Media Contact: Gina Davis, gdavis@zerotothree.org
Washington, DC — ZERO TO THREE, released the following statement today in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plan to drastically cut its staff:
“HHS administers critical programs that help give babies and toddlers a strong start in life. With previous layoffs already straining services for families, policymakers must prioritize the needs of our youngest children and protect early childhood programs in any reorganization. Losing services will stress families and the early childhood workforce—and it will set back babies and toddlers in their growth and development.
ZERO TO THREE focuses on the first three years of life because this is when a child’s brain develops at a more rapid pace than at any other time of life. Each day, dedicated HHS staff deliver high-quality, timely services that help keep babies safe. Their indispensable expertise supports more than 11 million babies in the U.S. as they grow and thrive. For example:
- The Administration for Children and Families helps babies and toddlers get essential child care and early learning. Each year, Head Start—including Early Head Start—reaches 800,000 pregnant women, young children and families. Nearly 1.5 million children benefit from the Child Care and Development Fund.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports over 56,000 pediatricians and other health providers with guidance and funding to promote healthy pregnancies, prevent diseases and help babies and toddlers reach developmental milestones.
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provides health insurance to nearly 5 million babies. Medicaid finances over 4 in 10 births and equips pediatricians with the resources they need to support babies’ healthy development.
- The Food and Drug Administration safeguards babies from arsenic, heavy metals and other toxicants in infant formula and baby food, protects them from foodborne illnesses and helps meet the nutritional needs of all babies, especially those with special dietary concerns.
- The National Institutes of Health drives child health research, with the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development devoting over $1.4 billion annually to uncover disease causes, improve treatments and support healthy development and learning.
- Other key HHS agencies—including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Health, Resources and Services Administration—support babies and families through programs (including than 1 million home visits to over 70,000 families) that promote perinatal, infant and early childhood mental health.
The proposed HHS staff cuts threaten critical support that babies need. We call on Congress and the Administration to protect essential early childhood programs with adequate funding and staffing. Now is the time to stand strong for babies and families.”
