What’s New?

Tell the State What Needs to be Included in the FY2024 Budget!

Posted on March 8, 2023

Last week, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy delivered his sixth state budget address, outlining major initiatives that he believes will continue to move New Jersey towards becoming a “stronger, fairer, and more affordable” state. The public registration process for both oral and written testimony on what we think should be our state’s budget priorities has started. Your opinions matter!

ACNJ has released sample testimony to speak up for child care issues. Learn more about the budget hearings.

Can't make the budget hearings? Send your written testimony regarding the NJ FY2024 budget by email:

Questions? Contact Cynthia Rice at crice@acnj.org.

Senate Hearings

In-Person
Tuesday, March 21, 2023, 10 AM
Ramapo College of New Jersey,
Trustees Pavilion
505 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430

Register

Virtual
Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 10 AM

*Please log into the session within the hour prior to the start of the session to guarantee participation. The public may view the hearing via the New Jersey Legislature homepage at https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/.

Register

Assembly Hearings

In Person
Monday, March 27, 2023, 9:30 AM
State House Annex, Committee Room 11,
4th Floor
125 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08625

Register

In Person
Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 9:30 AM
State House Annex, Committee Room 11,
4th Floor
125 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08625

*During this session, early time slots will be reserved for persons who, as a result of a disability, wish to deliver their testimony remotely via videoconference technology.

Register

Governor’s Proposed Budget Includes Big Wins for Kids and Families

Posted on March 1, 2023

On February 28, 2023, Governor Murphy delivered his sixth state budget address, outlining his major initiatives for the FY2024 budget, “expanding affordability, promoting fiscal responsibility, and creating world-class opportunities for everyone to succeed in the Next New Jersey.”

Read the State of NJ Budget in Brief

While the Governor’s $53.1 billion proposed budget focuses heavily on tax relief and increasing the budgetary surplus, it also includes proposed funding increases to programs that will support children and their families.

Highlights of these investments include:

  • Child Care:
    • More than $12 million for wage increases for child care providers.
    • Continues child care subsidy payments based on enrollment.
    • Maintains the $300/child monthly child care supplementary payment.
    • Continues the family subsidy co-pay waiver.
  • Child Tax Credit: Doubling the child state income tax credit to $1,000 per child.
  • Preschool Aid: $109 million for state-funded preschool, $40 million of which would go towards expanding public preschool in new districts and $69 million would go to current districts that offer universal preschool. This would bring the total state funding for preschool to more than $1 billion.
  • School Aid: $832 million in the K-12 school funding formula, bringing the total state aid to nearly $11 billion.
  • Public School Teachers: $5 million to waive teacher certification fees, $10 million for student-teacher stipends, and $1 million to develop local partnerships for paraprofessional training.
  • Student Learning: $10 million for high-impact tutoring for elementary and secondary school students to remedy pandemic losses, bringing the aggregate total to $30 million.
  • Home Visiting: $4.5 million increase to expand the state's universal home visiting program.
    • Maternal and Infant Health: 
        • $750,000 in new funding for doula and community health worker training.
    • $630,000 in funding for the first in the nation New Jersey Report Card of Hospital Maternity Care and $600,000 for the New Jersey Maternal Data Center.
    • Increased funding to the Commission of Science, Innovation, and Technology in EDA to expand their Maternal and Infant Health Research & Development Seed Grant Program.
  • Mental Health Services: $43 million for the inaugural year of the NJ Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S) network, a new model for delivering mental health services to New Jersey’s youth across the State.
  • School Nutrition: Expand access to free school meals for children in families making under 200% of the federal poverty level with more than $20 million in new funding.

As more details emerge, we will provide updates to ensure that children have a voice in this budget process.

Share the News! Retweet @acnjforkids below!

Emphasizing the Importance of Data

Posted on February 27, 2023

Blog-headline

Posted 2/27/2023

Alena Siddiqui Data Analyst

By Alena Siddiqui, Kids Count Coordinator

Data are a crucial tool for advocacy and help to provide a snapshot of the well-being of children and families. Advocates are able to see what areas are improving and where opportunities for continued growth and development are needed. One philanthropy, the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF), is passionate about improving the lives of children in the United States and believes that data is the key to developing a brighter future for millions of children. AECF has grantees in every US state and territory charged with collecting and disseminating information relevant to children and families across the nation. ACNJ is proud to be the grantee for New Jersey.

