What’s New?

Supreme Court Decision Blocks Citizenship Question, Helping Ensure Complete Census Count in New Jersey

Posted on June 27, 2019

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a victory for census advocates, keeping the citizenship question off the 2020 Census. Read opinion.

Encouraged by this ruling, non-profits and communities across New Jersey will continue our work to ensure maximum participation and inclusion in the 2020 Census — particularly among hard-to-count communities like people of color, urban and low-income households, immigrants, limited-English proficient populations and young children.

"The census clock is ticking. We must continue to remind our leaders of the widespread support of a fair and accurate census that does not include an untested, unnecessary and harmful citizenship question," said Peter Chen, policy counsel at Advocates for Children of New Jersey and coordinator of the Census 2020 NJ Coalition. "We must continue to raise our voices to ensure maximum participation and inclusion in the 2020 census — particularly among hard-to-count communities like people of color, urban and low-income households, immigrants, limited-English proficient populations and young children." Read more.

Report on Department of Children and Families’ Progress Released

Posted on June 26, 2019

Last week, the federal monitor released her latest report on New Jersey’s progress in working with troubled families and children in foster care and meeting the requirements of the Sustainability and Exit Plan (SEP). The report covers July to December 2018.  

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has now satisfied 42 of the 48 performance measures that are required as part of the court-ordered settlement plan, including, for the first time, the requirement to conduct monthly visits with siblings placed apart.

Read the monitor’s press release.
Read the monitor’s report. 

#2020Census – “This is the time to get involved.”

Posted on June 18, 2019

Visit 2020censusnj.org to learn how you can get involved.

Policy Counsel Peter Chen states that, though the 2020 Census seems far away, now is the time to act to ensure an accurate count. Otherwise, New Jersey risks missing individuals in known hard-to-count populations, particularly residents who are part of a racial or ethnic minority, who rent their home, who are immigrants, or who are children under 5. And the state stands to lose billions in federal funding if we have an undercount, including support for critical programs such as children’s health insurance, school funding, school lunch and breakfast programs, Head Start, highway funding, college scholarships, and housing programs.

Read the blog post on Center for Non-Profits about why the Census matters, and learn what steps you can take to help ensure an accurate count in New Jersey by visiting 2020censusnj.org.

NJ Fifth in Nation for Overall Child Well-Being

Posted on June 17, 2019

Read the report

New Jersey’s child population has increased since 1990, and it is more diverse than ever before, with more than 50 percent being kids of color. Although New Jersey ranks fifth overall in child well-being, wide racial gaps in educational outcomes, economic well-being and maternal and infant mortality persist. With this multicultural boom in our youth population, greater investments must be made to expand opportunities for all of our state’s residents.

The 2019 KIDS COUNT® Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation — the most comprehensive annual report on child well-being in the United States — notes measurable progress in New Jersey since the first Data Book, which was published in 1990. Nevertheless, more than 270,000 New Jersey children continue to live in poverty, a 27 percent increase since 1990. The Garden State has also seen other troubling trends in economic well-being, with a greater share of children living in families burdened with high housing costs.

Trenton Kids Count 2019 shows mixed progress in child well-being

Posted on June 13, 2019

 

In the face of pervasive poverty, fewer Trenton infants and toddlers have elevated blood lead levels, more children are enrolled in preschool and the city’s high school graduation rate has improved significantly, according to Trenton Kids Count 2019: A City Profile of Child Well-Being, released today.

However, substantial disparities in education and health outcomes persist, threatening a child’s ability to thrive and succeed. Read more


Join us for our Trenton Community Conversations!

Trenton parents, community members, city leaders and advocates are invited to participate in a series of community forums to help the City’s children. Register by clicking the links below.