ZERO TO THREE

The ZERO TO THREE Policy Center is a nonpartisan, research-based resource for advocates and policymakers on the unique developmental needs of infants and toddlers, and how policies and systems can be used to support young children.

ZERO TO THREE (ZTT) works to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. They provide parents, professionals, and policymakers the knowledge and know-how to nurture early development.

State allies can call on ZERO TO THREE to:

Support advocates to develop and move infant-toddler policy and advocacy priorities.

ZERO TO THREE can help advocates integrate an intentional focus on the unique needs of babies in policy and systems work – and provide support around infant-toddler policy/system strategies across ZTT’s good health, strong families and positive early learning experiences agenda; coalition building, advocacy campaigns, messaging, digital organizing, hosting family-focused capitol hill events, story telling and media engagement trainings, and centering family voice to increase equitable policymaking.

Provide support for states working to strengthen their infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) systems.

ZERO TO THREE can help state advocates explore policy, system, and funding opportunities to strengthen their IECMH systems, and support development of advocacy tactics to advance them. Policy areas may include IECMH consultation in child-serving settings, financing clinical workforce development efforts, or integration of IECMH expertise and services in primary care.

Facilitate and support self-assessment of polices impacting infants and toddlers and their families.

ZERO TO THREE can support teams in utilizing Building for Babies State Policy Self-Assessment tool. This tool is designed to provide a foundation for state-level discussions that includes authentic engagement of those most impacted, data analysis, problem solving via shared decision-making, policy change, implementation and ongoing continuous quality improvement. Policy areas covered in the self-assessment include Good Health, Strong Families, Positive Early Learning Experiences and Collaboration and Systems Building.

On the Ground:

In Arizona, ZTT is facilitating sub-committees on Good Health, Strong Families, Positive Early Learning Experiences and Collaboration and System Building. The multi-organization teams are using the Self-Assessment Tool and will agree on priorities for policy improvement and implementation to present a unified voice for infants and toddlers in the state.
In Alabama, Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, and Virginia, ZTT recently supported public-private teams to develop, refine and make progress toward statewide infant-toddler policy agendas, helping teams to focus on equity and center parent voice.
In Rhode Island, ZTT assisted advocates by developing two one-page briefs—one featuring paid family medical leave and one focusing on removing child support requirements from child care subsidy access.

“ZERO TO THREE designed an engaging day that helped the group understand the issues nationally and in Delaware—over 30 people stayed for six hours and engaged actively at the program and policy level. [The facilitator] received many compliments on her supportive, neutral facilitation style, and on the information shared during the day in a way that could help Delaware.”

ZERO TO THREE

The ZERO TO THREE Policy Center is a nonpartisan, research-based resource for advocates and policymakers on the unique developmental needs of infants and toddlers, and how policies and systems can be used to support young children.

Support advocates to develop and move infant-toddler policy and advocacy priorities.

Provide support for states working to strengthen their infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) systems.

Facilitate and support self-assessment of polices impacting infants and toddlers and their families.

Madeleine Bayard, Senior Vice President, Rodel

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