Posted on September 24, 2019
New Jersey's improved paid family leave passed in February 2019, showing the state's commitment to children and their families.
Download ACNJ's report on how to navigate the new rules.
Watch this webinar hosted by MomsRising and New Jersey Citizen Action discussing the upcoming changes.
Posted on September 10, 2019
New Jersey’s lead crisis is back in the news, as Newark battles an ongoing crisis, ramping up efforts to replace its corroding lead water pipes while telling citizens to use bottled water in the interim.
ACNJ reported that childhood lead exposure in New Jersey saw a sharp decline between 2000 and 2013 – a positive trend for the state’s youngest who could otherwise face developmental delays and mental health crises, impacting their future. However, efforts have been stagnant and some counties even saw an increase in lead exposure.
We already have lead mitigation strategies developed. We just have to use them. Read this op-ed from President/CEO Cecilia Zalkind and Policy Counsel Peter Chen to learn more.
Posted on September 5, 2019
On September, 5, 2019, the Murphy administration announced a $54 million investment in child care. This is great news for families enrolled in New Jersey’s child care subsidy program, which helps parents with lower-to-moderate incomes afford child care. NJ Department of Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson said in a news release, “The Murphy Administration is making child care a priorit
y because we know that it is hard to be successful at work or in school if you don’t have confidence that your children are getting the care they need. We owe it to our families who are striving every day to get on the best possible financial footing to give them the peace of mind that comes from quality child care. Plus, investing in child care simply makes good economic sense to help continue to build and support our state’s workforce, attract new businesses and grow our economy.”
In May, ACNJ delivered a petition with more than 1,200 signatures calling for an increase in the state subsidy to help offset the minimum wage increase. ACNJ's advocacy efforts, in collaboration with its many partners, led to a $9 million increase in child care funding in the state budget. ACNJ commends the Murphy administration for continuing its strong investment in our youngest children.
Read the full news release from the New Jersey Department of Human Services below:
Murphy Administration Announces $54 Million Investment in Child Care
Administration commitment to working families focuses on affordable, quality child care
Sept. 5, 2019
(TRENTON) – First Lady Tammy Murphy and New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson today announced that families throughout the state who receive support from New Jersey’s child care subsidy program will see $54 million ($30 million federal; $24 million state) in increased funding as part of the Murphy Administration’s continued effort to help working families in New Jersey.
Subsidies will increase by as much as 10 percent, depending on the age of the child, and will be implemented in two phases, with the first installment occurring this month and the second in January. Added funding is available to support and incentivize quality improvement among child care providers.
“A mother should never have to choose between paying her rent and keeping her baby in quality child care” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Investing in child care is a critical component to reducing maternal and infant mortality as well as a commitment to New Jersey families, gender equality, and the general wellbeing of our children.”
The Murphy Administration is making child care a priority given its central role in supporting working families and the importance of quality care in early childhood development. Today’s announcement builds on the 2018 Murphy Administration investment of $30 million to increase rates for child care – the first substantial increase in child care center rates in nearly a decade.
Altogether, support for infant care will have increased by nearly 40 percent under the Murphy Administration – from about $724 a month to $994 by January 1. For parents who select an infant care provider with a three-star quality rating from our Grow NJ Kids quality improvement program, that rate will have jumped even further, reaching $1,093.
Under the Murphy Administration, toddler care rates will have risen from $717 in to $830 per month and pre-school rates will have risen from $585 to $690 per month by January, with higher rates for quality rated programs.
“Quality, affordable child care is what working families want and need to succeed in New Jersey,” Commissioner Johnson said. “The Murphy Administration is making child care a priority because we know that it is hard to be successful at work or in school if you don’t have confidence that your children are getting the care they need. We owe it to our families who are striving every day to get on the best possible financial footing to give them the peace of mind that comes from quality child care. Plus, investing in child care simply makes good economic sense to help continue to build and support our state’s workforce, attract new businesses and grow our economy.”
“This latest investment in families, children and child care providers is critical to our state,” Deputy Commissioner Elisa Neira said. “The Murphy Administration is dedicated to increasing access to affordable child care for New Jersey families so they can get the child care they need while they work or attend school or training.”
