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, has expressed strong encouragement regarding President Biden’s proposed fiscal year 2025 federal budget. The organization highlighted that the newly released spending plan incorporates essential and much-needed funding for programs specifically designed to build a strong foundation for young children and their families across the United States.
The announcement comes as child development advocates and policymakers review the details of the comprehensive federal spending blueprint. The proposals outlined by the administration aim to address several long-standing challenges facing families with infants and toddlers, reinforcing the administration’s stated commitment to supporting the nation’s youngest citizens during the most critical period of their physical, cognitive, and emotional development.
"If implemented, President Biden’s budget released today will make our nation a better and fairer nation to have and raise a baby," said Miriam Calderón, Chief Policy Officer at ZERO TO THREE. "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 emphasized that the administration’s new proposals directly build upon the vision the President laid out during his recent State of the Union address. In that address, the President outlined a path toward a future where American families are fully empowered and given meaningful choices regarding their children’s development and well-being. According to ZERO TO THREE, the fiscal year 2025 budget translates those broad policy goals into concrete funding mechanisms that target all facets of early childhood growth.
The proposed investments within the budget are structured to provide comprehensive support systems for babies while simultaneously strengthening the economic and social fabric of American families. By addressing multiple interconnected dimensions of family life, the administration’s plan seeks to reduce the systemic pressures that often undermine early childhood stability and parental well-being.
The focus on maternal health within the budget is viewed by advocates as a critical baseline component for infant success. Ensuring that mothers receive comprehensive care before, during, and after pregnancy directly impacts birth outcomes and early developmental milestones. Similarly, the emphasis on infant and early childhood mental health recognizes that emotional and psychological well-being must be nurtured from the very beginning of life, supporting healthy brain development and building resilience against future trauma or stress.
Furthermore, the integration of child care initiatives within the fiscal year 2025 budget addresses an urgent crisis for working families nationwide. Access to affordable, high-quality child care remains one of the most significant hurdles for parents of infants and toddlers, often forcing difficult choices between workforce participation and child-rearing responsibilities. By proposing targeted investments in this sector, the budget aims to alleviate financial strain while ensuring that young children are in safe, nurturing environments that foster early learning.
Economic security and stable housing round out the core pillars championed by early childhood advocates. Financial instability and housing insecurity create toxic stress environments that can permanently alter a young child’s developmental trajectory. The inclusion of measures supporting economic security and housing stability in the federal budget is seen as a vital step toward breaking cycles of poverty and giving every child an equitable chance at healthy development from birth.
As the budget moves from the executive branch to the legislative arena, the focus shifts squarely to Capitol Hill, where lawmakers will debate and negotiate the final appropriations bills. ZERO TO THREE and its network of early childhood advocates are preparing to engage heavily with federal legislators to ensure these priorities remain intact throughout the legislative process.
"Now, Congress must work with the Administration to deliver for families and babies," Calderón continued, underscoring the collaborative effort required to turn the administration’s proposals into law. "We look forward to working with Congressional appropriators and our baby champions on the Hill to make these bold proposals a reality."
The path forward will involve extensive bipartisan discussions among congressional committees responsible for federal spending. Advocates maintain that investing in infants and toddlers is a non-partisan issue that underpins the long-term economic prosperity and social stability of the country. By laying a solid groundwork during the earliest years of life, policymakers have a unique opportunity to reduce future remediation costs in education, healthcare, and social services.
ZERO TO THREE continues to monitor the legislative developments surrounding the fiscal year 2025 budget closely. The organization remains committed to mobilizing its nationwide network of professionals, parents, and community leaders to advocate for policies that place the needs of infants, toddlers, and their families at the forefront of national policymaking.
