIST FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

CAN IN NEW JERSEY, WE WERE ALREADY TRYING TO ADDRESS OUR TERRIBLE MATERNAL MORTALITY CRISIS, AND OUR TERRIBLE STANDING IN THE NATION IN TERMS OF THE DISPARITIES THAT EXIST BETWEEN OUR BLACK MOTHERS AND OTHER MOTHERS.

SO THAT WAS ALREADY THE BACKGROUND IN WHICH WE NOW EXPERIENCED THIS PANDEMIC, R RIGHT?

AND SO SOME PEOPLE EVEN YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE A NAME FOR IT.

A SENDEMIC BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE THE PROBLEM OF DISPARITIES.

WE ALREADY HAD THIS PROBLEM THAT EXISTED AND NOW WE HAVE ANOTHER CRISIS THAT WAS LAID ON TOP THAT HAVE AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HOW COVID AFFECTED FAMILIES AND BIRTHING PEOPLE, IN PARTICULAR, RIGHT?

WE JUST THINK ABOUT THE TIME OF JOY AND ASKEDVOCACY.

THIS IS A TIME WHEN BIRTH HAPPENS YOU USUALLY ARE SU SURROUNDED BY YOUR VILLAGE, BY YOUR PEOPLE WHO ARE CLOSE TO YOU.

AND FOR PARENTS, ALL OVER OUR STATE AND FRANKLY ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, PEOPLE ARE NOW DEALING WITH JOB LOSS AND SOMETIMES -- I WAS FACED WITH PARENTS WHO MAYBE ONE PARTNER HAD LOST THEIR JOB SO THE OTHER PARTNER WAS FEELING A BIT STRESSED ABOUT PICKING UP THE SLACK.

AND THAT LED TO DIFFERENT COMPLICATIONS IN TERMS OF WHEN IT NOW CAME TIME FOR VISITS, FOR LABOR AND DELIVERY, PARTNERS ARE WORKING.

AT SOME POINTS DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE HAD VISITOR RESTRICTIONS.

WE WERE FORTUNATE, BECAUSE WE HAD AN EXECUTIVE ORDER FROM THE GOVERNOR THAT ALLOWED LABORING PATIENTS TO HAVE ONE VISITOR.

BUT IN THE SWITUATION AT SOME HOSPITALS, IT WAS LIKE ONE V VISITOR AND THEN YOU CAN'T L LEAVE.

SO IN THE SWITUATION WHERE A MO IS GETTING INDUCED AND AN INDUCTION CAN TAKE UP TO THREE DAYS, CAN THAT FAMILY AFFORD FOR THE PARTNER TO BE IN THE HOSPITAL FOR THREE DAYS?

SOMETIMES THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS NO.

>> SO MANY THESE LITTLE THINGS THAT, EVEN THE LUCKIEST PARENTS ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH.

THROW ON TOP F OF THAT POST PAR AND THE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT POST PPARTUM THAT IT'S JUST DEPRESSION OR THAT IT'S RIGHT AFTER THE CHILD IS BORN.

IT CAN PRESENT ITSELF IN ANXIETY AND STRESS AND ANGER.

TALK ABOUT THAT, IF YOU WOULD.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT IN THE WORK THAT I DO, BECAUSE WHEN WE LOOK AT PREGNANCY, WHAT WE CALL PREGNANCY-ASSOCIATED DEATHS, ACCIDENTAL DEATHS CAN BE SOME OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF ACCIDENTAL DEATHS INCLUDE SUICIDE, INCLUDE OVERDOSE AND POISONING IN U UNTININTENTIONAL INJURIES.

AND SO REALLY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PREGNANCY-ASSOCIATED DEATHS, THOSE ARE DEATHS WITHIN ONE YEAR.

AND CONTYPICALLY WE DON'T THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE -- IT WILL SAY NOT RELATED TO PREGNANCY, BUT IF DEPRESSION CAN OCCUR UP TOP A YEAR AFTER A PREGNANCY, CAN WE REALLY SAY THAT IT'S NOT YOU KNOW, ASSOCIATED TO PREGNANCY?

>> BRIANA, YOU MENTIONED THIS A LITTLE BIT BEFORE THIS NARRATIVE ABOUT HOW PARENTS AND MOTHERS ARE SUPPOSED TO ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF THIS PERIOD WITH THEIR CHILD.

YOU LOOK AT SOCIAL IMMEMEDIA.

