A Healthy Start: The NEST Initiative

The first weeks at home are some of the most important for a child’s development, and among the most challenging for parents. To support families in the first weeks after birth, the CDC Foundation has partnered with the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) NEST Initiative. 

Through this initiative, launched as a pilot in 2023, families receive a carefully assembled kit that includes childbirth recovery and infant supplies such as postpartum pads, diapers and wipes, ensuring parents receive the necessary supplies to help them care for their newborn with confidence.

The NEST Initiative prioritizes support for communities with the greatest need. Distributed to new families, NEST Kits are designed to help reduce emotional and financial stress during these first weeks of a new family’s life.

The initiative has already supported thousands of families during their earliest weeks at home. Early evaluations show meaningful impact, reducing financial and emotional stress for parents and strengthening trust in the systems working to support them. 

In 2026, the CDC Foundation is partnering with HHS to leverage the momentum created by the NEST Act, amplifying ongoing national efforts to improve access to essential newborn and postpartum supplies.

With support from donors and partners, the CDC Foundation is working to expand efforts to help reach even more families. Through tiered gift levels, supporters can provide a range of essentials to provide care items for moms and their new babies.

• $25 - Helps provide postpartum care essentials.
• $50 - Helps provide essential care supplies for a newborn.
• $100 - Helps provide essential care supplies for both a newborn and a mom.
• $200 - Helps expand the reach of the NEST Initiative.

If you are interested in discussing partnership opportunities related to this initiative, please reach out to us at advancement@cdcfoundation.org. 

Learn more and make a gift to support this work.

This work aligns with broader efforts led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to expand access to kits through the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkits (NEST) Initiative. No funds are exchanged between the CDC Foundation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support these activities and any funds raised by the CDC Foundation are managed independently and do not constitute endorsement by HHS.