The Division of Family Development (DFD) provides leadership and supervision to the public and non-profit agencies that deliver financial assistance and critical safety net services to individuals and families in New Jersey.
The federal Child Care Development Block Grant Reauthorization (CCDBG) Act of 2014 had two overall goals: give working parents access to affordable, easy to get childcare, and improve the health, safety and quality of childcare and early learning programs through more rigorous requirements.
In New Jersey, all childcare and early learning programs that accept, or wish to accept, childcare subsidies must comply with the requirements set forth by CCDBG.
CLICK HERE for more information about the Child Care Assistance Program Requirements and CCDBG
Providers must comply with these federal requirements:
Comprehensive Criminal Background Checks
Under the law, all staff must undergo a comprehensive criminal background check. Comprehensive criminal background checks include:
Providers that do not comply or refuse to complete a comprehensive criminal background check will immediately become ineligible to operate as a provider and therefore, will not receive further payment through the Child Care Subsidy Program.
Compliance with Health, Safety, Building, State and Local Laws
This is demonstrated by: Life/Safety Inspection with Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing (DCF/OOL).
Ratio and Grouping Requirements
Childcare providers must have a certain number of staff for the number of children you are serving. For example, if you are serving infants, you must have one teacher for four children.
Summer Youth Camp Requirements
Summer Youth Camps interested in receiving funds through the Department of Human Service, Division of Family Development (DHS/DFD) Child Care Assistance Program are required to comply with the requirements below. These requirements apply to current and prospective staff including volunteers, and individuals who have unsupervised access to children.
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Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (including immunizations)
This is demonstrated by: Life/Safety Inspection with Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing (DCF/OOL). Childcare providers must meet health requirements around infectious diseases as specified in N.J.A.C 10:122 – Subchapter 7.
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Unannounced Inspections
Childcare programs will undergo an unannounced inspection every year to see if you are complying with CCDBG requirements as well as state health, safety and fire standards.
Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting Requirement & Training
By New Jersey law, staff is required to report child abuse or neglect if it is suspected. Staff must be trained on this law.
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Identifying Child Abuse and Neglect: Mandated Reporting in Early Childhood Education training is also available online through Division of Family Development, Department of Human Services. CLICK HERE to download instructions on how to access the training.
Health and Safety Pre-Service Trainings
All teaching staff, providers, caregivers and individuals responsible for the direct care and supervision of children must complete the health and safety trainings. The trainings must meet Division of Family Development (DFD) requirements and standards and be documented and on file. New hires should complete training within two weeks of hire.
Policy Updates For Providers
The policies below and more information regarding DHS/DFD policies can be found HERE.
POLICY UPDATES
DFDI 24-03-02 SPECIAL CARE POLICY GUIDE & INFORMATION
NJ CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CCDBG REQUIREMENTS REMINDER 2022
DFDI 14-06-01 CHILD CARE PROVIDER DISQUALIFICATION POLICY
ATTENDANCE & ENROLLMENT DATA COLLECTION STUDY
HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENT UPDATES
RATE INCREASE FOR CHILD CARE CENTERS & CO-PAYMENT WAIVER FOR PARENTS
POLICY STATEMENT ON PREVENTION OF SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF CHILDREN BIRTH TO AGE FIVE FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS
DFDI No 24-06-01 RESEMPTIONS OF COPAYMENTS INFORMATION FOR PARENTS – ENGLISH
DFDI No 24-06-01 RESEMPTIONS OF COPAYMENTS INFORMATION FOR PARENTS – SPANISH
DFDI No 24-06-01 RESEMPTIONS OF COPAYMENTS INFORMATION FOR PROVIDERS
HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENT UPDATES
The purpose of this Instruction is to establish and clarify policies and procedures for the Child Care Assistance Program concerning the following matters of health and safety: (1) the disposal of bio-contaminants; (2) food and allergic reactions; (3) pediatric first aid and CPR; and (4) the grace period for immunizations.
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