Special Child Health Services Early Identification and Monitoring Grant Program

The Special Child Health Services Early Identification and Monitoring program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Health as part of its broader commitment to improving early detection and intervention outcomes for children with developmental and health-related conditions. This funding opportunity is issued as a Notice of Fund Availability to support organizations that play a role in identifying and monitoring children with specific health needs. The program aligns with statewide public health priorities focused on early childhood development, timely diagnosis, and access to appropriate services for vulnerable populations. The purpose of the program is to provide financial support to agencies that assist in ensuring children with birth defects, autism, and hearing loss are identified within established timeframes and are referred to appropriate services. The initiative emphasizes early identification as a critical factor in improving long-term health and developmental outcomes. Funded entities are expected to support systems that track, monitor, and facilitate timely intervention, thereby strengthening the overall network of care available to affected children and their families. The total estimated funding for the program is 1,500,000 dollars, with the award period spanning from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. While the notice does not specify individual award amounts or the number of awards, it indicates that funding will be distributed to qualified applicants that meet program requirements and demonstrate the capacity to support the program’s goals. The funding is intended to support operational and programmatic activities directly related to early identification and monitoring, though specific allowable cost categories are not detailed in the notice. Eligibility for this funding opportunity includes county governments and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. These entities must comply with the New Jersey Department of Health’s terms and conditions for grants as well as general and specific compliance requirements issued by the awarding division. The notice indicates that non-competitive renewal funding may be offered to existing grantees that demonstrate satisfactory performance. However, if additional needs arise that are not addressed by current projects, the department may issue a competitive Request for Applications to solicit new proposals. The application process requires eligible applicants to submit their proposals through the Department’s System for Administering Grants Electronically. Applications must adhere to the requirements outlined in the Request for Applications, which can be obtained from the designated program contact. While the notice does not enumerate specific application components, applicants should expect to provide detailed program descriptions, implementation plans, and compliance documentation consistent with standard state grant processes. Key timeline elements include the availability of the application on June 8, 2026, a submission deadline of June 30, 2026, and notification of award decisions by July 1, 2026. The program operates on an annual cycle aligned with the state fiscal year, suggesting the potential for recurring funding opportunities. For additional information, applicants may contact the program representative, Elena Napravnik, via phone or email as listed in the notice. Overall, the program represents a targeted investment in early childhood health systems aimed at improving outcomes through timely identification and coordinated care.