Each of New Jersey’s 21 counties has established a County Council for Young Children (CCYC) to enhance collaboration between parents, families, and local stakeholders, including health professionals, early childhood educators, family support services, and other providers. PCCYC embraces a shared leadership model, empowering parents to work alongside service providers and community leaders to identify needs, concerns, aspirations, and successes. Together, they strive to improve the health, education, and well-being of children from pregnancy and birth through age 8.

PCCYC participants utilize the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework to set shared goals and develop innovative solutions that reflect the priorities and diverse perspectives of local families.

Each CCYC is supported by a local lead agency and a dedicated project coordinator who oversees planning, committee structures, and advocacy efforts. Additionally, CCYCs collaborate with local Central Intake services, offering feedback on the availability, responsiveness, and effectiveness of community resources while recommending improvements to strengthen program coordination and service integration.