What’s New?

Share with Legislators ACNJ president’s Op-ed supporting legislative bills to invest in child care.

Posted on April 21, 2022

It's time to address the long-time child care crisis in New Jersey.  The pandemic didn’t create it – it exposed it.

Let's urge legislators to support Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz's comprehensive package of bills that would help parents, strengthen programs and support staff. One bill, S-2476 (pending introduction), incentivizes the development of child care for infants and toddlers, the most difficult for families to find.

Share the op-ed authored by ACNJ President Cecilia Zalkind describing this historic proposal.

The package comes with a $360 million price tag. But we need to tell state leaders that this is an investment we cannot afford not to make.

Read the Op-Ed

New Jersey's commitment to children has led to extraordinary advances, putting the state ahead of the rest of the country and most importantly, improving the lives and well-being of newborns and preschool-age children.

But we are still missing the babies.

Let's make some noise for child care  and take a moment to send a message to your state leaders that this is a critical investment for children, families and for our economy.

During this legislative session, ACNJ is calling on the state to:

  • Improve access to infant/toddler care by increasing the number of available child care programs;
  • Expand child care assistance for parents of very young children; and
  • Support the child care workforce, who have historically been underfunded and underappreciated
reimagine-child-care

Unlocking Potential: Our Ambitious Roadmap to Close Inequities for NJ Babies

Posted on June 24, 2020

In order to give all children a strong and equitable start in life, New Jersey must begin with an intentional focus on eliminating racial inequities and disparities in access to essential supports, according to a new report, Unlocking Potential, released today by Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ).

Read Unlocking Potential, A Roadmap to Making New Jersey the Safest, Healthiest and Most Supportive Place to Give Birth and Raise a Family

The statewide plan, funded by the Pritzker Children's Initiative (PCI), provides the action steps needed to achieve concrete targets related to early childhood development with the goal of ensuring an additional 25 percent of low-income infants and toddlers - 27,000 young children - will have access to high-quality services by 2023. These supports include access to quality child care, home visiting, health and mental health services.

Unlocking Potential is based on the belief that we all have a role to play in achieving equity and that supporting equal opportunities at the start of a child’s life is the first step in eliminating disparities that impact outcomes for babies, families and communities. The foundation for change is in place; the opportunity is now!

 

Learn More

Newark Future Policymakers Advocacy Training Class of 2025 Fellows

Posted on March 6, 2025

Meet the class of 2025!

X Braithwaite

X Braithwaite

X Braithwaite is a dedicated advocate for social justice, equality, and environmental stewardship. Born and raised in Newark, NJ, X graduated from Science Park High School and earned a degree in Community and Justice Studies and a degree in African American Studies. Currently, as the New Jersey Environmental Justice Organizer for Clean Water Action, X works to empower communities overburdened by pollution, advocating for systemic change and holding legislators accountable. In addition to her role at Clean Water Action, X serves as the co-chair of the Newark Branch NAACP Environmental Justice Committee and is a member of the Environmental Justice Advisory Council for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Her advocacy extends across intersecting areas of carceral, economic, racial, and environmental justice.

Shayaka

Shayaka Wilson

Shayaka is an experienced program and operations professional dedicated to empowering youth through education, enrichment, advocacy, and community engagement. As Program Director for The Partnership for West Side High School, she leads initiatives that promote academic excellence, college readiness, workforce preparation, and a positive school culture. Previously, she served as a Program Officer Fellow at The MCJ Amelior Foundation, advancing impactful education and workforce initiatives in Newark. Her engagement includes programs like the Newark City of Learning Collaborative, the Summer Youth Employment Program, and OYN’s Newark Youth Voices, which create various opportunities for young people to engage in their community and succeed. Shayaka is a summa cum laude graduate of Rutgers University and a Leadership Newark Fellow, Class of 2026.

Rose-Lee

Rose-Lee Jean-Baptiste

Rose-Lee is an Education and Employment Specialist at the Staten Island Justice Center, dedicated to empowering individuals involved in the criminal legal system through education and career opportunities. With a passion for equity and social justice, she works to dismantle systemic barriers and create pathways to success for underserved communities.  She draws on her background in Urban Education and African and African American Studies to address challenges with a critical and informed perspective. She is committed to advocating for transformative change and ensuring that policies reflect the needs of those most impacted. Rose-Lee believes in the power of education to transform lives and communities and is dedicated to shaping policies that bridge gaps in opportunity and access.

