What’s New?

Zalkind joins Fund for NJ in calling for full funding of school-aid formula

Posted on October 18, 2017

ACNJ President Cecilia Zalkind joined The Fund for New Jersey in the release of their sixth report, “Providing High-Quality Public Education to All New Jersey Children,” in the Crossroads NJ series aimed at informing public debate in this pivotal election year. The report calls for recommitting to the expansion of the preschool program. “The kids have waited a long time. Children who could have had preschool are now approaching middle school,” Zalkind said.

Other Crossroads NJ reports cover climate and environment, criminal justice, housing and land use, jobs and the economy, and transportation.

The Education report notes that to meet the challenges of preserving a public education system that works well for many students and extending its benefits to those who still lag behind, New Jersey needs to step up efforts on funding, reducing segregation, and making college degrees more attainable. The report calls for leadership to address these challenges and encourages New Jersey to:

  • Fully fund the school finance formula codified in the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 (SFRA)
  • Carefully evaluate the SFRA formula and, if necessary, adjust its provisions
  • Expand the successful state-funded preschool program
  • Make higher education in New Jersey more affordable and increase the number of college graduates
  • Build and implement programs designed to integrate our schools

News Clips:
101.5 New Jersey: Group urges NJ to find $1B and fully fund school-aid formula — now!

WHYY: Sharper focus on education, more equitable funding sought in N.J.

 

Good news for young children

Posted on October 17, 2017

Good news for young children:
An additional $25 million was included in this year’s state budget to expand preschool to more of New Jersey’s 3- and 4-year-olds!
The results:

26 school districts throughout the state have received preschool expansion funds! In less than three months, these districts, with help from the NJ Department of Education and research and advocacy organizations, worked  to ensure that more than 2,500 additional 3- and 4-year-olds are benefiting from quality preschool. And some of those programs are already up and running!

But even more preschoolers could have benefited…
At the beginning of October, Governor Christie diverted more than $5 million that he and the Legislature had promised to help preschoolers acquire the skills necessary to be ready for kindergarten and ultimately, achieve academic success.
Clearly, preschool expansion is not a priority to Governor Christie. But what about gubernatorial candidates Kim Guadagno and Phil Murphy?
Ask the candidates where preschool stands on their list of priorities!
• Send a tweet to the gubernatorial candidates!
• Share ACNJ’s infographic highlighting the need to expand high-quality public preschool:

Districts receiving preschool expansion funds:

Bayonne – $770,982
Bradley Beach – $250,378
Carteret – $534,091
Deptford – $1,988,386
Englewood – $1,369,903
Franklin Township – $1,065,078
Hackensack – $189,886
Haledon – $189,765
Hamilton – $237,218
Highlands – $74,697
Hillside – $204,918
Jamesburg – $956,323
Keyport – $335,944
Lakehurst – $460,050
Logan – $608,916
North Plainfield – $1,615,426
Pittsgrove – $1,500,686
Rahway – $2,737,690
Somerville – $298,684
South Amboy – $478,800
Union Beach – $326,750
Ventnor – $659,641
Wharton – $333,387
Wildwood – $361,740
Wildwood Crest – $361,740
Willingboro – $1,472,421

Total aid awarded: $19,383,500

Why rehabilitation is far better than jailing youth

Posted on October 12, 2017

In 2004, New Jersey began an effort to reduce the number of youth unnecessarily or inappropriately placed in county detention, while protecting public safety and ensuring youth appear for court dates.
Known as JDAI, the NJ Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative became a national model for other states.
The results:
  • A more than 60% reduction in the average daily detention population
  • The closure of 8 county detention centers

Still, too many youth get locked up without receiving effective treatment in their communities. Rehabilitation and prevention yield far better results.

Show your support for funding community alternatives instead of locking up youth.
  • Send a tweet to the gubernatorial candidates!
  • Share ACNJ’s infographic highlighting racial disparities in the juvenilejustice system:

 

#NJVotes4Kids update

Posted on October 10, 2017

ACNJ’s #NJVotes4Kids campaign is in full swing! Most recently, we highlighted several key topics: juvenile justice, child protection and child nutrition. Help spread the message!

ACNJ calls for increased transparency more funding to protect littlest victims

Posted on October 10, 2017

A few weeks ago, NJ Advance Media reported the heartbreaking story of Jojo, an infant who suffocated in his sleep while sharing a bed with four other family members. This case raises the question of transparency and accountability by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P), the agency charged with protecting children from abuse or neglect. Learn more.
The findings from this story have now prompted gubernatorial candidates Kim Guadagno and Phil Murphy to consider reversing a Christie-era measure that  limits the public disclosure of details in child death or near death cases. ACNJ strongly objected to this rule four years ago.
Show your support for New Jersey’s littlest victims. Send tweets to the gubernatorial candidates, telling them that transparency and adequate funding are key in ensuring the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable children.

The state is moving forward with a plan to end federal oversight of its child welfare system. Since 2004, the Department of Children and Families has made progress in reforming its child welfare system, but more work is needed and funding is key. Tweet the gubernatorial candidates today!

•Download and share infographic: