New Jersey, like all states, has a unique early childhood policy landscape that is shaped by economics, demographics, political history, coalitions, and other factors that create a state-specific environment for policy advocacy.
State early childhood policy progress is dependent both on the state’s environment and the numerous efforts—by the organizations listed on this page, other organizations, parents, policymakers, practitioners, and more—who work both independently and collaboratively to achieve wins for young children.
Research shows that family economic security is foundational to children’s overall wellbeing. Research also shows that widespread disparities in opportunity (especially by race) drive wide disparities in outcomes. States with policies that offer strong support to young children and their families are more likely to see 1) declining numbers of children in low-income households and 2) low racial disparity among those children.
Young Children in Low-Income Households: Declining
Approximately 30 percent (275,000) of the state’s children 0-8 live in households below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (2022). This number represents a decrease from 31 percent (292,000) in 2017.1
Racial Disparity Among Young Children Living in Low-Income Households: High
Black, Hispanic/Latino, and/or Native children aged 0-8 are significantly more likely to be living in households below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level than are Asian and non-Hispanic White children.2
State General Fund Appropriations: Growing
In June 2024, New Jersey’s governor signed, with line-item vetoes, the state’s fiscal 2025 budget, which provides for $56.6 billion in total state fund appropriations and $27.5 billion in federal fund appropriations. This budget represents an increase in state appropriations from the enacted fiscal 2024 budget ($54.5 billion in total state fund appropriations). The budget is based on total resources for all state funds of $63.1 billion, including a beginning balance of $8.2 billion, total general fund revenue of $33.0 billion, property tax relief fund revenue of $20.8 billion, Casino Revenue Fund resources of $619 million, Casino Control Fund resources of $77 million, Gubernatorial Elections Fund resources of $1.6 million, and a Surplus Revenue Fund (rainy day fund) balance of $306 million. The budget projects an undesignated ending balance (or surplus) of $6.1 billion.3
Largest Per Capita Revenue Sources (after federal transfers):4
State Budget Rules:4
New Jersey uses an annual budget. The legislature must pass a balanced budget, but it can carry a deficit over into the following year. New Jersey further limits spending growth with a budget rule based on personal income growth. The rule is binding and requires a legislative supermajority or vote of the people to override. New Jersey limits total authorized debt incurred by the state, but not debt service.
Political Alignment: Aligned Democrat
During the 2024 session, the state’s Senate and House were both Democrat controlled. The state’s Governor was also a Democrat.5
Types of Common Ballot Measures Available:6 Two
Early Childhood Policy Advocacy Organizations Include:
Early Childhood Policy Advocacy Multi-State Initiatives Include:7
Highlights from the state’s early childhood policy advocacy community include:8
The State of New Jersey extended the duration of the enrollment-based child care subsidy model through June 30, 2025, the end of the current fiscal year cycle. Prior to this policy change, the child care subsidy was set to expire in June, 2024. Funding to satisfy this measure was also included in the State Fiscal Year 2025 Budget: $482.5 million for child care enrollment-based subsidy payments and to continue the differential payment. Advocates have also been working with policymakers to make this measure permanent, in order for the state to align with new CCDF rules. While this was an administrative win, there are also legislative initiatives being pursued by advocates to solidify this provision. During the previous legislative session, the bill passed the Legislature with bipartisan support but was “pocket vetoed” by the governor.
The enacted FY25 budget includes language that requires intentional efforts to provide public preschool through a mixed-delivery system. Requirements include:
Policymakers passed legislation that establishes a one-year state Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) Menstrual Hygiene Benefit Pilot Program and state Work First New Jersey Diaper Benefit Pilot Program. Program funding of $2.5 million in for the measure was appropriated in the budget.
New Jersey’s fiscal 2025 budget also maintains expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, which enables families with young children to receive up to $1,000 per child.
Our lead ally in New Jersey, Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), works for a future where all New Jersey children grow up healthy, safe, and educated. They educate, inform, and engage leaders and the public on children’s needs through research, data, and policy analysis. As one of their priorities, ACNJ works with parents, communities, service providers, and local and state groups to promote high-quality early care and education from infancy to age 8.
Advocates for Children of New Jersey is working to advance early childhood policies in several areas that align with the Alliance’s birth-through-eight policy framework:
Child Care
Child Care Work Force
Maternal Health
Infant & Child Health
Early Intervention (0-3)
Family Economic Security
Inspired by the Alliance’s “Alabama Experience” for grantees in 2024, New Jersey advocates brought members of the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus on a similar pilgrimage to Alabama, in order to deepen relationships and advance equity-centered policy.
NOTES:
1 Kids Count Data Center, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Children Ages 0 to 8 Below 200 Percent Poverty, January, 2024.
2National Center for Children in Poverty, Children Ages 0 through 8 Below 200 Percent Poverty, October 2024, NCCP analysis of ACS 5-Year Estimates – Public Use Microdata Sample 2018-2022.
3 National Association of State Budget Officers, Proposed and Enacted Budgets, FY 2025.
4 Urban Institute, State Fiscal Briefs, June 2024.
5 National Conference of State Legislatures, 2024 State & Legislative Partisan Composition, April 29, 2024.
6 Ballotpedia, Ballot Measures by State, Kids Count Data Center, retrieved July, 2024.
7 Alliance for Early Success, Multi-State Initiatives for Early Childhood Policy Advocacy, July, 2024.
8 Alliance for Early Success, State-Wide Advocacy Highlights Survey, April-October, 2024; and 2024 Prenatal-to-3 Legislative Highlights, Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center, July, 2024.
