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
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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!

 

Conference: Providers Explore Solutions as Essential Partners in Making Universal Pre-K Sustainable

Posted on October 17, 2025

New Jersey's First Community-Based Preschool Private Provider Conference: The Future of Public Preschool: Building a Bold Vision Together convened on October 16, bringing together early childhood leaders, educators, funders, and advocates committed to strengthening community-based public pre-K partnerships across New Jersey.

View Photos from Event

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The conference was created in response to the growing challenges community-based providers face as they work to deliver high-quality public preschool opportunities for children and families. Workshops included enrollment strategies, marketing, teacher retention, budget planning, certification requirements, and strengthening school district partnerships. View conference brochure.

Despite being essential partners in New Jersey’s mixed-delivery system, many providers struggle with issues of inequitable funding, workforce shortages, unclear communication from state and local agencies, and barriers to full inclusion within the state-funded pre-K system.

“The success of New Jersey’s public preschool system depends on the health and sustainability of community-based programs. Families deserve consistent, high-quality options, and that can only happen when every provider—public and private—is supported, valued, and equipped to thrive,” said Dr. Winifred Smith-Jenkins, Director of Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy at Advocates for Children of New Jersey, one of the co-organizers of the event.

“We want attendees to walk away feeling empowered, connected, and hopeful—with a clearer understanding of their collective power to influence policy, a renewed sense of partnership with state leaders, and concrete strategies to sustain and strengthen their programs. Most importantly, we want them to leave knowing their voices matter and that together, we can build a bold, equitable vision for the future of public preschool in New Jersey.”

Currently, only a third of pre-K students are enrolled in community-based child care centers or Head Start programs, meaning districts are missing a critical opportunity to expand access while strengthening the existing child care infrastructure.

“When you think about the amount of money that the state of New Jersey has invested in our youngest learners, it comes to $1,269,388,762. That's a lot of money. But it's still not enough because we're still not reaching 100% of the universe of young people,” said NJ Department of Education Assistant Commissioner Katrina McCombs who delivered opening remarks.

The conference was designed to give providers a unified space to be heard, to learn from one another, and to work collaboratively toward solutions that will strengthen the entire early childhood landscape.

“This conference is about partnership—because when community-based providers and the Department of Education come together, we create a shared vision for what’s possible. Together, we can build the systems and relationships that ensure every child in New Jersey can Start Strong,” said Meghan Tavormina, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at the New Jersey Association for the Education of Young Children (NJAEYC), one of the co-organizers of the event. NJAEYC and ACNJ also co-chair Start Strong NJ, a campaign of the First 1,000 Days NJ Policy Coalition, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, providers, parents, and advocates committed to making affordable, high-quality child care available to every family in the state.

New Jersey's commitment to universal pre-K has enabled more than 60,000 3- and 4-year-olds access to full-day public preschool. Yet, to give thousands more children a strong start, school districts can leverage a mixed-delivery approach, which partners with community child care centers and Head Start programs to offer preschool within their existing classrooms. These providers do not just offer quality early learning—they provide the wraparound care working families depend on, including before-school, after-school, and summer programs, and many other family supports.

Comedian DJ Pryor delivered an emotional keynote, sharing how his fourth-grade teacher, Susan Brown, transformed his life by channeling his disruptive humor into a daily classroom comedy routine that ultimately launched his career. Pryor urged the audience of educators to persevere despite funding challenges and workforce shortages, emphasizing that early childhood providers are the "foundation" sustaining the next generation, even when their critical work goes unnoticed.

 

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ACNJ is a proud partner of StartStrongNJ.
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Cause for Celebration: HealthySteps NJ Reaches a Major Milestone

Posted on October 9, 2025

Authored by:

headshot-diane
Diane Dellano
Senior Policy Analyst

Celebrate Babies Week will take place October 20 through 24, and this year, New Jersey babies -along with their families and select pediatric practices throughout the state- are celebrating a major milestone.  As of July 1, 2025, pediatric practices serving families participating in NJ FamilyCare that have also adopted the HealthySteps program model are now eligible for an enhanced payment rate for well-child and sick visit claims submitted for children under four years of age. This is a major first step towards the sustainability of the HealthySteps program in New Jersey.

HealthySteps, a program of ZERO TO THREE,  is a national, evidence‐based program that serves young children from birth through age three and their families in pediatric healthcare settings. Child development and behavioral health promotion and prevention professionals, known as HealthySteps Specialists, are housed in the doctor's office as part of the primary care team. They serve as liaisons between the child and family and the healthcare team and facilitate the delivery of a range of services including:

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  • Screening for age-appropriate child development, behavioral health, and social-emotional health;
  • Assessment of family needs, including caregiver depression screening, health-related social needs, and identifying any other risk factors;
  • Family Support Line (call, text, email, etc.);
  • Educational resources and consults for early development, positive parenting, and child behavior;
  • Care coordination and systems navigation—including referrals to services by community-based organizations and other specialists; and
  • Team-based well-child visits.

