Strengthening the Midwifery Workforce Through State Investment in Midwifery Education: The New Jersey Midwifery...

State-level investment in midwifery education strengthens the workforce by addressing long-standing structural barriers in training and clinical education. We describe the development, implementation, and early outcomes of the New Jersey Midwifery Education Project (NJ-MEP), a state-funded initiative designed to sustain, expand, and diversify the midwifery workforce through targeted improvements in educational and training infrastructure. The NJ-MEP's successes illustrate how policy engagement, advocacy, and sustained public funding are effective mechanisms to support midwifery workforce development and diversification. Core components of the NJ-MEP include (1) financial and educational support for clinical preceptors; (2) financial investment in midwifery students through scholarships, mentoring, and academic coaching; (3) the creation of a dedicated midwifery simulation center; and (4) the development of a coordinated research agenda focused on clinical education quality and workforce development. Preceptor initiatives combine financial support with educational programming, including in-person workshops and an online learning platform. Student scholarship funding, combined with mentoring and academic coaching programs, reduces financial strain and supports student success. The simulation center expands access to hands-on learning across routine and high-acuity clinical scenarios while supporting interprofessional education. Finally, a growing body of research conducted under the auspices of the NJ-MEP reframes clinical precepting as a central educational and workforce system, thereby shaping training quality, equity, and long-term workforce viability. Together, these 4 components demonstrate the positive impact of a state-funded investment in midwifery education.