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NJ Ranks 7th in 2025 National KIDS COUNT Data Book

Post author By Eloisa Hernandez-Ramos
Post date June 9, 2025

Posted on June 9, 2025

Visit ACNJ's Kids Count page to find other New Jersey county and city data reports.

NJ Ranks 7th in 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book as Advocates for Children of NJ Urges Focus on Supporting Thriving Kids and Families
Data shows that NJ leads nation in education but economic instability persists & housing costs burden one-third of families, affecting child well-being, the Annie E. Casey Foundation finds

NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey ranks seventh in child well-being, according to the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book, a 50-state report of recent data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzing how kids are faring in post-pandemic America. Although the state leads the nation in eighth grade math proficiency and boasts the highest school enrollment rates for 3- and 4-year-olds, the state's graduation outcomes tell a different story. With 15% of students not graduating on time, New Jersey ranks 31st nationally in graduation rates — a concerning gap that underscores the need for state leaders to strengthen educational equity and ensure all students have access to quality learning opportunities from early childhood through high school.

Each year, the Data Book presents national and state data from 16 indicators in four domains—economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors—and ranks the states according to how children are faring overall.

New Jersey ranks second nationally in fourth grade reading proficiency, trailing only Massachusetts. Still, 62% are not reading at grade level by fourth grade, when they are expected to have already transitioned from learning to read to reading to learn in third grade.

Key indicators reveal a number of setbacks across multiple measures of economic stability since 2019.

Child poverty has increased, with New Jersey dropping from 8th to 14th nationally—an 8% increase in 2023 since 2019. Poverty is considered income below $30,900 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children in 2023.
Employment instability affects nearly half a million children. Currently, 475,000 New Jersey children (24%) live in families where no parent maintains full-time, year-round employment. The state's ranking slipped from 10th to 17th place—a 9% increase between 2019 and 2023
The high cost of housing burdens one-third of families. Roughly 665,000, or 33%, of New Jersey's children live in households spending more than 30% of their income on housing. Although the state's national ranking improved slightly from 45th to 42nd place, the underlying affordability crisis persists.

"The data tells a clear story: when families struggle, children's educational outcomes suffer," says Mary Coogan, president and CEO of ACNJ, New Jersey's member of the Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT network. "We can't address educational challenges in isolation from housing affordability, employment stability, and poverty. Our state leaders have an opportunity to tackle these interconnected issues with coordinated policies that support both immediate family needs and long-term success for New Jersey's children."

Other key findings:

In 2023, 23,000, or 5%, of teenagers ages 16 to 19 were not in school and not working, a 17% decrease since 2019.
The teen birth rate fell by 20% between 2019 and 2023.
The share of children living in high-poverty areas dropped by 13% between 2014–18 and 2019–23. However, in 2019–23, 7%, or 136,000, children were still living in high-poverty areas.
In 2023, only 4% of children were without health insurance—a figure that has remained the same since 2019.
In 2022-2023, 28% of youth, ages 10 to 17 were overweight or obese, ranking 11th-best nationally.

“We know what kids need to grow up healthy and connected so they can thrive as adults: Stable homes, strong schools, nutritious food, meaningful relationships and opportunities to learn, play and grow. Programs that meet these needs are smart investments, fostering long-term gains like employment and economic growth,” says Coogan.

In its 36th year of publication, the KIDS COUNT® Data Book provides reliable statewide numbers to help leaders see where progress is being made, where greater support is needed and which strategies are making a difference. Advocates for Children of New Jersey encourages lawmakers and officials in New Jersey to use this detailed information to unite across party lines and respond with initiatives that invest in young people. By offering a local road map, the Data Book equips policymakers, advocates and communities with the information they need to make decisions that help kids and young people thrive.

“With the state budget deadline of June 30 approaching, now is the time for community members and advocates to urge lawmakers to prioritize investments in children and families," Coogan says. "These budget decisions will have a ripple effect on our economy, our education and our future. Together, we can ensure that New Jersey's children aren't just part of the conversation — they're at the very center of our lawmakers' priorities," she says.

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RELEASE INFORMATION

The 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book will be available at www.aecf.org/databook.Journalists interested in creating maps, graphs and rankings in stories about the Data Book can use the KIDS COUNT Data Center at datacenter.aecf.org.

ABOUT THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION

The Annie E. Casey Foundation creates a brighter future for the nation’s young people by developing solutions to strengthen families, build paths to economic opportunity and transform struggling communities into safer and healthier places to live, work and grow. For more information, visit www.aecf.org. KIDS COUNT is a registered trademark of the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Why Maternal and Infant Health Must Be a Top Priority for New Jersey’s Next Governor

Post author By Aisha Khan
Post date June 16, 2025

Posted on June 16, 2025

Our Families Deserve Better. Our Future Depends on it.

