FY2027 NJ Budget Highlights for Children and Families

ACNJ is grateful to Governor Mikie Sherrill and the New Jersey Legislature for their continued commitment to children, families, and education. The FY2027 budget reflects meaningful investments in programs that help children grow, learn, and thrive, while supporting families and strengthening communities throughout the state. ACNJ looks forward to continuing to work alongside state leaders to advance policies and investments that improve outcomes for all of New Jersey's children and families.

The following highlights represent select investments included in the enacted FY2027 State Budget that support children and families across New Jersey.

Children's Health
Access to quality, affordable health care is essential to children's healthy development. The FY2027 budget continues robust support for NJ FamilyCare and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), helping ensure children receive preventive care, primary care, and other essential health services.

• Title XXI Children's Health Insurance Program (NJ FamilyCare/CHIP): $1,034,881,000
• Oral Health Grant: $617,000
• Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Partnership Grants: $235,000

Education
A high-quality education is one of the strongest investments New Jersey can make in its children. The FY2027 budget provides record funding for K–12 education while supporting literacy initiatives and evidence-based academic interventions that help students succeed.

• K–12 Education
  The FY2027 budget continues New Jersey's historic investment in public education while supporting literacy initiatives and evidence-based academic interventions that help improve student achievement.
  • K–12 Education: More than $12 billion
  • High-Impact Tutoring: $15,000,000
  • Governor's Literacy Initiative: $2,000,000
  • Literacy Initiatives: $1,500,000
• Preschool
  High-quality preschool provides children with a strong foundation for lifelong learning. The FY2027 budget continues New Jersey's national leadership in early childhood education through record funding for Preschool Education Aid, supporting high-quality, full-day preschool for three- and four-year-olds through the State's mixed-delivery system of school districts, licensed community-based providers, and Head Start programs.
  • Preschool Education Aid: $1,384,575,000
• Family Supports and Child Care Assistance
  Access to affordable care for children from birth through age 13—and through age 19 for children with disabilities—is essential to supporting children's healthy development while enabling parents and caregivers to work, pursue education or job training, and achieve their personal and professional goals. The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps eligible working families afford the continuum of care children need, including early care and education, before- and after-school programs, and summer care. Continued investment in CCAP strengthens New Jersey's workforce, supports economic growth, and helps ensure employers have the workers they need while children have access to safe, reliable, and enriching environments. Read ACNJ's statement on the $18 million increase that will help the Child Care Assistance Program serve an estimated 77,500 children and extend assistance to approximately 2,500 additional families.
  • Work First New Jersey Child Care: $581,805,000

Food Security
Access to nutritious food is fundamental to children's healthy development and family well-being. The FY2027 budget continues investments in nutrition assistance programs that help reduce food insecurity and ensure children and families have access to healthy meals.

• Supplemental Food Program – Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): $318,000,000
• WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program: $8,200,000
• Supplemental Food Program – WIC: $25,000,000
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): $239,900,000

Maternal and Infant Health
Healthy pregnancies, healthy births, and strong starts are critical to ensuring children thrive. The FY2027 budget continues New Jersey's investments in maternal and infant health through home visiting programs, maternal health innovation, quality improvement initiatives, and efforts to reduce disparities in maternal and infant outcomes.

• Maternal and Child Health Block Grant: $13,977,000
• Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program: $14,134,000
• New Jersey State Maternal Health Innovation Program: $3,084,000
• Maternal Feedback on Quality of Care Database: $1,200,000
• Perinatal Health Equity Initiative – New Jersey Black Maternal Health Task Force: $50,000
• Maternal Data Center and NJ Report Card of Hospital Maternity Care: $652,000
• New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority Fund: $5,220,000
• Statewide Universal Newborn Home Nurse Visitation Program: $48,630,000

Mental Health
Strong mental health supports are essential to helping children succeed at home, in school, and in their communities. The FY2027 budget continues investments in school- and community-based behavioral health services that promote prevention, early intervention, and access to care.

• New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S): $40,000,000
• School-Based Partnerships for Access and Resilience for Kids (SPARK): More than $30,000,000

Looking Ahead
The FY2027 State Budget represents an important investment in New Jersey's children and families. ACNJ appreciates the Governor's leadership and the Legislature's commitment to advancing policies and funding that improve the lives of children and families across our state.

ACNJ will continue to provide post-budget updates and analysis as additional information becomes available. Stay tuned!