What’s New?

ACNJ testifies on proposed FY 2016 state budget

Posted on March 10, 2015

public_policy

Once again, our state budget is in crisis and the needs of thousands of children are again placed on the budgetary back burner.

While roads and bridges are important to the state, so is the health and development of our children – a critical infrastructure that is also in disrepair. As more New Jersey families struggle to make ends meet, we continue to erode supports for parents and their children.  Read full budget testimony.

 Follow budget highlights for children and families.

State budget FY2016 highlights for children and families

Posted on February 27, 2015

public_policyGovernor Christie unveiled his proposed FY 2016 budget on Tuesday. Details are still sparse and will emerge in the coming weeks. The budget will be debated in the state Legislature over the next few months. Earlier this week, a Superior Court judge ordered the Christie Administration to fund the state pension system an additional $1.57 billion in the current fiscal year. Christie has said he will appeal the ruling. It is uncertain at this point whether this will have an impact on the proposed budget. The Legislature must adopt a final budget by June 30.

Read budget highlights for children and families.

New report: Critical supports lift kids out of poverty

Posted on February 25, 2015

Food stamps, school breakfast, tax credits and other anti-poverty supports make a critical difference in the lives of nearly 250,000 New Jersey children who would otherwise grow up in poverty, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

2015_measuring_access_ to_opportunityWhen measuring child poverty based on the real needs of families, 31 percent of New Jersey children would be living in families who lack the resources to meet their children’s basic needs. However, when supports are factored in, that percentage drops to 19 percent, according to the KIDS COUNT® Data Snapshot, Measuring Access to Opportunity in the United States.

Read the release.

Download the report.

NJ Achieves Highest Increase in Nation for School Breakfast

Posted on February 10, 2015

The Food Research and Action Center found that New Jersey’s participation rate jumped nearly 13 percent from the 2012-13 to the 2013-14 school years. The state now ranks 28th in the nation for breakfast participation – up from 37th last year and 46th a few years ago. The average national increase was about 3 percent.

Read press release.

Learn more about FRAC’s reports.

Visit NJschoolbreakfast.org.