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The Business Case for Efficient and Effective Child Care Investments

Posted on September 22, 2025

Authored by:
Althea Ford
Vice President of Government Affairs, New Jersey Business & Industry Association

Investment in early childhood education is an economic imperative, allowing working parents and caregivers to engage the workforce knowing that their children are in safe, age-appropriate, high-quality educational environments. 

The business community has a vested interest in ensuring a robust and diverse child care system, inclusive of an early childhood education system for infants and toddlers and a care infrastructure for school-aged children, i.e., before and aftercare programs, summer camps, etc. Child care providers that cater to these youths offer a vital service to working parents and families with young children, ensuring access to quality and reliable care so that working parents can literally show up for work every day and continue to contribute to the state’s economic growth.

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Child care is also a business. These small businesses, many of which are minority- and woman-owned, contribute significantly to our state’s economy and local tax base. Additionally, much of the child care workforce is comprised of women who are disproportionately affected by child care considerations. 

With approximately $1 billion invested in child care over the last several years, there is a signal that the state legislature and governor see this as a critical issue. Yet, there have also been programs implemented that threaten the short-term and long-term success of this sizable investment.  

One such example is state-funded preschool. While well-intentioned, continued operation and expansion of this program in its current iteration will continue to have significant fiscal and operational ramifications for licensed and community-based child care providers, and threatens an already fragile system. 

The state must prioritize using the existing infrastructure of childcare providers to ensure effective deployment of resources (facilities and taxpayer dollars) and reject efforts that harm private providers. With a holistic and integrative approach, New Jersey can realize the benefits of preschool expansion while ensuring that working families have access to the care they need for children at all stages of their development.

Read our latest updates on maternal and infant health.

“Parenting Is Easy!” …Said No New Parent Ever!

Posted on September 15, 2025

headshot-diane

Diane Dellanno
Senior Policy Analyst
Early Childhood

 

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

Anyone who is a parent, or knows someone who is a new parent, understands that all parents of newborns could use a little extra support when they welcome the newborn into their lives. Fortunately, in New Jersey, thanks to a fairly new program known as Family Connects NJ, parents of newborns — whether through birth adoption, as a resource parent, or as a kinship caregiver — can now receive the support they may need as they navigate the challenges, joys, and adjustments of parenthood. 

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Family Connects NJ is an evidence-based, voluntary, universally offered support program for ALL families. The program connects parents with a specially trained nurse for a personalized follow-up visit at home within the first two weeks after their child’s birth. During the Family Connects NJ visit, the nurses assess the health of both the parents and the newborn, screen for potential complications, and answer questions about their newborn, such as feeding and sleeping concerns.  They also connect parents to community resources based on their specific needs. 

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Universal in-home nurse visitation, as provided by Family Connects NJ, is an essential part of the program to help address maternal health concerns in NJ during the postpartum period.  Although The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that all women have contact with their OB/GYN or other clinician within the first three weeks postpartum, most women in the US traditionally have their first postpartum visit between four to six weeks after delivery. As many as 40% of mothers do not attend a postpartum visit, and attendance rates at postpartum appointments are even lower among those with limited resources, such as unstable housing, communication challenges, or transportation barriers. Maternity care deserts, and a lack of coordinated postpartum follow-up contribute to preventable complications and poor outcomes.

Research on the Family Connects model has demonstrated significant benefits for families including:

      • Healthier Starts for Babies: 50% fewer emergency room visits and overnight hospital stays in the first year
      • More Confident and Calmer Mothers: 30% lower likelihood of postpartum depression or anxiety
      • Stronger Child-Parent/Caregiver Bonds: Increased hugging, comforting, and reading, leading to greater responsiveness to infants’ needs
      • Safer, More Nurturing Home Environments: Families implemented simple changes to enhance safety, stimulation, and care for their babies
      • Improved Postpartum Care: More mothers attended their 6-week postpartum health check
      • Better-connected Families and Thriving Communities: Families discovered more local resources and support, with a 15% increase in community resource engagement

NJ is already seeing similar program benefits as reported in a recent NJ Spotlight article.  Among families served thus far, three in four families visited were referred for additional support services and 17% required follow-up medical attention.

