Families Speak Out at Strolling Thunder
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Healthcare Access
Medicaid is the largest source of health insurance for children in families with low income.
What's at Stake
Latest Updates on the Baby Agenda
Our federal policy team is deeply involved in shaping decisions that impact the well-being of babies and their families.
Get an inside look at our work to protect and advance the “Baby Agenda.”
The facts:
- Medicaid currently finances over 42% of all US births.
- 44% of babies and young children in American receive their healthcare through Medicaid.
- Medicaid ensures millions of children receive essential care including prenatal care, screenings, sick and well-child visits, dental care and vaccines.
- Babies who have access to Medicaid have better health outcomes as adults, including better health, educational attainment and higher earnings. Disruptions to Medicaid mean disruptions to care, forcing families to bear the burden.
Advocate and Donate
Together, we can strengthen families across the country and around the world to ensure a brighter future for all.
Babies and toddlers need your support now more than ever. Use our tool to contact Congress and consider donating to support programs that ensure all babies have a strong start in life.
High Quality Child Care
The foundation for lifelong learning is built during the critical early years.
The facts:
- Two signature early learning and childcare programs are Head Start and Early Head Start. More than 800k children are served by Head Start.
- Early Head Start is the only federal program dedicated to comprehensively promoting healthy child and family development for pregnant women, infants, and toddlers living in families with incomes below the poverty line.
- Research has shown that Head Start impacts children in a range of areas related to their development, from supporting early cognitive gains to health, social and emotional development in adolescence.
Food Security
Proper nutrition during early childhood lays the foundation for lifelong health.
The facts:
- An estimated 4.5 million children ages 0-4 participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- Nearly 62% of SNAP participations are families with children.
- In 2023, nearly 14 million children in the US did not have enough food to eat.
Family Separation
One of the most traumatic experiences a baby or toddler can have is separation from a primary caregiver.
The facts:
- As many as 5.5 million children who are US citizens live in mixed-status households.
- 1.6 million of these children are under the age of 5.
- Another 360,000 children who are US citizens are born to parents with Temporary Protected Status.
Staffing Cuts
The first three years of life are a period of unparalleled brain development.
ZERO TO THREE is deeply concerned about the reported staff reductions within the Administration for Children and Families, particularly the significant impact on offices overseeing early childhood programs.
We understand that dozens of staff in ACF’s early childhood offices received termination notices yesterday in the Office of Child Care, Office of Early Childhood Development, Office of Head Start. These actions will have far-reaching and damaging consequences for early care and education in communities across the country. Babies can’t wait for resources. Their needs are now. This is the foundation for a thriving future.
Pause in Federal Funding of Grants, Loans and Assistance
On Monday, January 27, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo ordering federal agencies to pause the distribution of all federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs.
What we know:
This announcement has the potential to halt public programs impacting millions of babies and their families. A federal judge issued a “brief administrative stay” to preserve the status quo while further litigation plays out.
ZERO TO THREE is continuing to actively monitor the situation and gain clarity on the programs impacted by the President’s action and an understanding of how this Executive Action will impact babies and their families.
Disruptions in services will raise costs for ordinary Americans and hurt our economy, our communities and our families. We must ensure critical programs and services supporting America’s babies and toddlers are not disrupted.
Natural Disaster Response
Babies and toddlers need support to weather natural disasters
The facts:
- Wildfire smoke affects about 7.4 million children annually in the U.S.
- Children take cues from adults to determine if they’re safe; uncertainty can cause emotional distress.
- Children dealing with stress and trauma associated with natural disasters may show changes in theirbehaviors or skills, disrupting routine and affecting developmental milestones.
- Air pollution caused by wildfires can stunt lung development and increase the risk of developing respiratory illnesses and other health conditions.
How do the actions of the administration affect you or the families you serve?
Millions of babies and their families benefit from services and programs funded through federal grants, including for health care, nutrition assistance, child care and early learning, housing, and more.
Help us elevate your story to let Members of Congress know what babies and families need to thrive.
Dig Deeper
Join the Think Babies™ Campaign!
Learn about how you can get involved in the Think Babies™ campaign to promote enriching early experiences and a strong foundation from the start. It's time for policymakers to think babies.
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For Policymakers & Advocates
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