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 develop a sophisticated understanding about the science behind early childhood education so that they will direct public funding toward programs that evidence shows will be most effective and reach children most in need. Through our Kids Public Education and Policy Project (Kids PEPP), we have helped turn Illinois's early learning system into a national model.
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.