What’s New?

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:

ACNJ out in the community

Posted on October 10, 2017

In September, several staff members participated in events across the state, highlighting the state of children in local communities in Newark and Mercer County.

Believe in a Healthy Newark

On September 28th, ACNJ staff participated in the Newark Culture of Health Conference, which brought together hundreds of community leaders, educators, health experts and practitioners to discuss the impact of social and neighborhood effects on community health. ACNJ serves on the Steering Committee for the Believe in a Healthy Newark initiative, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, to promote a culture of health in Newark. President and CEO Cecilia Zalkind sat on a panel with John Mooney, CEO of New Jersey Spotlight on how to data drives public awareness, while Policy Counsel Peter Chen discussed the importance of investing in lead poisoning prevention.

 

Princeton Area Community Foundation

 

On September 26th, Kids Count Coordinator Alana Vega presented findings from the 2017 Kids Count county data on the well-being of children in Mercer County for the Council of New Jersey Grant Makers.

 

 

 

Held at the Princeton Area Community Foundation, ACNJ President and CEO Cecilia Zalkind provided policy implications and context for the data. The discussion covered topics such as infant and child health, child care, school breakfast and chronic absenteeism.

Download Mercer County Kids Count data powerpoint