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There are numerous ways that the needs of infants and toddlers can be met through legislation and other policies considered by the Congress or the administration. These resources will help you stay abreast of the most pressing federal policy issues.
Navigating the Opportunities for Families with Young Children in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
This interactive tool is intended to help decision makers and advocates navigate the ways in which ARRA funds may be used to positively impact the healthy development of our youngest children. The tool is organized around the needs of the whole child Good Health, Strong Families, and Positive Early Learning Experiences and is simple to navigate. For each featured program, just click on the links within the tool to explore the programs and funding opportunities of interest.
Infants and Toddlers in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Planning Tools for States
The ZERO TO THREE Policy Center held a conference call on March 18, 2009 on planning tools for states in using the economic stimulus funds to benefit infants, toddlers, and their families. This resource list provides a menu of planning tools and resources to aid states in their efforts to quickly but wisely address the challenges faced with accepting and administering these new funds. To listen to the conference call, click here.
Early Care and Education Provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Congress and the Administration have crafted measures to stimulate the economy and bring much-needed fiscal relief to the states. This document provides an overview of the early care and education provisions of the final conference bill, with particular emphasis on investments for infants and toddlers. We also note additional issues state policymakers might wish to consider now to begin planning for the release of these potential new funds.
Federal Policy Updates
Stay up-to-date on the federal programs which address the needs of infants, toddlers and their families.
Congressional Testimony
ZERO TO THREE has provided expert testimony to congressional committees on various topics related to infants, toddlers and their families.
Overview of Title IV of H.R. 3221: The Early Learning Challenge Fund
Title IV of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 (H.R. 3221) authorizes the Early Learning Challenge Fund, a new federal funding stream to promote State early care and education systems for children birth to five. This document provides a summary of the legislation, introduced by Rep. George Miller (D-7th CA), on July 15, 2009. On July 20, Dr. Ruth Friedman, Senior Education Policy Advisor, House Committee on Education and Labor, participated in a conference call to give an overview of the Early Learning Challenge Fund legislation and answer questions from the field. Click here to listen to a recording of this call, co-sponsored by ZERO TO THREE and ten of our partner organizations.
Celebrating Improvements in Infant and Toddler Policy: Top 10 Policy Achievements of 2008
Throughout the year, the ZERO TO THREE Policy Network works to keep readers informed of important and innovative policy developments on both the national and state levels. This article highlights the Top 10 Policy Achievements of 2008 for infants and toddlers, providing examples of public policies that recognize that we all have a role to play in supporting children and families during the early years.
Be a Voice for Babies: A Presidential Agenda to Support Families with Vulnerable Infants and Toddlers
ZERO TO THREE’s Policy Center has launched a campaign to inform the next President about the various ways in which he and his Administration can help support families meet the unique needs of infants and toddlers. As concerned voters, researchers, advocates, and early childhood professionals, you too have a role to play in ensuring that very young children are a priority for the next Administration. Please click here to download the agenda and learn more.
Tracking Services for Infants, Toddlers & Their Families: A Look at Federal Early Childhood Programs and the Roles of State and Local Governments
There are a variety of federal programs which address the needs of young children and their families. Government programs can be complex, however, and it can be difficult to keep track of how the programs are organized, funded and operated. In addition, states and communities often play an important role in implementing services created through the federal programs. To help you in your advocacy for infants and toddlers, this chart summarizes the primary federal programs currently focused on very young children and the roles of federal, state and local governments in those programs.
How a Bill Becomes a Law and Roles of Congressional Staff
Whenever learning something new, it is helpful to “start with the basics” and build your knowledge from there. With that in mind, this ZERO TO THREE Policy Network advocacy tool describes the process of how a bill becomes a law at the federal level and explains the roles of key Congressional staff. Read this advocacy tool now!
Babies and the Budget: Opportunities for Action
This advocacy tool is about the federal budget process: Why it’s important, how it works and where to seize opportunities to be involved. As early childhood professionals, we work to improve the lives of babies and toddlers every day. What happens in Washington, DC, can seem very far away and out of touch with what is happening at home. So why should infant-toddler professionals care about the federal budget process? Simply because the decisions made in Washington should be more reflective of what is needed in local communities. We can make a difference in the lives of infants and toddlers by being a voice for babies in the budget process! Download the advocacy tool and an analysis of the president’s budget now!
Congressional Committees Addressing Infant and Toddler Issues
This document is an overview of the Congressional committees and subcommittees addressing infant and toddler issues, including the members and leaders of those committees.
Federal Agencies Responsible for Implementing Programs Affecting Infants and Toddlers
This document is an overview of the federal agencies responsible for implementing programs for infants and toddlers, including descriptions of all the federal programs and links to their web sites.
Congressional Leadership Gives a Boost to Low-Income Families with the Child Tax Credit
The 2008 Economic Stimulus Package gave millions of people across the country a boost in the form of a Recovery Rebate payment from the federal government. This article highlights how Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi forged bi-partisan support for a package which built on the child tax credit and ensured that low-income families with children were a focus of the economic stimulus.
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