Thanks to dedicated advocates and policymakers, babies and their families around the country will benefit from state budget boosts in the upcoming year.
These new funds will improve services and support via home visiting, early intervention, early learning programs, and prenatal care. In addition to many other wins that benefit young children this year, here are a few of the baby-focused increases that we are celebrating at ZERO TO THREE.
Arizona added $1 million for telemedicine and sonogram equipment to help rural hospitals that lack adequate access to prenatal providers to provide care to expectant mothers.
Illinois legislators increased state dollars for Part C early intervention by $12 million, expanding access for children exposed to lead and increasing provider reimbursement rates for the first time in over a decade.
Ohio included a $30 million increase in investments over the biennium for the Help Me Grow home visiting program, bringing the total biennial investment to $70 million and supporting the Governor’s goal of tripling the number of families served by the program. Ohio legislators also invested nearly $25 million additional state funds over the biennium in Part C early intervention.
Pennsylvania legislators added a $5 million investment in evidence-based home visiting programs to serve more eligible families.
Texas legislators approved an additional $5 million over the biennium to boost support for home visiting and related prevention programs, as well as an additional $31 million in state funds to support the Part C early intervention program for infants and toddlers with disabilities.
Washington D.C. Council set aside almost $15 million from the District’s budget to begin paying for Birth-to-Three For All D.C.
Congratulations to these policymakers and advocates for continuing to Think Babies™!
