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Did you know nearly half of U.S. parents struggle with diaper need?

Posted on February 8, 2024

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By Olivia Carrara Leontine Young Fellow

For more information on this topic, contact Olivia at ocarrara@acnj.org

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Diaper need is defined as parents’ and caregivers’ inability to provide a sufficient supply of diapers to keep their babies clean, dry, and healthy. According to the National Diaper Bank Network, 47% of U.S. parents reported diaper need in 2023.

On average, infants need their diapers changed 10 to 12 times a day, adding up to around $80 a month per child, for an average of three years. This cost continues to rise as diaper prices have increased upwards of 22% since 2018. As a result of these high costs, 48% of parents reported that they delayed diaper change due to insufficient supply. This delay increases the risk of health complications like rashes and urinary tract infections in children.

47%
of families reported
diaper need
in 2023

On average,
a child uses
50
diapers per week
for 3 years

48%
of parents delay
diaper change due
to insufficient
supply

For families, diaper need often leads to financial struggles, decreased work attendance, increased stress, and mental health impacts. Many U.S. parents struggling with diaper need report cutting back other expenditures, like food and utilities, to afford diapers. Additionally, many NJ child care programs require parents to provide diapers, thus limiting child care access for families unable to provide them. 25% of parents with diaper need reported missing about five days of work or school per month as a result of being unable to provide the required diaper supply needed to drop their child off at child care.

The National Diaper Bank Network works to address diaper need across the country and helps coordinate a network of diaper banks in each state. New Jersey has a total of nine diaper banks associated with the national network. These nine banks serve approximately 10,024 infants and toddlers a month, and distribute about 6,014,543 diapers a year.

As a result of this growing need, state and federal legislators have begun proposing legislation to support families and increase access to diapers and diapering supplies. Here are a few pieces of legislation currently being discussed:

  • The End Diaper Need Act of 2023 (H.R. 5644/S. 2879)- Introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro in the House of Representatives, and Senator Tammy Duckworth and Senator Kevin Cramer in the Senate, the End Diaper Need Act of 2023 hopes to use federal funding to eliminate diaper need. Passage of the bill would authorize the use of $200 million annually from 2024 to 2027 to provide diapers and diapering supplies to families throughout the U.S. The bill would also expand the use of Medicaid by providing families with medically complex children 200 diapers a month, and permitting the purchase of diapers using Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs). The bill was introduced in September of 2023 and has yet to be voted on.
  • Improving Diaper Affordability Act (H.R. 3352)- Introduced by Congresswomen Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rosa DeLauro, and Barbara Lee, this legislation would prohibit state and local taxation of diapers, while also making the purchase of diapers using HRAs reimbursable. The bill was introduced in May of 2023 and has yet to be voted on.
  • New Jersey Legislature Bill (A2027 previously A5662/S3035)- This bill, introduced in the NJ State Legislature, intends to establish a Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) diaper benefit program. WFNJ is New Jersey’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program which provides families with cash assistance and other supports. If passed, this proposal would provide WFNJ participants with a diaper benefit equal to $30 a month per dependent under 36 months of age, thus decreasing the monthly cost of diapers by 37.5%. This bill was passed by the Senate on June 26, 2023, but was not passed prior to the end of the 2023 session. The bill was reintroduced on January 9, 2024.
Read the full press release here.
Access Assembly bill 2027 here.
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Diaper need is an issue that deserves greater awareness and support. It is crucial that state and federal policies recognize this need and individuals advocate for diaper access. Currently, diaper banks in New Jersey rely solely on individual contributions and donations. Without these donations, diaper banks would all shut down within weeks as their supply would run out. For this reason, donating funds or diapers to local diaper banks directly helps serve families in need. Individuals can support this cause by reaching out to their legislators, volunteering at a local diaper bank, holding a diaper drive, or simply starting the conversation about diaper need.

Last year, ACNJ held a Lunch and Learn webinar on diaper need in New Jersey in partnership with the Central Jersey Diaper Bank. The webinar can be viewed here.

