ZERO TO THREE

There is a clear link between parental well-being and children’s mental health. The many stressors parents and caregivers face are being passed to children in direct and indirect ways, impacting families and communities across America. We can and must do a better job of supporting families. That’s where our HealthySteps program comes in. We meet families where they are -- the pediatrician's office -- with the support they want and deserve. Hear from Rahil Briggs, a child psychologist and our national director, about this innovative approach. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3XzNeMV

As recently reported in The New York Times, the youngest students’ performance is “in stark contrast” to older elementary school children, who have caught up much more since the pandemic. Teachers, pediatricians, and early childhood experts report that many children now entering school lack age-appropriate skills like identifying shapes or managing emotions. So how did this happen? And what can we do to help? Read more: https://bit.ly/467kf5A

Rates of depression among high-risk samples of pregnant women, such as those exposed to contextual risk factors (e.g., poverty, racism, and violence), may be as high as 25% (Hobfoll, Ritter, Lavin, Hulsizer, & Cameron, 1995). Prenatal maternal depression affects both the pregnant person and fetus with long-term implications for offspring vulnerability to psychopathology through alterations to brain development, stress physiology, negative emotionality, and cognitive control. Read more:M https://bit.ly/3xNzDr6

Take a look at this brand new resource in collaboration with our partners at Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network

This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced more than $558 million in funding to improve maternal health, and more than $440 million in funding to expand voluntary, evidence-based maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting services for eligible families across the country, building on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to reducing the nation’s high maternal mortality rate through the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. National Director of Safe Babies and Early Childhood Systems, Janie Huddleston released this statement: “Our nation's future starts with supporting pregnant people, new mothers, infants and children. This $440 million will monumentally help families through proven, voluntary home visiting programs, ensuring healthier outcomes, better school readiness and stronger communities. This investment by the Biden-Harris Administration and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is not just a commitment—it's a recognition of the critical role early support plays in lifelong success.” "Home visiting programs provide a vital lifeline for parents and caregivers, offering tailored support and guidance through the early stages of raising a family. By fostering strong relationships, promoting child development and connecting families to essential resources, home visitors help build a foundation for a safe, nurturing and thriving environment for our youngest community members." “ZERO TO THREE is honored to align with HRSA through our Infant-Toddler Court Program and Early Childhood Developmental Health Systems: Evidence to Impact Center. We will continue to connect with the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program and create seamless systems of care for all infants, toddlers and families.” Read the announcement: https://bit.ly/3Xp34ts

Join host Noelle Hause for an insightful exploration of ZERO TO THREE’s IECMH Guiding Principles with guests Karol Wilson and Carla Barron. Reflective practice, once seen as supportive, is now essential across early childhood sectors. It offers professionals a space to reflect, make informed decisions, and support others. LEARN and Chat with us about the benefits of reflective supervision and how to integrate this principle into your work: https://bit.ly/46YuaLj

In a new advisory from Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, the significant pressures faced by parents today are highlighted as a major concern impacting both adult and child well-being. His advisory makes it clear that to ensure the mental health and well-being of our youngest citizens, we must support their parents and caregivers. Read how urgent early childhood policy interventions can play a role: https://bit.ly/3XzNeMV

All babies are born with billions of neurons bumping around their brains… but very few of those neurons are connected. That’s where you come in: https://bit.ly/3x9y9XW ZERO TO THREE’s The Growing Brain professional development curriculum provides early childhood professionals with the knowledge, support and evidence-based strategies they can use in everyday moments to support healthy brain development and build the connections babies need for success now and later in life. Register today.

All babies are born with billions of neurons bumping around their brains… but very few of those neurons are connected. That’s where you come in: https://bit.ly/3x9y9XW ZERO TO THREE’s The Growing Brain professional development curriculum provides early childhood professionals with the knowledge, support and evidence-based strategies they can use in everyday moments to support healthy brain development and build the connections babies need for success now and later in life. Register today.

Navigating parental concerns around vaccinations is common. "Some of the top questions received are: Is this going to make my baby sick? What happens if I decline the vaccination? Will my baby get an allergic reaction from the vaccine? These are all very common parent and caregiver questions and it is normal to experience vaccine hesitancy in parents. Read more: https://bit.ly/3xotZvs