National Association of Counties Research Foundation Launches Counties for Kids Public Awareness Campaign

WASHINGTON –The National Association of Counites Research Foundation (NACoRF) today launched the Counties for Kids public awareness campaign and website. The campaign promotes the important role counties play in making early investments in young children from prenatal to age three (PN-3). This month, NACoRF is hosting a series of virtual activities for county leaders to participate in the launch.

Research shows that the most rapid period of brain development occurs within the first three years of life, laying the foundation for all future learning, behavior and health. By investing in young children and focusing on the prenatal to three years, counties can see greater returns and reduce the need for more expensive support later in life.

Counties invest $63 billion annually in federal, state and local funds in vital services for children and families. Counties provide an array of programs and services to an estimated 16 million children ages birth to three and their families.

“Even during challenging times, counties have made meaningful strides in supporting young children and families. Counties are advancing systems and championing initiatives designed to strengthen the health and well-being of our nation’s children. When counites invest in early childhood development, we are investing in our future,” said NACoRF Executive Director Matthew Chase. 

The Counties for Kids campaign offers virtual educational events for county leaders to learn innovative approaches and pursue local policy solutions that expand and improve services for young children. Launch activities include a social media day on January 27 for counties, cities, states and national organizations to share resources for local leaders to make advancements in early childhood development and the latest research on young children and families.

NACoRF encourages all county leaders to build on this momentum by sharing and exchanging PN-3 stories and proven efforts. County leaders from across the nation will submit letters-to the-editor promoting the Counties for Kids initiative and sharing how counites are becoming increasingly involved in early childhood development. 

For more information on Counties for Kids, visit www.countiesforkids.org.

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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.