employer resources
employers have a crucial role to play to support young children and their families
The Itasca Project is engaging employers in the Little Moments Count social movement. As a cross-sector alliance of employers, the Itasca Project has a pivotal role to play in our collective understanding of the importance and lifelong impact of the first 1,000 days of life, the first three years.
Early experiences in the first 1,000 days build the foundation for future learning, behavior, and health. Investing in the 100,000 Twin Cities families with children under three—particularly the most vulnerable—has significant economic and societal benefits today and in the decades ahead. This investment will also help reduce the racial inequalities historically present in our region. Disparities tied to education and healthcare first appear as early as 18 months due to the need for parents and families to focus on basic needs and babies being exposed to less enriching environments.
As Itasca Project members, we aim to:
• Share the importance of the first 1,000 days to brain development and
future success
• Adopt family-friendly policies, particularly that support families with
young children
• Join advocates to support families in greatest need to eliminate disparities
in our region
Itasca Project First 1,000 Days:
When it Matters Most
March 2021
Employers who support employees and their children are investing in the Minneapolis-St Paul region’s future success, as well as making a smart business decision.
Everything that children experience affects their ability to realize their potential. This includes nutrition, healthcare, parenting, environmental safety, and thousands of other things that physically shape the connections in the brain. Research has shown that in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, 80% of the foundation of the brain is built based on the experiences of the child.
Healthy brain development sets a foundation for the future of that child - affecting their health, ability to learn, ability to function in the community, and economic success
Supports for healthy brain development are needed not just for children, but for their families – and the majority of adults in those families who are workers
75%
of mothers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region are working – one of the highest percentages in the nation
Employers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region can play an important role to support their employees, their children along with all families in the region by:
Sharing the story of early childhood development
Adopting family-friendly policies, practices, and resources to support employees and their children
