Big dreams for DC’s
youngest children
Mission
For every child, the opportunity to reach their full potential
All children deserve a strong beginning and a limitless future. Under 3 DC harnesses the voices and power of parents with young children, caregivers, and others to create transformative social change. Our efforts center on the people experiencing racial and economic injustice every day. We shine a spotlight on the need for more public investments to support families with infants and toddlers. Together, we can set the city on a path to creating and sustaining a high quality, equitable early childhood system.
Values
Fighting for a system with equity at its core
We will be successful because we are leading with our values, standing in our convictions and engaging in innovative strategies. So, we’re hopeful DC will become a place where equity starts at birth for every family.
- Racial Justice
- Economic Mobility
- True Diversity
- Real Ownership
- Structural Equity
- Leverage Strengths
We believe that structural racism is often the root of the disparities facing Black and Brown families in the District. So, addressing racism is central to Under 3 DC.
We believe that being poor is not a character flaw. Simply because you can’t afford more doesn’t mean you don’t deserve better. So, to achieve our Under 3 DC goals we must be part of the larger anti-racist, anti-poverty movement.
We believe in the power of many different voices. So, we seek out racial, economic, gender, generational, institutional, and professional diversity in our Under 3 DC coalition to strengthen our work.
We believe that people closest to the pain should be closest to the power, and driving and informing the work. So, we take our cues from those most affected by racial and economic injustice. They are the architects of Under 3 DC.
We believe that there are great inequities and systemic, embedded, and entrenched disparities in our city. So, we make sure our near-term wins also serve the long-term District vision. Our Under 3 DC strategy is holistic.
We believe we are all experts in our own areas. So, we honor and build on the strengths, knowledge and skills of our communities. Under 3 DC members may sometimes disagree, but we always assume good intentions. We respect each other and do our best to act in an empathetic way.
Join our Coalition
We are stronger together. Become a member and support the movement to create a more equitable and just DC for all children and their families.
Coalition
Strong Voices for Under 3 DC
Our campaign welcomes anyone working toward a more equitable and just DC for all. Together we’re fighting for full funding for the programs, services and workforce necessary for families with young children to thrive. Meet our diverse coalition.
COALITION MEMBERAdvocates for Justice and Education
COALITION MEMBERApple Tree Institute
COALITION MEMBERBread for the City Southeast Center
COALITION MEMBERBright Beginnings Infant and Toddler Center
COALITION MEMBERBright Beginnings Pre-K 3/4 Center
COALITION MEMBERChildren's Law Center
COALITION MEMBERCommunity Educational Research Group -Antioch Facility
COALITION MEMBERCommunity Educational Research Group -Good Hope Rd Facility
COALITION MEMBERCommunity Educational Research Group -Minnesota Avenue Facility
COALITION MEMBERCommunity of Hope Girard Street Apartments
COALITION MEMBERCommunity of Hope Marie Reed Health Center
COALITION MEMBERCommunity of Hope Family Health and Birth Center
COALITION MEMBERCommunity of Hope Rapid Rehousing and Employment Teams
COALITION MEMBERCommunity of Hope at The Commons (Stanton Square Resource Center)
COALITION MEMBERCommunity of Hope Mississippi Avenue and Archer Park Apartments
COALITION MEMBERCommunity of Hope Hope Apartments
COALITION MEMBERCommunity of Hope at The Triumph (Short-Term Family Housing)
COALITION MEMBERDC Appleseed Center for Law & Justice
COALITION MEMBERDC Association for the Education of Young Children
COALITION MEMBERDC Early Learning Collaborative
COALITION MEMBERDC Fiscal Policy Institute
COALITION MEMBERDC Hunger Solutions
COALITION MEMBERDC Working Families
COALITION MEMBERMartha's Table
COALITION MEMBERMartha's Table at The Commons
COALITION MEMBERMartha's Table at The Maycroft
COALITION MEMBERMary's Center Petworth Health Center
COALITION MEMBERMary's Center Petworth Program Office
COALITION MEMBERMary's Center Bernice Fonteneau
COALITION MEMBERNational Children's Center
COALITION MEMBERNCC Early Learning Center and Early Intervention Center
COALITION MEMBERNOVA Birth Partners DC
COALITION MEMBERNOVA Birth Partners Capitol Hill
COALITION MEMBERNOVA Birth Partners Breastfeeding Center of Greater Washington
COALITION MEMBERNOVA Birth Partners Collaboration Columbia Heights - Latin American Youth Center
COALITION MEMBERNurse-Family Partnership National Service Office
COALITION MEMBERParents Amplifying Voices in Education (PAVE)
COALITION MEMBERPlanned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington
COALITION MEMBERThe Early Childhood Innovation Network (MedStar Georgetown University Hospital)
COALITION MEMBERThe Early Childhood Innovation Network (Children's National Health System)
COALITION MEMBERUPO Anacostia Community Service Center
COALITION MEMBERUPO Petey Greene Community Service Center
Read Our 2020 Impact Report
Under 3 DC helped protect funding for health and subsidized child care programs. We reversed the mayor’s budget cuts and we won broad support for our plan to provide emergency grants to the child care sector.
Leadership
Executive Committee and Campaign Staff
Our executive committee members represent organizations dedicated to transforming DC’s early childhood system. Their talented leaders bring subject matter expertise, on-the-ground experience and proven track records in the District with game-changing campaigns.
The Under 3 DC campaign is staffed and led by professionals from the six organizations—DC Action for Children, DC Early Learning Collaborative, DC Fiscal Policy Institute, Early Childhood Innovation Network, Jews United for Justice, and SPACEs in Action.
Core Team
Executive Committee
Kimberly Perry
Executive Director
DC Action for Children
Carrie Thornhill
Executive Director
DC Early Learning Collaborative
Tazra Mitchell
Policy Director
DC Fiscal Policy Institute
Dr. Matt Biel
Co-Director, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
Early Childhood Innovation Network
Jacob Feinspan
Executive Director
Jews United for Justice
LaDon Love
Executive Director
SPACEs in Action
We also acknowledge the generous support of all the individual donors and funders who have supported our Birth-to-Three work since its inception.
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