Professional Impact NJ, located at Kean University, is a statewide initiative implementing systems to enhance preparation and continuing education of early childhood and afterschool practitioners.

• Who we are: In partnership with NJ Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NJACCRRA), Professional Impact NJ distributes scholarship and reimbursement dollars from funding made possible through the NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development.


• Who we represent: Professional Impact NJ serves individuals who work with children (birth - age thirteen) including:
  • Preschool and nursery school teachers, teacher assistants and aides
  • Public and private school teachers (K - 3rd grade)
  • Staff of early childhood programs, including administrators, directors, head teachers, group teachers, teacher assistants and aides
  • Family child care providers
  • Staff in afterschool programs
  • Early childhood education students


• What we do: Quality early experiences, whether in centers, family child care homes, or in extended care, depend upon knowledgeable and skilled practitioners. Research consistently affirms a direct correlation between the quality of early experiences and the realization of human potential. Healthy, happy, productive children become healthy, happy, productive members of society. Professional Impact NJ is committed to improving availability and accessibility of quality teacher preparation and continuing professional education opportunities as a means to this end. At Professional Impact NJ we commit ourselves and our resources to:
  • Representing a diverse and unified vision of quality care for children and families
  • Building integrated systems with our partner agencies throughout the state
  • Influencing policies reflective of the realities of our workforce
  • Ensuring that practice reflects policy
  • Building seamless systems of delivery
  • Making New Jersey the best it can be for our children and families and the workforce that cares for them


• Our key programs include:
  • Scholarships
  • Accreditation Facilitation Projects
  • The NJ Registry
  • The Infant/Toddler Credential
  • The Directors' Academy
  • Administrator's Credential
  • Instructor Approval System
  • Directory of Instructional Resources
  • Cross Sectors Systems Building