SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1456

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 3, 2016

     The Senate Education Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 1456.

     This bill provides a supplemental appropriation of $18 million to the Department of Human Services to expand eligibility for “wrap around” child care services provided to families in former Abbott school districts.  Historically, State-funded preschool in these districts has been supplemented by “wrap around” child care services funded by the Department of Human Services, covering up to four hours of before- and after-school care during the school year, and full-day care during the summer.  Beginning with the Fiscal Year 2011 appropriations act, new restrictions were imposed on eligibility for services, including a stricter income eligibility limit for families newly entering the program (currently 200 percent of the federal poverty level, though families already participating can remain eligible with incomes up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level), required copayments (on a sliding scale based on the family’s income), and work requirements (25 or 30 hours per week of employment or job training activities).  This bill would restore the income eligibility limit to 250 percent of the federal poverty level for all program participants, and relax the work requirements to allow parents who work part-time to continue to receive subsidized child care beyond school day hours.