History of NCIT
The National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers (NCIT) was created in 2017 as a vehicle to connect a diverse group of advocates, system leaders, philanthropy, researchers, policy experts and practitioners at the federal, state and local level who shared a common interest in addressing the needs of our nation’s youngest children. Developed with initial support from the Pritzker Children’s Initiative, NCIT was founded on the belief that beginning prenatally, every child and their family should have the support that they need for a strong start in life.
In its early years, NCIT focused on raising awareness of the need for stronger and more equitable prenatal-to-three (PN-3) policies and programs, measuring the impact of PN-3 investments and sharing what works to better support infants, toddlers and their families.
By 2022, American Heart Association (AHA), through its Voices for Healthy Kids project, became the steward of NCIT. Within this new home and with access to expanded funding sources, NCIT has been able to build on its original purpose, strengthen its support to advocates and increase its impact on PN-3 investments.
Voices for Healthy Kids, an initiative of the American Heart Association (AHA), provides the staffing and support structure for The National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers. NCIT supports education and policies that at times are outside the realm of the AHA. This staffing and support should not be construed as endorsement by the American Heart Association.
