Resource
Give Babies the Strongest Start in Life: Federal Mandatory Programs Matter
Learn how federal mandatory programs like CCDF, TANF and SSBG help babies and families access essential services.
Promoting Economic Security for Families and Children
Economic security is one of the strongest predictors of long term well-being.
Too many families with young children lack the financial security needed to thrive. Research shows that young children are more likely to experience poverty than older children, with the ongoing wealth gap in the United States making the situation more challenging.
Economic support for families is crucial in helping them create stable, nurturing environments that foster healthy early development for children.
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When families struggle to afford their most basic needs, babies suffer.
Challenges and Opportunities
Economic insecurity profoundly affects a significant number of babies in our country in several ways:
Rising child care costs, housing instability, food insecurity, limited access to paid family leave, and insufficient income support can place significant strain on household budgets.
- Over 15% of children in the U.S. live in poverty. Families with young children need policies that enhance economic security because their development is most sensitive during this stage of their lives.
- An additional 18% of infants and toddlers live in families with low incomes. In most cases, at least one adult works, yet they still struggle to make ends meet.
Solutions That Strengthen Families
Economic security helps families provide the stable, nurturing environments young children need to thrive. When families can meet basic needs, children experience stronger developmental outcomes, improved health and greater opportunities for learning.
Children growing up in poverty face stress caused by challenges like unstable housing, poor health, hunger and violence. Strong parental support can help deter some of these effects, but without it, children are more likely to experience delays in communication, language and emotional development. Strong family engagement is easier to achieve when families have the resources needed to support their family.
Policies and programs that support families can help create stronger outcomes for children and communities. Public investments in child care, paid leave, tax credits, family support programs, and comprehensive early childhood systems help reduce financial stress while improving access to essential services. Communities also benefit from coordinated efforts that connect families to resources and opportunities through schools, providers and programs that meet parents where they are, such as HealthySteps.
By the Numbers
A staggering number of babies are impacted by economic insecurity.
Rent takes up most of our income, and on top of that, the utility bills keep rising. Some months, it feels like we have to choose between keeping the lights on or buying groceries… I just want stability for my family.
Our Impact
We advocate for federal and local governments to take bold steps to ensure babies grow up with economic security.
Our successes include the increase in unemployment compensation, stimulus payments and temporary child tax credits made available during the pandemic.
ZERO TO THREE's Efforts
Some of our key advocacy issues to support economic security for families include:
- Expand economic supports for families by strengthening the expanded Child Tax Credit, increasing access to paid family and medical leave, and investing in policies that make it more affordable to raise young children.
- Protect children’s health and basic needs by improving healthcare access, expanding infant and early childhood mental health services, and strengthening food security through programs like SNAP and WIC.
- Increase access to affordable, high-quality child care by investing in child care, Early Head Start, Head Start, and early intervention services while supporting a strong early childhood workforce.
Through our Think Babies initiative, we work to make the potential of every baby a national priority and push for family economic stability.
Report
RATTLED: Babies, Families and a Year of Growing Strain
A national snapshot of life for families with infants and toddlers in 2025 reveals a troubling reality: economic pressure, emotional distress and uncertainty intensified across the year even as families fought to provide stability and love for their babies.
Make a difference
Learn how to support economic security initiatives for families with babies and toddlers. Your involvement can help drive meaningful change. Join us in advocating for equitable policies that promote a positive future for all babies.