Family Connects NJ is currently available in 11 counties: Bergen, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Middlesex, Mercer, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, and Sussex. Since the program began in January of 2024, over 5,000 families have completed a home visit (NJ Department of Children and Families, September, 2025). The program will be expanded in January of 2026 to include Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Monmouth, and Salem counties. It will be available statewide as of January 2027, when the final counties of Hunterdon, Morris, Union, and Warren will be added.

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To learn more about Family Connects NJ or schedule a visit, please explore Family Connects NJ.

Read our latest updates on maternal and infant health.

What Parents and Students Need to Know About Alcohol, Drug, and Other Controlled Substance Offenses in School

Posted on September 15, 2025

Co-Authored by:

Rachel Kiwi 
Corporate Counsel
Audible

David Vitali
Manager, Public Policy
Amazon

For more information on this topic, contact Nina Peckman at npeckman@acnj.org.

Summary of the law:

Every school district in New Jersey is required to have a comprehensive program to prevent, identify, and address alcohol, tobacco, and drug use among students. This program has three main parts: prevention (keeping students from using substances), intervention (identifying and helping students who may have problems, including referrals for evaluation and referral for treatment), and continuity of care (supporting students who are receiving or have received treatment). School districts must annually review and distribute its policies and procedures regarding student alcohol and other drug abuse.

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  • Prevention and Education: Schools must provide prevention programs designed to keep students away from alcohol, tobacco, and drugs while creating substance-free school environments. All school staff receive annual training on substance abuse prevention and intervention. Additionally, schools are required to offer educational programs for parents at convenient times and locations, helping families understand and address substance abuse issues.
  • Process For Suspected Substance Use: If any school employee suspects a student is under the influence of alcohol or drugs on school property, the school must:
    • Immediately report to designated school personnel
    • Promptly notify parents/guardians
    • Arrange for an immediate medical examination. Parents can choose their own physician for this examination, but if their doctor isn't available, the school physician or emergency room will conduct the exam. The cost depends on who performs the examination - parents pay if they choose their own doctor, while the school district covers costs for school physician or emergency room visits.
    • Determination if student was under the influence with a written medical report provided within 24 hours to parents, the principal, and chief school administrator. If the report shows no substance use interference with school performance, the student returns to school immediately. However, if substance use is confirmed as affecting the student's ability to perform in school, the student cannot return until a follow-up medical examination shows they can safely participate in school activities
    • If test results are positive, ensure the student does not return to school without medical clearance
    • Student assistance coordinator conducts assessment to determine extent of substance involvement and need for treatment
    • If needed, refer the student to a treatment program approved by the Commissioner of Health
    • Obtain a written report certifying that the student is physically and mentally able to return to school
    • Provide educational services during any suspension
  • Assessment and Support Services: When substance use is suspected or confirmed, qualified school staff (such as student assistance coordinators, school counselors, or school nurses with proper training) will conduct assessments and may recommend evaluation by outside professionals or treatment programs. Schools must provide support services for students receiving treatment and help them transition back to school successfully.
  • Confidentiality Protection: Schools must maintain strict confidentiality regarding student substance abuse information, following federal privacy laws. Information about a student's participation in school-based counseling programs is protected, including situations where the student reports substance use by family members at home.
  • Consequences and Code of Conduct: Schools have specific policies outlining consequences for students who use, possess, or distribute alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances on school grounds. These policies include due process provisions and may involve law enforcement when appropriate, particularly for controlled dangerous substances. However, the focus remains on getting students the help they need rather than purely punitive measures.
  • Appeals: District policies must include procedures for students or their parents to challenge a positive result from the alcohol or other drug tests.
  • Optional Random Testing Programs: Some school districts may choose to implement random drug and alcohol testing for students in grades 9-12 who participate in extracurricular activities (including athletics) or have parking permits. If a district adopts such a program, they must hold public hearings, obtain written consent from both students and parents, and cover all testing costs. Results can only be used to remove students from activities or revoke parking privileges - not for criminal prosecution.
  • Reporting and Documentation: Schools must maintain detailed records of all substance-related incidents and report them to state authorities twice yearly. These reports help track trends and ensure schools are addressing substance abuse issues appropriately while maintaining student privacy protections.

