What changed in the prenatal-to-3 policy landscape from 2016 to 2026, and what can states learn from one another’s experiences?
At the 2026 Prenatal-to-3 Research to Policy Summit, we shared findings from our report, Ten Years, Hundreds of Policies, Millions of Families, which examines more than 250 state policy changes over the past decade. Leaders from Colorado, Louisiana, Ohio, and Virginia also discussed how they navigated challenges and moved policies affecting infants, toddlers, and their families forward.
Recording
Video Chapters
00:00 Welcome and Why the Earliest Years Matter
03:07 A Decade of State Policy Change, 2016 to 2026
05:16 Medicaid and Perinatal Health
09:09 Family Economic Security: Paid Leave, Wages, and Tax Credits
17:48 Child Care Access, Affordability, and Funding
22:00 State Spotlights and Reflections From Gerry Cobb
38:00 Panel Introductions and Ohio’s Progress
46:44 Virginia’s Progress
52:42 Colorado’s Progress
58:42 Louisiana’s Progress
1:04:36 How States Made Progress: Lessons Learned
1:16:53 What Comes Next: State Priorities and Opportunities
1:23:54 Closing Reflections and Resources
Speakers
Cynthia Osborne, Ph.D.
Executive Director and Founder, Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center, Vanderbilt University
Dr. Cynthia Osborne is the founder and executive director of the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center and a Professor of Early Childhood Education and Policy at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. At the Summit, she will present the Center’s new research examining how the state prenatal-to-3 policy landscape changed from 2016 to 2026 and what a decade of state action can teach us.
Gerry Cobb
Director, Pritzker Children’s Initiative
Gerry Cobb is Director of the Pritzker Children’s Initiative, a national initiative focused on strengthening state policies and investments for children prenatal through age 3 and their families. With extensive experience supporting comprehensive early childhood systems across states, she will moderate the Summit’s conversation about state policy progress over the past decade.
Libbie Sonnier, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children
Dr. Libbie Sonnier is the Chief Executive Officer of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, where she works to support Louisiana’s youngest children, their families, and early educators. She brings more than 20 years of experience to the conversation and will discuss Louisiana’s early childhood policy progress over the past decade and the work that helped make that progress possible.
Lynanne Gutierrez, Esq.
President & CEO, Groundwork Ohio
Lynanne Gutierrez is President and CEO of Groundwork Ohio, where she leads statewide efforts to advance early learning and healthy development from the prenatal period through age 5. Drawing on two decades of experience in public policy, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership, she will discuss Ohio’s early childhood policy progress and the partnerships that helped make that progress possible.
Rachael Deane
Chief Executive Officer, Voices for Virginia’s Children
Rachael Deane is Chief Executive Officer of Voices for Virginia’s Children, where she leads efforts to advance public policies that improve outcomes for children and families across the commonwealth. With experience in legal and policy advocacy, she will discuss Virginia’s early childhood policy progress and the collaborative work that helped make that progress possible.
Riley Kitts
Chief Policy and Research Officer, Colorado Children’s Campaign
Riley Kitts is Chief Policy and Research Officer at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, where he leads policy and research efforts focused on children’s well-being. With experience working inside and outside the Colorado State Capitol, he will discuss Colorado’s early childhood policy progress and the legislative work that helped make that progress possible.
