The Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee convened on November 14, 2024, to discuss critical issues surrounding child care in New Jersey, with a focus on the impact of the pandemic and the ongoing need for support in the sector.

The meeting began with a discussion about the Universal Pre-K Partnership, where concerns were raised regarding the reimbursement processes for special needs schools. A speaker highlighted the delays in receiving funds, which can extend beyond a year, although some providers reported no such issues.

Julie Galante, President and CEO of the New Jersey Y Alliance, was the next speaker, representing 30 independent YMCAs and 82 branches across the state. She emphasized the YMCA's long-standing commitment to supporting working families through high-quality, affordable child care services. Prior to the pandemic, YMCAs served approximately 86,100 children in early childhood programs and over 20,000 in before and after school care. However, during the pandemic, service numbers dropped significantly, with only 35,100 children served under emergency conditions.

Galante noted that the influx of federal funding was crucial for the survival of many YMCA programs, allowing them to reopen after the pandemic. Despite this support, she warned that the child care system remains unstable, with many programs at risk of closure due to ongoing staffing shortages and financial pressures. She called for a sustained commitment of state funding to support child care providers, which would help reduce waitlists and stabilize costs for families.

The discussion also touched on the expansion of universal pre-K in New Jersey. Galante stressed the importance of a mixed delivery system that includes community-based providers like YMCAs, which have a proven track record in early childhood education. She cautioned that if preschool programming were limited to public school districts, it could severely impact the availability of infant and toddler care, exacerbating existing challenges in the sector.

Galante concluded by urging the state to create an equitable environment for community providers and public schools to collaborate on universal pre-K programs, emphasizing that without equal resources, community-based providers would struggle to compete, further threatening the stability of child care in New Jersey.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for continued support and investment in the child care sector to ensure that families have access to safe and affordable care, which is vital for the state's economic health.