New York Zero-to-Three Network 

Annual Report 2023-2024 

Accomplishments and Highlights of a Productive Year 

PROVIDING EDUCATION AND NETWORKING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS 

The New York Zero-to-Three Network supports the professional development and collaborative capacities of the multi-disciplinary early childhood workforce across New York State. With a commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, we provide education and support policies that promote the health and well-being of infants, toddlers, and families from the prenatal period through the first three years of life.

This year we continued to produce and distribute bimonthly newsletters to inform our members and contribute to better practice. Newsletters publicized and reviewed our training events, highlighted important policy initiatives, and introduced our members to other professionals in the community (“angels in the nursery”) who work tirelessly for the benefit of young children and families.  

We also offered the following quality educational workshops: 

See Us, Support Us: Supporting Children of Incarcerated Parents October 25 

Working With Difficult Families: Approaches to Engaging Complexity December 12 

Healthy Families Healthy Steps- Transforming pediatric care by embedding child development and infant mental health services into primary care January 25 

Solving Problems Collaboratively with Young Children April 5 

Two workshops on The Parenting Educator's Role in Supporting and Fostering Healthy Child and Parent Development Across the Lifespan co-sponsored with New York Parenting Education Partnership: 

  • Part 1.  Early Windows of Opportunity: Supporting Healthy Parent and Infant Development from Prenatal to 12-months February 14 

  • Part 2.  Growing and Learning Together: Supporting Healthy Parent and Child Development from 12 month-3 years February 22 

In addition to these workshops, we hosted an annual conference: The Border is Here: Addressing Trauma and Loss in Mixed-Status and Undocumented Immigrant Families with Young Children May 17 

And co-sponsored a “Breakfast for Babies” with the New York State Association for Infant Mental Health: The Harmful Effects of Climate Change and Air Pollution on Children's Health June 7  

RECOGNIZING EARLY CHILDHOOD LEADERS 

We recognized two highly accomplished early childhood practitioners this year.  

The Hedi Levenback Memorial Evening held on February 29 honored Dr. Serena Wieder. Dr. Wieder was interviewed by host Dr. Gil Foley; they discussed her contributions as an innovator to the field of early childhood. She is Clinical Director of the Profectum Foundation, co-creator with Dr. Stanley Greenspan of the DIR Floortime Model, co-author of The Child with Special Needs, Engaging Autism, and the Profectum Parent Toolbox.  Floortime, based on the Developmental Individual-difference Relationship-based model (DIR)is a therapeutic approach for working with children on the autism spectrum to encourage social interaction. Special thanks to Board member Barbara Greenstein for her leadership in organizing this event recognizing Dr Wieder. 

At the Annual Conference on May 17, Elaine Geller was presented with the Emily Fenichel Award, to recognize a practitioner in the birth-to-three field whose work has made a steady and significant impact on improving services and circumstances for infants, toddlers, and their families. Geller spearheaded the development of the Early Intervention Specialization within the Speech-Language Pathology Master's program at Brooklyn College of CUNY, in partnership with the NYC Bureau of Early Intervention, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The program was designed to address the dire need for well-trained speech-language practitioners to serve underrepresented infants, toddlers, and their families in NYC. Elaine established numerous affiliations between Early Intervention agencies and Brooklyn College of CUNY to ensure externship placements with the zero-to-three population for graduate students.  

REVITALIZING OUR VOICE FOR BABIES 

Another significant initiative for our organization this year was to actively support the need to increase reimbursement rates for New York State’s Early Intervention providers.  Thanks to Board member Jenn O'Connor, the NYZTT Board sent a letter to Governor Hochul expressing our support for increased investments in Early Intervention (EI). We followed the lead of partners such as the Kids Can’t Wait Campaign and urged an 11% rate increase for providers, loan forgiveness, and reform of the methodology used to determine EI reimbursement rates. In February, before the NYS Assembly and Senate releasing their one-house budget bills, we reiterated our request. Ultimately the 2025 Enacted Budget included a 5% increase with a 4% modifier for underserved areas of the State. A first step. 

A “Friendraiser” was held at the Gallery Henoch in Chelsea which was both a fundraiser and an opportunity to learn about local policy.  Our special guest was Jennifer Gutierrez, NYC Council member representing Council District 34, which includes the neighborhoods of Williamsburg and Bushwick in Brooklyn and Ridgewood in Queens.  Ms Gutierrez strongly advocates for quality child care and other supports for New York City families.   

MOVING INTO THE FUTURE: 2024-2025 

This fall the New York Zero-to-Three Network welcomed new co-presidents: Martha Edwards and Margot Kaplan-Sanoff.  We look forward to an exciting new year! Follow us on Facebook or check out our newly designed NYZTT website  Become a member of NYZTT to connect with other early childhood professionals and receive bi-monthly newsletters, free webinar registration, and reduced registration for all other events. 

All best wishes from our friends and colleagues at New York Zero-to-Three,  

                                                           

Joanne Loeb and Susan Perkins 

  Co-Presidents 2020-2024