Organization urges the Administration to continue prioritizing the needs of infants, toddlers, and their families in official budget.
WASHINGTON – President Joseph R. Biden last night outlined his American Jobs Plan, focused on a $2 trillion investment in our country’s crumbling infrastructure as the first part of a sweeping recovery plan to help the nation move beyond the impact of the pandemic. ZERO TO THREE, the country’s leading early childhood development nonprofit dedicated to ensuring all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life, hailed the proposal as taking critical steps to support the nation’s needs, but urged the Administration to also focus on building robust, permanent supports for America’s families and young children.
ZERO TO THREE Chief Policy Officer Dr. Myra Jones-Taylor stated:
“America needs to invest to grow. Invest in our economy. Invest in our infrastructure. Invest in the health of our communities. But there’s one investment that’s more foundational than any of those: Investing in our babies. Their growth is America’s growth. The American Rescue Plan was a crucial step toward recovery, but it is not, on its own, enough. President Biden’s proposed jobs and infrastructure plan will help babies and families by improving the environments in which they are growing, to ensure all developing children have clean, safe drinking water and their parents can find jobs in their communities. We are particularly pleased that the plan recognizes the need to invest in infrastructure that supports our families, increasing the supply of infant-toddler care and securing care that spans the entire lifespan, while we continue to look forward to the administration’s broader plans for improving the care infrastructure.
“There is another infrastructure that needs building—the rapidly developing brains of our infants and toddlers demand our attention as well. We have worked alongside our advocates and partners to call on policymakers to reinforce and reinvest in the threadbare systems meant to support babies and families. Patchwork solutions will not fill our gaping holes. Sound policies, backed by the economic supports to fully implement them, will strengthen our babies, our communities, and our nation. As the President continues to refine his plans, we urge him to recognize that recovery begins with babies and make robust investments in the specific systems and structures that prioritize good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences, leading to an America that is stronger, smarter, healthier, and more equitable.“
About ZERO TO THREE
ZERO TO THREE works to ensure all babies and toddlers benefit from the family and community connections critical to their well-being and development. Since 1977, the organization has advanced the proven power of nurturing relationships by transforming the science of early childhood into helpful resources, practical tools and responsive policies for millions of parents, professionals and policymakers. For more information, and to learn how to become a ZERO TO THREE member, please visit zerotothree.org, facebook.com/zerotothree, or follow @zerotothree on Twitter.
