NCASE provides training and technical assistance to the state, territory, and tribal CCDF lead agencies and their designated networks, which include the statewide afterschool networks, State Education Agencies, provider associations, and Child Care Resource and Referral agencies. The goal of NCASE is to ensure that school-age children in working families of low income have increased access to high-quality afterschool and summer learning experiences that contribute to their overall development and academic achievement.

The NJET met at least quarterly and consisted of stakeholders from the NJDOE Office of Student Support Services; school-age program providers at Glassboro Child Development Centers, Bridgeton Public Schools, Jointure, and FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development Inc.; Central Jersey Family Health Consortium; Rutgers University, School of Social Work, Institute for Families; Rutgers Southern Regional Child Care Resource & Referral Agency; Montclair State University, Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health; Camden County College, Early Childhood Education; NJ Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Food and Nutrition; NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development; NJ Chamber of Commerce Foundation-Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey; New Jersey Recreation and Park Association; Statewide Parent Advocacy Network; and NJSACC.

This dynamic group completed the goal of developing an action plan and are in the process of implementing the following goals:

• Goal 1: Coordination and alignment of existing resources at the county and municipal level.
• Goal 2: Coordination of the current funders of school-age programs, at the state level.
• Goal 3: Ensuring diversity of staff in school-age childcare programs.
• Goal 4: Providing equitable support and resources for LGBTQIA+ and marginalized school-age youth.

The NJET has developed a framework to coordinate and align their existing resources at the county and municipal level. The result is a draft web page that categorizes these shared resources for providers, families, and youth.