Tulsa Area Mom Ready to Take Part in Strolling Thunder

Tulsa mother of eight, Shalyone Richardson and her baby, are packing up their stroller and heading to the nation's capital on a serious mission.

On Wednesday, May 8, they will join infants, toddlers and their families from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to take Capitol Hill by storm for the second annual Strolling Thunder event. The families will share their stories with their Members of Congress and urge them to Think Babies and Act – for stronger families, vibrant communities, and a prosperous country.

Shalyone and others will call on Congress to Think Babies and Act in three key areas to support healthy child development:

• Create a national paid family leave program, so all parents have the time to bond with their babies and build strong early relationships without sacrificing their financial stability.
• Increase access to quality, affordable child care for all working families that provides babies and toddlers with close relationships with caring adults and strong early learning experiences.
• Increase investments in Early Head Start so that more families living in poverty can benefit from the comprehensive services it provides.

Parents will deliver that message directly when they take to Capitol Hill to visit with their Senators and Representatives. The goal of the event and meetings is to emphasize why making young children's potential a national priority benefits the country and impacts everything from economic development to military readiness.

Investments in programs and policies that support early brain development yield significant return on investment in the long run. Research shows that quality early childhood development programs that begin at birth can deliver a 13 percent per year return on investment through more years of education, more employment, and better adult health. But families without the social and economic resources to provide their babies and toddlers with positive, nurturing experiences are at a disadvantage. Nearly half of America's babies live in or near poverty, which can undermine brain development. Giving all babies a strong start in life increases graduation rates, improves the quality of the workforce, improves health, and reduces crime.

In addition to meeting with Members of Congress and their staff, families will join ZERO TO THREE and its partners for a mid-day rally on Capitol Hill. A digital day of action will take place on May 8 as well, engaging partners, advocates, and families across the country in urging Congress to Think Babies and Act via email and social media.