Balanced budget shouldn't sacrifice families
By: Gigi Schweikert
Your Turn
Guest columnist
..... Child care has always been more than a family need - it's proven to be a trusted cornerstone of economic stability, educational advancement and community wellbeing. The New Jersey Child care Assistance Program has provided crucial support for working families, children and the state's broader economy by helping pay most child care expenses for 70,000 children.
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To the grate concern of the nonprofit, nonpartisan Early Childhood Education advocates, that safety net is now frayed. As of August 1, [2025] CCA{ is closed to new applicants - a cost-cutting decision adopted June 30. [2025] Even families already enrolled in the program will face increased costs, with co-pays ricing by as much as 6%.
..... Equally concerning is hat this shift has not been widely communicated, leaving many families unaware that assistance will no longer be available.
..... Parents who were counting on this support to begin a new job, return to work or maintain financial stability may find themselves with few affordable options and very little time to prepare.
New Jersey families will be hurt as vital support comes to an end
..... At ECEA, which represents child care providers across the state, we see firsthand how essential tis program has been for so many New Jersey families. Properly funding CCAP is not just a policy decision - it's an economic and moral imperative. For many, families, child care is an insurmountable financial burden that forces impossible choices: leaving the workforce, reducing hours or relying on unsafe, unregulated care.
..... CCAP has helped address these challenges, especially for sing mothers and families of color, who are disproportionately affected by child care costs. The program enables parents to work and children to thrive in high-quality, nurturing environments. It also supports a more productive workforce and stronger communities.
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Just as importantly, CCAP funding is tied to quality standards. Participating provides must meet benchmarks for health, safety and education - ensuring children receive the care they deserve and protection families from substandard alternatives.
.....ECEA is proud that New Jersey leads the nation in public education, with some of the hugest high school graduation rates and college attainment levels. But these achievements often mask early disparities. children who don't have access to quality early learning often start kindergarten behind, and the gap only widens from there.
Trenton must consider the consequences of pausing CCAP
..... That's why we are urging state leaders to revisit this issue. while the decision to pause new CCAP enrollment may have been made in the context of difficult state budget choices, the consequences are dire and far-reaching for families and the overall economy of the state.
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We respectfully ask legislative leaders to allocate funds to bridge the gap until at least the next budget cycle. This temporary solution could make a life changing difference for working families, allowing them to prepare, and protect the stability of our child care infrastructure.
..... During the pandemic, New Jersey lawmakers showed what was possible - steeping up to increase child care funding, keep programs open, and support the tens of thousands of people who depend on them.
..... We can do it again. Parents are counting on us. Children are counting on us. We must act quickly to ensure that New Jersey continues to be a place where every family has access to affordable, high-quality care - and the opportunity to thrive.
..... Gigi Schweikert is the president of Early Childhood Education Advocates.