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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.

National Race for Results Report Ranks NJ High in Child Well-Being, but Wide Disparities Remain Among Children of Color

Posted on January 16, 2024

Read Alena's Blog on the Race for Results Report

New Jersey Ranks High in Child Well-Being, but Across the Country, Children of Color Face Disparate Outcomes, Jeopardizing Their Well-Being and America’s Future

2024 Race for Results Report Identifies Gaps in Child Well-Being That Persist Across Race and Ethnicity, Caused by Policy Choices That Shortchange Young People

NEWARK, NJ — New Jersey outpaces national statistics when it comes to enrollment in early education, high school graduation rates and the percentage of young adults completing an associate degree or higher. However, those results are in the context of a nationwide failure to equip all children to succeed, with policy choices and lack of support for families resulting in particularly dire outcomes for Black, Latino and American Indian or Alaskan Native.

Read Report: 2024 RACE FOR RESULTS: BUILDING A PATHWAY TO OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL CHILDREN

Key Findings:

  • While 71% of New Jersey’s children were living at or above 200% of the poverty level (approximately $55,000 for a family of 4)  according 2017-2021 data, when broken down by race/ethnicity, only 53% of both non-Hispanic Black or African American children and Hispanic or Latino children were living at or above 200% of the poverty level compared to 87% of non-Hispanic Asian Pacific Islander children and 82% of non-Hispanic White children.
  • In 2022, 38% of New Jersey’s 4th graders scored at or above proficiency in reading. When broken down by race/ethnicity, it is apparent that there are wide disparities as 68% of 4th graders who identify as non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander scored at or above proficient in reading, amongst the highest in the nation, while only 19% of non-Hispanic Black or African American 4th graders are proficient.
  • During 2017-2021 in New Jersey, 69% of children ages 0-17 were reported to be living in 2-parent U.S born families while 82% of children were living in 2-parent immigrant families. This trend remains true for each race/ethnicity group as well. For example, 31% of black children lived in U.S born 2-parents families compared to 69% of black children who lived in 2-parent immigrant families.

“While New Jersey ranks well compared to other states for children living at or above the poverty level, even when broken down by race and ethnicity, it is important for us to compare how New Jersey’s children are doing in relationship with each other. ” said Mary Coogan, president and CEO of Advocates for Children of New Jersey, the state’s member of the KIDS COUNT network. “Key legislation like the state’s expanded child tax credit has helped thousands of families, but we must do more to ensure that children from all corners of the state have the opportunity to thrive.”

The Race for Results index standardizes scores across 12 indicators representing well-being milestones from cradle to career, converting them into a scale ranging from 0 to 1,000 to make it easy to compare and see differences across states and racial and ethnic groups. Indicators are grouped into four areas: early childhood, education and early work experiences, family resources and neighborhood context. Overall child well-being in New Jersey, when broken down by race/ethnicity, ranged from 465 for Black children, to 877 for Asian and Pacific Islander children.

Nationally, Asian and Pacific Islander children have the highest index score at 771, followed by white children at 697 and children of two or more races at 612. Scores for Latino (452), American Indian or Alaska Native (418) and Black children (386) are considerably lower. Calculations of the index for all 50 states show that experiences vary widely depending on where a child lives, from a high of 877 for Asian and Pacific Islander children in New Jersey to a low of 180 for American Indian or Alaska Native children in South Dakota.

Young people are missing critical developmental milestones as a direct result of choices to fail to invest in policies, programs and services that support children, especially in under-resourced communities and communities of color.

The Casey Foundation introduced the Race for Results index in a 2014 report and updated it in 2017. This third edition of the report carries data from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic that demonstrates both the urgency of ensuring all children can thrive, and the promise of policy prescriptions for achieving that goal. Race for Results contends that young people are missing critical developmental milestones as a direct result of choices to not invest in policies, programs and services that support children, especially in under-resourced communities and communities of color.

The Casey Foundation makes several recommendations in Race for Results toward improving outcomes for all children:

  • Congress should expand the federal child tax credit. The temporary, pandemic-era expansion of the CTC lifted 2.1 million children out of poverty, with the share of kids in poverty falling to 5.2% in 2021, the lowest rate on record.
  • States and Congress should expand the earned income tax credit.
  • Lawmakers should consider baby bonds and children’s savings accounts — programs that contribute public funds to dedicated accounts to help families save for their children’s future.
  • Policymakers must create targeted programs and policies that can close well-being gaps for young people of color because universal policies are important, but insufficient, for continued progress.

The 2024 Race for Results report is available at http://www.aecf.org.

Did you know NJ kids are above the national average, but there’s still work to be done at home

Posted on January 11, 2024

Alena Siddiqui Data Analyst

By Alena Siddiqui

For more information on this topic or kids count data, contact Alena at asiddiqui@acnj.org

Did You Know Blog Banner

On January 10, 2024, the Annie E. Casey Foundation released its 2024 Race for Results policy report. This report comes ten years after the first Race for Results report in 2014, and through a variety of indicators illustrates the well-being of young people living in the United States. The data is broken down by race, ethnicity, and immigrant family status, which illustrates a more detailed view of the diversity in the United States.

The policy report provides an Overall Index which gives a combined score out of 1,000 possible index points for each racial/ethnic group. New Jersey is doing quite well for each racial/ethnic group compared to the United States as a whole (Table 1). Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander young people living in New Jersey have the highest overall index in the country. New Jersey’s young non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native population has the second-highest overall index in the country. Despite New Jersey’s children faring better than many across the nation, it is crucial for policymakers and the community at large to compare the state’s children to each other to understand where help is needed and then create actionable change. The indicators chosen for this report are reflective of different facets of a child’s life broken into four categories: early childhood, education and early work experiences, family resources, and neighborhood context. Over the next few weeks, ACNJ will be spotlighting some data points from each of these categories.

Race for Results blog Table 1

Family Resources

Based on data collected during 2017-2021, about 71% of children in New Jersey are living at or above 200% of the poverty level, an increase from 68% in 2012-2016. For a family of four, 200% of the poverty level is approximately $55,000. When that data is broken down by race/ethnicity, we see disparities. For instance, 87% of non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander children and 82% of non-Hispanic White children were living at or above 200% of the poverty level. Also, of the children who are Hispanic/Latino or of non-Hispanic Black or African American background, only 5 of every 10 are living at or above 200% of the poverty level. While this is an increase from 2012-2016, as non-Hispanic Black or African American children were at 48% and Hispanic/Latino children were at 45%, the statistics show that equitable work needs to be done to address these racial/ethnic disparities. When categorized by family type, 74% of children in U.S. born families are living at or above 200% of the poverty level compared to 66% of children in immigrant families.

Neighborhood Context

Another interesting indicator related to poverty is the percentage of children living in low-poverty areas. Low-poverty areas are those areas where less than 20% of families have incomes below the poverty level. The reason the Annie E. Casey Foundation included this indicator is because past policies, like redlining, have led to families of color more often living in high-poverty neighborhoods. In 2017-2021, 8 of every 10 children in New Jersey were living in low-poverty areas (Table 2). This table shows the same trend where children living in New Jersey, while doing better than their counterparts nationwide, still need help to escape systemic poverty. Also, 85% of children in U.S. born families and 80% of children in immigrant families living in the Garden State are in low-poverty areas compared to nationally, where the numbers are 80% and 76% respectively.

Race for Results blog Table 2

The 2024 Race for Results report has many other interesting indicators which show the well-being of our children. You can learn more about the report and access it here.

Read our latest updates on kids count data.