The New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) would have to maintain a waiting list for people applying to the State’s child care assistance program (CCAP) under legislation advanced in committee today. The Assembly Aging and Human Services approved Bill A2247, sponsored by Assemblywoman Shanique Speight. 

CCAP helps income eligible families afford care. When assistance is unavailable, parents – particularly single parents and those working hourly or nontraditional schedules – are often forced to reduce work hours, leave the workforce altogether, or rely on unstable informal care arrangements. Last summer, DHS announced that the program would stop accepting new applications due to funding shortfalls. The agency resumed accepting applications on a limited basis in December.

“Child care is a critical part of New Jersey’s infrastructure. It allows parents to work, supports healthy child development, and strengthens our economy,” said Assemblywoman Speight (D-Essex, Hudson), Chair of the Aging and Human Services Committee. “Last year’s freezing of new CCAP applications underscored the fragility of New Jersey’s child care system. Establishing a waitlist is a critical step toward understanding the scope of need and providing data necessary to make informed decisions about the program at the state level.”

Currently, families whose applications for CCAP are not processed due to funding limitations may receive little clarity regarding their status, future eligibility, or when they might reasonably expect assistance to become available. This lack of transparency increases uncertainty for families and can discourage reapplication.

Under the bill, the Division of Family Development (the Division) within DHS would be required to maintain a list of presumptively eligible applicants who apply for assistance through the CCAP but are notified that their applications cannot be processed due to limited funding.

The legislation would also require the Division to designate contracted child care resource and referral agencies as access points to assist applicants in completing and submitting applications, as well as standardized self-attestation forms used to establish program eligibility. The Division would also be required to publish, at least semi-annually, a report containing aggregate data on eligible applicants who qualify for and apply to receive assistance through the State’s child care assistance program.

Assemblywoman Shama Haider also sponsored the legislation.