Facebook X (Twitter) Linkedin Cindy Shields Senior Policy Analyst for Early Childhood Education This is a common cry across the country, and New Jersey is no exception. Families are struggling to find quality child care, and when they do, the cost is often unaffordable. What’s driving this crisis, and how do we begin to fix […]
Category: Early Care and Education
Child Care Providers: Urge Legislators to prioritize funding for the NJ Child Care Assistance Program
Child Care Providers Act Now! Critical changes to New Jersey’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) will take effect beginning August 1, 2025. These changes will directly impact both providers and families, which include co-payment increases and a pause on new applications. Despite strong advocacy—including public education, meetings with legislators, public testimony, and widespread media coverage—New […]
Governor Murphy’s Historic Early Childhood Education Legislation Marks Critical Progress with Room for Improvement
Facebook X (Twitter) Linkedin UPDATE: New Jersey Universal Preschool This week, Governor Murphy signed significant legislation expanding access to early education, addressing several policy priorities ACNJ has long advocated for, while also leaving areas of opportunity for further improvement. The centerpiece legislation (S3910/A5717) codifies New Jersey’s preschool funding formula into statute, strengthening and sustaining the […]
Midwifery Saves Lives: Why New Jersey Must Expand Access to Midwifery Care
Facebook X (Twitter) Linkedin Winifred Smith-Jenkins Director of Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy Too many mothers and babies in New Jersey are dying, and it doesn’t have to be this way. Midwifery care is a proven, life-saving solution. But outdated laws, systemic barriers, and a lack of awareness are limiting access to this vital care. […]
Investing in Positive Youth Development to Address NJ’s Youth Mental Health Crisis
Facebook X (Twitter) Linkedin Will NJ’s Future Governor Address Youth Mental Health? Isaiah Fudge Director of Positive Youth Development For more information on this topic, contact Isaiah at ifudge@acnj.org. Young people are struggling to cope with stress, anxiety and depression, and it’s persistently showing up in their daily lives, especially post-COVID. New Jersey is facing […]
