Quality child care is the backbone of our economy: It allows parents to work and go to school, nurtures our children in a safe learning environment, and prepares the next generation for success.
However, we don’t give child care the attention it needs. Nearly half of New Jersey communities don’t have access to licensed infant and toddler child care, our educators earn poverty level wages, and child care providers struggle to afford even the most basic expenses such as staff, rent and utilities. Our children deserve better. Our communities deserve better. New Jersey deserves better. That is why we are excited to be a lead partner in the Reimagine Child Care campaign — to reimagine quality and affordable child care in New Jersey. Click here to learn more about Reimagine Child Care.
Reimagine Child Care is a coalition of child care advocates dedicated to improving the affordability, accessibility, and quality of early childhood education in New Jersey. The challenges presented by COVID-19 have have made it very clear that child care is essential for babies, families, our communities and our economy. That is why we believe now is the time to challenge policymakers, business leaders, and communities to reimagine how quality child care for all can help New Jersey thrive.
This town hall was held to address the ways that systemic racism has impacted maternal health and what that has meant for many mothers of color over time and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The interactive discussion was hosted by Advocates for Children of New Jersey and Melinated Moms and was led by expecting mothers, physical and mental health professionals, and maternal health advocates. Watching this will shed light on systemic racism's impact on health equity, New Jersey’s initiatives to combat that and what expecting/new mothers can do to be their own health advocates during this time.
Speakers:
Moderator: Jaye Wilson- Founder/CEO of Melinated Moms, Community Health Nurse, Mental Health Advocate, Mom of 2
Panelists:
Abby Cher- Owner/Founder of BeYourDecor, Expecting Mom
Nadia Hussian-Maternal Justice Campaign Director with Moms Rising, Board Trustee for American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, Co-Founder of Bangladeshi American Women’s Development Initiative, Mom of 2
Dr. Yutende Orafidiya- Inpatient Pediatrician, American Academy of Pediatrics Fellow, Advocate for Maternal/Newborn Healthcare Disparities, Mother
Ashley Watson- Community Health Worker at Central Jersey Family Health Consortium
This webinar was co-hosted by Advocates for Children of New Jersey and Melinated Moms to highlight the issues that parents, especially those of color, are facing during the Covid-19 pandemic. The panelists discuss new child care center guidelines, parents going back to work outside of the home, children’s mental health, and their own pandemic parenting anecdotes. The Q&A session addresses questions from viewers and is followed by a brief Find Your Roar training and an important call to action!
Speakers
Moderator:
Jaye Wilson- Founder/CEO of Melinated Moms, Community Health Nurse, Mental Health Advocate, Mom of 2
Panelists:
Jackie Boyett- Mom of 2, Central Intake Specialist at Central Jersey Family Health Consortium, Founder of Modern Melanin Mom
Vanessa De Jesus, MA, LAC, NCC- Licensed Counselor, Founder of Amiga Moms, Free to Be Mindful, LLC
Winifred Smith-Jenkins- Childcare Provider and Director of Zadie’s Nurturing Den, Zadie’s of the Oranges and Zadie’s Early Childhood Center, Mother of 5
We're excited for Strolling Thunder NJ and we hope you are too! ACNJ is inviting families to share why they're making noise for babies! What supports do young children and families need to thrive (child care, supports for infant and maternal health, participation in family leave)?
Share with us by making a rally sign/poster, then take a picture and share on social media. Be sure to tag #StrollingThunderNJ and @acnj.org. Send ACNJ the pic to strollingthunder@acnj.org and sign a consent form! You can also message us on Facebook by visiting facebook.com/acnjforkids.
Don't know what to write?
Complete the sentences:
I'm making noise for babies because ....
Families need access to affordable, quality child care because...
No time for baby steps. We're crying for...
WANT TO DO MORE? TAKE A VIRTUAL STROLL.
Take your sign and go on a stroll around your neighborhood!
BE SURE TO DOCUMENT THIS ACTIVITY AND TAKE A PIC HOLDING THE SIGN WITH YOUR FAMILY!
Then share on social media. Don't forget to tag #StrollingThunderNJ and @acnj.org. The first 25 families that submit a photo and complete the photo consent form will receive $25!
On June 26, the New Jersey Department of Education published it’s re-opening plan with the approval of Governor Murphy, The Road Back, Restart and Recovery Plan for Education (“NJDOE Plan”). The document with more than 100 pages was developed with the input of over 80 entities including state agencies, school districts and organizations. It covers every significant aspect of school district operations, provides detailed guidance regarding the education services for general education students and COVID-19 minimum health and safety standards to keep students, staff and parents safe.
However, the NJDOE Plan raises many questions and concerns for all parents, but even more so for parents of students with disabilities and other special populations such as ELL students, homeless, low-income and at-risk students. How will the needs of students with IEPs/ 504 Plans or those eligible for disability services be met in the 2020-2021 school year? What is a districts’ obligation to a student with a disability who has demonstrated that the remote model is not effective also remains unclear.
What is clear in the Plan is that parents should play a role in shaping their district’s reopening plan.
Districts have been asked to try to complete and share a reopening plan at least four weeks prior to the start of school with the directive to include stakeholder’s input in the development process. The district must appoint a “Restart Committee” made up of school administrators, board members, local education associations, content experts, parents, students, and educators.
Districts should engage families in developing the reopening plan by: surveying parents, involving parents on district level planning teams, communicating plans using multiple platforms and languages, and conducting virtual town hall meetings and home visits. Parents especially those of students with special needs have an opportunity to address some of the questions that remain unanswered.
Parents can ensure they are included in the reopening planning by:
contacting the district’s Board of Education to ask how they will engage a diverse group of parents that represent the interests and needs of all the district’s special student groups;
asking the superintendent/board president how to be part of the Restart Committee;
asking if the district will survey parents and how it will ensure all families complete a parent survey before a reopening plan is finalized;
asking whether and where parent survey results will be posted and how results will be used; and
requesting details about any virtual town hall meetings.
View this fact sheet with some issues to consider and recommendations for how a parent/guardian can try to influence their district’s reopening plan, particularly parents of children with disabilities and academic challenges.
Parents, don't miss the opportunity to have your voice heard. Be the best advocate for your child by providing your input as the reopening plans are being developed.
Quality child care is the backbone of our economy: It allows parents to work and go to school, nurtures our children in a safe learning environment, and prepares the next generation for success.
