WASHINGTON, DC — In a major development for early childhood advocacy across the United States, ZERO TO THREE, the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to ensuring all infants and toddlers have a strong start in life, has voiced strong encouragement regarding President Joe Biden’s proposed fiscal year 2025 budget. The organization highlighted that the federal spending plan includes essential, much-needed funding aimed at building a solid foundation for young children and their families nationwide.
The proposed budget, unveiled in Washington, arrives on the heels of the President’s recent State of the Union address, where the administration laid out a broad vision for empowering American families and expanding choices for their children’s futures. According to leading child development advocates, this latest federal budget translates that overarching vision into concrete policy proposals, addressing virtually every major facet of early childhood growth, development, and family stability.
Miriam Calderón, Chief Policy Officer at ZERO TO THREE, emphasized the profound potential impact of the administration’s financial roadmap.
“If implemented, President Biden’s budget released today will make our nation a better and fairer nation to have and raise a baby,” said Calderón. “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 added that the recent State of the Union address established a clear pathway toward family empowerment, and the fiscal year 2025 budget successfully builds upon that foundation by targeting the complex ecosystem surrounding infant and toddler development.
The focus on these five core pillars reflects years of research, data collection, and advocacy by early childhood development experts who point out that the earliest months and years of a child’s life are critical for lifelong cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being. Organizations like ZERO TO THREE have consistently underscored that policies supporting parents and caregivers directly translate to healthier outcomes for infants, forming an interconnected safety net that prevents developmental setbacks before they can take root.
As the budget proposal moves from the executive branch to Capitol Hill, advocacy groups are turning their attention toward federal lawmakers. The process of turning these policy blueprints into enacted legislation will require bipartisan cooperation and dedicated leadership from congressional appropriators.
“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.”
The release of the fiscal year 2025 budget marks a critical milestone in the ongoing national conversation regarding family support policies, economic equity, and early education access. As budget hearings and legislative negotiations unfold in the coming weeks, child advocates across the country will continue to press for robust investments that prioritize the youngest members of society.
For media inquiries, interviews, or further information regarding ZERO TO THREE’s policy positions and analysis of the President’s fiscal year 2025 budget, contact Joe Weedon at (202) 277-9410 or via email at [email protected].