This approach is non‐stigmatizing and provides universal access, since nearly all young children regularly see a pediatric primary care provider. Having a HealthySteps Specialist available on site also removes the burden from parents to navigate an often complicated mental and behavioral health system.

HealthySteps was first launched in New Jersey as a philanthropically‐funded initiative in 3 pediatric practices serving low‐income communities through a partnership with Hackensack Meridian Health, The Burke Foundation, The Nicholson Foundation, and the Turrell Fund. The program has since grown to 8 pediatric practices with funding as part of a federal Transforming Pediatrics in Early Childhood (TPEC) grant awarded to the New Jersey Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as funding through the Bureau of Primary Health Care. Since 2020, over 11,000 NJ babies have benefitted from the HealthySteps program in pediatric practices located throughout the state.

Studies on HealthySteps Participants Have Shown:

  • Children were more likely to attend all of the first 10 recommended well-child visits.​
  • Children were 8x more likely to receive a developmental assessment and had significantly higher rates of developmental and other nonmedical referrals.​
  • Mothers had significantly higher rates of maternal depression referrals and were 4x more likely to receive information on community resources.
  • Mothers felt significantly more supported to breastfeed and had higher rates of continued breastfeeding. ​(longer than 6 months)​
  • Families were significantly less likely to report harsh punishment (yelling, spanking with hand) and severe discipline (face slap, spanking with objects).​
  • Families were significantly more likely to share picture books​ and play with their infants daily.
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While HealthySteps is remarkably affordable, at around $50-80 per child, per year, sustainable funding pathways are necessary for continued and expanded access for New Jersey families. The enhanced reimbursement is intended to support the practice with HealthySteps associated costs, including but not limited to HealthySteps services and the required HealthySteps Specialist. Enhanced reimbursement will be provided regardless of the individual level of HealthySteps service received by the NJ FamilyCare child at the office on that date of service, or during that billed pediatric primary care visit. At the present time, Federally Qualified Health Centers are not eligible for the enhanced payment.

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The HealthySteps National Office at ZERO TO THREE provides onboarding, training, technical assistance, and ongoing professional development for HealthySteps sites, as well as managing annual data reporting and ensuring model fidelity.  For more information, please visit the HealthySteps website or contact Pam Tew, ZERO TO THREE HealthySteps Sustainability Manager at ptew@zerotothree.org.

 

Our state’s future depends on healthy beginnings. Let’s demand a future where all mothers and babies thrive.

Newark Kids Count Data Snapshot 2025: Maternal and Infant Health

Posted on September 30, 2025

Over the past decade, Newark has made notable progress in improving infant health outcomes, with declines in low birthweight, preterm births, and mortality rates. However, significant disparities persist, with Black, non-Hispanic residents experiencing worse outcomes. This data snapshot on Newark Maternal and Infant Health is part of a series that will zero in on issues affecting the city's children.

How CenteringPregnancy® Improves Outcomes for Parents and Babies in New Jersey

Posted on October 6, 2025

Authored by:
Disha Patel, MPH
Manager, Health Policy
Centering Healthcare Institute

Patient-centered care prioritizes the needs of each individual. One powerful example is group prenatal care, such as CenteringPregnancy®, which has been shown to lower the risk of preterm birth, low birthweight and NICU stays. In New Jersey, we need to build greater awareness of group prenatal care and update policies to ensure all birthing people receive the high-quality care they deserve.

What is Centering?

Centering Healthcare Institute is a non-profit organization that works closely with health care providers from all sectors to transform healthcare delivery, especially regarding improving outcomes related to mothers, babies and families. With over three decades of experience as the go-to resource for group care, we have developed and sustained the evidence-based Centering model of care in nearly 500 practice sites and in some of the largest health systems in the world.

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CenteringPregnancy®

        • Facilitated, group-based medical appointments consisting of:
            • Health assessments
            • Interactive learning
            • Community building
        • Higher rates of patient satisfaction, preparation for labor and delivery
        • Improved attendance at visits and stress reduction
        • Patients have the opportunity to be heard
        • Providers have a chance to listen and evaluate patient needs
        • Reduction in racial and socioeconomic disparities in birth outcomes

Evidence

With over 200 peer-reviewed studies, Centering:

  • Reduces the risk of preterm birth by 33-47%, with further reduced risk for Black pregnant people
  • Increases breastfeeding initiation 
  • Increases likelihood of LARCs (Long-Acting Reversible Contraception) use by 70%
  • Reduces the risk of NICU admissions by 37% 
  • Reduces emergency room utilization

