Push our policymakers to act for families with babies and toddlers through this global pandemic.
As the COVID-19 pandemic shuts down child care centers, as well as a range of service providers and workplaces, it is impacting not only the physical health of families with young children, but also threatening their economic and emotional well-being.
Watch this space for opportunities to act on behalf of babies, toddlers, and their families.
Latest News
What’s in the COVID Appropriations Act for Babies?
ZERO TO THREE examined the COVID Appropriations Act from the standpoint of critical needs identified for babies and families and found it includes key provisions needed to support families with young children through this crisis, but ultimately additional funding will be required to support the families hardest hit by the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.
Will the virus kill American child care? Centers across America need help desperately
In the New York Daily News, Myra Jones-Taylor, ZERO TO THREE’s Chief Policy Officer, describes a post-COVID-19 world if Congress does not act quickly to support the already fragile child care system.
Child care needs
In the Omaha World-Herald, Strolling Thunder mom Joanna reminds her Members of Congress that families are counting on available, affordable, and reliable child care after COVID-19.
What are we doing for our essential workers?
In the Salt Lake City Tribune, Strolling Thunder mom and proud WIC worker Juliane asks her Members of Congress what they are doing to ensure essential workers and their families cannot only make it through this crisis, but have what they need to work and care for their families, including child care, on the other end.
Lift Up the Voices of Families
The need to make the potential of every baby our national priority has never been more urgent. Use the Think Babies family story share to lift up the voices of families with babies and toddlers during COVID-19 and urge Congress to Think Babies and Act.
Advocate Stories
Hear directly from families across the country
Families share their experiences in the pandemic. These stories are a powerful tool in helping policymakers understand the need to act.
How COVID-19 is Impacting Child Care Providers
Despite the key role child care providers are playing in support of other essential industries during the COVID-19 crisis, the child care system as a whole is at risk of collapse due to the economic impact. Providers and families speak to the issues.
How is COVID-19 impacting your family or the families you work with?
Policymakers and the media are looking for stories about how the pandemic is impacting families and providers across the country. Share your story to help urge policymakers to make decisions that will help babies and families.
Policy and Advocacy Resources
What’s in the COVID Appropriations Act for Babies?
ZERO TO THREE examined the COVID Appropriations Act and found it includes key provisions needed to support families with young children through this crisis, but ultimately additional funding will be required to support the families hardest hit by the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.
What’s in the updated HEROES Act for Babies?
ZERO TO THREE examined the latest version of the HEROES Act from the standpoint of critical needs identified for babies and families and found it includes key provisions needed to support families with young children through this crisis.
What Does the Eviction Moratorium Mean for Babies?
Download our factsheet to learn more about why an eviction moratorium during COVID-19 is important for families with babies.
Open Letter to Congress about Child Care
Over 130 organizations serving teachers and school administrators, child care providers, families and children have come together to write this letter to Congress, urging them to act quickly to invest in both child care and K-12 programs and providers.
Housing: More Than a Place to Call Home During COVID-19
Safeguarding access to safe, stable, affordable housing is a critical policy ingredient for healthy child development. Action is needed now – Congress must work to pass comprehensive provisions that will support families in maintaining a safe and stable roof over their heads through the COVID-19 pandemic.
What’s in the HEALS Act for Babies?
ZERO TO THREE examined the HEALS Act from the standpoint of critical needs identified for babies and families and found it omits – or does not adequately address – key provisions needed to support families with young children.
What’s in the HEROES Act for Babies?
ZERO TO THREE highlights components of the HEROES Act that will ultimately affect the nation’s ability to sustain the child care system, boost families’ economic security, support strong families and strong social-emotional health, and meet families’ basic needs during the pandemic and beyond, on the nation’s road to recovery.
ZERO TO THREE Letter to Speaker Pelosi in Response to HEROES Act
On May 13, Chief Policy Officer Myra Jones-Taylor sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi in response to the inadequate child care funding included in the HEROES Act.
COVID-19 Resources from Think Babies National and State Partners
Think Babies national and state partners are focused on how to meet the needs of babies and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Partners shared resources with ZERO TO THREE, including federal and state policy recommendations and guidance to professionals and parents on supporting early development during this challenging time.
Considerations for Infants and Toddlers in Emergency Child Care for Essential Workers
These recommended considerations are for policymakers and advocates as they design systems to deliver care for infants and toddlers of essential workers.
Considerations for Developmental Needs of Infants and Toddlers in Child Care Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
ZERO TO THREE offers these recommendations related to mental health and relationships to layer on top of CDC Guidelines to ensure that the developmental needs of babies and families are a part of state re-opening plans.
Updated Legislative Recommendations for Infants and Toddlers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
In a letter to Congress, ZERO TO THREE outlines five critical needs of babies to protect them during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure their continued strong development as some semblance of normal life returns. These critical areas include Sustaining Child Care & Early Learning, Boosting Economic Security, Supporting Strong Families, Supporting Strong Social-Emotional Health, and Meeting Basic Needs.
The Baby Monitor (April 3): How COVID-19 Packages Impact Babies and Families
Read an overview of the two major funding packages that will begin to address the spreading health, economic, and social impacts of COVID-19 and how states are modifying home visiting service in response to the crisis.
COVID-19: How is Congress Addressing the Needs of Babies and Families?
This analysis highlights components of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), signed into law on March 18, 2020, and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), signed into law on March 27, 2020, and each package’s affects on early care and learning, family economic needs, basic family needs, and community supports for families under stress.
Responding to Families’ Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Conversation with Representative Rosa DeLauro
On March 27, ZERO TO THREE and Think Babies™ partners joined together for a web broadcast with U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) about how Congress is responding to families’ needs in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Frequently Asked Questions from Responding to Families’ Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Conversation with Representative Rosa DeLauro
Following our recent webcast with Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), ZERO TO THREE has compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions. While many questions cannot be fully answered until the administering federal agencies provide guidance to states and programs on implementation, we will continue to update this resource as more information becomes available.
ZERO TO THREE’s Letter to Congress regarding COVID-19 Appropriations
On March 21, ZERO TO THREE sent a letter to Congress to highlight requests for funding to help mitigate the impact on babies and families and the systems they will need for support when parents and caregivers are able to return to work after this crisis.
The Baby Monitor (March 19) – The Policy Response to COVID-19
Read a discussion about how the Families First Coronavirus Response Act supports babies and families and a summary of some of the ways states are responding to child care challenges.
Ten Legislative Recommendations for Infants and Toddlers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
These asks will shore up the systems and services, in particular child care, that babies and families rely on.
ZERO TO THREE’s Letter of Support of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
In a letter to the Senate, ZERO TO THREE compiled stories to show why this bill is critical for babies and their families.
UPDATE: Thanks to your support, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law March 18, 2020.
Tips for Families: Coronavirus
These resources offer tips for families as they care for babies and young children during this crisis.
