ACNJ’s Accomplishments

 

Over the years, ACNJ’s advocacy efforts have resulted in:

 

   More children receiving health coverage, improving their chances of growing into healthy adults.

   More children enrolled in quality preschool programs, helping to ensure school success.

   More children safe from abuse and neglect.

   More children living in safe, permanent homes.

   More families receiving the supports they need to feed, clothe and house their children.

   More youth diverted from the juvenile justice system and put on the path to productive adulthood.

   More parents, caregivers and others understanding children’s legal rights, empowering them to advocate effectively for the children in their lives.

 

Leading the drive for high-quality preschool. By working with local, state and federal officials, ACNJ has been instrumental in ensuring that thousands of children attend preschools that help lead to later school success.

 

Improving early childhood education. Our PreK-3rd Leadership Training sessions gave 200 school district administrators the tools they need to implement high-quality early education programs, from preschool through 3rd grade.

 

Advancing efforts to expand healthcare for children. ACNJ was instrumental in the creation of NJ FamilyCare, the state’s free or low-cost child health coverage program for children, and is at the forefront of an effort to enroll more children in this program. These efforts have resulted in tens of thousands of uninsured children receiving coverage, increasing the chances that they will get the medical care that can help them grow up healthy.

 

Teaching people about children and the law. Through ACNJ’s KidLaw Center, thousands of judges, attorneys, educators, parents and others have learned important information about children and the law. Through trainings and publications, we help people become informed, effective advocates for the children in their lives.

 

Building a network of advocates. Through ACNJ’s Community Outreach programs, hundreds have become child advocates, greatly expanding the network of people speaking up for New Jersey’s children. Through our staff presentations and educational  forums, hundreds of people have been given important information to strengthen their own advocacy efforts.

 

Galvanizing statewide support for a children’s agenda. ACNJ’s Giving Every Child a Chance E-Advocacy network engages nearly 6,000 people who send messages to state and federal leaders urging them to put children’s needs at the forefront of government’s agenda.

 

Raising children’s voices. Nearly 400 elementary and middle school students wrote letters to the future governor of New Jersey as part of ACNJ’s 2009 election advocacy campaign.

 

Supporting families. ACNJ’s efforts have resulted in thousands of families receiving the assistance they need to feed, clothe and shelter their children, including dramatically increasing the number of families receiving energy assistance and tax credits.

 

Improving child health. ACNJ’s Healthy Lifestyles: It’s All in the Balance newsletter and trainings educate thousands of people responsible for child well-being, including parents, school nurses, child care providers and other professionals and volunteers working with children. This project provides important information on child nutrition, fitness, medical issues and other health-related topics.

 

View our 30-year history of accomplishments