Early Childhood
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Basic pageCounties not only play a pivotal role in building thriving communities for an estimated 16 million children ages birth to three across the United States, but also invest in core policies and services that help to shape early childhood systems.Early Childhood
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Basic page
Early Childhood
The Importance of Prenatal-to-Three (PN-3)
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 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.
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.
Counties not only play a pivotal role in building thriving communities for an estimated 16 million children ages birth to three across the United States, but also invest in core policies and services that help to shape early childhood systems.2018-10-19Basic page2022-08-30
Counties For Kids
Find tools and resources for counties to support the well-being of young children
The Importance of Prenatal-to-Three (PN-3)
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 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.
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.
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Video
Sesame Street in Communities: Supporting Children and Families
SUN. JULY 14 | 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. EDT -
Video
Livestream: Leading Local Efforts to Reach Young Children
Watch live as an expert panel of county and national thought leaders about how counties are investing in young children and advancing early childhood policy, programs and systems. -
Webinar
Local Efforts Supporting Innovation in Early Childhood Development (Part 2)
Sep. 25, 2018 , 2:00 pm – 3:30 pmThe National Association of Counties Research Foundation invites you to participate in a webinar highlighting local innovations and best practice models in early childhood development. Counties play a critical role in shaping early childhood systems and are instrumental in investing in core services supporting young children and families. -
Webinar
New Funding Opportunities for Counties to Strengthen Early Care and Learning Programs
Sep. 19, 2018 , 2:00 pm – 3:30 pmEarlier this year, Congress passed and the president signed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 omnibus bill which included the largest ever increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), the nation’s largest federal child care assistance program. In addition to CCDBG’s increase in funding, the U.S. -
Webinar
The Importance of the Early Years: Impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Childhood Trauma (Part 2) [Pre-Recorded Webinar]
Jul. 25, 2018 , 1:00 pm – 2:30 pmAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress negatively impact the developing brain and contribute to concerning societal outcomes overtime. -
Workshop
2018 Annual Conference: Using Messaging to Enhance Engagement on Early Childhood Initiatives
Learn how to mobilize your county by using effective communications strategies, strong messaging techniques and civic engagement to promote an early childhood agenda.
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Webinar
Familiar Faces Initiative: Model Jurisdictions for Improving Outcomes through Coordinated Health and Justice Systems
May. 11, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:30 pmIn 2022, NACo relaunched the Familiar Faces Initiative during Mental Health Awareness Month to support counties and cities in better meeting the needs of their familiar faces—individuals with complex health and behavioral health conditions who frequently cycle through jails, homeless shelters, emergency departments and other crisis service -
Reports & Toolkits
Behavioral Health Conditions Reach Crisis Levels: Counties Urge Stronger Intergovernmental Partnership and Outcomes
Counties are facing an acute escalation of the mental and behavioral health crisis. In a recent NACo survey, 75 percent of counties reported an increase in the incidence of behavioral health conditions over the past year and 89 percent reported an increase compared to five years ago. -
Blog
How counties can extend the reach of drug disposal programs with at-home drug deactivation and disposal
This blog post is sponsored by NACo partner Deterra. Empower Your Community: Enhance Drug Disposal Programs with At-Home Deactivation & Disposal Solutions -
Blog
Bipartisan legislation introduced in House and Senate to address Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy
Two bipartisan bills have recently been reintroduced in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives to address the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy. -
County News
Counties are boosting, normalizing mental health support services for their employees
Counties like Santa Clara County, Calif. have expanded their mental health services offerings for employees. -
County News
County program offers opportunities for developmentally disabled residents
Prince George’s County, Md.’s Project HIRE finds good fits for residents with special needs, enriching county departments and participants’ work experiences.
Contact
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Program Director – Health & Human Services(202) 942-4251
Related Events
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13Jun2023Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: How the Social Determinants of Health Impact Families and Children
Jun. 13, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
15Jun2023Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: How the Social Determinants of Health Impact Families and Children
Jun. 15, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Upcoming Events
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12Jun2023
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13Jun2023Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: How the Social Determinants of Health Impact Families and Children
Jun. 13, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
15Jun2023Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: How the Social Determinants of Health Impact Families and Children
Jun. 15, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
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