Start Strong NJ

Start Strong NJ is a statewide advocacy and public awareness campaign working to make high-quality, affordable child care a top policy and investment priority across New Jersey.

Supported by the Turrell Fund and developed in partnership with the Burke Foundation, Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), the New Jersey Association for the Education of Young Children (NJAEYC), Moms First, and a growing coalition of advocates, philanthropic leaders, educators, business leaders, and community stakeholders, the campaign combines strategic communications, policy advocacy, and coalition building to advance lasting systems change.

In 2026, Start Strong NJ released its Blueprint for Affordable Child Care, a stakeholder-informed roadmap for strengthening New Jersey’s child care system.  Campaign co-chairs Winifred Smith-Jenkins of Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) and Meghan Tavormina of the New Jersey Association for the Education of Young Children (NJAEYC) were selected to serve on Governor Mikie Sherrill’s Transition Action Team for Education, helping elevate early childhood issues and child care policy priorities during the administration’s transition planning process.  Through ongoing engagement with policymakers, providers, and families, Start Strong NJ is building a broad-based movement to ensure that every child has a strong start and every family has access to the care and support they need to thrive.

Healthy Steps

HealthySteps is an evidence-based model designed by ZERO TO THREE that embeds child development specialists in pediatric practices to give families critical support during the earliest years. Launched at Hackensack Meridian Health by the Turrell Fund, the Burke Foundation, and the Nicholson Foundation, the program is now scaling rapidly across New Jersey. With Human Resources Services Administration (HRSA) funding and a new NJFamilyCare payment model, HealthySteps has expanded to 12 sites and is reaching more than 6,000 families — creating a sustainable path to healthier futures for young children statewide.

NJ Safe Babies Court Team

“Every seven minutes, a baby or toddler is removed from their family due to alleged maltreatment or neglect.”
– ZERO TO THREE

Safe Babies Court Team NJ (Safe Babies NJ) – the local chapter of the Safe Babies national program designed by ZERO TO THREE – brings together child welfare agencies, judges, and community partners to improve the quality and comprehensiveness of care and support for children and families. By providing coordinated, traumainformed services, the program focuses on family reunification whenever safely possible. Supported by the Turrell Fund and Human Resources Services Administration (HRSA) funding, Safe Babies NJ is demonstrating how local innovation can transform lives and infuse national best practices into local child welfare systems.