Gina Davis, [email protected], 202-864-2934
Zack Cohen, [email protected], 404-821-0572
WASHINGTON – Following the announcement of the president’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, Melissa Boteach, chief policy officer at ZERO TO THREE, issued the following statement calling for investment in babies and families and the programs that ensure they can thrive:
“The President’s FY2027 budget asks babies to pay for historic increases in the defense budget.
“Cutting supports babies and their families rely on is shortsighted. In the first three years of life, a baby’s brain is growing faster than in any other period, shaping how they learn, connect and thrive for the rest of their life. This is when families across the nation need the most support and often face their greatest challenges.
“While the budget proposal makes a small investment in early intervention through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), overall, the budget is a profound disappointment for babies and families, failing to invest in the strong start young children need.
“We call on Congress to invest in child care, health care, children’s safety, housing, infant and early childhood mental health and other supports that foster healthy development, strong families and high-quality early learning experiences.
“Our country’s strength is in its families. We should invest accordingly.”
Highlights and concerns for babies and their families in the proposed budget include:
- Increased investment in early intervention under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA),
- The elimination of child care funding under Preschool Development Grants,
- The elimination of utilities assistance under the Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP),
- The elimination of mental funding under SAMHSA’s Programs of Regional and National Significance (PRNS), and
- Funding cuts to Head Start, Maternal and Child Health programs, and child abuse prevention and response programs.
