Policy & Advocacy
Babies saw wins at both the federal and state levels thanks to the power of supporters raising their voices and families sharing their personal and powerful stories.
2024 was a year of meaningful progress. Across the country, advocates, parents and partners championed policies that reflect the needs of babies and their families. As we face the challenges of 2025, we do so with a clear-eyed understanding of the political and fiscal challenges ahead. But we remain grounded in the progress we’ve made — and committed to ensuring that every baby has the strong start they deserve.
Baby Champions on the Hill increased funding for key programs to support babies and their families — including a $1 billion increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to cover expanded family participation; a $746 million increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant; and a $270 million increase for Head Start/Early Head Start.
Colorado created a refundable tax credit for families with children that prioritizes low-income families with young children. Illinois approved a permanent tax credit of $300-$600 for families who qualify for the earned income tax credit (EITC) and have children under 12. Montana and Rhode Island implemented increases to their state EITC. At the federal level, a tax bill is likely to be among the first efforts undertaken in 2025.
Read Top Wins for Babies in 2024 to learn more.
Think Babies™ was created to urge policymakers to prioritize good health, strong families and positive early learning during critical early brain development years.
As part of Think Babies, our annual event on Capitol Hill — Strolling Thunder™ — we brought families, from every state in America, with their babies to Washington, DC, in April to meet with their Representatives in Congress and officials at the White House and at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Additionally, a Strolling Thunder mom participated in an event honoring other moms at the White House on Mother’s Day. And after meeting with a Strolling Thunder parent, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) signed on as a co-sponsor of the Strengthening America’s Families Act, while former U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) signed onto a Republican letter in support of FY25 appropriations for Head Start and Early Head Start.
Our Advocacy Network is 79,000 members strong and growing — a nearly 60% increase since 2019!
We’re calling on you and policymakers to take BOLD ACTION for BABIES NOW.
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