NJ sees continued decline in family fiscal health
The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2015 KIDS COUNT Data Book, with a special spotlight on trends in child well-being in post-recession years, shows family economic insecurity persists in NJ. While the state maintained its overall Kids Count ranking of 8th nationally, the growing number of New Jersey children that live with parents who lack secure employment and who struggle to meet their children’s basic needs, pushed the state to 26th place nationally for the economic well-being of families.
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Making transitions in the early years smoother for children, families and educators
ACNJ’s latest policy brief, Right from the Start: Guiding Young Children’s Transitions in the Early Years, outlines current early learning transition practices that help children, families and educators acclimate to changing early learning environments and provides recommendations to strengthen these practices. The report also includes a review of state guidelines and regulations, findings from a survey of early education professors and a parent focus group.
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Help hungry children find summer meals
Last month ACNJ and the Food for Thought campaign released a report that highlighted the tens of thousands of children who eat meals at school and lack access to healthy meals in the summer across New Jersey. The USDA has an online resource to help struggling familes find nutritious free meals for children and teens during the summer while school is out of session.
To find the closest Summer Food Services Program site where kids can join in on the fun and enjoy a nutritious meal, click here or call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-Hungry or 1-877-8-HAMBRE. It’s a free call, available in both English and Spanish from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
View ACNJ's report on expanding summer meals to NJ kids.
"Kids Helping Kids"
A special THANKS to Ali and Jordyn who selected ACNJ as their children's charity this year. They made tee shirts and developed songs and cheers to attract attention to their fundraiser in front of a supportive Duncan Donuts.
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