ZERO TO THREE: NATIONAL CENTER FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS, AND FAMILIES
Lobbying for ZERO TO THREE: NATIONAL CENTER FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS, AND FAMILIES
Advocated for the overall importance of infant and toddler court teams which are integrated within the child welfare system. Advocated for the federal funding of the infant and toddler court program. Advocated for the protection and expansion of programs that provides funding and support to the child welfare system within states, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG)
Early education and intervention - lobbied for funding towards IDEA Part C, Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), and Head Start/Early Head Start. Advocated for the protection of programs that provide funding to states for child care such as Child Care Development Fund (CCDF), TANF, and SSBG. Endorsed and Support: PROSPECT Act, S 3168; HR 1630 Child Care Takes a Village Act Child Care Access & Affordability Act Child Care Workforce Act, HR 1826; S 4480 Expanding Child Care Access Act of 2025, HR 1296 Building Child Care for a Better Future Act, HR 2595 Head Start for Americas Children Act, S 2819 Child Care for Every Community Act, H.R.5658 Keeping All Students Safe Act,H.R, 6617 Spoke to the dangers of certain bills such as the Child Care Modernization Act.
Appropriations: Advocated for appropriations requests for - Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health grants, Project LAUNCH, Early Childhood Development Experts Grants, Transforming Pediatrics in Early Childhood grants, Infant and Toddler Court Programs, Head Start/ Early Head Start, CCDBG IDEA Part C, Community Based Child Abuse Prevention (HHS), Preschool Development Grants Birth through Five (HHS), Runaway and Homeless Youth Act programs (HHS), Child Care Access Means Parents in School (ED), Homeless Assistance Grants (HUD), Emergency Solutions Grants (HUD), Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (HUD), Project-Based Rental Assistance (HUD), Eviction Protection Grant Program (HUD), Community Services Mental Health Block Grant, Maternal Mental Health Hotline, and Screening and Treatment of Maternal Depression and Related Behavioral Disorders Program (MDRBD) Advocated for congressional support of appropriations letters for infant and early childhood mental health, child care, and other health services for children/ families, etc.
Advocated for members to support paid family and medical leave, the Child Tax Credit and other financial supports Continue to support: Working Families Disaster Tax Relief Act, H.R. 6645 Baby Bonus Act, H.R. 6234 The End Child Poverty Act, H.R. 6235 American Family Act, S 1393; HR 2763
Continue to Support: Build Housing with Care Act, S 310; HR 646 Resolution designating November as the National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month
Reconciliation: Continue to do harm mitigation by meeting with congressional offices about Medicaid work requirements and how to effectively exclude caregivers.
Continue to support efforts to protecting immigrant families. Advocated for ceasing immigration enforcement operations in areas with young children present and avoid family separations or detentions that are harmful for young childrens development. Newly Endorsed: H.R.1061 - Protecting Sensitive Locations Act
Advocated for federal funding for programs that provide health services to infants and toddlers pertaining to mental health and early intervention. Programs included - IECMH Grant Program, Project LAUNCH, Early Childhood Development Experts Grants, and Transforming Pediatrics in Early Childhood. Also advocated for reversing HR 1 Medicaid policy changes and funding cuts.
Continue to Support: Parental Workforce Training Act, H.R.6406 The Healthy Families Act, no number Advocated for Paid Family and Medical Leave for all.
Advocated for protecting and investing in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), housing assistance like Housing Choice vouchers and other programs that meet the basic needs of babies and families.