Episode 25 - Early Childhood Development & Housing Stability

Opportunity Starts at Home

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Myra Jones-Taylor, Chief Policy Officer at ZERO TO THREE, about the intersection of healthy early childhood development and housing stability. Dr. Jones-Taylor discusses the research around baby and toddler development, persistent racial disparities, effective best practices, the short- and long-term impacts of COVID-19, and why ZERO TO THREE is pushing Congress to invest in housing stability. "Babies need a place to call home," said Dr. Jones-Taylor. "Safe, affordable housing is at the heart of healthy early development. I can’t think of anything that is more foundational to young children’s well-being. The experience of the pandemic has laid bare that our systems for supporting the health and well-being of families with young children are threadbare to practically non-existent. For us, it’s important that Congress hears from the baby perspective so we can make this connection for them." ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit that works to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. Intro/Closing Song: Free Music Library, YouTube, “Clover 3” URL: www.youtube.com/audiolibrary