New Jersey’s Department of Human Services plans to reopen applications for the state’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) for the first time since last summer, the agency announced Wednesday. The reopening, which will be limited to a set number of slots, is expected to begin in January and could extend assistance to approximately 75,000 children.
CCAP, which subsidizes child care costs for income-eligible families who are working, attending school, or in job training, stopped accepting new applications on August 1 due to funding limitations. Existing recipients were not affected by the pause.
According to the department, an online registration form will be released in December. Only families who complete the registration form will be notified when they can submit a full application. Priority will be given to households defined under state regulations, including children experiencing homelessness, children with special needs, and children from very low-income families.
Officials emphasized that because funding remains limited, not all families who meet priority criteria will receive assistance.
State officials framed the reopening as a response to ongoing affordability challenges for working families. Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman said the program plays a “vital economic” role by helping parents access child care so they can remain in the workforce. Deputy Commissioner for Social Services Michael J. Wilson said prioritizing vulnerable families is intended to ensure aid “reaches those who need it most.”
Lawmakers and advocates have pushed for additional program funding, pointing to increased child care costs statewide. Several state legislators welcomed the department’s announcement and said they intend to continue advocating for long-term system improvements.
The registration form will be available on ChildCareNJ.gov, where families can also register for email or text alerts. The Division of Family Development advises families to review eligibility guidelines on the website and reach out to local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies, which can help connect families who do not qualify for CCAP to other subsidized programs such as Head Start or district-run preschool programs.
The state has sharply increased spending on child care in recent years, including more than $1 billion in new investments since 2018 and a doubling of provider reimbursement rates. However, the FY2026 budget left a funding shortfall, which officials attributed to enrollment growth and unfunded federal policy requirements, including rules that require providers to be paid based on enrollment rather than attendance.
The Department of Human Services said the reopening will proceed “to maximize utilization” of available funds, but did not specify how long the application window will remain open or how many new children will ultimately be admitted.