IT PAINTS A REAL DIFFERENT PICTURE THAN WHAT IT'S REALLY LIKE.

AND YOU TALKED ABOUT THIS, THE SHAME AND THE STRESS THAT PARENTS FACE.

DID YOU JUST SHUT OFF YOUR INSTAGRAM AND YOUR FACEBOOK WHILE YOU WERE HAVING THIS PERIOD AFTER THE BABY WAS BORN?

>> I DID, ACTUALLY, AND I'M NOT SOMEONE WHO TRUTHICFULLY LOVES SOCIAL IMMEMEDIA ANYWAY.

A CLOT OF WHAT I DO IS BECAUSE F THE WORK THAT WE DO.

BUT YEAH.

YOU FEEL THIS STIGMA AND THIS SHAME AS A MOTHER THAT YOU ARE NOT SINGING FROM THE ROOFTOPS AND THAT YOU HAVE NOT HAD THIS EXPERIENCE THAT I THINK.

I JUST THINK WE'VE BEEN ILLLY SERVED OF WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO ENTER INTO PARENTHOOD, THAT IT IS NOT SUNSHINE AND RAINBOWS.

AND IF YOU HAVE -- IN MY CASE I HAVE A BABY WHO IS OTHERWISE HEALTHY BUT SCREAMS STILL ALL NIGHT LONG.

WE GET MAYBE TWO TO THREE HOURS OF SLEEP A NIGHT SIX MONTHS IN.

AND I'M NOT ENJOYING ALL OF THOSE MINUTES.

I LOVE HIM TO DEATH.

I AM SACRIFICING EVERYTHING I POSSIBLY CAN TO ENSURE THAT GETS BETTER, BUT IT'S COMPLETELY UNRELEALISTIC AND I JUST THINK NEED TO BE MORE EMOTIONALLY OPEN ABOUT WHAT THIS REALLY LOOKS LIKE INSTEAD OF THESE PERFECTLY POSED PHOTOS OF THIS FAMILY AND OH J, LOOK AT HOW WONDERFUL LIF IS.

WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT TOOK TO GET THAT PHOTO OR THAT THERE WAS SCREAMING AND CRYING.

I'VE TRIED TO SHARE SOME VERY RAW EXPERIENCES FROM MY POST PARTUM JOURNEY.

THOSE 3:00 A.M. FEEDINGS, WHERE YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT DAY IT IS.

YOU HAVEN'T SHOWERED IN FOUR OR FIVE DAYS.

THE TEARS ARE COMING DOWN YOUR FACE, ALONG WITH THE BABY'S BUT YOU WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR THE WORLD.

BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S NOT HARD.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THIS CONVERSATION HAS GONE ASKEW THAT THOSE THINGS NEED TO BE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.

I CAN SAY THAT IT'S HARD AND NEED HELP AND STILL LOVE IT AND STILL -- >> STILL LOVE IT.

>> YEAH.

AND STILL WANT TO BE A MOM.

>> A MOM, ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND FOLKS SAY WELL, YOU TRIED SO HARD FOR THIS BABY.

THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED.

OF COURSE IT IS.

OF COURSE IT IS.

>> AND I THINK YOU DO A D DISSERVICE TO NEW PARENTS BY NOT HAVING THESE DISCUSSIONS UPF UPFRONT.

>> YEAH.

>> IS THAT ALSO -- >> I JUST WONDER ABOUT THE S STIGMA THAT YOU HEAR FROM PATIENTS AND FROM WOMEN OF C COLOR.

BECAUSE HERE WE HAVE THIS PLATFORM AND WE HAVE RESOURCES AND WE HAVE SUPPORT, AND THAT STIGMA EXISTS AND I WONDER WHAT YOU HEAR.

>> YEAH.

WELL NUMBER ONE, I TELL PEOPLE TO TURN OFF -- THERE IS NO INSTAGRAM PREGNANCY.

THERE IS NO INSTAGRAM LABOR, AND THERE IS NO INSTAGRAM POST PPARM BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT.

WHAT HAPPENS IS PEOPLE THINK YOU HAVE TWO CONTRACTIONS, YOU HAVE A BABY, YOU GO HOME AND EVERYTHING IS SMILES AND JOY.

AND I JUST -- I CAN COUNT CO COUNTLESS EXPERIENCES WHERE THAT IS JUST NOT THE CASE.

