Children Have Their Day, Ideas for Tomorrow

by Helen Blank

Yesterday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi convened a historic National Summit on Children. Experts in early learning, health care, child care and family income agreed that there were indeed a range of strategies that can make a positive difference in the lives of young children. They also agreed that the science was clear that investments in these strategies are definitely cost effective both in the short and the long term.

The messages from the day make perfect sense to anyone who has or works with young children, which is why this summit was so important. At the end of the day, it was evident from the various presentations that we all agree that it is essential to reach children early, that effective programs are high quality and comprehensive and recognize the needs of working families, and that children have to be supported in the context of their families. This means supporting parents through strategies such as home visiting and family leave as well as ensuring that parents as well as children have access to adequate health care, sufficient income, and adequate food and nutrition.

This is a great first step. Now, the next step is to ensure that Congress begins this year to make investments in the panoply of supports that children and their families need.