Gov. Phil Murphy and Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman announced May 9 that $10 million in grants are being made available for summer youth camps.
Officials say the funding will be used to help cover operational expenses and to provide financial assistance to eligible families.
“This funding represents my administration’s continued commitment to supporting New Jersey families by strengthening the services they rely upon,” said Murphy. “Summer youth camps serve as an essential child care option for working parents by providing a safe and enriching environment for children while school is out of session. Supporting these providers and making these services more affordable will benefit many families in the coming months.”
“Summer camp is not just a tradition but a necessity for many working families,” said Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. – UNSPLASH
The summer camp grants range from $7,500 to $25,000, depending on enrollment and the length of the camp’s operating season. Eligible providers must be licensed by the Department of Children and Families and approved by the Department of Health to operate a summer camp for the 2022 summer camp season.
“Summer camp is not just a tradition but a necessity for many working families,” said Adelman. “We are glad to make these grants available again for the second summer season to help these providers with operational expenses, and assist more families in affording this care over the summer months.”
Under the conditions of the program, half of the grant must be used to provide financial assistance to families not eligible for child care assistance, while the other half be used to pay for operational expenses.
“We know the pandemic created financial challenges for child care providers that they continue to recover from. We’re glad these providers can benefit from these funds, and that the new grants announced today will continue this trajectory of assistance for parents and providers, as we approach the summer camp season,” said Deputy Commissioner Elisa Neira.
By supporting these providers, we are supporting parents who rely on their services,” said Human Services Assistant Commissioner Natasha Johnson. “We encourage summer camp programs to apply for these grants, and also urge residents interested in learning more about the state’s child care assistance program to visit childcarenj.gov.”
Providers can apply at njccis.com/njccis/home.
