We are excited to announce that our Kids Count data dashboard will be updated on a regular basis. This interactive dashboard assembles statewide and county data so that policymakers, advocates grant-makers and the public can make informed decisions for children and their families.

Though COVID-19 has greatly altered the current education landscape, one truth remains the same - the rights of students with disabilities have not changed. Staff attorney Nina Peckman walks readers through the education rights of children, and advises when it might be time to call in an education rights advocate.

On Friday, Feb. 19, 1:30 PM, join our partners at National Institute for Early Education Research as they formally launch their new Infant and Toddler Policy Research Center, ITC@NIEER.

ITC@NIEER produces research and research-based technical assistance and policy analysis to inform national, state, and local policies for child care that enhances the education and development of infants and toddlers.

You can join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #infantandtoddlercare

On January 22nd, First Lady Tammy Murphy unveiled her plan to help promote the well-being of babies in the Garden State and address the high rates of maternal and infant mortality in the state, especially among people of color.

During the first few weeks in the White House, President Joe Biden signed a number of executive orders, many of which have a direct impact on New Jersey children, such as climate change, the COVID-19 health care crisis and race equity. Read more about the executive orders that had an impact on kids.

Federal monitor Judith Meltzer, president of the Center for the Study of Social Policy, presented her latest Federal Monitor’s report to the Honorable Stanley Chesler, the federal judge overseeing the reform of New Jersey’s child welfare system as a result of the class-action lawsuit, Charlie and Nadine H. v. Murphy. She stated that New Jersey “took clear steps to assure they were still attending to the safety of children, staff and providers while making sure efforts towards permanency were not derailed.”

A key function of the juvenile justice system is to rehabilitate youth, rather than act punitively, and help them enter adulthood less likely to break the law by holding them accountable while equipping them with the skills necessary to stay out of trouble. ACNJ views Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal’s directive to further reform the juvenile justice system, which took effect January 11th, as another step towards building a juvenile justice system that gives youth the support they need as well as addresses racial equity.