Early Childhood Programming and Resources
Support for the prenatal-to-three (PN-3) period
The first three years of a child’s life are the “bricks and mortar” of brain development - building the foundation for future learning, behavior, and health. Evidence shows that when we invest the early years, infants and toddlers become healthy children who are confident, empathetic, and ready for school and life. Communities and governments can provide parents with the support they need to succeed and thrive. Programs and policies impacting these early years should ensure healthy beginnings at birth, support families with young children and make high-quality child care and learning environments more accessible and affordable to all parents who want them.
Counties For Kids
Counties for Kids is a public awareness campaign for county leaders who are committed to making investments in young children from prenatal to age three (PN-3). We encourage all county leaders to join the network of champions advancing PN-3 policies, programs and systems.
Counties Matter
Counties play a major role in shaping early childhood systems and investing in core services for infants and toddlers that help to support a thriving community and positively impacting outcomes into adulthood. Every county in the United States administers and funds part of the cost of strengthening communities and families with young children. Counties routinely provide an array of programs and services to an estimated 16 million children ages zero to three in the United States and are responsible for addressing the needs of young children, and their families, by administering and coordinating PN-3 services including child care, health and prenatal care, early intervention, home visiting, maternal health screenings, parent classes and early literacy programs.
Childcare Supply Network
The Childcare Supply Network (CSN) is a national network aimed at enhancing counties' capacity to expand childcare supply strategically and sustainably. Five communities across the United States have been invited to participate and form a team of stakeholders representing various sectors. The CSN will support participants in blending and braiding public and private funding, leveraging those and other resources to build or renovate childcare facilities and strengthening diverse, sustainable finance systems for childcare. The twelve-month program includes virtual meetings, an in-person peer exchange, and a national showcase at NACo's 2026 Legislative Conference. Outcomes will include established local working groups, updated tools, identified funding sources, and contributions to a national toolkit on childcare supply-building best practices.
Learn more about the CSN in NACo's press release about the Network.
PN-3 Resources for Counties
The National Association of Counties Research Foundation (NACoRF) is a non-profit organization recognized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service as a 501c3 public charity providing education, technical assistance and research to counties. NACoRF’s mission is to ascertain, develop and distribute knowledge about county governments and training of public officials, prospective public officials, and other interested parties. NACoRF assists America’s 3,069 counties -- including nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees-- in pursuing excellence to produce healthy, vibrant, safe and resilient counties. NACoRF has taken the lead in four major areas: best practice research, peer learning, education and training, and convening among government and private-sector leaders. Through its efforts, NACoRF helps counties find innovative solutions to local challenges and provides high-quality, evidence-based information to guide policies, decision-making and programming.
Click here to find more information and resources for counties in launching and supporting a local PN-3 initiative in your community.
NACo testifies on the county role in administering SNAP
On September 9, Franklin County, Ohio Deputy County Administrator Joy Bivens testified on behalf of NACo before the U.S. House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture at a hearing titled “Exploring State Options in SNAP.”
Law enforcement, mental health pros collaborate in Virginia county
Henrico County, Va.’s crisis response continuum brings together law enforcement and behavioral health professionals to de-escalate mental health crises and avoid unnecessary incarcerations and hospitalizations.
Farm Bill expiration: What counties need to know
On September 30, 2025, the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, officially known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334), expired.
HHS relaunches applications for TANF Pilot Program
This month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services relaunched applications for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Pilot Program, authorized by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.
Podcast: Early childhood services and counties
Boone County, Mo. Commissioner Janet Thompson describes the challenges that inadequate childhood services pose to children and families and the labor market, and how her county is working provide more options for county employees.
Senators introduce Child Care Modernization Act to strengthen child care systems
On September 17, Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced the bipartisan Child Care Modernization Act, legislation aimed at strengthening child care systems and improving access for families.