Murphy Administration Announces Grant Funding for 30 More Projects to Expand Preschool Capacity Statewide
As part of his continued commitment to ensuring universal access to high-quality, full-day preschool throughout New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy announced at the New Jersey Education Association Convention the awarding of $51.9 million in federal grant funding from the state to 23 school districts to support 30 projects that will enable the creation, expansion, and renovation of preschool facilities statewide.
One of the challenges that certain school districts have identified as an obstacle in establishing high-quality preschool has been a lack of adequate facilities. The Governor’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget included $120 million for grants for preschool facilities expansion, supported by federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars – marking the first time that preschool facility expansion grants were available to Regular Operating Districts.
“This funding will enable more districts to expand their capacity to offer full-day preschool programming to more students, building upon our efforts to provide every 3- and 4-year-old child in our state with access to high-quality pre-K,” said Governor Murphy. “Equitable access to early childhood education across the board is key to ensuring the long-term success of our children and our state as a whole. My Administration will continue to work toward bringing free, full-day pre-K to every district throughout New Jersey.”
“Governor Murphy’s preschool facilities grant funding underscores our commitment to delivery high-quality, full-day preschool across the state,” said Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Acting Commissioner of Education. “Ultimately, this funding will increase capacity, a barrier that some communities have faced in the effort to bring high-quality preschool to each community. This funding will also support our initiative to ensure that school districts can provide an enriching, high-quality preschool environment for the benefit of generations of students for years to come.”
High-quality, full-day preschool programs provide smaller class sizes inclusive of students with special needs and are led by a certified teacher and aide.
The 30 projects that have qualified for these preliminary grants had a total need of nearly $113.5 million in estimated project costs. Of that amount, the New Jersey Department of Education will cover approximately $51.9 million as the State’s share of preschool facilities in those districts; the State share is set at a minimum of 40 percent of the total estimated project costs.
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First Lady Tammy Murphy Highlights Success of Connecting NJ Marketing Campaign in Guiding Residents to Services That Support Maternal and Family Well-Being
First Lady Tammy Murphy highlighted efforts to inform and connect New Jersey families to essential health and social resources, programs, and services through the Connecting NJ marketing campaign. As part of First Lady Murphy’s ongoing efforts to make New Jersey the safest, most equitable state the nation to deliver and raise a baby through her Nurture NJ initiative, this marketing campaign has helped guide residents to the Connecting NJ website. This website provides New Jersey families with a centralized hub of information and referrals for state and local wellness services, including health care for mothers and children, prenatal education, child development education programs, domestic violence support, addiction treatment, financial and housing assistance, home visiting programs, behavioral health services, and more.
The Connecting NJ marketing campaign, which launched last year, has been comprised of various forms of advertisements, including out-of-home posters and billboards at locations across the state, paid social media advertisements, radio advertisements, influencer sponsored posts, and more.
“As programs continue to grow and become available across the state, it’s critical that new and expecting parents and families know about and have access to the many supports available in their area,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “It is our hope that every family connected to these impactful programs will become healthier and more secure. We will not rest until every mother and newborn in New Jersey has what they need to thrive.”
Connecting NJ, a first-of-its-kind network of partners and agencies dedicated to helping New Jersey families thrive, formally known as Central Intake, was officially launched as a rebranded network in May of 2022 supporting a recommendation included in First Lady Tammy Murphy’s Nurture NJ Maternal and Infant Health Strategic Plan. The recommendation sought to improve and transform referral systems to better reach and connect new parents and families across the state to much-needed resources, programs, and services.
Connecting NJ serves approximately 25,000 residents each year across a wide range of diverse communities in the state. There have been over 125,000 service referrals through Connecting NJ since Fiscal Year 2018. Some of the most sought-after service referrals include WIC, basic needs, food pantries, diapers, and Family Success Centers.
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$5m Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors (Gains) Grant Announced by NJDOL
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) Office of Apprenticeship has announced $5 million in available funding through the Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) grant program.
