Menendez, Booker Announce Nearly $700 M to Support Providers, Help Nj Families Access Safe, Quality Child Care
Press Release
U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced New Jersey will receive $694,327,527 in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to support child care providers, help them reopen safely, and ensure families have access to affordable, high quality child care.
"The struggle for families to find safe and affordable child care during the pandemic has forced many parents, disproportionately moms, to stay home to care for their kids. For those who can't work from home, many have had to leave jobs and put their careers on hold. By giving child care providers the support they need to reopen safely, pay their staff and stay open, and help families afford quality child care, we can get more parents back to work," said Sen. Menendez. "The American Rescue Plan put families first and continues to deliver for New Jersey. This is another step in fully reopening our state and jumpstarting our economy."
"The pandemic has impacted nearly every aspect of our lives, forcing many families to make difficult decisions regarding child care and impacting providers across our state," said Sen. Booker. "This federal funding from the American Rescue Plan will deliver the support child care providers need and help New Jersey families continue down the road to recovery."
New Jersey is receiving $427,548,476 in Child Care Stabilization funding to ensure child care providers can reopen, provide a safe and healthy environment, keep workers on the payroll, and provide mental health services for educators and children.
Another $266,779,051 was allocated in Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) flexible funding to allow the state to fund child care assistance for low-income families and essential workers, increase wages for early childhood workers and increase access to high quality care for families receiving subsidies.
The American Rescue Plan passed by Democrats in Congress included $24 billion nationwide in Child Care Stabilization funds and $15 billion for CCDBGs.
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