AND SO WHAT I HEAR SO MUCH IS THAT PEOPLE ARE AFRAID.

THEY DON'T WANT TO -- THEY ARE CONCERNED NUMBER ONE ABOUT SAYING THEY'RE ANXIOUS OR DEPRESSED BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO QUESTION THEIR ABILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILD.

SO THAT IS A REAL CONCERN.

AMONGST PATIENTS THAT I SEE.

AND I GIVE THEM PERMISSION.

IT'S OKAY NOT TO TAKE A SHOWER.

IT'S OKAY NOT TO CHANGE -- TO BE IN SWEAT PANTS.

IT'S OKAY MAYBE THAT THE LONAUNY DOESN'T GET DONE EVERY WEEK THE WAY IYOU NORMALLY.

THOSE TIMES ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.

AND PIALSO TALK TO PARENTS ABOUT TRYING TO DO SOME PREPARATIONS AHEAD OF TIME BECAUSE THERE ARE GOING TO BE THOSE HARD NIGHTS WHERE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SLEEP.

I ALSO LIKE TO TALK TO PARENTS AHEAD OF TIME ABOUT THESE BABY SHOWERS.

WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON ONSIES AND CAR SEATS, AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES AND EXTENDED FAMILIES TO OFFER I'LL GO SHOPPING FOR YOU OR I'LL PREPARE A MEAL FOR YOU ONCE A WEEK FOR THE NEXT MONTH.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT NEW PARENTS REALLY NEED.

I WILL COME OVER AND SIT WITH THE BABY FOR TWO HOURS WHILE YOU GET A NAP.

BECAUSE THROWS THE THINGS THAT NEW PARENTS REALLY, REALLY NEED.

>> THAT'S SOME FANTASTIC IDEAS RIGHT THERE AS GIFTS GO AND MOTHER'S DAY IS COMING UP SO THOSE ARE GREAT IDEAS.

AND REALLY, YOU KNOW, ARE THE MOST HEARTFELT AND COST THE LEAST FRANKLY.

WHAT IS THE STATE DOING, DOCTOR?

I KNOW THAT THE FIRST LADY HAS TAKEN UP THIS ISSUE, PARTICULARLY AS IT PERTAINS TO BLACK WOMEN AND MATERNAL HEALTH.

HOW IS THAT GOING WITH THE S STATE?

>> YEAH, SO THERE IS MANY THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO, AND I THINK ON A STATE LEVEL, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LEVEL, WE NEED TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT SCREEN AND TREAT WOMEN FOR DEPRESSION.

WE NEED TO USE THE EXISTING PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE, LIKE THE NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP, LIKE OUR DOOLAS, LIKE OUR COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE WORKERS, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE FOLKS WHO ARE GOING TO BE IN CONTACT WITH MOTHERS, NOT ONLY ONE WEEK POST PART P. M. OR TWO WEEKS POST PART P. M. OR SIX WEEKS POST PPARTUM.

BUT THEY MAY BE IN CONTACT WITH MOTHERS THREE MONTHS POST PPART, WHERE THEY, AGAIN, CONTINUE TO NEED SUPPORT.

YOU KNOW, NORMALLY WHEN A WOMAN GIVES BIRTH, AND WE'RE TRYING ON A MEDICAL SIDE, WE'RE TRYING TO CHANGE THE PARADIGM.

WE NORMALLY GET AN APPOINTMENT FOR YOUR SIX-WEEK KIND OF FOLLOW-UP POST PPARTUM VISIT.

BUT A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN SIX WEEKS.

BUT WE ALSO NEED TO THINK ABOUT OUR PED IATRICIANS ROLE BECAUSE EVERYBODY TAKES THEIR BABY TO THE IMMEDIATE PAIDIATRICIAN SO HOW CAN PED IATRICIANS HELP IN RECOGNIZING WHEN PARENTS ARE STRUGGLING?

>> FROM MY EXPERIENCE, IN PARTICULAR, I DOEN'T EVEN REMEMBER FILLING OUT THE SURVEY IN THE HOSPITAL HOURS AFTER A 24-HOUR LABOR AND DELIVERY ASKING ABOUT MY POST PPARTUM SYMPTOMS.

