ACNJ is here for NJ children.
We hope you are all staying healthy during this extraordinary time amidst the COVID-19 crisis. With so many questions, fears, worries and many unknowns, ACNJ remains committed to its efforts to advocate for New Jersey's most vulnerable children and their families. We will be communicating often and share updates as they become available. Below you will also find helpful resources to help parents, child care providers and those that work with children and families cope with the challenges of the time.
We want to hear from you.
Let us know your needs. Hearing about the real life, day to day challenges will help inform our advocacy and communication strategies. If you are having child care related issues, please fill out our survey.
ACNJ has partnered with ZERO TO THREE to collect stories about how you have been impacted by COVID-19. We hope that you will complete the very short survey and ask those in your networks to share their stories too. We will take what we learn from you and share with policymakers. Share your story.
ZERO TO THREE is spreading care! Share your stories to help those caring for babies and toddlers.
State Response on impact of COVID-19
Latest COVID-19 Child Care Actions by Governor Murphy's Administration
- NJ Child Care Centers Can Reopen June 15th. DCF Guidelines are now available.
- Governor closes child care centers by April 1 unless they are providing care to children of essential workers, but must submit an application.
- Emergency Payment Changes for Child Care (3/18) - New Jersey Division of Family Development Emergency and Disaster Child Care Policy.
- March 16th suspension of DCF licensing standards for minimum play space requirements and group size. ACNJ, along with statewide child care advocacy groups do not agree with this measure, urging for all child care programs to close, just as schools have been closed.
To stay up-to-date with how states are approaching the pandemic, the Alliance for Early Success is collecting and maintaining the latest strategies and resources by state.
New Jersey Department of Children and Families’ Response to COVID-19
The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) takes measures to ensure the safety of both their employees and the families that they serve. Read more
Federal Response on COVID-19
- Child Care Providers and COVID-19: Paying the Bills and Helping Staff Pay theirs, ACNJ summary of federal and state supports.
- Child Aware, What You Need to Know about the Congress COVID-19 Stimulus Package
- ZERO TO THREE Ten Legislative Recommendations for Infants and Toddlers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act Medicaid and CHIP Provisions Explained
In New Jersey, anyone whose Medicaid benefits have been terminated during this period can contact Legal Services of New Jersey(LSNJ) for help at 1-888-576-5529 or https://lsnjlawhotline.org/.
In light of COVID-19, the U.S. Census Bureau has adjusted their operations to best serve the community to ensure everyone's safety, all while striving towards a complete count. Read more.
Resources
NJ COVID-19 Hub
New Jersey Information Hub: New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub
- General Questions: 2-1-1 (7am-11pm)
- Clinical Questions: 1-800-962-1253 (24/7)
- Text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive alerts
- Text your zip code to 898-211 for live text assistance
- Find answers to questions on housing and rental assistance, foreclosure or eviction.
New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance: Helpful links
New Jersey Economic Development: COVID-19/Novel Coronavirus Information for New Jersey Businesses
Parents
-
In need of immediate help? Feeling overwhelmed?
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to these hotlines.- Parent Anonymous: Provides parents support and an outlet.
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotlineoffsite link: Call 1-800-4-1-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) then push 1 to talk. Hotline available 24/7.
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Childrenoffsite link: Call 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
- National Domestic Violence Hotlineoffsite link: Call 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 for TTY. Hotline available 24/7.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifelineoffsite link: Call 24-hour lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or 1-800-799 4889 for TTY.
- Stop It Now!offsite link: Call 1-888-PREVENT (1-888-773-8368). Helpline available Monday-Friday, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm EST.
- The National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotlineoffsite link: Crisis line available 24/7 for the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Deaf-disabled. Call 1-855-812-1001.
- How to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus, PBS
- The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has several blogs and tools dedicated to COVID-19. Check it out.
- Video: DCF Commissioner Beyer's Message on COVID-19 De-Escalation Tips
- Questions about breastfeeding during COVID-19? Learn what Children's National hospital recommends.
-
Audible has made many audio books available for free for as long as schools are closed.
- ZERO TO THREE Tips for Families: Coronavirus
Offers tips for families including age-appropriate responses to common questions, a guide to self-care, and activities for young children experiencing social distancing. - Looking for Educational and fun resources for kids while school is out? Fighting boredom? Check out these ideas shared with us.
- Resources for families, compiled by La Casa de Don Pedro
Child Care Providers
Governor closes child care centers by April 1 unless they are providing care to children of essential workers, but must submit an application.
- NJ Department of Children and Families, COVID-19 Resources for Contracted Providers
- NJ Department of Children and Families, COVID-19 Resources for Licensed Childcare
- Emergency Funding Resources that Child Care Providers Can Use Now, Child Care Aware of America
Child Care and COVID-19: State and Federal Supports Webinars
View recordings and resources of Session I,Session II and Session III
Education
BLOG: School is in session – Homeschooling during a pandemic, by Nina Peckman, ACNJ Staff Attorney
- Latest from the NJ Department of Education
- Center for Disease Control, Guidance for Schools and Childcare Programs
Resources:
- Audible has made many audio books available for free for as long as schools are closed.
- Garden State Teachers to Give Lessons on New Jersey Public Television (NJTV)
- Khan Academy This non-profit provides free resources to keep everyone learning. Parents will find helpful the suggested daily schedules for students ages 2-18 to keep them learning.
Find more resources to help kids compliment their school work and simply have fun while learning.
