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Working families from all 50 states, including Indiana, visited Washington D.C. to ask Congress to invest more in early childhood services. This is the second year for the Strolling Thunder event organized by non-profit Zero to Three.
Families are asking lawmakers for a national paid family leave program, more quality affordable childcare and more money for Early Head Start programs.
Dr. Myra Jones-Taylor, the chief policy officer with Zero to Three, says it's important for babies to bond with family and get a healthy start.
"We know that the brain is developing between the ages of zero to 3 than at any other time in life, we know that 1 million new neural connections are formed every second," says Jones-Taylor.
Jones-Taylor says quality early childhood development programs impact education, employment and a healthy adulthood. She says programs like Early Head Start are important for low-income families.
"We know that is really a game changer for many families - it's the highest standard of care for infants and toddlers in this country - and making sure that all children who are eligible have access to it," says Jones-Taylor.
Indiana is represented by a working family from Fort Wayne, who will meet with will meet with U.S. Sens. Joe Donnelly and Todd Young, and U.S. Rep. Jim Banks.
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