Mission and Vision
The mission of the Center on the Developing Child is to leverage the power of science in pursuit of better, more equitable outcomes for young children facing adversity. We do this through a unique approach to multidisciplinary science synthesis, strategic communications, and collaborative learning engagements to increase understanding and change the narrative around the importance of supporting healthy development during pregnancy and the earliest years. Our goal is to catalyze changes in policies, services, and funding that help ensure all children can thrive, along with their caregivers, in developmental environments that support their health and well-being.
To achieve this, we must consider children in every collective decision we make, from funding to policy to program design. We must work together to prioritize what’s good for children across a wide range of policy sectors—and bring science together with diverse sources of knowledge, community expertise, and lived experience of caregivers raising young children.
We envision a world where every child grows up in a developmental environment where they have what they need to thrive—surrounded by supportive relationships, positive experiences and opportunities, and broader environments that support their lifelong health and well-being.
Our Approach
Our approach is grounded in four core strategies aimed at making science accessible and actionable for policymakers, advocates, community leaders, and others whose work and decision-making are critical for supporting healthy development during pregnancy and the earliest years.