Zero to Thrive team members Corinna Trantham and Faith Eidson joined hundreds of advocates at the 3rd Annual Infant Mental Health Capitol Day. The theme: "Centering Babies, Building Systems: Perinatal, Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Across Every Sector", set the tone for a powerful day of learning, connection, and advocacy.

A Day Built on Relationships

The morning celebration brought together families, providers, policymakers, and community partners to explore how infant and early childhood mental health touches every sector, from home visiting and early childhood consultation to public mental health programs and early childhood courts. Each panel built on the next, weaving together a comprehensive story of Michigan's progress and the urgent needs that remain. These testimonies demonstrated what we know from our work at Zero to Thrive: when families receive the right support at the right time through evidence-based practices like infant mental health home visiting, they don't just survive—they thrive.

The Economic Reality of Supporting Families

State Representative Donavan McKinney from Detroit's 11th House District brought the conversation home with stark clarity. Representing one of the most economically depressed districts in Michigan, where the average household income is just $14,000 per year, Representative McKinney spoke candidly about his own struggles as a parent of three children under 5 years, and the reality of managing daycare costs, groceries, and basic expenses. His message was clear: families are struggling, and it's imperative we provide a voice to Congress for real people facing real challenges. His words underscored why the infant mental health advocacy priorities discussed throughout the day, from accessible Infant Mental Health Home Visiting to properly funding Early On services, are not just policy goals but economic and moral imperatives.

Zero to Thrive's Commitment

At Zero to Thrive, we believe that strong early relationships are the foundation of lifelong well-being. Through our research, refinement, and publication of evidence-based work on the Michigan Model of Infant Mental Health Home Visiting curriculum, we support the field in delivering high-quality, relationship-based practices. Days like Infant Mental Health Capitol Day remind us why this work matters and why advocacy is essential.

The stories we heard, from fathers navigating parenthood with limited resources, to early childhood educators explaining why visiting professionals are a game changer for their families, and from families themselves whose lives have been transformed by infant mental health services—these are the stories that fuel our mission.

Join Us in This Work

Supporting Michigan's youngest children and their families requires all of us. Whether you're a funder, partner organization, policymaker, or community member, there's a role for you in building systems that center babies and support families.

To learn more about how Zero to Thrive supports the work of infant mental health home visiting visit our website or contact us directly. Together, we can ensure that every baby, every family, and every relationship has the support needed to thrive.