Centering in New Jersey

        • 24 CenteringPregnancy sites, over 500 patients served
        • More than 1 in 4 pregnant patients at NJ CenteringPregnancy sites received care through CenteringPregnancy
        • 2023 Data:
Centering New Jersey
Preterm Birth 9.9% 11.3%
Low Birth Weight 6.8% 7.98%

CHI’s Policy Recommendations

        • Increase the enhanced reimbursement rate for group prenatal care from $7 to $45 per patient per session
        • Include coverage for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in amended policy as FQHCs serve underserved populations, reduce barriers to care, improve birth outcomes, reduce health disparities and support financial sustainability

Why an Increase for Enhanced Reimbursement is Beneficial for NJ

        • Targets disparities
            • With the support and education that group prenatal care provides, it allows both patient and providers to address social determinants of health
        • Cost Savings for Medicaid
            • Almost half of the births being financed by Medicaid, meaning the outcomes that Centering has proven to have can translate to cost savings for Medicaid
            • Enhanced reimbursement also helps providers cover the extra time, staffing and materials needed
        • Alignment with Existing Initiatives
            • New Jersey has made significant strides in improving maternal and child health outcomes and increasing the reimbursement for group prenatal care would continue with this broader strategy. 

Call to Action

        • Invest in long-term cost savings
        • Improve maternal and child health outcomes by recognizing CenteringPregnancy as patient-centered care and closing gaps in maternal morbidity and mortality

To learn more about our models of care, expand Centering in New Jersey, and influence policy, partner with the Centering Healthcare Institute.

Placement Options in Special Education

Posted on September 25, 2025

Co-Authored by:

Lauren DeCamp
Corporate Counsel
Audible

Casey O'Brien
Corporate Counsel
Global Mile

 

For more information on this topic, contact Nina Peckman at npeckman@acnj.org.

As a parent of a child with special needs, understanding the various placement options available through special education can be overwhelming. Your child has a right to be educated in the "least restrictive environment" under New Jersey law (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-4.2 and 4.3). This means that, to the maximum extent appropriate, your child should be educated alongside peers without disabilities and as close to home as possible. NJ law only allows more restrictive placements, discussed below, when your student’s disability makes education in more inclusive general education settings impossible to achieve satisfactorily with reasonable accommodations and supports.

New Jersey law requires schools to maintain what's called a "continuum of placements." This means they must provide a range of educational options to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities. This approach recognizes that students with disabilities have varying needs that require different levels of support and specialized services. Your child's Individual Education Program (IEP) team, which includes the parent, must offer placement options to appropriately match your child's individual requirements with the most suitable learning environment(s).

Importantly, your child has the right to participate in multiple settings based on their individual needs. Your child's placement should be based on their IEP and must be reviewed at least annually. The school cannot remove your child from general education classes solely because they need curriculum modifications.

Here are some common terms for the placement options your child has a right to access:

  • Inclusive Setting: This is where your child learns in a general education classroom alongside students without disabilities. In this environment, your child participates fully in the general education curriculum while receiving necessary support services and modifications within the regular classroom. 
  • Push-In Services: In this model, special education teachers or specialists come directly into the general education classroom to provide support while your child remains with their peers. This might involve co-teaching or individual support within the regular classroom setting for one or more subjects or support services, allowing your child to receive specialized help without being separated from their classmates.
  • Pull-Out Services: With this approach, your child leaves the general education classroom for specific periods to receive specialized instruction in a separate resource room. This might happen for certain subjects or specific support services, after which your child returns to the general education classroom for the rest of their subjects.
  • Self-Contained: This means a special class specifically designed for students with disabilities, taught by a special education teacher. These classrooms typically have smaller class sizes and provide more intensive support.  This setting is used when students need more specialized instruction that cannot be effectively provided in the general education setting.
  • Special Education Programs: This means programs out of the student’s home district, including another district, county vocational district, rehabilitation program, medical institutions, non-public school approved for students with disabilities, non-public or out-of-state programs in special circumstances, residential, home instruction, or other settings. One of these settings may be appropriate if the district cannot offer a proper in-district program. 

In any of these settings, your child may receive various supplementary aids and services, including:

  • Curricular or instructional modifications
  • Specialized instructional strategies
  • Assistive technology devices and services
  • Teacher aides
  • Related services
  • Integrated therapies
  • Consultation services
  • In-class resource programs

To help ensure your child receives appropriate placement:

  • Actively participate in IEP meetings
  • Request detailed explanations of proposed placements
  • Review your child's progress regularly
  • Ensure decisions are based on your child's individual needs
  • Remember that your child can participate in multiple settings if needed

Consider consulting an attorney if:

  • Your child's placement decisions appear to be based on administrative convenience rather than individual needs
  • The school refuses to consider less restrictive alternatives
  • Your child is being removed from general education without proper justification

Relevant laws: