What’s New?

ACNJ Statement on President Biden’s American Rescue Plan

Posted on March 12, 2021

Yesterday was a historic day for children. President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package, that contains unprecedented funding for kids and families, including a substantial increase in the child tax credit. And it was your advocacy efforts, raising your voice for the needs of our youngest residents, that helped to shape this piece of legislation.

Though the past Child Tax Credit has been a focus of both Republicans and Democrats to reduce child poverty and assist families, this new legislation makes dramatic changes that will benefit almost all families with children nationally. The new law fundamentally changes the way the federal government envisions direct aid to families with children and could dramatically cut child poverty by more than 30 percent.

Highlights in the new law include:

  • Historic Child Tax Credit expansion allowing credits of $3,600 for each child under age 6 and $3,000 for each child ages 6 to 17 to almost all families, a change which would benefit roughly 1.6 million kids in New Jersey and lift tens of thousands out of poverty.
  • $39 billion in emergency child care relief nationwide. If you'd like to learn more, remember to sign up for ACNJ's child care funding webinar.
  • $130 billion in K-12 education funding, including an estimated $2.7 billion for New Jersey K-12 schools.
  • $3 billion in additional funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, including $2.58 billion for special education, $200 million for preschool special education, and $250 million for early intervention for infants and toddlers.
  • A 15 percent increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that was extended through September 30, as well as an extension of the Pandemic EBT food aid program, which extends the program through at least 2022.

In the coming weeks, we will provide more in-depth information about the law through our website, webinars and social media. Together, our efforts have helped amplify the voices of children and families.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Cecilia Zalkind
ACNJ President/CEO

Universal Home Visitation Bill Clears First Hurdle

Posted on March 9, 2021

Every parent of a newborn in New Jersey could soon get a free at-home visit from a  nurse, thanks a bill that cleared a legislative committee this past Tuesday. Advocates for Children of New Jersey submitted testimony in support of the bill (below).  Participation would be voluntary and available to parents of newborns, including adoptive parents and parents who have experienced a stillbirth, according to the bill. Nurses would evaluate the family’s physical, emotional and social well-being, as well as provide breastfeeding support. They could also link families with community resources or any necessary follow-up care. Read NJ.com’s news article.

2021_03_09_testimony_on_s690_home_visitation

Good News for Kids and Families in Proposed NJ FY2022 Budget

Posted on February 24, 2021

In his state budget address today, Governor Murphy announced that his $44.8 billion spending plan for July 2021 to June 2022 will continue to advance his vision of a "stronger and fairer" New Jersey as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Budget in Brief available here.)

ACNJ is heartened by the Governor's commitment to a fair and equitable recovery for New Jersey from the COVID-19 pandemic, especially children and families who are struggling to regain their footing. Recent Census Household Pulse Survey data show more than 30 percent of households in New Jersey are still having difficulty paying for household expenses. The proposed budget would continue needed support for critical programs, while expanding funding to cover previous gaps.

Highlights of funding changes for programs affecting children include:

  • $50 million in preschool expansion funding, including $26 million to assist approximately 30 new districts to launch programs;
  • Making the Child Dependent Care tax credit refundable and expanding eligibility up to $150,000;
  • A new Cover All Kids initiative, which would change eligibility, waiting lists, premiums and outreach to reach the 90,000 children still uninsured in New Jersey;
  • $5 million in child care pilot funding to pay for facilities improvements and shared services;
  • $8.5 million to extend Medicaid coverage to 365 days for postpartum mothers, as part of the First Lady's Nurture NJ Initiative;
  • Hundreds of millions in increased K-12 funding for school districts.

ACNJ is encouraged by the sustained commitment of the Murphy administration to support children and the people who care for them. We will continue to review budget materials as they become available.

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

Home Visiting: A Lifeline for Families During the Pandemic and Beyond

Posted on February 22, 2021

A Snapshot of How New Jersey's Home Visiting Programs Rose to the Occasion During the COVID-19 Pandemic

By Diane Dellanno, Policy Analyst

Home visitors have always played an important role in ensuring families have a safe, healthy pregnancy and stimulating start for their baby. During this unprecedented time, these home visitors have been even more critically important, serving as a lifeline for families navigating the additional stresses, economic uncertainties and social isolation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This ongoing public health crisis has demonstrated just how essential home visitors are in supporting pregnant women, young children and their parents.

Download Full Report

DHS Extends COVID-19 Child Care Assistance Programs Through the End of the School Year

Posted on February 18, 2021

On February 17th, the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) announced state plans to use additional federal dollars to extend several important COVID-19-related child care assistance programs through the end of June. This is good news for child care programs and families who have been hit hard by the pandemic.

The program extensions include:

  • State Child Care Subsidy During School Day for children 5-to-13 years old, and not just for before- and afterschool care. Under this initiative, currently enrolled and newly enrolled school-age children are eligible for state subsidy funding for child care services throughout the school day at licensed child care centers or registered family child care providers.
  • Child Care Tuition Assistance for Children in Families Earning up to $150,000 and in Remote Learning. Tuition assistance was made available to families with incomes up to $150,000. These families were not eligible for the state Child Care Subsidy Program but needed assistance for either full- or part-time child care because the child’s school was on some form of a remote schedule. Human Services Payments will continue to pay child care providers for approved families of children between the ages of 5 and 13 years during remote learning.

Supporting Child Care Centers

►Child care providers will continue to receive a supplemental payment of $300 for every subsidy-eligible child, regardless of the child’s age.

►Child care providers will continue to receive subsidy payments based on the number of enrolled children who receive state assistance in their program, rather than attendance.

►Effective January 3rd, a DHS investment of $12.6 million will help providers pay for increased salary costs due to the minimum wage increase on January 1st to $12 per hour.

For more information on the state’s child care program please visit childcarenj.gov.