Zero to Three

Zero to Three
Name	Zero to Three
Type	Nonprofit organization
Founded	1973
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Focus	Infant and toddler development, early childhood policy, parent support

Zero to Three

Zero to Three is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization focused on the healthy development and well-being of infants and toddlers. Founded in 1973, it provides research, policy guidance, training, and resources intended for families, clinicians, policymakers, and early childhood professionals. The organization connects developmental science with practice and policy through publications, advocacy, and professional development initiatives.

History

Zero to Three emerged during a period of growing attention to early childhood following the publication of developmental research in the 1960s and 1970s by figures such as John Bowlby, Mary Ainsworth, Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, and Erik Erikson. Its origins trace to a coalition of clinicians and researchers influenced by work at institutions like Harvard University, Yale University, University of California, Berkeley, and Columbia University focusing on attachment, temperament, and early cognitive development. Over time, the organization interacted with federal initiatives including programs associated with Head Start, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and the National Institutes of Health. Leaders and advisers have included scholars connected to centers like the Child Study Center at Yale and the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, while collaborations extended to advocacy groups such as Save the Children and professional societies like the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Mission and Programs

Zero to Three’s mission centers on promoting healthy development for children from birth to age three through science-informed practice and policy. Programmatic efforts integrate knowledge from researchers at places like University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, University of Chicago, and University of Michigan and draw on clinical frameworks advanced by practitioners associated with New York University and University of Washington. Signature programs include parent-facing resources, clinician toolkits, and community partnership models that align with initiatives by Early Head Start, Child Care Aware of America, and state departments of health in jurisdictions such as California, Massachusetts, and New York. It partners with philanthropic organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, foundations tied to Annie E. Casey Foundation priorities, and social service networks including United Way chapters.

Research and Publications

Research dissemination is a core function, producing peer-oriented and practitioner-facing outputs that synthesize findings from scholars at Princeton University, University of California, San Diego, Brown University, and Northwestern University. Publications range from policy briefs and developmental guides to the journal historically edited for early childhood audiences; this work cites influential studies from authors affiliated with King's College London and University College London as well as U.S. investigators funded by National Science Foundation and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The organization’s materials often reference frameworks popularized by experts involved with the Zero to Three Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood and tools used in clinical settings tied to American Psychological Association practice guidelines. Collaborative reports have been produced with entities such as the Commonwealth Fund, Brookings Institution, and think tanks oriented around child welfare like Casey Family Programs.

Training and Professional Development

Zero to Three delivers continuing education, workshops, and credentialing supports for professionals working with infants and toddlers. Training curricula incorporate evidence from research groups at Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Vanderbilt University, and are used by clinicians affiliated with hospitals such as Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Boston Children's Hospital. Professional offerings include in-person institutes, online modules, and certification pathways that intersect with licensing bodies including state boards and professional associations like the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Partnerships with universities facilitate practicum experiences and cross-disciplinary seminars alongside social work programs at Columbia University School of Social Work and nursing schools at University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

Advocacy and Policy Initiatives

Advocacy efforts translate developmental science into policy recommendations addressing early care, parental leave, screening, and family support. Zero to Three has engaged with federal and state policymakers, submitting testimony and policy briefs in contexts related to legislation championed by lawmakers in Congress and state capitols, and coordinating with coalitions that include March of Dimes, Child Trends, and The Urban Institute. Policy priorities have intersected with debates over programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, early screening initiatives tied to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and public health campaigns connected to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. The organization’s advocacy collaborates with labor and family-leave advocates, philanthropic partners, and legal policy groups like Legal Aid Society affiliates to support systems that affect infants and toddlers.

Organizational Structure and Funding

Structured as a nonprofit headquartered in Washington, D.C., the organization’s governance includes a board of directors, executive leadership, scientific advisory councils, and program staff. Funding streams encompass philanthropic grants, foundation support from entities such as the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Carnegie Corporation of New York, government contracts, fee-for-service training revenue, and donations from individual donors and corporate partners. Fiscal oversight aligns with nonprofit reporting practices observed by peer organizations including Generations United and Trust for America's Health, and financial planning often involves collaboration with auditors and consultants with experience in nonprofit management and public health financing.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C.