Every child in New Jersey deserves the chance to grow up in safety, good health, and without the burden of financial hardship. Evidence consistently shows that growing up in poverty negatively affects academic achievement, physical well-being, and long-term earning potential. The consequences are not temporary—they echo across a person’s entire life. Despite being located in one of the most affluent states within the wealthiest country in global history, approximately 1 in 8 children in New Jersey live in households with incomes below the poverty threshold—defined as $32,000 annually for a family of four. n nThis level of economic deprivation is unacceptable. Research confirms that early-life financial insecurity causes deep and lasting harm, undermining both individual development and broader societal progress. Addressing child poverty is not only a moral imperative but an economic necessity. n nInitiatives aimed at guaranteeing basic economic security for young residents could significantly reduce these disparities. By ensuring access to stable housing, nutritious food, quality education, and healthcare, policymakers can help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and foster more equitable outcomes. n nThe persistence of child poverty in a state with abundant resources underscores the need for targeted, evidence-based reforms that prioritize the well-being of its youngest population. n— news from itep.org
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New Jersey Policy Perspective: Freedom from Want: An Economic Guarantee for New Jersey’s Kids
All children in New Jersey deserve the freedom to grow up safe, healthy, and free from poverty. Childhood poverty hurts school performance and growth today, while damaging mental and physical health and earning power for a lifetime. Research is clear: childhood poverty causes lasting harm. Yet 1 in 8 New Jersey children still live in poverty ($32,000 for a family of four).[1] This level of deprivation should not be tolerated in one of the wealthiest states in the wealthiest nation in the history of the world.