Joe Weedon
(202) 277-9410
jweedon@zerotothree.org
WASHINGTON, DC – ZERO TO THREE, the country’s leading early childhood development nonprofit dedicated to ensuring all infants and toddlers have a strong start in life, is encouraged that President Biden’s proposed fiscal year 2025 budget includes essential and much-needed funding for programs that build a strong foundation for young children and families.
“If implemented, President Biden’s budget released today will make our nation a better and fairer nation to have and raise a baby. ZERO TO THREE has urged Congress and the Administration to prioritize the needs of babies and their families in five key areas: maternal health, infant and early childhood mental health, child care, housing and economic security,” said Miriam Calderón, Chief Policy Officer at ZERO TO THREE. “And, in last week’s State of the Union address, the President laid out a path toward a future where families are empowered and have choices about their baby’s future. This proposed budget expands on this vision with proposals that address all facets of young children’s development.”
The President’s budget proposes investments to support babies and strengthen families including:
- Funding affordable, high-quality child care for all young children birth to 5 for working families with incomes up to $200,000 per year.
- Reinstating the enhanced, fully refundable Child Tax Credit as enacted under the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act.
- Providing up to 12 weeks of paid leave for qualifying workers through a national, comprehensive paid family and medical leave program.
- Allowing state Medicaid programs to cover young children continuously from birth to age 6.
- Increasing investments in maternal health, including treatment for maternal mental health and substance use disorders.
- Fully funding the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
“Now, Congress must work with the Administration to deliver for families and babies,” Calderón continued. “We look forward to working with Congressional appropriators and our baby champions on the Hill to make these bold proposals a reality.”
