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:
- 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.
Early Head Start: Latest Update
What is happening?Ā
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed major changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards. The proposal, called a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, would remove or weaken many current requirements for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The public has until October 6 to comment.Ā
The big picture.Ā Ā
Head Start and Early Head Start are more than a classroom. Head Start works because all of the pieces work together: early learning + health + mental health + family support + parent leadership + qualified, supported staff. Removing or weakening several pieces at the same time can leave gaps in the support children and families receive.
Healthcare Access
Medicaid is the largest source of health insurance for children in families with low income.
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.Ā
- 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.
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.Ā
- 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.
Early Childhood Poverty
Across the UnitedĀ States,Ā farĀ too many children experience poverty and economic hardship, with millions of babies facing economic barriers to a strong start in life. Ā
The facts:
- Nearly 1 in 7 infants and toddlers (14%) in the United States live in poverty as measured by the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), a method for calculating poverty which considers benefits and household expenses in addition to income to give a more comprehensive view of families’ economic well-being.
- Almost half of babies (49%) were living in poverty or in low-income households, with resources below 200% of the SPM threshold.
- Babies face stark disparities from the start: Black (25%), Hispanic (18%), and Indigenous (15%) babies live in higher rates of poverty compared to other groups.
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.Ā
- In 2023, nearly 14 million children in the US did not have enough food to eat.
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.
