Policy Counsel Peter Chen and son Aviv filled out their Census to see a healthier Newark
Join us in advocating for a complete count this #2020Census! Challenge your friends and family to complete their questionnaires and take a #CensusSelfie:
Take a photo of yourself completing your Census (make sure not to include your address or Census ID!).
Post the photo to social media and tell us why you completed your Census! Make sure you use the hashtag #Census2020NJ and tag @acnjforkids. Here are some messages to include with your selfie:
I completed my #2020Census because we need fair funding for our hospitals, now more than ever. #Census2020NJ @acnjforkids
My children deserve 10 years worth of well-funded schools! Join me in taking the #CensusSelfie Challenge and fill out your form! #Census2020NJ @acnjforkids
Completing your Census has never been easier! Fill it out online at 2020census.gov, call 844-330-2020, or mail it out. Visit census2020nj.org for more information on how you can help! #Census2020NJ @acnjforkids
3. Tag five friends and challenge them to fill out their Census today!
Want to take it a step further? Make your #CensusSelfie your Facebook profile picture and use our Census frame to let everyone in your network know that you count!
The COVID-19 virus has transformed many household kitchens into temporary classrooms. Taking on the responsibility of a teacher, in addition to being a parent and meeting all other responsibilities is a daunting task. For a parent or caretaker of a student with learning issues, it may be even more overwhelming.
The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) has issued several guidance statements about a school district’s responsibilities during the novel coronavirus-related school closures. Per a March 16th guidance, education must be provided by school districts in a non-discriminatory manner. For example, students from poor and indigent families should have the same access to education services as students from wealthier families. For students with disabilities who do not receive services for an extended period of time, the IEP or 504 Team will have to decide whether or not the student will need additional education services (compensatory education) once students return to school.
A March 21st guidance states that federal laws (IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and ADA requiring that students with disabilities be provided the same opportunities to learn as non-disabled peers) should not be used by schools to deny distance learning opportunities to all students, including students with disabilities. For students with an IEP or 504 plan, distance learning must meet the individual needs of the student to provide a free and appropriate education. The guidance also makes it clear that related services may be provided through a virtual meeting or through phone calls.
On March 23rd, the New Jersey Department of Education posted guidelines that echo the USDOE guidance with a suggestion to visit their website for further updates regarding education services. There is still uncertainty regarding how New Jersey’s education laws will be implemented. For example, there are concerns about how mediations and due process hearings will be conducted. In addition, there is uncertainty regarding the protocols and adequacy of teletherapies. ACNJ plans to keep our advocates informed of any ongoing education issues.
In the cases that I have been involved with in the past week, the child study teams and parents worked together to come up with a reasonable IEP plan under the circumstances. Education laws have not changed, but there will be barriers ahead that will require flexible and creative approaches to implement education programs, such as accommodating students whose families do not have internet access or laptops. Distance learning for some children with disabilities who need one-on-one assistance or have trouble concentrating may be challenging, but school staff can provide some training to parents through an IEP or 504 plan, acting as an additional support for children trying to learn at home.
Please feel free to contact me at npeckman@acnj.org or 973-643-3876, ext. 226 for legal questions and advocacy assistance throughout this pandemic.
On March 21st, Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order mandating all non-essential retail businesses temporarily close in order to halt the spread of COVID-19. Businesses, residents and government officials are still scrambling to adjust to the new normal until it is deemed safe to return to our daily lives, leaving many questions while the globe works to flatten the curve.
The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF), which helps to support at-risk children and families, has taken measures to ensure the safety of both their employees and the families that they serve. Most staff is now ordered to work at home, being provided technical support as needed. As of now, all permanency, adoption and resource staff are working remotely. Visitations by child protective services will be conducted remotely instead of in-person, using daily phone calls, FaceTime and other means to maintain contact with the child and the birth family. In-person monthly or twice-monthly visits have been relaxed.
Members of the COVID-19 Response Teams, comprised of local office field staff, are located at the area offices to manage referrals from the state’s central screening hotline, as well as any high-risk permanency cases. A skeleton crew in local offices are helping with any clerical issues. Though some court cases are still conducted in person, that is also expected to end amid the pandemic.
Any notices regarding removing a child from DCF will indicate that hearings will be conducted remotely. A contact number for the caseworker will also be provided to help with communications for the parents on the scheduling of the hearing. As of right now, the state’s court system will be adjourning all fact-findings in child abuse and neglect cases, as well as termination of parental rights trials, though they are discussing if the system will have to resort to having trials remotely.
