The Ounce of Prevention Fund works to ensure that public policies and a strong infrastructure are in place – and adequately funded - to give vulnerable children access to voluntary, high-quality early childhood programs.

The Ounce has worked for more than 25 years to help policymakers in Illinois understand the science behind early childhood education so that they will direct public funding toward programs that are proven be the most effective and reach the children most in need.

Today, we are working to replicate our success in Illinois in states across the country. Our national policy consultation team closely mentors advocates, practitioners, and funders to help them build and strengthen their states' early childhood systems.

We also launched the First Five Years Fund to mobilize nationwide support for and increase federal investment in early childhood programs.