The most rapid period of growth for the human brain occurs in the earliest years of life. Our health and wellbeing prenatally and during the first 3 years of life affect all future learning, behavior, and health.
With most legislatures adjourned for the year, we recap the 2025 action on state policies to support children and families. So far this year, lawmakers throughout the country debated—and many passed—legislation that aligns with four key components of the prenatal-to-3 system of care.
CHILD AND FAMILY OUTCOMES Based on the science of the developing child, we have identified 19 outcome measures to track the overall health and wellbeing of infants and toddlers and their parents. Each outcome is aligned
EXPANDED INCOME ELIGIBILITY FOR HEALTH INSURANCE WHAT IS MEDICAID EXPANSION AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? States can employ several strategies to increase health insurance coverage for their residents, and the most widely studied strategy is
PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE WHAT IS PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? Paid family leave policies allow workers to take time off work and receive a portion of their salary
STATE MINIMUM WAGE WHAT IS A STATE MINIMUM WAGE AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? A minimum wage establishes a floor for workers’ hourly wages to prevent exploitation by employers and ensure a minimum level of
DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS The characteristics of families vary considerably by state. A clear picture of the current demographic composition and characteristics of a state’s prenatal-to-3 population can help to inform policy leaders as to who is
STATE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT WHAT IS AN EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? The Federal EITC Is a Refundable Tax Credit for Low-Income Workers Households with at least one working adult
REDUCED ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN FOR SNAP WHAT IS ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? Administrative burden refers to the barriers that increase the costs—time, money, and psychological distress—of applying for and maintaining enrollment in any
COMPREHENSIVE SCREENING AND CONNECTION PROGRAMS WHAT ARE COMPREHENSIVE SCREENING AND CONNECTION PROGRAMS AND WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT? Comprehensive screening and connection programs assess the social predictors of health that contribute to long-term child and family