Prenatal-to-Three Impact Lab

Recognizing that healthy environments, financial stability, and safe homes are essential for thriving children, families, and communities, NLC’s Early Childhood Success team is excited to launch the Prenatal-to-Three Impact Lab, a unique nine-month initiative to drive local action for the prenatal-to-three population. The Prenatal-to-Three Impact Lab will focus on strategies to address key contributors to poor maternal and infant outcomes, including climate & environmental factors, family economic insecurity, and housing instability.

The Prenatal-to-Three Impact Lab offers a blend of in-person and virtual sessions that connect participants with early childhood experts, peer networks, tailored resources, and real-world city examples. Throughout the series, leaders will refine their strategic vision and develop actionable commitments on behalf of the prenatal-to-three population in their cities through collaborative cohort discussions, as well as guidance from national partners and NLC staff. Participating cities will select one focus area to drive targeted impact.

Selected cities will receive support to:

• Integrate early childhood frameworks with climate and environmental initiatives that promote healthy air, green space, and sustainable neighborhoods.
• Embed early childhood and family-centered strategies in economic development efforts that enhance financial stability and workforce participation for parents and caregivers.
• Connect housing policies to the specific needs of expectant parents and families with infants and toddlers, ensuring access to stable, safe, and affordable homes.

Through this initiative, participants will gain the tools, expertise, and collaboration necessary to create lasting, meaningful change for their youngest residents and broader communities.

Who is this Series For?

This initiative is for cities, towns, and villages dedicated to improving early childhood outcomes through policy, collaboration, and strategic action. While team leads must be a city staff member, the ideal team will consist of:

• Municipal leaders
• Cross-departmental city staff (e.g., Early Childhood, Housing & Community Development, Economic Development, Sustainability)
• Community partners (e.g., community partners, parent leaders, foundations)

Important Information:

• Applications are due by 11:59 PM ET on Friday, October 31, 2025.
• The support of your city, town or village’s top executive is required.
• During each program, cities will be expected to participate in one in-person convening. The location of this meeting will be determined in Fall 2025.

Informational Session:

An informational webinar will be held on Wednesday, August 20. Register now to learn more about this opportunity and get insights into the application process.

Confirmed National Partners:

• Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child

This Impact Lab is made possible by the generous support of the Pritzker Children’s Initiative.