The Future of Children, Princeton - Brookings: Providing research and analysis to promote effective policies and programs for children.

The Starting Points report introduced a new conceptualization of the needs of families and very young children from the prenatal period through the critical early years that focused on the interplay between healthy development, learning, and parenting behavior. The Starting Points vision of preparation for responsible parenthood, improved preventive health care and quality child care, and stronger community planning and supports for young families, still provides a solid blueprint for action.¹⁴

A variety of policy, program, and public education innovations are now being disseminated to share the best practices stimulated by the Starting Points Initiative. The strategies developed by these sites, and insights into the challenges they face, can guide the planning of private- and public-sector initiatives across the nation that respond to the needs of young children and their families.¹⁵