I HAVE NO RECOLLECTION OF IT AND LIKE YOU SAID THE POST PPARTUM VISIT YOU BRING YOUR BABY IN FOR MULTIPLE VISITS BUT THE CHECK ON MOM IS NOT FOR SIX WEEKS AND THOSE FIRST SIX WEEKS FOR ME AND SIX WEEKS AFTER WERE A REALLY SCARY TIME WHERE I HAD DROPPED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WEIGHT BECAUSE I WOULD EAT MAYBE A GRANUOLA BAR EVERY FOUR DAYS IN BETWEEN HAVING PANIC ATTACKS AND DEPRESSION SPELLS.

AND IT WAS NOT -- IF NOT FOR MY FAMILY SAYING TO ME WE HAVE TO FIND HELP, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE TRIED TO TOUGH IT OUT AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AND I WONDER ABOUT THE ACCESS TO THOSE SERVICES FOR PEOPLE.

AND IF YOU FEEL THERE IS ENOUGH ACCESS.

>> THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH ACCESS, AND THERE IS ALWAYS MORE THAT WE CAN DO.

AND I DO THINK THAT THE LEGISLATION THAT HAS -- THAT WILL ALLOW WOMEN TO HAVE INSURANCE FOR A FULL YEAR POST PART P. M. IS GOING TO BE H HELPFUL.

BUT CLEARLY, WE ALSO NEED MORE PROVIDERS AND WE NEED MORE PROVIDERS WHO HAVE PARTICULAR EXPERTISE IN WHAT WE CALL YOU KNOW, PERINATAL MOOD DISORDERS.

AND SO THAT'S A PARTICULAR SPECIALITY WITHIN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

CLINICIANS DEFINITELY CAN DO MORE BY ASKING ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS.

AND AS YOU MENTIONED, IT'S NOT EATING, NOT SLEEPING.

AND THOSE THINGS CAN AFFECT BABY'S BEHAVIOR, BONDING WITH BABY, A LOST OF INTEREST, PARTICULARLY IN ACTIVITIES THAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY FIND TO BE FUN AND HAPPY.

AND YOU'RE RIGHT, YOUR FAMILY IS VERY LIKELY TO BE THE FIRST PEOPLE WHO NOTICE CAUSE THEY'RE WITH YOU ALL THE TIME.

SO AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE ARE SO MANY TOUCH POINTS THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

THERE IS THINGS FOR US TO DO ON A STATE LEVEL, FROM THE MEDICAL ASPECT, THERE IS A LOT FOR US TO DO.

WE NEED WOMEN TO KNOW THAT THEY'RE NOT ALONE, THAT THEY CAN TALK TO THEIR PROVIDERS.

AND EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THAT SIX-WEEK VISIT, WE NEED PATIENTS TO KNOW.

WE NEED WOMEN TO KNOW IF THEY ARE EXPERIENCING SOME OF THESE SYMPTOMS, IT'S OKAY FOR US TO CALL BEFORE THE SIX WEEKS.

AND FIND OUT WHAT THEIR OPTIONS ARE.

BUT WE ALSO NEED FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO KNOW WHAT THE SYMPTOMS ARE SO THAT THEY CAN PICK UP ON THEM AND THEN ENCOURAGE YOU KNOW, THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS WITHOUT SHAME, TO TALK TO A PROVIDER AND ALSO TO OFFER THAT EMOTIONAL AND PRACTICAL SUPPORT.

>> A FRIEND TOLD ME THAT SHE JUST HAD A BABY RECENTLY.

SHE SAID IT'S THE GREATEST JOB YOU'LL NEVER WANT TO DO AGAIN UNTIL YOU DO IT AGAIN.

DR. CAMPBELL, BRIANA, GREAT TO TALK TO YOU.

BRIANA, CONTINUE, GOOD LUCK.

DOC, THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU J, DAVID.

>> YOU BRING THEM INTO THE WORLD BUT THEN YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO LET THEM OUT THERE AND TRUST THAT THERE WILL BE SERVICES AND INSTITUTIONS THAT WILL HELP.

THAT IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE, IS OU NEXT GUEST WILL TELL YOU.

THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ASK ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN OF NEW JERSEY.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

>> YES, IT HAS.

VERY NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> SO YOUR MISSION STATEMENT SAYS CHILDREN CAN'T VOTE.

THEY HAVE NO POLITICAL INF INFLUENCE.

THEY CAN TELL OUR STATE LEADER WHAT THEY NEED.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE.

CAN YOU TELL FOLKS IN KIND OF A NUTSHELL WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION DOES AND WHERE YOU DO YOUR H HARDEST WORK.

