Our Mission

Hudson Cradle is an infant group home providing full nurturing residential care to homeless infants with complex health, development, social and safety needs classified by the Division of Youth and Family Services as medically fragile. Most of the babies are prenatally drug exposed, some are HIV exposed, many have been born too early and too small, and some have been abused or neglected. All the babies have very special health needs. All the infants are under the supervision of the Division of Youth and Family Services / Department of Children and Families. Hudson Cradle also provides family support services and community education.

Our Goal

Hudson Cradle strives to provide an environment in which infants feel valued and loved, are ensured a healthy start, and are provided with the means to develop emotionally, socially, and cognitively. Hudson Cradle is committed to operating a comprehensive program capable of nurturing, healing, protecting, and teaching the infants in our care.

How We Do It

All children residing at Hudson Cradle receive child care, nursing, nutritional services, early intervention, developmental evaluation and intervention, infant massage, care coordination, music therapy, speech therapy, infant education, dietician services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and transportation. Families receive supervised visitation, health education, foster parent education, parenting skills, counseling, transportation, and case management. In addition, Hudson Cradle provides volunteer training and services, and community education. Services are provided by infant caregivers, pediatric nurses, social worker, and support staff. Hudson Cradle is staffed by Jersey City Medical Center, but is separately funded and has its own autonomous Board of Trustees. Volunteers are an important part of Hudson Cradle’s success and contribute more than 250 service hours each month.