Minnesota Prenatal to Three (PN-3) Coalition
This coalition represents local, regional, and statewide early childhood stakeholders.
We believe by focusing on children facing racial, geographic, and economic inequities, all children in Minnesota will be able to thrive within their families and communities. Our purpose is to:
- Raise awareness among policy and decision-makers about the importance of these early years and to ensure our youngest children are both meeting important developmental benchmarks and ready for kindergarten.
- Increase smart investments in Minnesota’s young children and their families.
PN-3 Policy Priorities
Minnesota’s future prosperity depends on the well-being of every family, every infant, and every young child. Healthy child development is fundamental to the overall well-being of every Minnesotan. Understanding the developing human brain, which begins before birth and continues into adulthood, is key. Early experiences, within the context of families, literally shape how the brain gets built and have long-term consequences on future health and well-being.
We believe targeted policy opportunities aimed at those who experience racial, economic, and geographic inequities will ensure the first 1000 days of life include quality experiences for infants, toddlers, and their families.
Minnesota’s Prenatal to Three Coalition strives to ensure all children will have healthy births and supportive mothers, fathers, families, and communities with resources to develop, grow, and flourish without being defined by one’s income, race, ethnicity, or zip code.
2024 Policy Platform: Minnesota’s Prenatal to Three Coalition is working in partnership with early childhood advocates to prioritize these shared policy and legislative positions in 2024.
Legislative Session Summaries
Minnesota witnessed the passage of historic investments in families with infants, toddlers, and young children in recent legislative sessions! The PN-3 Coalition is thrilled to highlight a few key policy changes that recently passed
Thank you to the advocates, families, and providers who continue to email, call, march, and advocate for policies to support Minnesota’s youngest infants and toddlers.
2024 Legislative Session Summary
2023 Legislative Session Summary
Resources
Building Blocks for Our Future
American Indians in Minnesota Fact Sheet
2022 Minnesota KIDS COUNT by County Fact Sheets
Minnesotans for Paid Family & Medical Leave
Transforming Minnesota’s Early Childhood Workforce
New Resources, Programs, and Policies Impacting Young Child & Families (2024)
2024 Voter & Advocacy Education Guide
Contact Information
The PN-3 Coalition is co-chaired by Alisha Porter of the Children’s Defense Fund-MN and Nancy Jost.
- Project Coordinator, Laura LaCroix-Dalluhn
- Co-Chair Alisha Porter, Children’s Defense Fund-MN
- Co-Chair Nancy Jost, Retired Early Childhood Advisor
Meetings
Coalition meetings are held the second Friday of the month from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Join us via Zoom.
2024 PN-3 Coalition Meeting Schedule
Children’s Defense Fund-MN is the fiscal host and co-chairs the PN-3 Coalition with West Central Initiative. Funding is provided by Alliance for Early Success.