Laura Palescandolo Laura is a member of the ACNJ Parent Leadership Council and is the Head of Operations and Content Editor at a bilateral non-profit organization. Jenn Dowdy Jenn is a member of ACNJ’s Parent Leadership Council and a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). Laura Palescandolo Laura is a member of the ACNJ Parent Leadership […]
Category: Early Care and Education
“We’re Here Too!” NJ Fathers Share Stories of Barriers, Bias and Invisibility
Read Executive Summary Download Brief Despite decades of research confirming that father involvement significantly improves children’s social, emotional, academic, and health outcomes, New Jersey fathers — particularly those in under-resourced communities — continue to face a system that was not built with them in mind. This report draws on community conversations with 64 fathers across […]
Blueprint for Affordable Child Care: New Jersey Doesn’t Work Without It
JOIN THE MOVEMENT Start Strong NJ releases blueprint to make affordable, quality child care available to every family in the state that needs it. Before an audience of dozens of New Jersey legislators, Start Strong NJ unveiled its Blueprint for Affordable Child Care. The event featured Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell and a discussion between Steve […]
New Jersey Legislative Fact Sheets 2026
Facebook X (Twitter) Linkedin How are communities in your legislative district supporting its children? Our 2026 New Jersey Legislative Fact Sheets provide the critical data for lawmakers and state leaders need to make informed policy decisions. Use the data as a roadmap for advocacy. You will also be able to view the New Jersey Statewide […]
Dr. Winifred Smith-Jenkins Named Garden State Power Fellow
Facebook X (Twitter) Linkedin Please join us in celebrating Dr. Winifred Smith-Jenkins, ACNJ’s Director of Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy, who has been selected for the Garden State Power Fellowship. She is one of 24 chosen for this opportunity. Supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Fund for New Jersey, and the Rockwood Leadership […]
