Important Information and Community Resources
The New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development (DHS/DFD) works in partnership with service providers and other state and municipal agencies throughout the state to ensure and help families’ access quality programs and services that meet their needs. You can find many of the programs on the DHS website
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY 1-877-294-4356 to access any hotline: (voice callers use 7-1-1 NJ Relay)
NJ 2-1-1
Just dial 2-1-1 or www.nj211.org
2-1-1 is a convenient way to assist individual’s access information or self-screen for many of programs supported by DHS/DFD. It will prompt you to answer a few questions about your household, income and other expenses which will then identify other programs for which you may qualify.
Child Care in New Jersey
1-800-332-9227
Connects families to the local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agencies to help families determine if they are eligible for New Jersey’s Subsidy Program, find and locate quality child care services and other child care options. Child Care In New Jersey - Home (childcarenj.gov)
For Provider Search www.childcarenj.gov/Provider-Search
Child Support Hotline
1-877-NJ KIDS1 (1-877-655-4371) or www.njchildsupport.org
Any individual can apply for all the available child support services.
Department of Education Pre-K Programs
The focus of the Division of Early Childhood Education (DECE) is to enhance social, emotional, physical, and academic development of New Jersey's children -- preschool through third grade -- by providing leadership, resources, and professional development in support of high-quality early childhood programs within a comprehensive, collaborative program.
Early Intervention Services (Birth to Age Three)
1-888-653-4463 or www.nj.gov/health/fhs/eis/
The New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS), under the Division of Family Health Services, for infants and toddlers, birth to age three, with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families.
Early Intervention Services (Over Age Three)
1-800-322-8174 or www.nj.gov/health/fhs/eis/
New Jersey Early Intervention System Project Child Find – Assist families of preschoolers ages 3 through 5 concerned about their child’s development.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Federal: 1-800-929-1040 / State: 1-888-895-8179 or www.NJEITC.org
EITC - is a federal and state tax credit benefit for individuals and families who earn low-to moderate incomes in NJ.
Grow NJ Kids, New Jersey’s Quality Rating Improvement System, is New Jersey’s program to raise the quality of child care and early learning across the state.
Hotlines and Helplines
The Department of Children and Families funds various programs throughout the state to help and strengthen families. At this site you can find links to these programs along with links to other State agencies that offer assistance to families. Please visit DCF | Hotlines and Helplines (nj.gov). If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please call 1-877-294-4356 TTY to access any hotline.
Head Start
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/HeadStartOffices
The Office of Head Start (OHS) promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families through local programs. Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from birth to age 5. Use the link above to locate Head Start near you.
Home Visitation Services
609-888-7400 or http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/families/early/visitation/
Home Visitation provides helpful information and support to pregnant woman, new mothers or fathers, or other caregivers in the comfort and privacy of their home to ensure that babies and young children grow up healthy, happy and safe
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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
http://idea.ed.gov
Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-2) and their families can receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth (ages 3-21) can receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
1-800-510-3102 or http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/hea.html
The Home Energy Assistance Program helps very low-income residents with their heating and cooling bills, and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance within the Home Energy Assistance Program.
NJ FamilyCare
1-800-701-0710 (TTY: 1-800-701-0720) or www.njfamilycare.org
New Jersey's publicly funded health insurance program - includes CHIP, Medicaid and Medicaid expansion populations. That means qualified NJ residents of any age may be eligible for free or low cost health insurance that covers doctor visits, prescriptions, vision, dental care, mental health and substance use services and even hospitalization.
NJHelps
This site will help to see if you are eligible for food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (WFNJ/TANF or WFNJ/GA), and health Insurance (NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid). From there you can apply for services or learn about additional resources.
NJ Parent Link
The focus of NJ Parent Link is to meet the information and resource needs of expectant parents, families with young children (newborns to children entering kindergarten) and professional stakeholders vested in the health and well-being of New Jersey's children and families. Parenting and support resources for families with older children, school aged to young adulthood, are also available.
NJ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP)
1-800-687-9512 or www.NJSNAP.org
NJ SNAP is New Jersey's supplemental nutritional assistance program that can help low-income families buy the groceries they need to eat healthy. To apply online visit https://oneapp.dhs.state.nj.us
Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN)
1-800-654-SPAN or www.spanadvocacy.org
SPAN is an independent organization committed to empowering families as advocates and partners in improving education, health, and mental health outcomes for infants, toddlers, children and youth.
Social Service for the Homeless (SSH)
www.nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/programs/ssh
Provides assistance to New Jersey residents who are at risk of homelessness, but are ineligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families welfare, General Assistance welfare or Supplemental Security Income
Union Resource Net
Resources for Children and Families in Union County, NJ
https://www.unionresourcenet.org/
Work First New Jersey (WFNJ)
1-800-792-9773 or www.nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/programs/workfirstnj
The state's welfare reform program provides temporary cash assistance and many other support services to families through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and to individuals and couples with no dependent children, through the General Assistance (GA) program.