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 […]
Category: Early Care and Education
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 But outdated laws, systemic barriers, and a lack of awareness are limiting access to this vital care.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 […]
Child Care in New Jersey: Why Everyone Should Care
Facebook X (Twitter) Linkedin Child Care is Everyone’s Business Winifred Smith-Jenkins Director of Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy For more information on this topic, contact Winifred at wsmith-jenkins@acnj.org. Child care is not just a concern for families with young children–it’s everyone’s concern. Every child deserves a strong start in life. Every parent deserves the opportunity […]
