zero-to-3Breaking news from ZERO TO THREE: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families: On Thursday, December 7th “Congress passed broad mental health reform legislation, including new grants to promote infant and early childhood mental health!”

Included in the larger 21st Century Cures Act, the legislation was passed along bipartisan lines and is a very good sign that for the first time ever, Congress recognizes that the foundations of strong mental health are laid early, with very young children starting from birth. This acknowledgement of the importance of mental health prevention, identification and treatment of the wide spectrum of infant and childhood mental health is being touted as a victory for the very young in America.

Matthew Melmed, Executive Director of ZERO TO THREE, said, “We are extremely grateful to the Congressional champions on this issue, including Senators Bill Cassidy and Chris Murphy, Chairman Lamar Alexander and Ranking Member Patty Murray, and Chairman Fred Upton and Ranking Member Frank Pallone for recognizing that babies’ mental health matters and fighting for them throughout this process.”

For more information on what specific provisions this legislation will include, please check out the full story here.