What’s New?

Join us for the ACNJ’s Annual Breakfast Celebration

Posted on August 13, 2024

We are excited to invite you to our 9th Annual Breakfast Celebration on Thursday, December 5th, at 8:00 a.m. at The Clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth, New Jersey. We look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones, and we hope you can join us!

This year's panel discussion, Feeding the Future: Linking Food Security and Wellness for New Jersey's Kids, will explore the connection between food insecurity and children's health. Featured panelists Elizabeth McCarthy, President and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, and Mark Dinglasan, Executive Director of the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate, will emphasize the vital role of proper nutrition in children's development and academic success. This discussion comes as the state has expanded the eligibility requirements for students to receive free school meals for the second time in two years.

Thanks to our many partners, we have much to celebrate. Their invaluable support has been instrumental in securing significant victories for children and families, maintaining ACNJ's independence, and promoting equitable opportunities for all of New Jersey's children. Despite political changes, budget challenges, and competing state priorities, we have remained a consistent and credible advocate for kids, and the contribution of our partners has been a key part of our success.

Please consider becoming an ACNJ Sponsor today. Sponsors will be recognized prominently, both online and in print.

Newark Kids Count 2024, A City Profile of Child Well-Being

Posted on August 8, 2024

NEWS: Latest Newark Kids Count Data Report, Now Available in Spanish, Reveals Mixed Progress in Outcomes for Child Well-Being

NEWARK, NJ – With fewer families living below the poverty line, a decrease in unemployment, and an increase in median household income, Newark is making progress in some areas of child well-being but losing ground in others, according to Advocates for Children of New Jersey’s (ACNJ) latest data book, Newark Kids Count 2024. Continue reading news release.

Los Niños de Newark Cuentan 2024, Un Perfil de la Ciudad Sobre el Bienestar Infantil

Posted on August 8, 2024

El último informe de datos, Los Niños de Newark Cuentan, por primera vez disponible en español, revela un progreso mixto en los resultados del bienestar infantil

NEWARK, Nueva Jersey – Con menos familias viviendo por debajo de la linea de pobreza, una disminución del desempleo y un aumento en el ingreso familiar medio, Newark está progresando en algunas áreas del bienestar infantil pero perdiendo terreno en otras, según Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), en el último libro de datos, Los Niños de Newark Cuentan 2024. Continúe leyendo el comunicado de prensa.

Child Care 101 Series

Posted on August 1, 2024

Child Care 101 Series: Family Child Care Vs Child Care Centers

Finding child care in New Jersey is challenging. This third video of the Child Care 101 series explores the difference between family child care and a child care center. View other videos in the Child Care 101 Series
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Child Care 101 Series: Preschool – Mixed Delivery System

Many private child care providers face significant challenges that prevent them from participating in the state’s public preschool expansion. This video highlights the barriers these providers encounter, including regulatory, financial, and logistical issues, and explores potential solutions to ensure all children have access to quality early education. Watch other videos in the Child Care 101 […]
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Child Care 101 Series: Licensing Capacity Vs Actual Availability

ACNJ is excited to introduce its Child Care 101 series, designed to shed light on critical issues in early childhood education. In this first video, we delve into why the licensing capacity of child care centers often doesn’t match their actual availability. Using a practical example, it breaks down how space and staff-to-child ratios impact […]
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Child Care 101 Series: Preschool – Mixed Delivery System

Posted on August 1, 2024

Many private child care providers face significant challenges that prevent them from participating in the state's public preschool expansion. This video highlights the barriers these providers encounter, including regulatory, financial, and logistical issues, and explores potential solutions to ensure all children have access to quality early education.