Camden’s civic, health, education, and government leaders on Monday announced the launch of the Camden Preschool Initiative, an evidence-based pilot program and study aimed at strengthening early childhood education and ensuring every child is kindergarten-ready for lifelong success.
This groundbreaking collaborative effort is being led by the Center for Family Services, the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors, and the Camden City School District. Key partners include Mayor Victor Carstarphen, Cooper University Health Care, the Camden Community Partnership, and Camden’s Catholic Partnership Schools.
The initiative seeks to design a sustainable, evidence-based preschool model tailored specifically to the needs of Camden’s youngest students, with the goal of creating a comprehensive early learning system.
Two-part strategy to build a brighter future
The Camden Preschool Initiative has two main components, funded by the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors and the Norcross Foundation with over $550,000 in total funding:
- Comprehensive Study: Conducted by nationally recognized education consulting firm TNTP, this study will analyze current preschool strategies and best practices to identify approaches that are the best fit for Camden. Factors under examination include a longer school day/year, greater access to special education, enhanced social-emotional learning, and enriching family engagement.
- Micro-Pilot Program: Involving 120 students at KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy, the pilot will field-test three key educational strategies:
- Enhanced social-emotional learning curriculum and teacher training.
- Dedicated on-site speech and language therapy.
- Behavioral and family support delivered through an on-site BCBA/social worker.
Leaders underscore lifelong impact
State and local leaders hailed the initiative as a crucial investment in the city’s future.
“Strong early childhood education is one of the smartest investments a state can make,” said Gov. Phil Murphy, a special guest at the event, commending the cross-sector partners for advancing the mission of universal preschool.
Congressman Donald Norcross emphasized the community aspect, stating, “The Camden Preschool Initiative is about more than education—it’s about community. When we come together to support our youngest learners and their families, we strengthen the entire city.”
Carstarphen noted that by focusing on early education, the city can “change lives before challenges take root—creating a lifelong impact for our children, families, and city.”
George E. Norcross, III, highlighted the importance of early health screenings and testing, stating, “I believe that the Camden Preschool Initiative is the most important thing we can do to ensure that every child… gets the health screenings and testing for learning and other disabilities that are so critical to their development.”
The Center for Family Services, a long-time Head Start provider in Camden, will administer the program. Both the study and the pilot program have already begun. Research consistently shows that high-quality preschool programs dramatically improve school readiness and foster long-term academic and social-emotional success, a goal the new initiative hopes to bring to scale for Camden’s families.
