Health and Development

The first three years of life are a period of incredible growth in a baby’s development, a time when 80 percent of brain growth happens. Yet there are discrepancies in the type of care and service that are accessible to mothers and babies to ensure healthy development and pre-and post-natal care.

More than one in four mothers do not receive early prenatal care, and New York has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country. And although one-third of young children are at serious risk for delays in development, New York ranks 49th in the country for screening rate.

Maternal Health

New York has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country. For every 100,000 live births in our state, there are 20.0 maternal deaths, compared to our national average of 17.4. Additionally, a Black mom in the United States is 3-4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications, and much more likely to give birth to new babies with low-weight at birth.

From access to affordable prenatal and perinatal care to anti-discriminatory and anti-racist maternal care, to high-quality support for postpartum mental health, we must do more.

“I basically had to advocate for myself, because I’m like, ‘If I don’t get out of this, I’m going to die.”
-Chanel J. on her experience with racist disparities in healthcare

Early Intervention Services

The Early Intervention (EI) program provides critical services such as evaluations and therapies for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities. For the first time ever, New York State authorized EI services to be delivered using telehealth during the pandemic as a way to ensure that the program could continue to serve young children and families. This resource offers how we can improve telehealth as a service model and more.

Report: Strengthening the intersect between home visiting and child care programs in New York State

Home visiting programs are voluntary, evidence-based or evidence-generated programs that deliver services and support to families from early in pregnancy through the first few years of a child’s life. Home visitors also serve as community connectors, linking the family to more resources to help their children thrive. However, many families across New York State are not aware of these programs and/or how to access them. Our report explores how to strengthen access to these critical programs in New York State.

Latest Posts

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Testimony on Early Intervention, Medicaid coverage, and Home Visiting: January 23, 2024

Testimony on Early Intervention, Medicaid coverage, and Home Visiting: January 23, 2024

The Education Trust–New York, on behalf of Raising NY, testified to the New York State Joint Legislative Hearing on Health on January 23, 2024 The Education Trust–New York is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to educational equity. We work to attain...

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Testimony for the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Health & Medicaid

Testimony for the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Health & Medicaid

It is critical that we expand the Medicaid continuous coverage to mothers and children up to age 6. Access to high-quality maternal health and pediatric primary care is crucial to supporting the health and wellness of mothers and their young children, particularly the health of Black mothers, who are five times more likely to die of a pregnancy-related cause than White women in New York State.