Fellow Advocate,

Even in the midst of a pandemic, New Jersey’s FY2021 budget included an additional $10 million to expand our nationally recognized state-funded preschool to more eligible communities. This funding recognizes the critical importance of high-quality preschool as the foundation for students’ success in school and in life -- and our state wants more 3- and 4-year-olds to have this advantage.

Although most districts are currently struggling with how best to provide equitable education to their current students in light of COVID-19, eligible districts should still take advantage of this opportunity and apply. Funding is available, but it is limited. 

School districts received eligibility letters from the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) this past Friday and were told that if a district wants to apply to the preschool funding, they need to attend a mandatory Zoom technical assistance meeting this Thursday or Friday. Before Wednesday, we need you to:

• See if your district is eligible by checking this list;
• If your district is eligible, call your superintendent, other school administrators and your school board members to urge them to attend one of the DOE technical assistance meetings and do everything they can to bring preschool to your community.

Questions? Contact Cynthia Rice at Advocates for Children of New Jersey at crice@acnj.org