>> SO WE'RE A STATEWIDE CHILD ASKEDVOCACY ORGANIZATION.

OUR HOME IS IN NEWARK.

WE'RE 42 YEARS OLD AND WE'VE HAD A LONG STANDING AGENDA TO SUPPORT THE WELL-BEING OF MEN AND FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY CHILDREN WHO ARE VULNERABLE BY ECONOMICS, BY RACE, BY GEO GEOGRAPHY.

AND WE'VE WORKED ON MANY ISSUES RELATED TO CHILDREN THAT ARE MOST PRESSING ISSUE RIGHT NOW IT IS IS OUR CHILD CARE SYSTEM.

>> YOU ISSUED ISSUE ANNUAL REPORTS ON THE STATE OF CHILDREN AND YOU JUST TOUCHED ON IT.

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE THAT PARENTS ARE FACING IS CHILD CARE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

WE DO OUR ANNUAL KIDS COUNT REPORT.

WE JUST RELEASED KIDS RECOUNT IN NEWARK J, WHICH SHOWED A DECLIN IN THE AVAILABILITY OF CHILD CARE, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR YO YOUNGEST CHILDREN.

AND IT IS A CRISIS THAT IS CONFRONTING FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE.

>> WE SAW YOU LAST AT A PRESSER WITH SENATOR ARERUIZ, WHERE S UNVEILED THIS $350 MILLION PACKAGE OF BILLS AIMED AT CHILDREN AND EDUCATION.

TELL ME HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT THOSE BILLS COULD HAVE?

>> WELL, CKUDOS TO SENATOR ARE YOU IES FOR STEPPING BACK SAND LOOKING AT THE CHILD CARE NEEDS.

PEOPLE WILL TALK ABOUT THE PANDEMIC, CREATING THE CHILD CARE CRISIS.

IT DID NOT CREATE IT.

IT EXPOSED A LONG STANDING PROBLEMS.

AND SENATOR ARERUIZ HAS PROPOSE COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE OF BILLS TO HELP FAMILIES, TO HELP PROGRAMS, AND TO HELP CHILD CARE STAFF TO REALLY CREATE THE CHILD CARE SYSTEM THAT WE NEED IN NEW JERSEY.

>> TALK ABOUT WHAT SOME OF THOSE CHANGES WOULD BE.

I GUESS THE BIGGEST THING IS JUST SIMPLY ACCESS, RIGHT?

>> YES.

AND I THINK THE BILLS SET A NUMBER OF THINGS.

THERE IS A BILL THAT CREATES A TAX CREDIT FOR BUSINESS THAT'S SUPPORT CHILD CARE FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.

RAISES ELIGIBILITY FOR L LOW-INCOME FAMILIES TO GET TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE.

A BILL WE'RE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN SETS UP A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT TO DEVELOP MORE CHILD CARE FOR INFANTS AND EDTODDLERS, WHICH IS THE HARDES TO FIND AND THE MOST EXPENSIVE TO PROVIDE.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT THE PANDEMIC AND OVER THE PAST NUMBER OF YEARS WE'VE HEARD HOW OH J, OH, THESE THINGS THAT ARE AFFECTING FAMILIES WHO ARE POOR OR FAMILIES OF COLOR, IMMIGRANTS.

BUT AS YOU SAID, THE PANDEMIC JUST EXPOSED THESE THINGS.

IT REALLY HAS BEEN MET SIZING OVER THE YEARS, THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE ON THE BOTTOM RUNG HAVING DIFFICULTY JUST ACCESSING STUFF THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE OF PRIVILEGE TAKE FOR GRANTED.

>> YES.

YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

AND I THINK, THOUGH, THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT IT GOES EVEN BEYOND FAMILIES WITH IDENTIFIED NEEDS.

THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR EVERY FAMILY, MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILIES STRUGGLE.

IT'S VERY HARD TO FIND AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE AND IT IS AN INDUSTRY THAT IS DIFFICULT TO SUSTAIN.

CHILD CARE PROGRAMS ARE ST STRUGGLING TO STAY IN BUSINESS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO FIND STAFF TO BE IN THEIR CLASSROOMS.