Co-authored by:

Winifred Smith-Jenkins
Director of Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy

Alena Siddiqui
Data Analyst

For more information on this topic, contact Winifred at wsmith-jenkins@acnj.org.

New Jersey is facing a maternal health crisis–one that is hitting Black mothers and babies the hardest. Many of these tragedies are preventable. In fact, according to the CDC, three in five pregnancy-related deaths could be prevented. New Jersey’s own data underscores this reality. Between 2016 and 2018, there were 44 pregnancy-related deaths in the state, and over 90% were deemed preventable by the New Jersey Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Our next governor must take action!

From our nation’s earliest days, the health and care of pregnant women and their infants have reflected deep inequalities. Historically, white women in early America often received rest and care during pregnancy and childbirth, while enslaved Black women were forced to keep working through pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery. Their health and lives, along with the lives of their children, were disregarded, setting the stage for disparities that persist even now.

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The legacy of unequal care continues to shape worse health outcomes for Black mothers and babies today.

In New Jersey, Black mothers are 18 times more likely to suffer from heavy bleeding after giving birth, known as postpartum hemorrhage. They are also seven times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white mothers. Black infants are more than two times as likely to die before their first birthday. These risks remain high regardless of income, education, or insurance status. The long-standing inequalities in our health care system are deeply rooted in systemic racism and unconscious bias and have significant consequences on how doctors treat women of color.

This is not just a health issue. It’s a human rights issue.

Many of these deaths are preventable. They happen because too many mothers are ignored when they voice pain, mistreated during labor, or denied the prenatal and postpartum care they need. Nationally, one in six women report mistreatment during childbirth, including being shouted at, ignored, or denied help. Black women report these experiences at even higher rates.

We cannot be silent.

Improving maternal and infant health is about restoring dignity, respect, and equity. It is about recognizing that maternal health care is essential health care, and ensuring every mother, regardless of race, zip code, or income, has access to the support, care, and compassion she needs to safely bring a child into the world.

New Jersey’s next governor must have a plan with input from those most impacted.

In this election year, we urge every voter to ask the candidates:

What will you do to improve care for Black mothers and babies in New Jersey?
How will you ensure access to respectful, culturally sensitive prenatal and postpartum care?
Will you support midwives, doulas, and local programs that serve families?
What steps will you take to tackle the stress and life challenges—like racism, housing, and hunger—that affect maternal health?

Our state’s future depends on healthy beginnings. Let’s demand a future where all mothers and babies thrive.

Read our latest updates on maternal and infant health.

Fewer Than 30% of New Jersey Paid Family Leave Claims for Newborn Bonding Are From Dads

Post author By Aisha Khan
Post date June 13, 2025

Posted on June 13, 2025

By Naomi Engelhard Leontine Young Fellow

For more information on this topic, contact Diane Dellanno at ddellanno@acnj.org

Despite the fact that New Jersey’s Paid Family Leave Insurance (NJ FLI) program is generally available to both parents, fathers made up only 29.7% of bonding claimants in 2023. NJ FLI provides cash benefits to bond with a newborn, newly adopted or newly placed foster child, or to provide care for a seriously ill or injured family member. NJ’s program was signed into law in 2009 and has since been improved and expanded. As of 2019, eligible residents can take up to 12 consecutive weeks of Paid Family Leave, with a maximum benefit of 85% of wages (which is subject to a state-imposed cap).

Why Aren’t More Fathers Taking Advantage of Paid Family Leave?
Recent research highlights several barriers for fathers when considering parental leave, such as, external pressures from peers and employers, concern for career trajectory, and overall lack of awareness. Economic constraints were also among the obstacles fathers faced when considering taking leave. In New Jersey, while workers can receive up to 85% of their average weekly wage, the actual amount they receive is limited by a maximum benefit amount imposed by the state. This means that if an expectant parent's average weekly wage exceeds a certain threshold, they will only receive the maximum allowable benefit.

"There is a very real stigma dads can face when taking leave to bond with their new children,” says Yarrow Willman-Cole of the NJ Time to Care Coalition. "But New Jersey's Family Leave Insurance is available to both dads and moms equally. However, because NJ's program lacks robust job protections, the fear of job loss is a major reason for dads opting not to take leave, along with low benefits and affordability. What fathers need as part of our paid family leave program is job guarantee so they can count on having stability in wages and employment after leave. After all, what good is paid family leave if your job is not there for you when you go back?”

Why is Paternal Leave So Important?
Recent research has revealed the neurological and hormonal changes that take place in fathers that result in more effective and engaging parenting. One study found how oxytocin, a hormone typically discussed in the maternal context, is also a key ingredient in promoting father-infant bonding and is produced through contact and connection with the newborn.

