WASHINGTON, DC — ZERO TO THREE, the nation’s leading early childhood development nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that 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 federal spending 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 advocacy group, which focuses on the critical developmental window from birth to age three, noted that the administration’s funding priorities directly address the multifaceted needs of babies and their caregivers. By targeting federal resources toward foundational support systems, the proposed budget aims to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing young families today.
“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 pointed to the broader policy roadmap outlined by the administration, noting that the budget builds upon previous commitments made to working families. “In last week’s State of the Union address, the President laid out a path toward a future where families are empowered and have choices about their baby’s future. This proposed budget expands on this vision with proposals that address all facets of young children’s development,” she added.
The focus on early childhood development comes at a crucial time for American families, many of whom continue to navigate economic pressures, limited access to affordable child care, and gaps in maternal and mental healthcare infrastructure. Child development experts have long emphasized that the earliest months and years of life are a period of rapid brain development, during which infants and toddlers are deeply shaped by their environments, relationships, and access to basic resources.
ZERO TO THREE has consistently maintained that public policy must reflect the biological reality of early childhood. Programs that support maternal wellbeing, stabilize family finances, ensure housing security, and expand access to high-quality infant care are not viewed merely as social welfare initiatives, but as essential investments in the nation’s future workforce and economic stability. The organization’s ongoing advocacy efforts, including its signature State of Babies initiative, frequently underscore how regional disparities and policy gaps can impact a child’s long-term trajectory.
The release of the fiscal year 2025 budget marks a significant milestone in the annual federal appropriations process, setting the stage for months of debate, negotiation, and legislative action on Capitol Hill. While the presidential budget proposal serves as a statement of priorities rather than binding law, it heavily influences the direction of congressional committees tasked with drafting spending bills.
With the proposal now formally before lawmakers, advocacy organizations and child welfare champions are turning their attention to Congress. The path forward will require bipartisan cooperation and sustained legislative commitment to turn the administration’s broad visions into funded, operational realities that can reach communities nationwide.
“Now, Congress must work with the Administration to deliver for families and babies,” Calderón continued, emphasizing the collaborative effort required in the coming months. “We look forward to working with Congressional appropriators and our baby champions on the Hill to make these bold proposals a reality.”
As the legislative process unfolds, ZERO TO THREE and its network of early childhood advocates plan to actively engage with policymakers to ensure that the vital needs of infants, toddlers, and their families remain at the forefront of federal budget negotiations. The organization underscores that supporting the youngest members of society is a shared national responsibility with generational implications.
