Survey Reveals Preschool Development Grants in NJ are Making a Difference

Register today!

In 2014, New Jersey was one of 18 states awarded the “Preschool Development Grant” (PDG), a federal grant aimed at expanding high-quality preschool to more 4-year-olds from low‐income families. Sixteen identified communities qualified to receive these federal dollars.

ACNJ's report Preschool Development Grants: Making a Difference for New Jersey's Young Learners, outlines the programs’ benefits and successes as well as the broad concern over future funding—and its impact on educating future preschoolers-- as the end of the grant draws near. The report includes data from the New Jersey Department of Education, survey results from all 16 districts and individual and group interviews with key district staff between February and May 2017.

Read the executive summary.

Read the report.

Update on NJ Paid Family Leave Legislation

Last month, Governor Christie conditionally vetoed legislation (S3085/A4927) that would expand and improve New Jersey’s paid family leave program.  If passed, the bill would have increased the amount of leave time from six to 12 weeks as well as the weekly benefit cap and expanded eligibility to benefits for a wider range of care-taking behavior. In his veto, the Governor deleted all sections of the bill except the section which requires the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to educate the public and employers about the program.

Read the terms of the conditional veto.

On August 17, Rutgers University Center for Women and Work is having a workshop about current paid family leave laws in NJ. Don't miss out!

Register for a workshop.

New fund to feed hungry kids

Great news!

In July, Governor Christie signed a bill that establishes a new fund in the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to help expand school breakfast and summer meals so more children have the nutrition they need to be healthy, thrive and succeed in school. The exact use of the funds is still being developed, but will likely include competitive grants to schools and communities for start-up costs and other expenses associated with expanding these federal child nutrition programs. Stay tuned for more details.