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New Jersey Child Care Assistance Program Limited Re-opening

Posted on November 26, 2025

New Jersey Reopens the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), A Major Victory for Families
Advocates Urge Continued Focus on Long-term Solution to Affordable Child Care 

Newark, NJ — Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) and the New Jersey Association for the Education of Young Children (NJAEYC) celebrate a major milestone with the reopening of the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), restoring access to essential child care support for working families across the state. This achievement reflects a strong, bipartisan commitment to strengthening family economic security and supporting the providers who anchor our child care system.

An anticipated shortfall in the CCAP program resulted in an application freeze over the summer, leaving families without access to child care and jeopardizing their ability to join or stay in the workforce. The State announced the reopening of the program - effective January 2026 - relieving some of that pressure. Children in priority groups can apply beginning in December.

While the reopening of the program provides relief for those who were shut out of the application process over the summer, a funding shortfall remains, leaving many children without the needed child care.

Read the full Release
Learn more about the CCAP funding shortfall.

ACNJ Policy Director Winifred Smith-Jenkins on Gov. Elect Sherrill Transition Team

Posted on November 24, 2025

Winifred-Head-Shot2

Winifred Smith-Jenkins, PhD
Early Learning Policy and Advocacy Director

Governor-Elect Sherrill has announced the members of her transition team and ACNJ's Early Learning Policy and Advocacy Director, Winifred Smith-Jenkins, is on the Delivering a Strong Education for New Jersey Children Action Team! This policy team will be co-chaired by Meghan Tavormina, Winifred's Co-chair on the Start Strong NJ campaign.

Meghan and Winifred will work to make sure the affordability and workforce crisis facing New Jersey child care is front and center as the team helps prepare the new administration to hit the ground running.

In all issue areas, the Governor-elect’s transition plans reflect a clear theme, making affordability a priority. And no affordability agenda is complete without addressing child care — an issue that touches families, businesses, and New Jersey’s economy.

We look forward to working closely with the new administration as it begins shaping a first-year agenda, and we’re committed to helping to make children a top-tier priority in the months ahead.

Members of the Delivering a Strong Education for New Jersey Children Action Team include:

Bette Simmons and Meghan Tavormina (Co-Chairs);Steve Beatty
Karen Bingert
Lisa Feinstein
Alexandra Figueras-Daniel
Jenn Higgins
Bob Kim
Harry Lee
Thomas Macagnano
Gillian Ober
Tahina Perez
Jonathan Pushman
Ramon Rivera
Peter Rosario
Connie Sanchez
Colleen Schulz-Eskow
Winifred Smith-Jenkins
Paula White

Learn more about the Gov.-elect's transition policy teams and their members.

 

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Newark Kids Count Data Snapshot: Positive Youth Development

Posted on November 20, 2025

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Newark Data Snapshots 2025
Newark Kids Count Reports

Advocates for Children of New Jersey provides a snapshot of positive youth development in Newark by examining several data indicators that provide insight on how youth in Newark are faring, including chronic absenteeism, graduation rates, and juvenile arrests, all of which have improved in the Brick City. The city of Newark has made significant strides in supporting and helping youth succeed in both school and in the community.

This data snapshot is part of a series that will zero in on issues affecting the city's children.

Newark Positive Youth Development Data Snapshot 2025

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Newark Kids Count Data Snapshots 2025

Posted on November 13, 2025

Newark Kids Count Reports

Advocates for Children of New Jersey has produced the Newark data snapshots below to zero in on issues facing children and youth in the Brick City. The reports examine several indicators of child and youth well-being in four areas: maternal and infant health, education, family economics, and family economics. If you have any questions, please contact Alena Saddiqui at asiddiqui@acnj.org.

Newark Kids Count Data Snapshot 2025: Economic Well-Being of Children and Families

Posted on November 4, 2025

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Newark Data Snapshots 2025
Newark Kids Count Reports

As a result of the high costs of basic needs, many Newark families rely on government programs to support their families, including NJ FamilyCare for health insurance and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help purchase food. Many of these families are also eligible for both the state and federal earned income tax credits, and the child tax credit. This all may change as the state implements the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025. It is important residents stay informed about ongoing changes.

Newark Economic Data Snapshot 2025

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