>> YOU SIMPLY CANNOT KEEP AN ECONOMY GOING IF HALF OF THE POPULATION IS FACING THESE CHALLENGES, AS YOU SAID, IT'S EVERYONE ACROSS THE BOARD.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE REMAINED UNEMPLOYED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET ACCESS TO REASONABLY DAYCARE, EARLY EDUCATION OF REASONABLE QUALITY.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

I THINK THAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON RECOVERY FROM THE PANDEMIC, AS WE SHOULD BE AS A STATE TO MEET CHILD CARE IS THE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT TO RECOVERY ON EVERY LEVEL FOR FAMILIES WHO WANT TO GET BACK TO WORK, FOR BUSINESSES WHO NEED EMPLOYEES TO WORK, FOR THE STATE TO RECOVER FOR OUR ECONOMY TO RECOVER AND FOR CHILDREN.

OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN ARE EDUCATE DD IN CHILD CARE.

CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE 3.

THIS IS A PLACE WHERE THEY LEARN TO SOCIALIZE.

IT'S THEIR FIRST EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE.

THEY'VE HAD LEARNING LOSS, TOO.

>> SO CRITIC AL.

SENATOR ARERUIZ AND I HAVE HAD S CONVERSATION MANY TIMES.

IS SHE THE STRONGEST ASDVOCATE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THAT HAS EVER BEEN IN SUCH A HI HIGH-RANKING POSITION IN THE SENATE?

>> SHE IS DEFINITELY AN ASDVOCAE FOR CHILDREN.

SHE HAS BEEN IN HER LONG CAREER.

SHE WAS, I THINK, A STRONG LEADER WHEN SHE CHAIRED THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

SHE WAS CERTAINLY A STRONG SUPPORT ER OF THE EXPANSION OF OUR HIGH-QUALITY PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR 3 AND 4-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN.

SHE HAS CONSISTENTLY SAID WE CAN'T FORGET THE BABIES.

LEARNING DOESN'T START AT PAGE AND I THINK FOR HER TO HAVE THIS PACKAGE IN HER NEW ROLE AS SENATE MAJORITY LEADER IS SIGNIFICANT WHEN YOU AND I FIRST MET YOU WERE TRYING TO CONVINCE THE CHRIST YI ADMINISTRATION ABOUT E IMPORTANCE OF THIS.

HAS THIS ADMINISTRATION ANSWERED THE CALL?

>> I WOULD SAY YES AND NO.

I THINK THAT WHEN YOU AND I SPOKE, WE WERE ADVANCING P PRESCHOOL EXPANSION.

PRESCHOOL IS AVAILABLE IN SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS, NOT ALL.

THE BENEFITS ARE CLEAR.

THERE WAS RESEARCH THAT DEMONSTRATED LONG TERM BENEFITS, AND WHE WANTED TO SEE PRESCHOOL EXPAND.

AND GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS CERTAINLY DONE THAT.

HE HAS MADE A COMMITMENT TO P PRESCHOOL EXPANSION.

IT'S AVAILABLE IN MANY MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THOUSANDS MORE CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO P PRESCHOOL.

HE'S ALSO SUPPORTED THE FIRST LADY'S INITIATIVE, WHICH IS LOOKED AT WHAT HAPPENS INFANT MORTALITY, MORBIDITY.

HOW DO WE IMPROVE BIRTH OUT OUTCOMES.

THIS IS SO POSITIVE IT PUTS US AHEAD OF THE REST OF THE CO COUNTRY.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE BABIES?

THERE IS A GAP.

WHAT HAPPENS BETWEEN BIRTH AND PRESCHOOL?

THESE KIDS HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE AND WE'RE A STATE THAT DEPEND ON WORKING FAMILIES.

THESE ARE KIDS WHO NEED TO BE EDUCATED.

THAT'S THE DISAPPOINTMENT.

I WOULD ASK HIM WHAT ABOUT THE BABIES?

>> ALL RIGHT, SEECECILIA ZALGIN PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ASKDVOCATE FOR CHILDREN IN NEW JERSEY.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

THANKS FOR COMING ON WITH US.

>> VERY NICE IT SEE YOU , TOO.

THANK YOU THAT'S CH"CHAT BOX" FOR THIS WE.

THANKS ALSO TO BRIANA AND DR. CAMPBELL.

YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AT DAVIDCRUZ N. AND SUBSCRIBE TO THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR MORE EXCLUSIVE CONTENT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING SHALL EVERYBODY.

FOR ALL THE CREW HERE, I'M DAVID CRUZ.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR C"CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ IS PROVIDED BY -- B