Health
- Latest Information from the NJ Department of Health
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act Medicaid and CHIP Provisions Explained
- Anyone whose Medicaid benefits have been terminated during this period can contact Legal Services of New Jersey(LSNJ) for help at 1-888-576-5529 or https://lsnjlawhotline.org/.
- NJ FamilyCare is the state's publicly funded health insurance program - includes CHIP, Medicaid and Medicaid expansion populations.
- The New Jersey Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program (Charity Care) is available to patients for inpatient and outpatient services for eligible patients who meet income and asset criteria.
Food Access
Addressing Hunger During Coronavirus crisis, Hunger Free New Jersey
- Residents who need food assistance can visit and apply for SNAP online at www.NJHelps.org.
*NOTE: D-SNAP (disaster SNAP) is not subject to the public charge option for immigrants. - Search food pantries in your area at nj211.org Call before you go.
- WIC (Nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children) is open for Business. In light of COVID-19, New Jersey WIC is allowing additional food items in anticipation of limited food selections related to recent events.
Non-Profits/Business
Non-Profit/Business Resources
- The Princeton Area Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications for the COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund.
- The Healthcare Foundation of NJ makes ($500,000) emergency grants available to their active grantees.
- NJ Pandemic Relief Fund (NJPRF) will provide grants to existing organizations with a demonstrated track record of caring for vulnerable communities. One hundred percent of donations received online by NJPRF will be used to fight the medical, social, and economic impact of COVID-19 on New Jersey’s most vulnerable, supporting organizations that provide essential services, and aiding those on the front line of the pandemic.
Business Resources
- US Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Assistance
Disaster loans, through the EIDL program, and $10,000 EIDL grants are also now directly available at disasterloan.sba.gov.Certain SBA lenders began processing Paycheck Protection Program loan applications on Friday April 2nd. More information is available directly from SBA and your local lender lender.
Paycheck Protection Program Loans - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), U.S. Department of Treasury
Main Street Alliance webinar - PPP and EIDL explained
- New Jersey Business & Industry Association - List of COVID-19 related resources
- NJ Economic Development Authority
I have owned child care facilities in NJ since 1991. I shut my facility on March 16th but took a philosophical decision to retain my staff (some of whom have been with us since inception) until I ran out of money. We also offer staff Health benefits. Some of my staff have health issues so I have kept our health benefits going as well. We are located ion River Edge NJ & 99 plus % of our clients are private pay. It is looking increasingly unlikely that we will be able to survive this crisis & reopen. I hope our legislators recognize that ‘normalcy’ cannot return even if employment improves unless there is viable child care available to parents.
I have owned a prived preschool educational program in NJ since 1998. We are still operating as an Emergency Daycare Center with a 95% enrollment drop. We are in the survival stage. I hope our legislators recognize the crisis in this field. If the employment thas not improves we are going to close the school.
if there is no one to watch and educate the children because our childcare centers can not survive possibly half the work force will have to stay home. That means a big drop in payroll taxes to the state and federal government. It would be a good investment to give the childcare centers an education grant. Further some childcare programs are irreplaceable..it is not an easy business and I don’t see a lot of people wanting to open one in today’s market, and just as hard to get teachers to work, and yes I own two centers that may or may not survive this.
As the owner/operator of The Brightwell Center for Children (formerly Blocks & Bridges) since 1991, I have come to realize that the child care industry is one of the least appreciated in the State of New Jersey. Over the last six years I have been in litigation with The Department of Children and Families; Office of Licensing after their inspectors defamed my character and fabricated violations on my report for retaliatory purposes, simply because I terminated the child care services of one of their co-workers who told me that her two poorly behaved children were ” too beautiful to discipline.” From 2013 until 2017 I received over 23 unwarranted 3 – 5 hour inspections (while I was in possession of a license); 9 of them with armed police officers (for no good cause) during business hours. Who would think it’s of to send police officers to a child care center? I had sworn affidavits from parents, visitors, para professionals, teachers and other staff all who witnessed the wrongful misconduct and abuse of power of these government workers as well as hours of video tape, not to mention that there were many laws broken. The long term harassment caused the development of chronic migraines with complications as well as occipital neuralgia that I will live with for the rest of my life and 4 NJ Judges dismissed my claim without even reviewing my evidence. In January 2020, I received that decision and before I could rebuild my business (as I had used my life savings since business was destroyed) COVID hit. So I don’t expect the politicians in this state to care or do anything for me or the children to whom I provide care. Dr. Brightwell
Grants, funding aren’t available to most of use. We haven’t received assistance with unemployment and our business are closed. How can we provide for our families and keep up with expenses such as utilities and rent for our locations. We are going through very difficult times but it’s our governments duty to help us along the way. We need to prepare for a reopening stage.
I’m a current child care worker in north Bergen county nj and after 25 years of serving families with young children I am not convinced even if my director came up with a plan it would indeed be safe . My concerns speak to the experience and lack of basic training in hygiene and health and sanitizing protocols and common sense when it comes to hiring employees. The owners / operators and directors seem more concerned with hiring young inexperienced careless and i uncaring individuals they can aquired at very low pay scales l ( having a live body in a room does not equate good child care ) . If employees don’t take their roles seriously and flippantly disregard protocols put in place for all ( children and staff ) then I don’t think I can even consider returning to this type of work . It’s never been a JOB to me it’s always felt like a calling and my true purpose . I am saddened by the whole environment and that it’s just another money making business .