The state of New Jersey has fully reopened its Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to all eligible families, restoring access to a subsidized care program that had previously been subject to enrollment limits.

The Department of Human Services said new applications are now being accepted after some families transitioned off the program, creating capacity for additional enrollments.

The program provides subsidized child care to income-eligible parents who are working, attending school or participating in job training.

Last summer, New Jersey stopped accepting new applications for the program after a funding shortage forced the state to cap enrollment, leaving many families without access to subsidies.

Last year, then New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law a bipartisan measure sponsored by Assemblyman Avi Schnall which expanded program eligibility to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students.

Under that law, which Agudath Israel advocated for and lobbied in support of, full-time graduate and post-graduate students who meet existing income, asset, and residency requirements will also be eligible for subsidized child care through the program. However, the law was dependent on sufficient funds, which the budget has not yet supported.

The program has been providing subsidies for nearly 70,000 children across the state – with over 6,000 of those in the Lakewood area – at a cost of approximately $872 million in state and federal funds.

Families can apply at ChildCareNJ.gov, where they will be directed to the state’s MyNJHelps application system. Once all required documents are submitted, local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies have 30 days to make an eligibility determination.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget includes $18 million in additional funding for the program, which the department said would allow it to serve up to 77,500 children. New Jersey has invested more than $1 billion in new child care funding since 2018, and provider reimbursement rates have more than doubled over that period.

Officials also encouraged families to explore other options, including federally funded Head Start programs and free preschool for three- and four-year-olds offered through some school districts.