Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center

08/21/2026

In the United States, Black mothers and birthing people experience the highest maternal mortality rates across racial and ethnic groups, and Black infants experience the highest infant mortality rates. A new Child Policy Nexus report reviews high-quality studies on Medicaid and CHIP, home visiting, SNAP and WIC, and earned income tax credits. The report offers policy considerations for how these programs can support Black maternal and infant health. Check it out ⬇️

Black maternal and infant health inequities are preventable. This report highlights evidence-based policy that can improve birth outcomes, strengthen family well-being, and advance equity.

This Child Policy Nexus report, Evidence-Based Policy Considerations to Support Black Maternal and Infant Health, highlights strategies that can improve birth outcomes and reduce inequities affecting Black mothers, birthing people, infants, and families.

The report reviews evidence across four key areas: Medicaid and CHIP, MIECHV home visiting, SNAP and WIC, and EITC programs.

Sustained investments are essential to supporting Black mothers, birthing people, infants, and families.

Read the full report:
https://academic.oup.com/cpn/issue/39/2

08/19/2026

We’re looking forward to two BIG September dates for prenatal-to-3 policy.

🗺️ On September 18, our Center will release the 2026 Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap at the Early Childhood Leadership Summit hosted by The Hunt Institute. Available on our website that day, the Roadmap will provide the latest look at where states stand on evidence-based policies and strategies that support infants, toddlers, and their families.

🔎 Then, on September 29, we will host our virtual 2026 Prenatal-to-3 Research to Policy Summit, where we will explore findings from our new retrospective brief examining how the state policy landscape changed from 2016 to 2026, what helped states move policies forward, and where opportunities remain. Not registered yet? Join us: https://bit.ly/4hqDcbg

08/14/2026

How has the prenatal-to-3 policy landscape changed over the past decade?

Join us virtually for the 2026 Prenatal-to-3 Research to Policy Summit on September 29 to explore what a decade of state action can teach us about advancing prenatal-to-3 policy. Register today➡️ https://events.zoom.us/ev/ArQdgkwAzxzPV7bJEWZDIvXWVtSifHJuA5jH0I-YWQza_pjXAn4D~AlAvTHmhnTSJgH__Q-BVzVqZxs_OU9D28E0V1k3SzoWBW9ut3uxV_jeIjyp9YqRwLg81x3LtPuHbe90fXYRYAyHeCw

Together, we'll examine:
- What has changed?
- How did states make progress?
- What comes next?

08/12/2026

Help bring this early learning panel to SXSW EDU!

Our Executive Director, Dr. Cynthia Osborne, has joined Dr. Felicia C. Smith of the National Center for Families Learning, Dr. Lee Johnson III of the Southern Education Foundation, and Rochelle Wilcox of For Providers By Providers and Wilcox's Academy of Early Learning, LLC in proposing a panel that explores how local, state, and regional partnerships can build shared knowledge to strengthen early learning.

The session will highlight practical examples of how communities can learn from one another to expand early learning opportunities and improve policy implementation.

If you'd like to support the proposal:
👉 Click this link: https://bit.ly/45pgPeV
❤️ Click the heart next to the proposal title to cast your vote

Thank you for your support!

08/10/2026

What can a decade of state action teach us about how policy progress happens and what it will take to continue moving forward?

Register today for the virtual 2026 Prenatal-to-3 Research to Policy Summit happening September 29 where we will explore how the prenatal-to-3 policy landscape changed from 2016 to 2026, what helped states move policies forward, and where opportunities remain. ➡️ https://bit.ly/4hqDcbg

Together, we will consider what the past decade can teach us about strengthening prenatal-to-3 systems and informing the next era of state action.

08/07/2026

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently proposed changes to the federal standards governing Head Start programs. As policymakers and the public consider these changes, what does rigorous research tell us about Early Head Start?

Our Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap identifies state policies and strategies supported by the strongest available evidence to improve outcomes for infants, toddlers, and their families. Our review of the rigorous evidence found that Early Head Start is one of those effective strategies.

Strong causal studies identified beneficial impacts across five prenatal-to-3 policy goals, including:

• Parents' ability to work
• Parental health and emotional wellbeing
• Parent-child relationships
• Child care in safe settings
• Child health and development

Explore the evidence behind Early Head Start and its role in the 2025 Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap: https://bit.ly/4xvxBFi

08/06/2026

We're growing our team!

We're hiring a Project and Event Coordinator to support the planning and ex*****on of events, webinars, and external presentations that connect state leaders with the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center's evidence-based research and resources.

We're looking for a highly organized, detail-oriented professional who excels at managing multiple priorities, collaborating across teams, and keeping projects moving from planning through ex*****on.

If you're passionate about event coordination and supporting evidence-based policy work that helps young children and families, apply today ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Ybpija

07/30/2026

How does research help shape evidence-based prenatal-to-3 policies? By sharing rigorous research with policymakers.

During FY26, our team shared research on evidence-based prenatal-to-3 policies with more than 550 policymakers across all 50 states and DC through in-person and virtual presentations, policy academies, legislative briefings, and other engagements.

Explore our Policy Impact Calculator to see how different policy choices can shape the financial resources available to working families with young children in your state 👉 https://bit.ly/48EAbiS

07/29/2026

How do states know whether prenatal-to-3 policies are making a difference? We track state policy progress annually.

During FY26, our team released the 2025 Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap, providing policymakers with updated state profiles, policy and strategy profiles, and data on state policy progress.

Explore child and family outcomes in your state 👉 https://bit.ly/4yOcOht

This work reflects ‘Tracking State Policy Progress and Equitable Implementation’, one of the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center's four pillars. Together, these pillars guide our efforts to help states implement evidence-based policies that improve outcomes for young children and their families.

07/28/2026

How can policymakers stay informed about the latest evidence and policy developments affecting infants, toddlers, and their families? Research and policy briefs help make evidence more accessible.

During FY26, our team published research and policy briefs highlighting the evidence base and impact of policies for child and family wellbeing, as well as current trends in state policymaking. Topics included child care, paid family and medical leave, tax credits, and early childhood governance.

Explore our latest brief👉 https://bit.ly/4pGZJlX

This work reflects ‘Identifying What Works and for Whom’, one our Center's four pillars. Together, these pillars guide our efforts to help states implement evidence-based policies that improve outcomes for young children and their families.