This suite of materials can help you and your team understand the big policy areas that are important for babies and determine policy priorities you want to pursue. It will help your team examine proposed/existing policy and point to additional resources and examples of innovative state efforts.
ZERO TO THREE worked with individuals across sectors to include key policies that carry the biggest impact for babies and their families and that serve as an opening in these areas for states to plan for action. The tools are designed to provide a foundation for state-level discussions that should include authentic engagement of those most impacted, data analysis, problem-solving via shared decision-making, policy change, implementation and ongoing continuous quality improvement.
It is nice to be able to have a clear starting point with the prompts and to know that the responses stem from a place of experience and expertise. It is nice to know where the conversation is going and being able to make the changes we need.
Infants and toddlers have complex needs. Therefore, ideal state and community systems will support all families, recognize their unique circumstances, prioritize accessibility for those who have been made the least proximate to opportunity and engage those most impacted by policies in making crucial decisions about program structures.
The self-assessment tool groups policy recommendations into four sections that align with ZERO TO THREE’s Policy Framework:
You can work with your team to have discussions about one or more sections of the tool. It can be used to analyze whether recommended policies are in place and how well they are being implemented. Use the online tool to explore the recommendations and to print sections or the entire tool.
As your team begins to explore policy development and implementation, you may need to better understand policy implications and implementation efforts across the country. The resources and state examples included in the Baby Book are not comprehensive but will help deepen understanding across a wide variety of the issues that impact babies and their families. The Baby Book is dynamic and will be updated regularly.
Our staff would be happy to help you and your team think about how to use the tools highlighted on this webpage or with any of your state infant and toddler policy goals. Feel free to contact us to set up an initial conversation.