Each year, AEFC releases its national Kids Count data book, providing a snapshot regarding the well-being of children in every state across 16 indicators. The group also compares states across four domains - Economic Well-Being, Health, Education, and Family and Community. According to the 2022 Kids Count Databook, New Jersey ranked first in education, ninth in health, 16th in family and community, and 22nd in economic well-being.

In addition to the databook, AECF hosts the Kids Count Data Center, an interactive data dashboard containing a plethora of information for individual states, counties, cities, and the country as a whole. Users have the ability to compare states on a variety of data indicators with topics such as demographics, education, economic well-being, and more.

Since 1991, ACNJ has released our own databooks, including both statewide reports and coverage on cities such as Newark, Trenton, and Paterson. Using these databooks, ACNJ hopes that:

  • policymakers will make better-informed decisions regarding policies and regulations regarding children,
  • service providers will use it to improve their responses to key issues affecting children,
  • grant writers will use it to solicit support for their programs, and
  • concerned residents will use it to become more informed advocates.

The reports have since laid the groundwork for conversations, as key stakeholders look for opportunities to further improve the lives of children through thoughtful, solutions-oriented dialogue. Our latest conversations surround the well-being of children in Trenton in pivotal indicators.

ACNJ also consistently releases data regarding the well-being of children and families in the Garden State. Our data dashboard covers key areas across eight domains - demographics, child and family economics, child health, child protection, school children, and teens and young adults. Users can explore information across all 21 counties, providing both yearly information and five-year data trends.

In order to understand where change is needed, communities must start with baseline data. Looking at trends and other relevant data, it can elicit true positive momentum that will give every child a chance to thrive.

Join Us to Celebrate Cecilia Zalkind’s 38 Years of Advocacy

Posted on February 3, 2023

Ceil Celebration Gala Invitation

Find Directions to The Grand Marquis

Ceil Headshot Edited

After almost 40 years of service at ACNJ, former president and CEO Cecilia Zalkind has  retired from Advocates for Children of New Jersey.

During her tenure, Ceil has been one of New Jersey’s most influential leaders and greatest champions for the well-being of children and their families!

Now this calls for a celebration as Ceil embarks on her next chapter! 

Join us on Wednesday, March 29th, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM at The Grand Marquis (1550 US-9, Old Bridge, New Jersey 08857) to celebrate all of Ceil's work and dedication to New Jersey's children and families. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Proceeds from this event will help ACNJ establish the Cecilia Zalkind Parent Advocate Fellowship.

Purchase a Ticket or Sponsor the Event
Read the Retirement Announcement
Offer Your Well Wishes

Find Directions to The Grand Marquis

Increased NJ SNAP Benefits to End in March

Posted on February 2, 2023

Blog-headline

Posted 2/02/2023

headshot-alana-vega

By Alana Vega, Health Policy Analyst

Spread the Word about the Increased NJ SNAP Benefits Ending

Download this flyer, available in 21 languages, and share with your network.

Legislation Introduced to Increase Minimum Monthly Threshold to $95

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, families have received increased monthly NJ SNAP (sometimes referred to as food stamps) benefits. As of March 2023, these increased benefit amounts will end, and families will begin receiving their usual monthly SNAP allowance. The minimum amount NJ SNAP families will now receive per month will be $50. Individuals or households who previously received less than $50 in benefits, will receive an additional payment to bring their total benefit amount to the $50 threshold. New Jersey is the first state to institute a minimum monthly SNAP amount.

Some have referred to this upcoming change in benefits as a “hunger cliff” because many families will face increased challenges in affording food, especially amidst rising inflation amounts. According to the USDA Consumer Price Index for Food, 2023 food prices are expected to increase by 7.1% over the year prior. The NJ Legislature has responded to these concerns by advancing two bills: Assembly bill 5086 and Senate bill S3491. These companion pieces of legislation would raise the minimum monthly NJ SNAP allotment to $95.

More than 300,00 New Jersey children benefit from NJ SNAP each year. After years of steady declines, NJ SNAP usage increased in 2020, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join Our Friends at Hunger Free NJ to Advocate for a Higher SNAP Benefit Minimum

On February 2nd, the State Senate will vote on legislation to increase the state SNAP monthly minimum benefit to $95. By supporting this bill, we can make it possible for seniors, people with disabilities, and all struggling New Jerseyans to put more fresh, healthy food on their table, providing a better quality of life for our residents.

Ask your legislators to support A5086/S3491 by visiting Hunger Free NJ at https://hungerfreenj.org/action/#/26