WASHINGTON, DC — ZERO TO THREE, the nation’s leading early childhood development nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that all infants and toddlers are provided with a strong and healthy start in life, has expressed strong encouragement regarding President Biden’s proposed fiscal year 2025 budget. The organization notes that the federal blueprint includes essential and much-needed funding for public programs explicitly designed to build a solid foundation for young children and their families across the United States.
The announcement comes as early childhood advocates and policymakers look closely at how federal spending priorities will impact vulnerable populations, particularly America’s youngest citizens. According to ZERO TO THREE, the new budget proposal reflects a concerted effort by the administration to address the multifaceted challenges facing families with babies and toddlers.
"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 recent State of the Union address delivered by the President, noting that the administration has laid out a clear path toward a future where families are fully empowered and given meaningful choices regarding their children’s development and well-being. She emphasized that the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget expands significantly on this overarching vision, incorporating targeted proposals that address all facets of early childhood growth and development.
The budget proposal outlines comprehensive investments aimed at supporting infants, toddlers, and the adults who care for them. These targeted federal investments are designed to strengthen family stability, improve health outcomes during and after pregnancy, expand access to safe and affordable child care, and bolster economic security for low- and moderate-income households. By addressing these interconnected issues, the administration’s plan seeks to tackle the root causes of early childhood adversity and provide parents with the systemic support they need during the critical first years of a child’s life.
Advocates argue that the early years of a child’s life represent a period of rapid brain development that lays the groundwork for all future learning, behavior, and health. Consequently, investments made in programs serving infants and toddlers yield significant long-term benefits for society, reducing later educational and healthcare costs while fostering a more resilient workforce and economy.
With the release of the executive budget proposal, the focus now shifts entirely to Capitol Hill, where federal lawmakers will debate, negotiate, and ultimately draft the spending legislation that will govern federal agencies for the upcoming fiscal year. ZERO TO THREE is urging members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to recognize the profound importance of early childhood investments and to protect these critical funding streams during the legislative process.
"Now, Congress must work with the Administration to deliver for families and babies," Calderón continued, underscoring the urgency of bipartisan cooperation in advancing the proposed measures. "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 in the coming months, child development advocates, community leaders, and concerned citizens are expected to engage heavily with federal legislators to ensure that the needs of infants, toddlers, and their families remain at the forefront of national policy discussions. ZERO TO THREE plans to continue advocating vigorously for the adoption of the budget’s key provisions, emphasizing that supporting the nation’s youngest children is an investment in the country’s collective future.