New Jersey’s child care subsidy program helps families with lower-to-moderate incomes who are working, in training or in school afford child care. About 5,000 child care providers in New Jersey participate in the program, which serves approximately 100,000 children per year. The child care rate increases announced today come as the state’s minimum wage rises and will also help child care providers support wage increases.
Grow NJ Kids, New Jersey’s Quality Rating Improvement System, is New Jersey’s program to raise the quality of child care and early learning across the state. Grow NJ Kids gives child care and early learning programs resources to assess and improve their programs, while providing parents with information that allows them to evaluate the quality of programs and make the best choices for their child.
“Children who are in quality early learning programs when they are young are better prepared with better reading and math skills,” said Natasha Johnson, Assistant Commissioner of Human Services’ Division of Family Development. “Grow NJ Kids is helping New Jersey’s child care providers enhance program quality, and these new investments in quality further reward their success.”
Posted on September 3, 2019
More Preschool Opportunities for New Jersey’s 3-and 4-Year Olds!
Great news for New Jersey’s preschoolers!! Governor Murphy announced today that 1,450 more 3- and 4-year olds will benefit from high quality preschool, beginning on October 1st. Thanks to $20 million more state dollars, 28 additional school districts located throughout the state will receive funding to open up new classrooms for these children. There was a significant increase in district interest this year, with more applications than in previous years.
Making this announcement at the Eugenio Maria Hostos Early Childhood Center in Union City, the Governor said that he was feeling optimistic for our children’s future because of the increased state investment in more young children’s early learning experiences. Adriana Birne, the principal at the Early Childhood Center stated that “The early years are truly the learning years!”
This is the third consecutive year in which state funds have included increased dollars to implement New Jersey’s nationally recognized model for high quality preschool.
Congratulations to the following districts!| County | District | Pre-K Funding |
| Atlantic | Buena Regional | $1,032,077.00 |
| Somers Point | $456,163.00 | |
| Weymouth | $213,006.00 | |
| Burlington | Beverly City | $498,242.00 |
| Burlington Twp. | $213,006.00 | |
| Edgewater Park | $478,287.00 | |
| Camden | Gloucester Twp. | $1,451,363.00 |
| Mount Ephraim | $451,535.00 | |
| Cape May | Dennis Twp. | $622,750.00 |
| Middle Twp. | $687,686.00 | |
| Essex | Belleville | $892,452.00 |
| Gloucester | Glassboro | $717,664.00 |
| National Park | $214,398.00 | |
| Hudson | Kearny | $2,661,345.00 |
| Hunterdon | High Bridge | $273,120.00 |
| Mercer | Princeton | $721,439.00 |
| Middlesex | Sayreville | $2,799,800.00 |
| Monmouth | Farmingdale | $157,764.00 |
| Ocean Twp. | $586,772.00 | |
| Morris | Dover | $1,177,174.00 |
| Netcong | $188,230.00 | |
| Ocean | Ocean Twp. | $971,584.00 |
| Tuckerton | $679,140.00 | |
| Passaic | Woodland Park | $261,360.00 |
| Salem | Mannington | $226,711.00 |
| Sussex | Montague | $730,296.00 |
| Stillwater Twp. | $286,902.00 | |
| Union | Winfield | $349,674.00 |
Read in the news:
These 28 N.J. school districts will benefit from $20M in preschool aid|NJ.com
Posted on August 26, 2019
Though the Census doesn’t start until April 2020, ACNJ has been promoting the importance of an accurate count for New Jersey since last year. Together, my colleagues and I have been crisscrossing the state, educating mayors, civic groups, social service agencies and other nonprofits on how the Census affects federal funding and political representation.
But while more people understand the importance of the Census, we heard the same thing over and over: “OK, that’s great. So, what can I do about it?”
Lots, actually. One easy way people can help is by participating in local Complete Count Committees. These committees are heavily featured in the State Complete Count Commission report on Census outreach. With $9 million allocated to the New Jersey Complete Count Commission for Census outreach, much of New Jersey’s plan focuses on grassroots organizing built around local Complete Count Committees.
