What’s New?

Cradle to Kindergarten Roundtable

Posted on February 12, 2018

Advocates for Children of New Jersey held Cradle To Kindergarten: A New Plan to Combat Inequality book signing and panel discussion on January 29, 2018. The roundtable discussion was informative and thought provoking. View the roundtable discussion. 


View and share video of the Cradle to Kindergarten roundtable discussion.

At this event we also launched the Right From The Start NJ, our new advocacy and public awareness campaign to ensure every child, birth to 3, has the opportunity for the early relationships, environments and experiences they need to support their healthy growth and development.

View the handouts from the event:

View photos of the event.

You can get involved and help to promote Bright Beginnings and Healthy Futures for babies in New Jersey by visiting RightFromTheStartNJ.org.

Please share the link to the roundtable from January 29th with friends and colleagues.

 

ACNJ is hiring!

Posted on February 6, 2018

Are you an advocate? Are you looking for the opportunity to make a difference for children? Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) is looking for the right individual to coordinate our new campaign for young children, Right From the Start NJ.

The goal of Right From the Start NJ campaign is to ensure that every young child in New Jersey, from birth to age 3, has the opportunity for the best possible start in life, at a time when his or her development is most rapid. The campaign will advocate for investments in critical policies and programs to expand opportunities for high-quality early education, support parents as their child’s first and best teachers and access to appropriate health care.

The Right from the Start NJ campaign coordinator will be responsible for overall management of the project. This will include developing and implementing the advocacy strategy, building coalitions, mobilizing local advocates, organizing events and communicating with state leaders and the public. The Right from the Start Campaign coordinator will report directly to ACNJ’s president.

Download Right From the Start campaign coordinator job description.

New advocacy guide on school discipline in NJ released

Posted on February 5, 2018

The Education Law Center (ELC) and the Association for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) released a new advocacy guide, School Discipline in New Jersey: A Toolkit for Students, Families and Advocates. It provides comprehensive and practical information to assist New Jersey students affected by school discipline policies.

The toolkit is designed to help advocates improve their school district’s approach to discipline, connect with other families and organizations working on changing school discipline, and become more informed about protecting student rights. Well-informed students, families, educators and community stakeholders can use this information to advocate for fair disciplinary practices in their schools and districts.

Download the guide.

Zero to Three Launches New Paid Family Leave Advocacy Toolkit

Posted on February 5, 2018

Twenty-five years ago Congress passed the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) providing protected time off from work to people who are caring for a new baby or a sick loved one  However, many families cannot afford to take advantage of the FMLA.  Despite the fact that the first weeks of life are critical in a child’s long-term development, millions of American workers are forced to choose financial stability over taking time off to bond with their newborn. Let’s join advocates across the country to mark FMLA’s landmark birthday month and urge Congress to take the crucial next step – paid family leave.

ZERO TO THREE has launched  a new Paid Family Leave Advocacy Toolkit. The information and resources will help to communicate effectively with your policymakers and networks about what is at stake when America’s workforce can’t afford to take time off to spend with their new babies.

View the  Paid Family Leave Advocacy Toolkit.