NJ S4015

Registered family child care providers participating in both New Jersey's subsidized child care assistance program and Grow NJ Kids would become eligible for enhanced tiered reimbursements based on their quality rating.

Family child care providers would receive the same percentage subsidy increase as center-based child care providers with equivalent Grow NJ Kids ratings (three-, four-, or five-star), which currently range from 5% to 20% above base rates.

Registered family child care homes in New Jersey declined 59% from 4,689 providers in 2001 to 1,907 in 2016, and further dropped to 1,308 by November 2020.

The Commissioner of Human Services must apply for necessary federal waivers or state plan amendments to implement the reimbursement system while maintaining federal financial participation for subsidized child care.

The bill takes effect on the first day of the second month following enactment.