Families Speak Out at Strolling Thunder
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Healthcare Access
Medicaid is the largest source of health insurance for children in families with low income.
What's at Stake
Latest Updates on the Baby Agenda
Our federal policy team is deeply involved in shaping decisions that impact the well-being of babies and their families.
Get an inside look at our work to protect and advance the “Baby Agenda.”
The facts:
- Medicaid currently finances over 42% of all US births.
- 44% of babies and young children in American receive their healthcare through Medicaid.
- Medicaid ensures millions of children receive essential care including prenatal care, screenings, sick and well-child visits, dental care and vaccines.
- Babies who have access to Medicaid have better health outcomes as adults, including better health, educational attainment and higher earnings. Disruptions to Medicaid mean disruptions to care, forcing families to bear the burden.
Department of Education
The US Department of Education plays a pivotal role in administering and supporting programs that support infants, toddlers and preschoolers across the country.
The facts:
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides developmental services to about 1 million young children each year.
- Over 1.5 million young children receive early education services through Title I, the federal education funding that supplements resources for education in low-income communities.
- Cuts to public student loan forgiveness programs such as PSLF would further hamper the early childhood education workforce by further disincentivizing post-secondary students to enter one of the lowest-paying fields.
Early Head Start
The foundation for lifelong learning is built during the critical early years.
The facts:
- Two signature early learning and childcare programs are Head Start and Early Head Start. More than 800k children are served by Head Start.
- Early Head Start is the only federal program dedicated to comprehensively promoting healthy child and family development for pregnant women, infants, and toddlers living in families with incomes below the poverty line.
- Research has shown that Head Start impacts children in a range of areas related to their development, from supporting early cognitive gains to health, social and emotional development in adolescence.
Food Security
Proper nutrition during early childhood lays the foundation for lifelong health.
The facts:
- An estimated 4.5 million children ages 0-4 participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- Nearly 62% of SNAP participations are families with children.
- In 2023, nearly 14 million children in the US did not have enough food to eat.
Family Separation
One of the most traumatic experiences a baby or toddler can have is separation from a primary caregiver.
The facts:
- As many as 5.5 million children who are US citizens live in mixed-status households.
- 1.6 million of these children are under the age of 5.
- Another 360,000 children who are US citizens are born to parents with Temporary Protected Status.
The Administration has moved to Restrict Immigrant Children’s Access to Early Learning, Health Care and Other Key Federal Programs. ZERO TO THREE condemns this move as an attack that will negatively impact communities across the country.
Health and Human Services
The draft budget eliminates or drastically cuts essential early childhood programs.
The draft budget for the Department of Health and Human Services being proposed by the Trump Administration, if accurate, would have a devastating impact on the health and development of America’s babies and our nation’s early care and education workforce.
The draft budget:
Eliminates Head Start and Early Head Start, cutting off critical early education and family services for over 800,000 families — especially impacting rural communities.
Slashes child care funding, worsening the national child care crisis and leaving working families with fewer affordable options.
Removes health and safety supports, including programs like LIHEAP, CSBG, and early childhood mental health grants that protect babies’ development and family stability.
Special Briefing
On June 17, 2025 ZERO TO THREE Policy experts hosted a special virtual briefing discussing the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" and its impact on babies and familes.
Natural Disaster Response
Babies and toddlers need support to weather natural disasters
The facts:
- Wildfire smoke affects about 7.4 million children annually in the U.S.
- Children take cues from adults to determine if they’re safe; uncertainty can cause emotional distress.
- Children dealing with stress and trauma associated with natural disasters may show changes in theirbehaviors or skills, disrupting routine and affecting developmental milestones.
- Air pollution caused by wildfires can stunt lung development and increase the risk of developing respiratory illnesses and other health conditions.
Share Your Story With Us
How do the actions of the administration affect you or the families you serve?
Millions of babies and their families benefit from services and programs funded through federal grants, including for health care, nutrition assistance, child care and early learning, housing, and more.
Help us elevate your story to let Members of Congress know what babies and families need to thrive.
Dig Deeper
Join the Think Babies™ Campaign!
Learn about how you can get involved in the Think Babies™ campaign to promote enriching early experiences and a strong foundation from the start. It's time for policymakers to think babies.
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For Policymakers & Advocates
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