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NJ FAMILY PLANNING LEAGUE ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT & CEO
Former VP of Program Services Rachel Baum to Succeed
Long-Time Chief Executive Officer Joseph L. Alifante
Baum Will Oversee Statewide Family Planning Network
Including 13 Provider Agencies and 57 Health Centers
For Immediate Release
Newark, NJ – February 16, 2021 – Today the New Jersey Family Planning League (NJFPL), which has supported affordable, accessible family planning health care across the state for more than 40 years, has announced Rachel Baum as its new President and CEO, effective as of February 15, 2021. Baum, who formerly served as NJFPL’s Vice President of Program Services, will take on the position held by longtime President and CEO Joseph L. Alifante.
Established in 1974, the New Jersey Family Planning League supports quality family planning services for 13 provider agencies, which operate 57 health centers located in all 21 counties throughout New Jersey. During this time, NJFPL has been a direct grantee for federal Title X, the only dedicated source of federal funding for family planning; as well as state family planning funds granted through the NJ Department of Health, among other funding resources. While it is not a direct service provider, NJFPL oversees and manages a statewide service network comprised of a diverse group of organizations that includes:
- Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs)
- Planned Parenthood affiliates
- Hospital-based providers
- A county health department
- An academic health center
- Non-profit family planning service providers
Since 1977, Alifante has managed the growth of the organization from a regional program into New Jersey’s statewide Title X and state family planning grantee supporting 13 provider agencies. Under his leadership, more than 117,000 patients accessed care at an NJFPL provider health center in 2019. In addition, Alifante has held significant officer positions in national and state family planning organizations, including the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA), Family Planning Councils of America (FPCA), and the Family Planning Association of New Jersey (FPANJ).
“As I look back on the past four decades, I am deeply proud of the impact that our programs have had in supporting individuals and families across our state and meeting the reproductive and sexual health care needs of our patients and communities,” said Alifante. “New Jersey’s publicly supported family planning programs are stronger today because of the foundation we have built together. I’m more than confident in Rachel’s ability and vision to successfully lead NJFPL into the future and wish her much success as she steps into this role.”
Baum, who joined the organization in 2018, previously oversaw program services for NJFPL’s family planning and STD projects. An experienced Title X administrator and advocate, Baum started out as a family planning counselor in Massachusetts, later followed by overseeing the national program at the NYC LGBT Anti-Violence Project, and then managing the New York City Title X grant at Public Health Solutions (PHS) for twelve years. She has also served as Co-Chair of the NYC LARC (Long-Acting Reversible Contraception) Access Taskforce, and currently serves on the board of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA). As NJFPL’s new President and CEO, Baum will continue to lead its mission to provide access to comprehensive family planning and related health services for all New Jerseyans who need them.
“I am excited to take on this critical stewardship role during what represents a transformative time for our organization, state and nation,” said Baum. “Joe has exemplified steady leadership through a variety of difficult circumstances, from managing funding streams that are frequent political targets, to navigating service delivery in a pandemic. I look forward to expanding on the legacy he’s built and advancing this much-needed work in service of New Jersey’s residents and communities.”