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Equally important, a father's active involvement in child care and household responsibilities can help ease the transition into parenthood and help the entire family adjust more smoothly when welcoming additional children. Other benefits include reduced risk of maternal postpartum health complications and improved maternal mental health, increased confidence in parenting, and higher level of parental involvement. When dads take leave to care for their newborns it can establish a foundation for life.

Moving Forward: What Can Be Done To Support Dads?

1. Ensure full pay for parental leave
Governor Murphy’s 2025 State of the State Address emphasized his commitment to delivering economic security and opportunity to all New Jersyans. Included in this effort is to provide 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave to every state employee welcoming a new child. In his 2025 budget, the Governor made good on this promise by allocating $10 million to provide state employees with full pay while they are on family leave caring for a newborn. He stated "Nobody should ever have to sacrifice their economic security in order to be a present and engaged parent."

Although not specifically for fathers, this policy benefits them by allowing them to take time off to care for their newborn without the concern of lost income. It also promotes gender equality through incentivising both parents to take time off equally, enabling fathers to play a more active role in their child’s early life, and support their partners. While this change will only impact the state’s public sector workers, it is hoped it will eventually become the norm for all.

Many employers, including ACNJ, have implemented this practice of making workers' salaries whole while they are on leave, and we hope this move by the state leads the way for more employers to adopt a similar policy to create a fairer and healthier workforce.

2. End the stigma
While Governor Murphy’s proposed increase in the percentage of wages may increase the uptake for fathers in the state’s public sector, social barriers-–such as stigma— still create obstacles for fathers considering leave. We need a cultural shift in how we view fathers staying home with their families during this crucial moment. Research indicates that employers must also play a role in this shift by emphasizing the value of bonding with newborns and supporting maternal health.

3. Guarantee job protection
Employers must consider incorporating job protection into paid leave policies, ensuring that fathers can take time off without the fear of losing their jobs. By offering job security alongside paid leave, companies not only support family well-being but also contribute to a more equitable and supportive workplace for all employees.

Let's Normalize Shared Caregiving
While NJ FLI is a great resource, there is clearly much more to be done to truly and effectively support all families. Caregiving is not just a mom's job and unfortunately, fathers fear taking parental leave to share that responsibility. If we do not address the barriers that prevent fathers from taking advantage of the paid leave, we continue to deprive them from bonding with their children--and that is a loss that affects not only them, but the whole family.

Dads, we want to hear from you!

Your stories matter--let's create change TOGETHER! Please take a few minutes to share your experiences with Paid Family Leave (whether or not you took it) to help shape future advocacy efforts.

Read our latest updates on maternal and infant health.

Happy Healthy Dads = Happy Healthy Children

Post author By Aisha Khan
Post date June 12, 2025

Posted on June 12, 2025

By Keith Hadad
Staff Writer

For more information on this topic (or for more dad jokes!), contact Isaiah at ifudge@acnj.org.

This Father’s Day, let’s take time to appreciate how much love, joy, and fun fathers bring into the lives of their families. Being the best superhero, teacher, and role model a kid could ask for is certainly important and warrants recognition. Fathers, just like mothers, deserve to be supported and seen, and when they are, their health and positivity are reflected in the health and well-being of their children.

Children thrive with the positive presence of fathers and the stability they bring to their homes. The Society for Research in Child Development says that “children with more engaged fathers have higher levels of cognitive skills and academic grades, more positive peer relationships, and fewer behavior and mental health problems.” Studies, like this one by UC Irvine, also found that having a harsh or absent father greatly raises the chances of a youth entering the criminal justice system.

Fathering not only boosts the mental health of children, it can equally boost the mental health of the fathers themselves. According to Psychology Today, “Fathers’ and babies’ brains function symbiotically, neuroscientists are finding, each party benefiting in some way from the other’s cognitive influence.” The happiness that fathers can feel from the act of parenting–the love they feel from their child, or from vicariously experiencing the joy and wonder of their little ones–can often bring sunshine to even the grayest of days. This is certainly true for Richard Santangelo, ACNJ’s Fundraising Manager and father of two, who says that his favorite aspect of fathering is watching his children discover the world. “Seeing things through their eyes, sharing in their wonder, and witnessing their growth over time–it’s a mix of joy, pride, and responsibility that evolves every day,” Santangelo said.

Similarly, ACNJ’s Positive Youth Development Director, Isaiah Fudge, a father of a 12-year-old daughter, says his favorite aspect of being a dad is the fun he has with his daughter. “I am the dad joke king, and my daughter gets a kick out of my corniness, even though she won't admit it. I brag that I am the first person to ever make her laugh! I love it!”