What is a Complete Count Committee?
A Complete Count Committee is a group of stakeholders dedicated to helping Census efforts to get a complete count of all residents in a given area. Members works together to identify what may prevent a complete count of all the individuals in their community. Then, they identify what resources and strategies might be successful in improving their local count.
Complete Count Committees may sound formal, but they can be as simple as a few neighborhood members meeting in a library community room once a month. They tend to follow the same general model:
1) Learn about the Census from the Census Bureau and partners (including ACNJ)
2) Identify the hard-to-count populations in their community (for a map of hard-to-count areas in New Jersey, click here)
3) Develop strategies to address those needs
The Census is a federal program, so why do we need local Complete Count Committees?
Although the Census is a national undertaking, counting everyone means focusing locally. People may not trust the federal government, but they do trust their neighbors, friends, doctors, teachers, clergy and neighborhood/community leaders.
Local communities have local obstacles. Bridgeton is different than Hackensack. The strategies they will need to reach hard-to-count populations will need to be different as well. The federal government does not know your community as well as you do!
How do I start a Complete Count Committee?
Typically, a Complete Count Committee is appointed by the highest level of government in an area – either the mayor or the county freeholders/executive. Check to make sure that your town doesn’t already have a Committee formed. If a group already exists, join in! If your community has not created a Complete Count Committee, contact your mayor’s office or local county freeholders and/or executive to request that they do so. Click here for a sample letter from the League of Women Voters-Atlantic County, which was sent to their Board of Chosen Freeholders.
You can also set one up yourself by contacting the Census Bureau’s partnership specialists at New.York.rcc.partnership@2020census.gov. There, you can register your group as a Complete Count Committee and also request a presentation from the Bureau on Census operations.
Members should include:
The Committee should then meet regularly to discuss what action steps have been taken and what planning needs to be done.
Funding for committee work may come from local government or philanthropies. Groups that are interested in philanthropic support should direct their questions to Kiki Jamieson at Fund for New Jersey at kjamieson@fundfornj.org, who is encouraging foundations to support Census outreach.
The New Jersey Complete Count Commission, which was created by legislation and has appointments from the governor and legislature, is planning to fund local outreach. The application process, however, has yet to be finalized.
The Census Bureau provides a complete guide on starting a Committee. However, for a quick one-pager, this short document lays out the basics.
What are the strategies we need to reach hard-to-count populations?
Strategies to reach individuals will differ based on the community, but some examples include:
Local committees should develop solutions that make the most sense for their communities.
When should we get started?
As soon as possible! We’re currently helping community members understand what the Census is and that it is coming soon. But Census Day will be here before you know it. If a community is planning to reach everyone in their community, they will need to start planning now.
Additionally, state funding and philanthropic dollars will likely be targeted to communities with robust plans for how that money will be spent. No community should miss out on these critical funds for Census outreach due to a lack of planning.
How can I support my local committee?
If there’s a local committee, join! Complete Count Committees work best when they have representation from hard-to-count populations and groups that serve those populations. If a committee only has local government and the same five people who come to every meeting, it might be missing some of those hardest-to-count groups.
Additionally, think about those who serve these populations who may not be included in outreach and planning. Immigrant groups may not rely on traditional nonprofits, instead leaning on small churches or local businesses. Tenant legal aid agencies may be more likely to reach populations who move frequently or are afraid to respond because of housing code violations. Having these people on your committee is invaluable.
What if my municipality is not creating a Complete Count Committee?
Start planning anyways! You don’t need the government to start your own Complete Count Committee. A group of engaged citizens can always create their own Committee. Additionally, groups may want to form Complete Count Committees with special population focuses. For example, in Trenton, a group of local nonprofits has begun organizing a Complete Count Committee alongside the city’s own effort, with a special focus on very hard-to-count groups such as people experiencing homelessness.
I’m ready to start!
Getting a complete count in New Jersey will require everyone to be involved. Together, we can ensure an accurate count and bring billions of federal dollars, as well as congressional representation, to the State. If you would like a group to give an educational presentation, please feel free to reach out to me at pchen@acnj.org.
Resources from this post
