ACNJ Policy Agenda 2024

ACNJ commends New Jersey for its commitment to ensuring families can access essential nutritional support through programs like SNAP, formerly food stamps, including a monthly minimum benefit. New Jersey's WIC program offers benefits to pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk.

While New Jersey surpasses many states in investment in family support initiatives, there are areas for improvement. Refining processes to integrate services more seamlessly, expanding eligibility criteria, and implementing more flexibility in product delivery will ensure these investments effectively reach and support all eligible participants. For example, expanding brand options under WIC and implementing online services that facilitate the delivery of WIC products to community providers, such as Head Start programs, to offer additional pickup and delivery options for families, particularly those in isolated areas, should help.

Despite significant efforts to boost student participation in the School Breakfast Program, including the NJ Food for Thought Campaign, a 2019 law mandating breakfast during the school day in high-needs schools, and expanded eligibility through state investment – only 58% post-COVID, only 58% of the students enrolled in the school meals program are eating breakfast post-COVID. This highlights ongoing challenges with access and participation.

The stigma around receiving free or reduced-price meals may discourage participation, particularly in schools without universal free meals. Administrative hurdles and language barriers may also prevent eligible families from enrolling. Concerns about the quality and appeal of the meals lead to waste and low participation. To combat food insecurity among school-aged children, ACNJ recommends that the State consider all factors that impede access and participation.

Infants and toddlers in the child care system also face unmet nutritional needs. Discrepancies in eligibility criteria between the School Meal Program for K-12 students and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) leave parents and child care providers struggling to cover the gaps, adding financial burden.

While the income eligibility for the School Meal Program was raised to 224% of the federal poverty level—allowing a family of four earning up to $69,888 to qualify—this increase does not extend to those benefiting from the CACFP, where the eligibility threshold remains lower, at $55,550 for a family of four. This creates a $14,338 gap between the two programs, limiting access for children in preschool and child care despite their similar needs. ACNJ advocates for a more inclusive approach to addressing food insecurity that supports all children in learning environments, including infants and toddlers.

Implementing a child tax credit in New Jersey represents a significant step toward creating a more equitable and supportive environment for children. This measure provides crucial financial support, alleviating the costs of raising a family, reducing child poverty, and contributing to better outcomes by ensuring children have access to essential resources and opportunities.

New Jersey's child tax credit provides up to $1,000 in refundable income for residents earning up to $80,000 annually with dependent children ages 5 and younger, based on their income level. Families earning $30,000 or less can receive a full credit of $500 per child. For incomes above $30,000, the credit amount gradually decreases on a sliding scale, with the maximum credit capped at $1,000. ACNJ supports the child tax credit as it directly addresses financial needs, promotes family stability, and enhances overall child well-being and recommends expanding the child tax credit to include children ages 6-11 and increasing the amount of the credit.