We empower states with rigorous evidence to implement effective and equitable policies that ensure all children thrive from the start.
Did you know that paid family leave (PFL) has been shown to increase the likelihood of mothers working 1 year following birth by more than 18 percentage points? A robust PFL policy is one of the most effective state policies to not only promote employment, but also to reduce poverty and food insecurity, reduce parental alcohol consumption, increase breastfeeding initiation, and even reduce infant mortality.
State leaders are hard at work, and several have considered or passed Roadmap-aligned policies. The following bills and proposals are proven, or have promise, to positively impact child, family, and economic outcomes:
Early Care & Learning
FloridaS.B. 916/H.B. 929 would limit child care subsidy copayments to 7% of a family's income and benchmark income eligibility requirements based on the state median income (SMI) rather than the federal poverty level (FPL) to allow families to remain eligible as the state minimum wage increases by $1/hour this year.
AlaskaH.B. 89 would expand child care subsidies eligibility from 85% to 105% of the SMI, limit family copayments to 7% of their income, allow rates to be set using a cost estimation model, and provide tax credits for employers supporting child care programs.
Indiana S.B. 2, which passed the Senate and is now in the House, would make child care employees categorically eligible for subsidies. Check our latest blog post on 2024 legislative trends to learn about the other states considering similar legislation.
Kansas’ governor requested a historic investment in early care and education in her 2025 budget proposal, largely aimed at addressing the child care shortage. Her budget calls for $56 million to create child care slots and support the workforce, and $30 million to build child care facilities. She also proposed the creation of the Office of Early Childhood to consolidate early childhood services into one agency.
Virginia lawmakers are moving forward a bill to remove requirements for in-person interviews for SNAP and WIC applicants. H.B. 150 passed the House of Delegates 89-9.
Lawmakers in Hawaii have introduced multiple PFL bills. Companion bills S.B. 2046/H.B. 1658 would establish a 16-week statewide PFL program, and H.B. 2757 would establish a 12-week statewide PFL program.
New Mexicowas close to enacting a PFL program during the 2023 legislative session. With a short session this year, legislators are hitting the ground running with S.B. 3 and H.B. 6. These bills would create a 12-week PFL program. S.B. 3 was voted out of committee this week and is awaiting debate on the Senate floor.
Missouri lawmakers introduced H.B. 1913 to make their earned income tax credit (EITC) refundable. The state currently has a nonrefundable EITC equal to 10% of the federal credit.
Across the country, there have been several bills introduced to increase state minimum wages. New Hampshire bills S.B. 308 and H.B. 1322 would gradually increase the state minimum wage to $15.00 and $17.00, respectively.
Child & Parent Health
Iowa, one of four states that has not yet taken action to extend postpartum Medicaid to 12 months, introduced legislation to do so. Lawmakers unanimously voted to advance S.B. 3140 out of committee this week.
Kansas companion billsS.B. 355 and H.B. 2556, would expand Medicaid in the state. Although Medicaid expansion faces major legislative hurdles, it is a top priority for Gov. Laura Kelly. The legislationwould expand coverage to childless adults with incomes at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, effective January 1, 2025, subject to a work requirement.
Nebraska introduced L.B. 1278to reimburse full spectrum doula services under Medicaid by January 1, 2026. The bill would also establish a stakeholder workgroup charged with developing an implementation plan, including a reimbursement rate for doula services.
In Tennessee, Sen. London Lamar introduced S.B. 1739to provide Medicaid reimbursement for doula services.
Extreme Heat Affects Early Childhood Development and Health
Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child released a reporton the impact ofelevated temperatures, as 2023 was the hottest year on record to date. Despite humans’ ability to adapt to various climates, extreme heat impacts infants and children and poses risks to their health and development. The new research explores these effects, emphasizing the need for understanding and action, and offering strategies to mitigate impacts and promote equitable solutions for cooling communities.
States Extend Medicaid for Postpartum and Infant Mental Health
Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families released a new reporton early childhood and maternal mental health. The report finds that most states have opted to extend Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months post-pregnancy. Medicaid, the primary payer for U.S. births and postpartum healthcare, plays a crucial role in any initiative aiming to enhance mental health for mothers and infants during the significant year following childbirth.
Virtual Public Policy Forum on Early Childhood Advocacy
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) invites early childhood educators and stakeholders to participate in theirvirtual Public Policy Forum on February 25-26. The forum aims to bring together hundreds of individuals to enhance advocacy skills, broaden policy knowledge, strengthen relationships with Congressional offices, and foster a powerful movement across states and communities. This year, NAEYC is partnering with theDivision for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Childrento highlight and advocate for inclusive care for children with developmental delays and disabilities.
Webinar on Children’s Funding Coordinators
To addressthe challenge of now-unavailable federal pandemic relief funding, the Children's Funding Project is holding a webinar, How to Build Sustainable Funding for Kids: The Case for Children’s Funding Coordinators, on February 29. This webinar will explore the role of children's funding coordinators in helping communities understand existing investments, determine the true cost of funding goals, and identify options for filling gaps between existing and needed funding through fiscal mapping, cost modeling, and sourcing additional funds.
New Blog Posts!
Guest Blog with the Education Commission of the States
On January 18, we authored a guest blog post for the Education Commission of the States about states’ power to shape a comprehensive system of care for young children and their families. The post discusses policy options such as child care subsidies, Early Head Start, and early intervention services, as well as examples of progress from 2023.
February Update: Prenatal-to-3 State Legislative Trends
In our February 1 blog post, we highlighted ongoing legislative trends in state policies for prenatal-to-3 initiatives. The post emphasizes support for working families, with a focus on PFL, child tax credits, EITCs, child care subsidies, and community-based doulas. The post provides examples of legislative actions in various states.
Using the Roadmap to Inform Your Legislative Agenda
In our January 29 blog post, learn how to leverage our Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap to align legislative goals with proven policies, evaluate state progress, and cultivate stakeholder support. Discover evidence-backed solutions to improve child and family outcomes in your state legislative session.
Our Executive Director, Dr. Cynthia Osborne, started 2024 with a series of presentations on the center’s research findings. She presented to the Alaska Senate Education Committee, the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children’s Early Education Month, and Start Early’s National Home Visiting Summit.
To request a presentation or other support from our Center, visit our State Services page.
Meet Administrative Program Coordinator Heaven Woldai, who started with the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center in July 2022. Heaven’s responsibilities include coordinating daily operations, developing new processes and systems, and facilitating internal human resource needs. Prior to this role, Heaven worked in youth development at a nonprofit organization, focusing on facilitating positive social and emotional development among youth while providing a nurturing and empowering environment. Heaven currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, discovering new music and writers, trying new activities, and staying active.
