Give Thanks to Big Voices for Little Kids
Download the December Advocacy Developmental Milestone Calendar

Policymakers at the federal, state, and local level all make decisions that impact very young children. But those decisions are not always easily made among many other pressing priorities. Despite the difficult economic times this year, there are many policymakers across the country that have been steadfast Big Voices for Little Kids. So whether their action was big or small, it’s important to let them know that their efforts on behalf of infants, toddlers, and their families are appreciated.

Your challenge this month is to send thanks to a policymaker of your choice who has been a Big Voice for Little Kids this year. Download the December Advocacy Developmental Milestone Calendar now and take action!

Join the Babble about Health Care on Facebook!

This month's Baby Babble discussion on Facebook is all about health care. Health care reform is moving its way through Congress, with a bill passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate set to debate before the end of the year. As infant-toddler professionals, we understand how access to affordable health care for both young children and their families can positively impact the well-being of our infants and toddlers.

From your perspective, how does the physical health of the children and parents you serve impact your ability to deliver services? How do you think health care reform could support the programs and services you provide to infants, toddlers, and their families? Let us know by signing onto Facebook and clicking on the "Discussions" tab!

Federal Policy Update

It's been a busy two weeks on Capitol Hill for infants, toddlers, and their families! The bi-partisan Congressional Baby Caucus, co-chaired by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D- 3rd CT) and Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-At Large MT), hosted a briefing on November 18th to highlight how states are incorporating programs and services for infants and toddlers into their comprehensive early childhood systems. Meanwhile, health care reform is moving forward, with the Senate set to begin debating the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) this week, and members of Congress introduced new legislation related to child nutrition and literacy. Click here to read the details!

State Policy Update
Alabama Business Leaders Take Action for Early Investment

On October 29th, Alabama business leaders and advocates came together to make the case for increased investment in the early years. The Alabama Business Leaders' Summit on Early Childhood Investment, hosted by the Business Council of Alabama, the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, the Alabama School Readiness Alliance, and Alabama Partnership for Children, drew more than 150 people from the business sector interested in how they can help increase investment in the state's future workforce. The summit was supported by a grant from the Partnership for America's Economic Success at the Pew Center on the States, which is sponsoring similar summits in 20 states across the country.

Click here to read the full state policy update and learn more about Alabama's Business Leaders' Summit!

Publications & Resources

Updated Fact Sheet on Low-Income Children
The National Center for Children in Poverty recently released Basic Facts About Low-income Children: Children Under Age 3, updated with 2008 data. New research shows that 41% of all children live in low-income families and just about one in five children live in poor families. The findings are particularly bleak for infants and toddlers, with 44% living in low-income families and 22% living in poor families. The report shows that parental employment, parental education, family structure, region, area and home ownership each impact the probability that a child will endure economic hardship.

New Report on Early Childhood Advisory Councils
The Next Step in Systems-Building: Early Childhood Advisory Councils and Federal Efforts to Promote Policy Alignment in Early Childhood, a new report from the New America Foundation, offers a nationwide assessment of how states are progressing as they work to develop Early Childhood Advisory Councils. The report shows that states differ significantly in the way that they are approaching the 2007 mandate to establish councils, but are making important gains.