Morristown Org's Childcare Program Gets $1.1M In Federal Funding

Morristown NJ

14 July, 2021

10:07 AM

Description

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Before the pandemic, New Jersey already faced a crisis in childcare access and affordability, according to United Way of Northern New Jersey. But the organization's program seeking to bridge the gap just got a boost. United Way of Northern New Jersey — based in Morristown — will receive $1.1 million in federal funding for its United in Care project. The program seeks to rebuild New Jersey's early-education and childcare sectors, which have lost 71 percent of family childcare providers. According to the organization, 46 percent of New Jerseyans live in a childcare "desert" — a neighborhood with too few licensed childcare options. The state has lost 56 percent of its registered family-care providers since 2010, while 54 percent that are still around risk being permanently lost due to the pandemic. The average annual bill of $20,000 for two children can cost more than housing, according to United Way of Northern New Jersey. Through United In Care, the organization developed a three-year pilot program in which highly-rated childcare centers in New Jersey will pair with local neighborhoods family providers to expand capacity and leverage expertise and resources. United Way will connect various partners, including small and minority-owned businesses, state-supported referral agencies, leading childcare experts and data-analytic wizards to chart the project's progress. See more in the video below: Thanks for reading. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip? Email [email protected]. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter and follow the Morristown Patch Facebook page.