Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap 2023

Rigorous scientific evidence informs our annual policy guide, which gives states actionable solutions to improve outcomes for all young children.
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How do you know if a state policy truly improves outcomes for infants, toddlers, and their families? We reviewed thousands of research studies for you.
We conduct original research—including program evaluation, policy analyses, benefit-cost analyses, and mixed methods studies—to build the evidence.
To support lawmakers and advocates, we offer research and evaluation, data and analyses, presentations, testimony, agenda development, and more.

We empower states with rigorous evidence to implement effective and equitable policies that ensure all children thrive from the start.

Who We Are

We are a nonpartisan research center at Vanderbilt University. We focus on the rigorous evidence connecting brain science with state policies and programs.

What We Do

We inform lawmakers, agencies, advocates, and academics about policies to help families thrive–while growing states’ health, safety, and prosperity.

Why prenatal to 3?

The first three years of life have a powerful impact on the future wellbeing of every person. Families can benefit from a strong early childhood system of care.

The Latest

State lawmakers face difficult choices about how to use scarce public resources. To ensure that investments have a big impact on young children, lawmakers often want to know—which policies actually work? The Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact
ESTIMATED FISCAL AND HUMAN SERVICES BENEFITS OUTWEIGH COSTS BY AS MUCH AS 18:1  Press Contact: Molly Kramer, 615-343-8948, molly.m.kramer@vanderbilt.edu  Today, we released Benefit-Cost Analysis of H.B.181, a Pennsylvania bill to create a new paid family
Currently Accepting Applications from State Legislative Staff for our Upcoming Community-Based Doula Policy Learning Symposium! Who Should Apply? State legislative staff interested in supporting state policymakers in identifying ways to improve maternal and child health
As we enter March, legislative sessions continue to heat up. From progress around Medicaid expansion in one Southern state to growing momentum on postpartum health care coverage, paid family leave (PFL), tax credits, and child
The clock is ticking for tax day. And which state a family lives in will have a significant impact on whether they owe taxes or receive a refund—a boost of crucial unrestricted cash for the