Additional guidance for employees and families will be offered as issues come up and will be posted on the department’s website. New Jersey is a mandatory reporting state. If you witness child abuse, call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-877-652-2873.
The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of the numerous support programs funded using federal dollars – child care, libraries, hospitals and more. These funds are determined based on decennial Census data. Now, more than ever, it is imperative to motivate our communities to fill out their 2020 Census questionnaires. More than $45 billion in annual state funding depends on it.
Families and caregivers can use this time spent at home with their children to teach them about this monumental civic duty and emphasize that they, too, count in the Census. Child care providers can communicate these resources through email blasts and help promote an accurate count.
Filling out your Census is fast, easy and important, and can all be done from the comforts of your own home. Dedicate ten minutes of your time today to fill it out online, by mail or over the phone, then help motivate others to fill theirs out by sharing the tools below.
Sesame Street toolkit, filled with videos and pamphlets of your favorite characters reminding you to fill out your Census forms and not to forget your children
Nickelodeon toolkit. Join Spongebob and friends as they stress the importance of the Census in child-friendly language
2020 “Count Everyone!” Song. Whether you are tiny or tall, everyone counts! An engaging easy-to-follow sing-along, complete with lyrics and sheet music.
Take a #CensusSelfie of everyone counted in your household and use our Census Facebook frame to tell others to fill out their Census questionnaires too.
“We Count!”, a free Census ebook, available in 15 different languages
“Todos Contamos!” video (below). A reading of “We Count!” en español by ACNJ’s own Miguelina Maldonado. Read along by visiting www.wecountkids.org/ebooks
We hope you are all staying healthy during this extraordinary time amidst the COVID-19 crisis. With so many questions, fears, worries and many unknowns, ACNJ remains committed to its efforts to advocate for New Jersey's most vulnerable children and their families. We will be communicating often and share updates as they become available. Below you will also find helpful resources to help parents, child care providers and those that work with children and families cope with the challenges of the time.
We want to hear from you.
Let us know your needs. Hearing about the real life, day to day challenges will help inform our advocacy and communication strategies. If you are having child care related issues, please fill out our survey.
ACNJ has partnered with ZERO TO THREE to collect stories about how you have been impacted by COVID-19. We hope that you will complete the very short survey and ask those in your networks to share their stories too. We will take what we learn from you and share with policymakers. Share your story.
March 16th suspension of DCF licensing standards for minimum play space requirements and group size. ACNJ, along with statewide child care advocacy groups do not agree with this measure, urging for all child care programs to close, just as schools have been closed.
New Jersey Department of Children and Families’ Response to COVID-19
The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) takes measures to ensure the safety of both their employees and the families that they serve. Read more
In light of COVID-19, the U.S. Census Bureau has adjusted their operations to best serve the community to ensure everyone's safety, all while striving towards a complete count. Read more.
Audible has made many audio books available for free for as long as schools are closed.
ZERO TO THREE Tips for Families: Coronavirus Offers tips for families including age-appropriate responses to common questions, a guide to self-care, and activities for young children experiencing social distancing.
Khan Academy This non-profit provides free resources to keep everyone learning. Parents will find helpful the suggested daily schedules for students ages 2-18 to keep them learning.
Anyone whose Medicaid benefits have been terminated during this period can contact Legal Services of New Jersey(LSNJ) for help at 1-888-576-5529 or https://lsnjlawhotline.org/.
NJ FamilyCare is the state's publicly funded health insurance program - includes CHIP, Medicaid and Medicaid expansion populations.
The New Jersey Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program (Charity Care) is available to patients for inpatient and outpatient services for eligible patients who meet income and asset criteria.
Residents who need food assistance can visit and apply for SNAP online at www.NJHelps.org. *NOTE: D-SNAP (disaster SNAP) is not subject to the public charge option for immigrants.
Search food pantries in your area at nj211.org Call before you go.
WIC (Nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children) is open for Business. In light of COVID-19, New Jersey WIC is allowing additional food items in anticipation of limited food selections related to recent events.
NJ Pandemic Relief Fund (NJPRF) will provide grants to existing organizations with a demonstrated track record of caring for vulnerable communities. One hundred percent of donations received online by NJPRF will be used to fight the medical, social, and economic impact of COVID-19 on New Jersey’s most vulnerable, supporting organizations that provide essential services, and aiding those on the front line of the pandemic.
Certain SBA lenders began processing Paycheck Protection Program loan applications on Friday April 2nd. More information is available directly from SBA and your local lender lender.
