WASHINGTON, DC — ZERO TO THREE, the nation’s leading early childhood development nonprofit dedicated to ensuring all infants and toddlers have a strong start in life, has expressed strong encouragement following the release of President Biden’s proposed fiscal year 2025 budget. The organization highlighted that the blueprint includes essential and much-needed funding for programs designed to build a solid foundation for young children and families across the United States.
The announcement comes as early childhood advocates across the country examine federal spending priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. According to organizational leadership, the sweeping nature of the administration’s proposals demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted needs of infants, toddlers, and the adults who care for them.
A Framework for a Fairer Nation
Reflecting on the details of the newly released financial plan, Miriam Calderón, Chief Policy Officer at ZERO TO THREE, emphasized the profound impact these federal investments could have on American families.
"If implemented, President Biden’s budget released today will make our nation a better and fairer nation to have and raise a baby," Calderón said. "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."
Calderón noted that the administration’s latest fiscal proposals build upon the vision laid out during the President’s State of the Union address, where a clear path was charted toward a future in which families are empowered and afforded genuine choices regarding their children’s futures and well-being. This proposed budget expands on that vision with targeted initiatives that address all facets of early childhood development, acknowledging that the earliest years of life lay the critical groundwork for lifelong health, learning, and emotional resilience.
Addressing Five Core Pillars of Early Childhood Support
The advocacy work of ZERO TO THREE has long centered around a holistic approach to supporting the youngest members of society. By evaluating federal policy through the lens of maternal and child wellbeing, the nonprofit has consistently advocated for robust federal spending that targets the root causes of family stress and developmental vulnerability.
The President’s budget proposes a series of interconnected investments designed to support babies and strengthen families across multiple domains. These include vital allocations toward maternal health programs aimed at curbing the alarming rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, particularly among women of color. Furthermore, the budget emphasizes the critical importance of infant and early childhood mental health services, ensuring that behavioral and emotional well-being is addressed from the very beginning of life.
Access to affordable, high-quality child care also forms a cornerstone of the administration’s proposals, addressing a persistent crisis that forces many working parents to make impossible choices between employment and caregiving. By targeting resources toward child care infrastructure and workforce support, the budget seeks to alleviate economic pressures on families while fostering safe, stimulating environments for infants and toddlers.
In addition to child care and health services, the budget incorporates measures aimed at bolstering family economic security and housing stability. Child development experts have long maintained that stable housing and adequate family income are fundamental social determinants of health that directly influence an infant’s brain development and overall security. When families experience chronic housing instability or severe economic distress, the resulting toxic stress can negatively impact a young child’s developing brain architecture.
The Path Forward in Congress
With the release of the executive budget proposal, the legislative focus now shifts to Capitol Hill, where federal lawmakers will deliberate, negotiate, and draft the final spending bills for fiscal year 2025. The success of these vital initiatives depends heavily on bipartisan cooperation and sustained advocacy from child welfare organizations, community leaders, and concerned citizens alike.
Emphasizing the urgency of the legislative phase, Calderón called upon federal lawmakers to step up and fulfill their responsibilities to the nation’s youngest constituents.
"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."
As the appropriations process moves forward, advocates plan to engage closely with lawmakers to ensure that funding for these critical programs is preserved and prioritized amidst competing federal budget demands. For ZERO TO THREE and its supporters, the overarching goal remains clear: ensuring that every child is given the resources, care, and support necessary to thrive during the most critical developmental window of their lives.