Steps parents must take to ensure the law is enforced:  

Parents can take several important steps to ensure the comprehensive alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse programs are properly enforced:

Stay Informed and Engaged

  • Attend the educational programs on alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse that school districts offer.
  • Obtain and review the district's policies and procedures that are distributed annually by the school district.

Provide Input on Policy Development

  • Engage in the annual review process where districts may solicit parent input on the effectiveness of alcohol and drug abuse policies
  • If your district considers adopting random drug testing policies, attend the required public hearing and request copies of proposed policies beforehand

Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

  • Know that you must be immediately notified if your child is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Understand your right to select the physician for required medical examinations of your child and ensure you comply with the 24-hour reporting requirements to avoid policy violations

Monitor Compliance

  • Ensure your district has properly certified student assistance coordinators or appropriately certified staff performing these functions
  • Verify your district has established all four required components: prevention, intervention, referral for evaluation, and continuity of care
  • Ask whether all educational staff members receive required annual in-service training on substance abuse

Report Non-Compliance

  • Report any concerns about policy implementation directly to school administrators
  • Contact the Chief School Administrator if school-level concerns aren't addressed
  • Report violations to the New Jersey Department of Education if district-level responses are inadequate
  • Report any violations of confidentiality requirements
  • Ensure proper incident reporting procedures are being followed

When a parent should contact an attorney:

While many school substance abuse cases can be resolved through direct communication with school officials, certain situations warrant legal representation. Consider consulting an attorney under the following circumstances:

  • In the event of due process violations, such as, the school failing to provide proper notice of charges or explain evidence, your child is denied the opportunity to present their side, the school imposes disciplinary measures before completing required medical examination, or the hearing before the board of education does not follow proper procedures.
  • If you want to challenge a positive drug/alcohol test result through the school's challenge procedures
  • If there are concerns with a medical examination, such as the school failing to notify you immediately when your child is suspected of substance use, you are not allowed to select your own physician for the examination, the medical examination is not conducted properly or within required timeframe, or if there are discrepancies with the medical examination report
  • When your child is facing severe disciplinary consequences, which could include long-term suspension (more than 10 days), expulsion, transfer to an alternative education program, or disciplinary actions that may appear on your child’s permanent record
  • If your child faces removal from extracurricular activities or revocation of parking permits based on test results.
  • If disciplinary measures appear disproportionate to the alleged violation
  • When navigating the specific procedures, sanctions and due process provisions mentioned in the school's policy.
  • In the event of confidentiality breaches, for example if protected information has been shared with law enforcement without authorization or confidential information has been improperly included in educational records
  • In the event of criminal charges or law enforcement involvement

Links to relevant law: 

Links to helpful resources:

Substance Use Resources on youth.gov

KidLaw Resource Center

New Jersey’s New Adaptive Testing: What Parents Need to Know

Posted on September 15, 2025

Co-Authored by:

Our Partners at Amazon and Audible

For more information on this topic, contact Nina Peckman at npeckman@acnj.org.

Starting in Fall 2025, New Jersey will roll out a new “adaptive” version of state standardized tests for students in grades 3–12. This change will affect both the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) and the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA). Unlike traditional tests, adaptive assessments use computer software that adjusts question difficulty based on how a student responds. Field testing begins in Fall 2025, with full implementation scheduled for Spring 2026.

Read more guest blogs from our partners at Audible and Amazon.

As a parent, you have important rights to information under New Jersey Rev Stat 18A:7C-6.6. School districts and charter schools are required to provide information about testing procedures, the accommodations or accessibility options that are available to students, and how to access sample questions and assessment answers and results.

