WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg and Baby Caucus co-chair Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), hosted a briefing today with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, to assist states with establishing comprehensive and coordinated systems for health care, education, and family support services for young children. 

“The Baby Caucus has generated a lot of great buzz, and for very good reason,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee and a co-founder of the Congressional Baby Caucus with DeLauro in July.  “The early years of life are critical to a child’s development.  It is crucial that policy makers accept our role in ensuring that every American child grows up in a safe and healthy environment with the resources they need to grow into strong, productive adults.  I will continue to work across the aisle to find bipartisan solutions to the challenges facing infants, toddlers, and their families.”

“I know from watching my own grandchildren, that the earliest of experiences are essential, and supportive environments critical, to long term outcomes for children,” said Congresswoman DeLauro.  “Guaranteeing that infants, toddlers, and their families have access to a broad range of services, from basic nutrition, to Head Start, to quality and affordable child care is a great way to help them grow up safe and healthy. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides to address the needs of children across the country.”

More than 30 bipartisan members of the Baby Caucus are champions for awareness and early investment – promoting what is best for children, from the beginning, rather than have the effect of policies on infants and toddlers as afterthoughts. The Caucus focuses on a broad range of areas, including nutrition and basic needs for babies; the effects of trauma; and federal programs.

Wednesday’s event, “Some Assembly Required: Building State Systems for Infants and Toddlers,” featured the head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and a panel of Early Childhood Development experts from around the country.  During her remarks, the Secretary encouraged state and federal policymakers to work with community organizations, non-profit foundations and local educators to develop and fund innovative solutions to the challenges impacting infants and toddlers.  She also encouraged policymakers from the health and education fields to work together to streamline the process of gathering information on and assessing a child’s educational development from infancy through their school years. 

Also attending the forum was Billie Warford who served as the Director of the Montana Early Childhood Project at Montana State University for 22 years.  During that time she also served as Director of the HRDC Head Start Program, MSU Child Development Center and the MSU Infant and Toddler Program.  Billie has come out of retirement to work on rural issues in early care and education.  She is currently Director of Early Childhood Solutions in Bozeman.  Billie has written or co-written several publications regarding early childhood care, programs and resources in rural areas.  She is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and Montana State University.