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On Oct. 20, 2025, state and local officials announced the launch of the Camden Preschool Initiative, an evidence-based pilot program and study to assess and strengthen preschool education in Camden City. From left: David Mayer, chair of the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors; Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen; Louis Bezich, senior vice president and chief administrative officer, Cooper University Health Care; George Norcross, chairman of Cooper Health's board of trustees; U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st District; and Gov. Phil Murphy. - PROVIDED BY COOPER HEALTH
On Oct. 20, 2025, state and local officials announced the launch of the Camden Preschool Initiative, an evidence-based pilot program and study to assess and strengthen preschool education in Camden City. From left: David Mayer, chair of the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors; Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen; Louis Bezich, senior vice president and chief administrative officer, Cooper University Health Care; George Norcross, chairman of Cooper Health's board of trustees; U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st District; and Gov. Phil Murphy. - PROVIDED BY COOPER HEALTH
Camden launches $550K preschool initiative to boost education
Dawn Furnas//October 22, 2025//
Listen to this articleThe basics:
- Camden launches $550K Preschool Initiative to enhance early education
- Rowan/Rutgers Board of Governors, Norcross Foundation are key funders
- Program includes pilot study for 120 students testing new learning models
- Leaders say it will ensure every Camden child is ready for kindergarten
State and local officials gathered Oct. 20 to announce the launch of the Camden Preschool Initiative, an evidence-based pilot program and study to assess and strengthen preschool education in Camden City.
The initiative combines expert analysis and community engagement. Its goal is to design a preschool model that ensures every child in Camden is kindergarten-ready.
The Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors and the Norcross Foundation will provide more than $550,000 to fund the program.
The Camden City School District and preschool and Head Start provider Center for Family Services will also co-lead the initiative. CFS will administer the program.
Other individuals and organizations supporting the Camden Preschool Initiative are:
- Mayor Victor Carstarphen
- Cooper University Health Care
- Camden Community Partnership
- Camden’s Catholic Partnership Schools
- Insights from the New Jersey Department of Education
George Norcross, chairman of Cooper Health’s board of trustees, said Camden’s renaissance is thanks to public-private partnerships such as this initiative.
“[I] believe that the Camden Preschool Initiative is the most important thing we can do to ensure that every child, whether they go to public or Catholic schools, gets the health screenings and testing for learning and other disabilities that are so critical to their development and parents in suburban towns take for granted,” Norcross added.
Other recent initiatives and milestones that have boosted Camden’s standing include a call to redevelopment a key portion of the city’s waterfront; a new Strategic Innovation Center at Coriell Institute; an $18 million community housing collaborative to address the demand for affordable and accessible housing; the city’s first homicide-free summer in 50 years; and, of course, the groundbreaking for a $3 billion transformation of the Cooper University Health System.
What it involves
The Camden Preschool Initiative has two main components:
- A comprehensive study of preschool strategies and best practices, conducted by education consulting firm TNTP. The study will evaluate factors such as:
- Longer school day and school year
- Greater access to special education
- Enhancements to social and emotional learning programs
- Delegating all district preschool delivery to community-based providers
- Enriching family and parent engagement
- More robust speech and language programming
- A micro-pilot program involving 120 students to field-test three key educational strategies:
- Enhanced social-emotional learning curriculum and teacher training
- On-site speech and language therapy
- Behavioral and family support through an on-site BCBA/social worker
What they’re saying
State and local officials applauded the Camden Preschool Initiative, saying:
“Strong early childhood education is one of the smartest investments a state can make. I commend the many cross-sector partners who are joining together under the Camden Preschool Initiative for helping our kids access the best possible education at the earliest stages of life.”
– Gov. Phil Murphy
“When we come together to support our youngest learners and their families, we strengthen the entire city. This collaboration reflects Camden at its best—neighbors, educators, and leaders working side by side to build a brighter future for our children.”
– U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st District
“This initiative is another important step in Camden’s growth. By focusing on early education, we can change lives before challenges take root—creating a lifelong impact for our children, families, and city.”
– Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen
“Supporting this initiative reflects the very essence of our mission. Our investment in this effort is an investment in Camden’s future—one that will yield both human and economic returns by ensuring that every child begins their educational journey on solid footing.”
– David Mayer, chair, Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors
“Today’s announcement is about partnerships—with one another and with the families we serve. By aligning the expertise of our city’s leading institutions, we’re laying the foundation for a stronger, healthier Camden—one where every child starts life with the opportunity to succeed.”
– Louis Bezich, senior vice president and chief administrative officer, Cooper University Health Care