Anisaa

Anisaa Jean-Pierre

Anisaa Jean-Pierre earned her Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies with a minor in the Foundations of Urban Education from Rutgers University-Newark. She is dedicated to improving education in urban communities by advancing policies that reduce the school-to-prison pipeline and address educational disparities in Black and Hispanic communities. Currently, Anisaa works as a research assistant for Professor Wendell Marsh, focusing on Islam within the African-American experience. She is also assisting in the curation of a museum set to open in February 2025. Anisaa’s passion lies in creating lasting change that empowers marginalized communities through education.

Jacinay

Jacinay Coleman-Shelton

Jacinay Coleman-Shelton is a senior at Rutgers University-Newark studying Public and Nonprofit Administration. She is currently employed at the Office of Career Resources and Exploration on campus as a Raider Career Ambassador, assisting students with their career development. A native of Newark, Jacinay witnessed firsthand the city's incredible potential, and is passionate about using her skills to contribute to its continued growth, and create a more equitable and inclusive community for all residents. She is thrilled to join ACNJ and contribute to the organization's mission of creating a thriving city for all.

Puja

Puja Dinesh

Puja Dinesh is currently a junior attending Rutgers University School of Public Affairs and Administration. She is majoring in Public Administration with a minor in Journalism. Her goal is to build a career as an Administrator or Program Manager specializing in Public Policies, Public Affairs, or Non-profit Management. In her free time, she likes to read about current events, situations, and other topics. Immersing herself in what’s happening in the world gives her the knowledge and motivation to one day be a part of the change meant to benefit our society.

Ibrahim

Ibrahim Waziri

Ibrahim Waziri is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Geographic Information Systems and Sciences at Rowan University. He has worked with multiple advocacy groups throughout New Jersey and continues to focus on the education disparity for Black and Hispanic students in inner cities like Newark. He is a visual artist and wants to join his love for art with his professional studies to build communities that thrive through art and collective power.

Takeya

Takeya Howell

Takeya Howell currently attends Bard High School Early College, and will be graduating in 2025.  When she pursues her post secondary academic path, she will major in finance and then will earn her Master's degree in business. She is a hard-working woman who can take on any challenge that comes her way. She is very outspoken and believes in fairness.

Amal

Amal Akkad Wattar

Amal Akkad Wattar is a Biology major at Rutgers University with minors in Computer Science and Social Justice. Her passion for advocacy and education equity led her to join Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) as a Policy Fellow, where she supports youth in accessing the resources they need for academic success. With experience in mentorship, research, and policy analysis, she is excited to contribute to ACNJ’s mission and drive meaningful change for underserved communities.

Gov. Murphy Unveils Plan to Expand PreK Access by Amending Sq. Footage Requirement for Child Care Centers

Posted on February 27, 2025

social media- preschool sq ft reg change announcement (1)

Governor Murphy and state leaders heard our calls for action and are taking steps to remove barriers that prevent child care centers from participating in preschool expansion - most notably, the square footage requirement.

Read Gov. Murphy's News Release

In order to partner with school districts, child care providers often had to combine two classrooms into one, find additional space or undergo a lengthy and expensive licensing process before being able to collaborate.

Now, these regulation changes will help more children access quality early learning, preserve infant and toddler slots and support small businesses which are the backbone of thriving communities.

According to Governor Murphy's news release, "[The NJ Department of Education and the Department of Children and Families] have begun the process of amending their respective rules to hold state-funded and licensed child care centers and preschool programs to the same minimum space requirement of 42 square feet of usable space per child. The Administration intends to formally publish the rulemaking proposal for public comment in spring 2025."

We know that universal preschool can only happen with a robust mixed-delivery model that includes strong collaboration between school districts and community-based child care providers. Thank you for your support as we continue to advocate for New Jersey's children and families.

ACT NOW: Protect health insurance coverage for our most vulnerable

Posted on February 24, 2025

Tomorrow, Congress is scheduled to vote on a Budget Resolution that mandates the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid, to make at least $880 billion in cuts to the federal budget over the next ten years. This can only happen by cutting Medicaid.

Why This Matters:

Federal Medicaid dollars help fund NJ FamilyCare, which provides health insurance coverage for 20% of New Jersey residents. This includes:

🔴 More than 820,000 children, from birth to 18 years old, covered by NJ FamilyCare

🔴 About a third of all births annually

🔴 Youth living in foster care and aging out of foster care

 ACT TODAY!

Your voice matters. Please email and/or call your member of Congress TODAY asking that they VOTE NO on the Budget Resolution. Your action can make a difference in the lives of New Jersey residents.

Thank you for speaking up to protect healthcare for New Jersey's children, families, and our most vulnerable citizens.

CAll NOW!

Use the lookup tool below to find your congressional representative’s office phone number. Once their profile appears, click "details" to view contact information.

When you introduce yourself, mention the town you are calling from. You can use the email message as a script.