Interview with Sen. Ruiz
State Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz has spent nearly two decades shaping New Jersey’s policy landscape to better serve children, families, and communities. Elected to her first Senate term in 2007, she is one of the Legislature’s most influential leaders — particularly on issues that affect families during the earliest and most formative years of life.
Looking back on your leadership in the Legislature, what accomplishment are you most proud of — especially as it relates to supporting families?
There are so many pieces of policy that have been signed into law that I believe have created a supportive network for families across New Jersey. I approach legislation through a lens that recognizes that when we support a mother holistically, we are supporting not just her, but her child, her family, and the entire community. By making that single investment, the return is immeasurable. One of the bills I’m most proud of, the Universal Newborn Home Visitation Program, grew out of a very personal moment for me. When I was breastfeeding my daughter, I was supported because my insurance allowed a lactation nurse specialist to visit me at home, guide me through that journey, and give me the confidence to do it on my own. It reminded me that not every parent has the same opportunity to see a medical professional in the critical first days after bringing a newborn home. Creating this program made it possible for every family to access this kind of resource, regardless of their income or insurance status, and we have seen huge improvements in maternal and infant health outcomes as a result.
From your perspective, what is the biggest challenge facing families in the first 1,000 days, and what should New Jersey prioritize to address it?
We have such diverse family structures in New Jersey, and the challenges families face are just as varied. For one mother, the concern may be whether she has a stable home to return to with her baby. For another parent, it may be how to manage childcare costs or navigate life without access to maternity leave. From a policy perspective, it’s critical to center these experiences in our work — to listen, learn, and understand the different circumstances parents face in our communities — and to respond by expanding access to the supports they need to thrive as a growing family unit.
In your experience, what makes for a strong, effective partnership?
Strong, effective partnerships are built on a shared commitment to a common goal and a genuine willingness to listen to different perspectives on how best to achieve it. Open and honest conversations can broaden our thinking and expose us to new ideas we may not have considered, ultimately leading to better outcomes. Our communities are incredibly diverse and bring a wealth of experience to the table. When we listen to one another and turn those insights into action, we can create lasting change that improves the lives of our families.
What gives you hope for New Jersey’s families as you look ahead?
What gives me hope is that, as a state, New Jersey has begun to truly acknowledge the reality of our families. Across the Administrations and within the Legislature I have served, there is a growing understanding that family structures look different from one ZIP code to another, and that our policies must reflect that. We’re getting better at recognizing how access to affordable resources, especially those that support family stability and children’s success, can’t be one-size-fits-all.
What is especially encouraging is the evolution of the narrative around childcare. It’s no longer dismissed as babysitting, but is now acknowledged as a critical pillar of our economic development strategy. When parents can return to work, our economy grows. When children are supported early, they can thrive for a lifetime. At the same time, we’re being honest about the barriers that still exist. For far too many families across our state, high-quality childcare remains out of reach due to its burdensome cost. Continuing the conversation around this challenge and committing to addressing it is progress that gives me hope.