Great News for New Jersey’s Preschoolers! For the first time in nearly a decade, the state’s 2018 budget includes $25 million for preschool expansion!  These dollars are the result of years of advocacy efforts to provide more 3- and 4- year olds with a quality early learning experience.  During the past few weeks, both Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto were PRESCHOOL CHAMPIONS and made sure that the preschool dollars remained in the final budget!

PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto TODAY and thank them for being Preschool Champions!

What’s Next?  Getting the additional funding is just the first step!  There are still many questions as to which districts—and the young children in their communities--will benefit from those new dollars.  ACNJ is focused on the implementation of these new preschool classrooms and will keep you in the loop as more information is provided by the Department of Education.

In the meantime, ACNJ will be soon release a report highlighting the incredible work that 16 New Jersey school districts are accomplishing thanks to federal funding to expand preschool in their communities.  

The new budget will also provide much-needed funding for kids in key areas such as:

• $25 million for special education, ending a freeze on essential services for school children with special needs;
• $7 million for lead testing in schools, protecting children from lead exposure when they go to school;
• $850,000 for Court Appointed Special Advocates, who serve as a voice in court for children removed from their homes for abuse or neglect.

Expanded funding for programs helping children is a win for New Jersey families! Watch for more details on the budget early next week.

Sincerely,

Cecilia Zalkind
President/CEO

Email Senate President Sweeney at sensweeney@njleg.org  or call  (856) 251-9801 or (856) 339-0808
Email Assembly Speaker Prieto at asmprieto@njleg.org or call (201) 770-1303

What you can say:
“Thank you for taking the first step in providing more young children with access to high quality preschool and being New Jersey’s Preschool Champions!”