To donate to a local NJ diaper bank, visit:
Community Foodbank of New Jersey
HomeFront Diaper Resource Center
Modestly Cover Diaper Bank of Essex County
Central Jersey Diaper Bank
Children’s Aid and Family Services
The Maker’s Place
Moms Helping Moms

Access the brief on diaper need to learn more.
Read our latest updates on maternal and infant health.

ACNJ Meets with Members of Congress as Part of the National Home Visiting Summit

Posted on February 3, 2024

The ACNJ team (policy analyst Diane Dellanno and policy associate Hannah Korn-Heilner)  along with staff from the Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative and ACNJ parent leadership council members hit up Capitol Hill for visits with New Jersey's members of Congress as part of the National Home Visiting Summit to bring attention to the importance of home visiting and other critical programs for children and young families.

Ensuring the Continuum of Care for Children Aged 0 – 5 years

Posted on February 2, 2024

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We believe every child should have access to high-quality early care and education.

ACNJ was involved in the New Jersey Supreme Court education funding case, Abbott v. Burke, which mandated that 31 school districts with high concentrations of low-income students were required to provide high-quality preschool. Districts met this requirement by collaborating with local child care and Head Start programs. These quality standards included small class sizes, the implementation of a research-based curriculum and teachers with bachelor’s degrees and specialized training in early childhood education. In addition to ensuring that more young children enter kindergarten ready to learn, providers collaborating with the district receive a steady source of revenue, which helps sustain their other child care programs (such as care for infants/toddlers and before- and after-school care) and promotes stronger economic development.

Child care is critically important, not just so that parents can go to work, but for providing young children with educational and social/emotional experiences that are so important to them as they grow.

As the number of 3- and 4-year-olds attending full-day public preschool continues to grow in New Jersey, Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) has been involved at every step, from helping parents and community members bring preK expansion to their districts to encouraging school officials to collaborate with local child care and Head Start programs, to supporting child care providers in their efforts to partner with the district. See toolkit.

ACNJ has strongly advocated for state-funded preschool to be implemented through a “mixed delivery” model of public preschool, Head Start and child care programs.  We believe that it is the only way that the maximum number of 3- and 4-year-olds can benefit from this high-quality program. We created a toolkit to help child care providers begin the conversation with eligible school districts to serve children in their community as an extension of the district's preschool program. Last year, ACNJ and its partners also successfully advocated for a clause to be included in the state budget, requiring all eligible districts applying for the funds to show that they were reaching out to child care and Head Start programs in order to identify potential collaborations.

Through our advocacy efforts to address the child care crisis in our state, we have become acutely aware of the unintended consequences that preschool expansion is having on local providers and ultimately on the infants and toddlers that need care in their communities. We’ve heard stories of eligible school districts unwilling to work with providers as well as programs having difficulty meeting the licensing requirements. That is precisely why we’re exploring all avenues to ensure the care continuum for children aged 0 - 5 years is not only maintained but strengthened. The care and education of our youngest members in their local communities are vital to the health and well-being of families across New Jersey, impacting our community and the economy.

We know that tackling the issues within a struggling system is tough, but our determination is unwavering. We’re on the front lines, advocating for the necessary changes to keep our system afloat and thriving. Your support and voice in this cause are incredibly valuable to us as we push forward with our mission. Our Director of Early Learning for Policy and Advocacy, Winifred Smith-Jenkins, would love to connect with local child care providers to learn more about the concerns regarding the impact of preschool expansion. Winifred can be reached at wsmith-jenkins@acnj.org.

Read the latest on preschool expansion.

As Diaper Prices Increase, so Does Diaper Need: Supporting Diaper Banks

Posted on January 26, 2024

Did you know that nearly half of all U.S. families with babies struggle to afford diapers? This struggle is commonly referred to as diaper need. Read the brief below by ACNJ’s Olivia Carrara, in which she addresses the issues contributing to diaper need and recommendations, such as supporting diaper banks, to help reduce it.

Click Here to Download the Brief

Job Posting: Fundraising Manager

Posted on January 26, 2024

ACNJ is a seeking a Fundraising Manager!

