2023 New Jersey Statutes 30:5B-38. Grants; requirements, eligibility
b. To be eligible for consideration for a grant award under this section, a licensed child care provider, registered family day care provider, or Head Start program shall:
(1) submit an application to the authority, in a form and manner as shall be prescribed by the authority and in accordance with criteria established by the authority in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services, which application shall outline the purposes for which a grant award would be used;
(2) comply with the current child care licensing standards for infant and toddler child care, including, but not limited to, class size, child-to-staff ratios, and health and safety standards; and
(3) participate or apply to participate in the State‘s child care quality rating and improvement system, Grow NJ Kids.
c. In awarding grants under this section, the authority shall give preference to providers and programs that:
(1) are located in communities identified as child care deserts with few or no options for high-quality child care for infants and toddlers;
(2) are located in communities with high percentages of low-income families; and
(3) can align their infant and toddler child care programs with high-quality preschool programs, support collaborations for shared services, and build upon existing early childhood education services.
L.2022, c.25, s.3.