While being a father is a rewarding and positively transformative experience, some new dads might have a difficult time adjusting to their role. When it comes to raising children, no matter if you’re the father or mother, there can be a great deal of pressure, and that stress could easily lead to increased levels of cortisol in the body, which can contribute to or exacerbate symptoms of depression and/or irritability.

According to a study on paternal mental health, one in 10 fathers will experience prenatal and postpartum depression. Meanwhile, a study on paternal anxiety during the prenatal and postpartum period found that prenatal/postpartum anxiety is present in rates that are considerably higher than the global WHO regional average for anxiety amongst men. Untreated depression and anxiety can lead to increased hostility at home, resentment towards your children, and ultimately, negative behavior and emotional problems with your kids.

In a study by Dave, Nazareth, Sherr, and Senior, an association was found between paternal postpartum depression and negative infant temperament, which is the foundation for future child internalizing and externalizing behaviors. This means that a father’s poor mental health could indeed affect the moods and behaviors of his children.

So what can fathers in New Jersey do if they’re having a difficult time adjusting to being a parent or grappling with their mental health? Thankfully, there are several resources that dads in the state can take advantage of when they need the help:

- - - Fathers Care Network (FCN) - https://avanzarnow.org/programs-and-services/fatherhood-services/
      A 26-session program offered in Atlantic City aimed at equipping men with the skills and resources necessary to become strong, nurturing, and supportive fathers.
    - Fatherhood Support Group - https://www.passaicresourcenet.org/search/fatherhood-support-group/
      The Catholic Charities Diocese of Paterson hosts an in-person paternal support group that focuses on understanding the self, fathering versus parenting, and how to be a better father.
    - F.E.L.L.A.S - Fatherhood Program of Essex https://pmch.org/fellas/
      A free program that engages fathers in Essex County to promote healthy relationships, strengthen parenting skills, and increase economic stability through employment training, support groups, and individualized support.
    - Hey Black Dad - https://www.heyblackdads.com/
      Peter Bullock, a dad doula, provides support for new dads through courses and in-person and virtual coaching sessions to educate them on how to best support their birthing partner through their prenatal and postpartum pregnancy journey.
    - NJ Family Alliance - https://www.njfamilyalliance.org/
      New Jersey's Family Support Organizations are community-based, family-led, non-profit agencies whose mission is to offer support, education and advocacy to families and caregivers of children with emotional, behavioral and mental health needs.
    - Parents Inc. of New Jersey - Father Time - https://parentsincofnj.org/programs/fathertime/
      A free program by dads for dads that includes professionally facilitated peer-led community-based support groups, the National Fatherhood Initiative Fatherhood Program 24/7 DAD™ curriculum and community-wide family activities.
    - The Fathers Center of New Jersey - https://thefathercenter.org/
      A community organization that offers everything from stress management training and anger management programs to adult vocational classes aimed at giving fathers in the life skills they need to best support their families

If you know of other paternal support groups, please let us know in the comments of our social media posts. Thank you dads of New Jersey, we appreciate you!

Read our latest updates on Maternal and Infant Health

ACNJ Testimony to Senate Education Committee on Bill S4476

Post author By Eloisa Hernandez-Ramos
Post date June 23, 2025

Posted on June 23, 2025

Winifred Smith-Jenkins
Director of Early Learning Policy and Advocacy

Click here to learn more about preschool expansion.

Bill S4476 permits awarding of contracts for certain preschool education services by resolution of board of education; extends maximum length of preschool education services contracts to three years. Identical Bill Number: A5780

To: Senate Education Committee

From: Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ)

Date: May 12, 2025

RE: ACNJ’s Testimony on S4476

Dear Chairman Gopal and Members of the Senate Education Committee:

My name is Winifred Smith-Jenkins, and I serve as the Director of Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy at Advocates for Children of New Jersey. Thank you for the opportunity to testify in strong support of Senate Bill 4476.

This bill is a critical next step. It removes a significant bureaucratic barrier that hinders the expansion of high-quality preschool in New Jersey. ACNJ has long supported a mixed delivery system—one that includes community-based providers as essential partners in delivering early childhood education. S4476 helps advance that goal by simplifying the contracting process and extending contract terms to three years.

Importantly, multi-year contracts give providers something they’ve long needed—stability. When a provider has a contract that goes beyond a single year, it becomes a tool they can take to the bank to secure a loan, make much-needed infrastructure upgrades, purchase furnishings, and invest in high-quality classroom materials. It helps them manage the shortfalls that often come in June, when only a partial payment might arrive, but all their bills—staff salaries, rent, utilities—are still due.

This bill provides assurances that were once missing. It brings peace of mind, helping providers plan and grow confidently, knowing the partnership with their local school district isn’t just a one-year experiment, but a long-term commitment to our youngest learners.

We urge your support for S4476. Let’s give providers the foundation they need to deliver strong, stable preschool programs for New Jersey’s children.

Thank you.