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) is a leading children’s advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of children. ACNJ educates, engages, and collaborates with policymakers, advocates, and the public to advance and strengthen policies and programs that promote equitable opportunities for all children, addressing their needs identified by parents and community partners, data, research, and policy analysis, and a 45-year track record of improving outcomes for children.

ACNJ is currently seeking a Fundraising Manager to help raise increased resources for the organization.  While providing overall leadership and management for all of ACNJ’s fund development activities, the Fundraising Manager will focus most of their direct efforts on working with the President and Board to increase revenues from individuals and businesses.  

Detailed Functional Activities:

Individual Donor

  • Continually expands ACNJ’s major gift efforts. 
  • Actively researches, identifies, cultivates, and solicits potential donors at all levels.
  • Develop innovative strategies for broadening the organization’s fundraising outreach with an emphasis on increasing individual giving. 
  • Secures gifts to help scale programs.
  • Develop and implement stewardship initiatives aimed at cultivating deeper ties with donors.

 

Board Liaison and Development  

  • Provide leadership and staff service to the Board of Trustees and Fund Development Committee in carrying out fundraising responsibilities.
  • Work closely with the Board to ensure that board members are motivated, engaged, and energized by their association with ACNJ.
  • Assist in recruiting for and expanding the Board.

Events

  • Collaborate with the Board Fund Development Committee and ACNJ staff to plan and coordinate logistics for the ACNJ Annual Breakfast and other special events to build community support and raise funds. 

 

Collaboration with Communications & Media Management 

  • Coordinate with the CEO, Director of Operations, and Communications Team to ensure integrated marketing and development initiatives.
  • Assist with the development of promotional materials that are in line with ACNJ’s brand identity.
  • Capitalizes on a growing social media presence.


Technology

  • Coordinate the implementation of an online fundraising process management tool
  • Monitor and report regularly on the progress of development initiatives to the CEO and the Board of Trustees Fund Development Committee.
  • Implement initiatives developed.

 

Qualifications:

  • Track record as a dynamic, creative, results-driven, entrepreneurial leader, willing to roll up his/her sleeves and conduct the tasks necessary to ensure success.
  • Possess the interpersonal, communication, conceptual, and analytical skills to compellingly explain ACNJ’s program and inspire support.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
  • Will commit to expanding the reach and impact of one of the most effective advocacy organizations for children.
  • Proven initiative and ability to actively deepen current relationships and establish new ones with all levels of influencers and donor prospects.
  • Stubbornly persistent but appropriate in follow-up with prospects and donors.
  • Record of fostering successful long-term relationships with funders and skilled at building relationships and collaborating across all levels of the organization.
  • Work effectively with colleagues to coordinate strategies and activities across teams, and effectively confront and manage difficult situations.
  • Demonstrate respect and sensitivity for all communities and cultures among staff and partners.

Experience and Credential Requirements:

  • Proven fundraising generalist with at least a 5-year track record of success identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major individual donors and assisting board members in soliciting personal contacts and expanding their networks.
  • Proven record of developing an Annual Campaign, Planned-giving materials, and engaging Major-gift donors.
    Track record of raising >+$500,000 each of last three years.
  • Demonstrates advanced interpersonal, writing, and communication skills; able to provide writing samples upon request.
  • Able to demonstrate past successful leveraging of social media and technology to raise awareness and expand an organization’s donor base.

At ACNJ, we want staff to love their work and show respect and empathy to all. We encourage staff to work together across positions and roles. We are being deliberate and self-reflective about the team and culture that we are building, seeking staff who have different strengths, backgrounds, and experiences, and who share a passion for improving outcomes for children and strengthening families. We believe that diversity and inclusion will be key to our success and are seeking candidates who are strong in their aptitudes and who care deeply about supporting each other's growth. The viewpoints of all of our employees and board members are key to our success.  ACNJ’s offices are located in Newark, NJ and staff is currently working a hybrid schedule of 3 days in the office and 2 days remote.

Anyone interested in the applying for the position should email their resume, cover letter and writing sample to Mary Coogan  at mcoogan@acnj.org.