ZERO TO THREE’s Think BabiesTM campaign is expanding its reach in 2018, collaborating with leading children’s advocacy organizations in six states, including North Carolina.
Think Babies is increasing awareness about what babies and families need to thrive. Key campaign priorities include: quality, affordable child care; time for parents to bond with their babies; healthy emotional development; and strong physical health and nutrition.
The NC Early Education Coalition in partnership with Child Care Services Association will lead the effort in North Carolina. ZERO TO THREE will provide funding, technical assistance, and peer learning opportunities to support these organizations as they develop and implement campaigns to advance policies that benefit infants and toddlers, including:
- Increasing access to affordable, quality child care for infants and toddlers;
- Creating paid family leave policies providing full or partial replacement of wages after birth or adoption;
- Increasing access to infant and early childhood mental health services;
- Increasing access to voluntary, evidence-based home visiting for families with infants and toddlers;
- Increasing access to child and family screenings, supports and linkages to needed services; and,
- Increasing access to healthy nutrition and obesity prevention initiatives for infants and toddlers.
On April 4, the NC Early Childhood Coalition will host national, state and local leaders to discuss effective policies and programs that support families and help babies thrive at the Building Strong Foundations for Babies forum at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. Register online to attend.