The GAINS grant program promotes expansion of US Department of Labor-approved Registered Apprenticeship programs to support better-paying careers and the attainment of advanced credentials. The program seeks to develop new and existing apprenticeship programs and create Registered Apprenticeship programs in high-growth industries. The particular focus of GAINS grants is to promote equality of opportunity, upward mobility, and economic fairness.
“With thousands of participating employers in hundreds of occupations, apprenticeship is developing a new generation of workers who can help New Jersey’s economy continue to thrive,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “Apprenticeship programs also help participating businesses meet the increasing demand for a specialized workforce.”
GAINS grantee Shari Franey, chief operating officer of Hamilton-Ryker® TalentGro, said the funding “has enabled our organization to provide employer partners in the Healthcare industry with the resources necessary to launch Registered Apprenticeship programs. Through the program end, we will have increased the number of Registered Apprentices in New Jersey by 70 individuals, the majority of whom are members of disadvantaged classes. Our goal is that through these efforts, employers will discover the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship.”
Proposals must provide new apprentices with a starting wage of at least $17 per hour unless a lower rate is justified. GAINS funding can be used to reimburse up to 50 percent of new apprentices’ wages for a maximum of $12,000 per apprentice over 52 work weeks.
The GAINS grant is part of Governor Murphy’s New Jersey Apprenticeship Network, an initiative that seeks to make the Garden State a leader for apprenticeship programs nationwide and provide options for all New Jerseyans to build meaningful careers across a wide range of employers. During Governor Murphy’s administration, New Jersey has created 613 new Registered Apprenticeship programs – a 100 percent increase – and on-boarded 16,750 new apprentices. The state currently has 8,757 active apprentices in 1,224 registered programs.
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NJ Transit to Purchase Battery Electric Vans to Support Community Transportation for Local Providers
NJ TRANSIT continues advancing its sustainability goals with the Board of Directors’ approval to purchase 19 federally funded battery electric vans for Local and Community-based transportation programs. A portion of the vans will be distributed to community-based services in Essex, Middlesex and Somerset counties as well as NJ TRANSIT’s Access Link service. NJ TRANSIT will utilize eight of the vans for a future pilot program of an on-demand micro transit shuttle service along the Route 9 corridor in Monmouth County.
“The purchase of electric vans through federal dollars continues our commitment to transition to zero-emission vehicles across our fleet and with our community partners,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “NJ TRANSIT is proud to offer sustainable options to help enhance mobility for seniors and people with disabilities throughout the state.”
“Zero-emission vehicles are a critical part of modernizing the transportation network in New Jersey,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “This purchase not only helps our local communities transition to electric vehicles to support the state’s sustainability goals, but it also advances our mission to provide accessible transportation for all New Jerseyans.”
NJ TRANSIT will use a Michigan Department of Transportation procurement for the purchase of 19 battery electric vans that will include lifts for transportation for senior citizens and people with disabilities at a cost not to exceed $3,800,000, plus five percent for contingencies, subject to the availability of funds. Federal funding comes from Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310 program, the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality programs.
All vehicles being replaced have met their useful life, age and or miles, according to vehicle replacement cycles. Essex County will receive three vans, Middlesex County will receive one van and Somerset County will receive two vans. Access Link will receive four vans. Distribution of one vehicle remains in the grant selection process. NJ TRANSIT encourages other agencies to choose the electric van option and apply for this “green vehicle” to help enhance mobility in their area for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, job seekers, and rural residents.
In addition, NJ TRANSIT will utilize eight of the electric vans to test the feasibility of operating an on-demand micro transit shuttle service to connect lower-demand residential areas with mainline commuter bus corridors. This type of service can potentially serve residential customers at lower cost, with more operational and customer flexibility than is provided by limited fixed route “branch” services. The micro transit service will operate point-to-point service within two specified zones, along the U.S. Route 9 corridor in Monmouth County, with the possibility of service area expansions and modifications based on results and lessons learned after initial implementation.
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