Report urges California leaders to prioritize wellbeing of infants, toddlers

Up to 62 percent of California’s babies are born to low-income families.

OAKLAND, California – In this most populous and diverse state in the country and the sixth largest economy in the world, 62 percent of babies are born into low-income families each year, according to a new report, which also describes the challenges facing the states youngest children as “complex, as are solutions to providing them with the support they need.”

The report, “Starting Now: A Policy Vision for Supporting the Healthy Growth and Development of Every California Baby,” released by Children Now, offers policy solutions for state and local leaders to ensure babies and toddlers—particularly those of color and those born into low income-families, who represent the majority of California’s babies and toddlers.

Starting Now offers a policy roadmap to establishing a “child-centered, comprehensive and sustainable network of quality services and supports” that will ensure that all kids from before birth to age three have equal opportunities to reach their full potential.

The report’s policy roadmap takes a “whole-child approach to policy solutions,” focusing on the full spectrum of issues affecting children’s health, welfare and education.

“California’s policymakers are under-investing in the state’s youngest children, to the detriment of their health and welfare, and California’s economy. Our state’s babies and toddlers deserve better, and Starting Now represents an opportunity to solve some complex challenges together—policymakers, state leaders, providers, and parents,” Children Now President Ted Lempert said.

“In a state known for innovation, we must come together to make sure that every California baby has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential—starting now,” he added.