For additional information, take these steps:

      • Check your district’s website and the NJ Department of Education’s assessment page for updates.
      • Ask your child’s teacher or guidance counselor how these changes affect your student. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, confirm accommodations will continue under the adaptive format.

If problems arise, keep records of your communications with teachers and school administrators. Escalate unresolved issues to your district superintendent or the NJDOE’s County Office of Education.

You may wish to contact an education attorney if your child’s legally mandated accommodations are not provided, if technical or administrative errors during testing negatively impact your child’s record, or if your school district fails to follow the requirements of the law. For additional support, the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network offers free guidance for families, and the NJ Children’s System of Care provides services for children who need extra emotional or behavioral supports. Remember: while these tests are important, they are just one measure of your child’s learning. Staying engaged and informed is the best way to ensure your child is supported through this change.

KidLaw Resource Center

Understanding Your Rights to Your Child’s School Records in New Jersey

Posted on September 14, 2025

Co-Authored by:

Danielle Imbemba
Corporate Counsel
Audible

Zack Stross
Associate Corporate Counsel, WW Ops

Claire Huynh
Corporate Counsel, WW Ops

 

For more information on this topic, contact Nina Peckman at npeckman@acnj.org.

As a parent in New Jersey, you have important legal rights regarding your child's school records that many families aren't aware of. The New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C. 6A:32) provides parents with specific rights to access, review, and even challenge information in their child's educational records. These regulations ensure transparency between schools and families, allowing you to stay informed about your child's educational progress and advocate effectively when necessary.

Read more guest blogs from our partners at Audible and Amazon.

What Records Does Your Child's School Maintain?
New Jersey public schools maintain several types of educational records, including:

      • Mandated student records: Mandated student records are records that school districts are required to maintain by law. These include Personal data (child's name, address, date of birth, and student ID number), enrollment history, health information (immunizations, physical examinations and health history), standardized assessment results, grades and academic credits, and records of disciplinary actions.
      • Permitted student records: Permitted student records are records that school districts can but are not required to maintain. These may include objective observations and teacher evaluations.

Your Rights as a Parent
Under N.J.A.C. 6A:32, you have the right to:

      • Access and review your child's records
      • Request explanations about anything in the records
      • Obtain copies of the records (schools may charge reasonable fees)
      • Challenge the content of records you believe are inaccurate or misleading
      • Appeal disciplinary records

How to Access Your Child's Records
Always submit your requests in writing and maintain written communication with the school regarding your child's records to establish a clear paper trail of your efforts.

  1. Submit a written request to your school principal specifically identifying which records you wish to examine.
  2. Schedule an appointment to review the records with appropriate school personnel.
  3. If you need copies, specify which documents you want duplicated. The school may charge reasonable fees for copying records, but these fees cannot prevent a parent or student from accessing the student records.
  4. The school must obtain a court order to withhold student records from you.

Challenging or Appealing Records
Many parents don't realize they can challenge information in their child's records, including disciplinary records. If you believe information is inaccurate or misleading:

  1. Submit a written request to the principal explaining which information you believe is inaccurate and why.
  2. For disciplinary records specifically, you can request to have a suspension removed or add a statement providing your perspective.
  3. The school must respond to your challenge within a reasonable timeframe.
  4. If dissatisfied with the school's response, you can appeal the decision to the district board of education within 10 school days of the decision.
  5. If dissatisfied with the district board of education’s decision, you can appeal the decision to the Commissioner.
  6. Records of the appeal and outcome are available to you and will become part of the student’s records.

When to Contact an Attorney
Consider legal assistance if:

      • The school repeatedly denies access to records you're legally entitled to view
      • You've followed proper procedures to challenge information but received no resolution
      • Your child faces significant disciplinary action that could impact their educational future
      • You believe your rights have been violated

Helpful Resources

Being informed about your rights regarding school records empowers you to be a more effective advocate for your child. Don't hesitate to exercise these rights whenever you have concerns about your child's educational records or disciplinary documentation.

KidLaw Resource Center