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Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
As conservatives push for more babies, Congress proposes cuts that could hurt families, toddler and infants
Megan Newsome was 27 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the blood. After her son was born four weeks early, Newsome underwent intensive chemotherapy treatments while her newborn gained strength in the neonatal intensive care unit. Newsome, who lives in Maine, suddenly found herself navigating a complex and expensive web of her own health challenges, as well as her son's. Luckily for Newsome, there was some relief, thanks to America's federally funded safety net programs. During her pregnancy and treatment, Newsome relied on Medicaid. She enrolled in a food benefits program. And her son enrolled in Early Head Start, where he had access to education, developmental screenings and socialization. Now, many of the programs Newsome and millions of others rely on to support their infants and toddlers are at grave risk due to cuts proposed under President Donald Trump's "skinny" budget or by congressional Republicans. These cuts would have an outsized impact on the youngest, most vulnerable Americans, experts say. Unlike funding for preschool and older children, which largely comes from state sources, funding for programs that support babies and toddlers mostly comes from the federal government. Proposed cuts are threatening the infrastructure that babies and toddlers rely on at a time when costs are high for families, said Melissa Boteach, chief policy officer at the nonprofit Zero to Three, which focuses on infants and toddlers. Here are a few programs targeting the country's youngest that could face devastating cuts: Medicaid: Cuts to Medicaid, a program that provides health care to lower income children and families, are a real possibility. Lawmakers are also discussing changes to eligibility rules, which could make it harder for families to qualify. Trump's budget, released earlier this month, calls for $674 million in cuts to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - though officials claim benefits would not be affected. More than 40 percent of births are covered by Medicaid. And millions of infants access critical services like health care and therapies for developmental delays through Medicaid. States that have expanded Medicaid have seen greater declines in infant mortality Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Cuts to the food aid program, which are under discussion by lawmakers, could increase food insecurity and affect health and development for infants and toddlers. More than 4.5 million children under the age of 5 received SNAP benefits in 2022. Research shows children who receive SNAP benefits have better nutrition, lower risks of obesity, fewer hospitalizations and develop better emotionally and academically compared to their peers who are eligible but who do not receive such Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): In April, the Trump administration terminated the entire staff of LIHEAP, a program that helps low-income families pay home energy bills, often connected to extreme heat or cold. Trump's budget proposes cutting more than $4 million from the program. "We know that babies, as well as elderly, are some of the most vulnerable people to climate change and extreme weather," said Boteach. "And so when you're cutting off cooling and heating assistance, and especially as we're heading into summer, you'd be leaving a lot of families without basic energy assistance."Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS): Trump's budget calls for the elimination of the program that subsidizes child care for college students, calling it "unaffordable and duplicative." Eighteen percent of undergraduate students are parents. Government research has found student-parents who use subsidies from the program are more likely to stay in school; and higher education levels for parents are associated with better care and play interactions with infants and toddlers and later success in school and Services Block Grant (SSBG) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): While programs like Head Start and the Child Care and Development Block Grant are the most well-known sources of federal funding for child care, other federal funding streams are also used by states, including these two. Many states have taken advantage of the ability to transfer funds from TANF to their child care subsidy programs - transferring more than $1 billion in 2023 alone. Similarly, the block grant is also used by states for some child care funding. Research suggests that eliminating that grant could cause more than 39,000 children to lose care. Cuts or the elimination of these programs have been proposed by congressional Republicans. Many programs serving the most vulnerable families have already been hobbled - or obliterated - by prior cuts. The Trump administration gutted a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) office that coordinates newborn hearing screenings, slashed maternal health programs and terminated nearly half of the staff in the office of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. In early April, a committee that determines which rare diseases to test for during early infancy was disbanded, as was the CDC's team that investigates and prevents lead poisoning. For Newsome, federal support programs weren't just helpful, they likely kept her and her son alive, she said. Her toddler is now almost 2 and is walking, feeding himself and working on potty training. Newsome is entering her first semester of college to earn a degree in business administration. Without the help they've received, "We definitely wouldn't be in any of the places we are today," Newsome said. "Both of us are thriving." Contact staff writer Jackie Mader at 212-678-3562 or mader@ This story about Medicaid cuts was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Early Childhood newsletter. The post As conservatives push for more babies, Congress proposes cuts that could hurt families, toddler and infants appeared first on The Hechinger Report.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A full house, a full heart—why this mom loves raising her kids with both sets of grandparents under one roof
A heartwarming Instagram Reel is striking a deep chord with parents and grandparents alike, reminding us of the incredible gift of multi-generational living. In the now-viral post, @jessthrowiton_ shares a realization that's as emotional as it is profound: the presence of grandparents in a child's everyday life is more than just special—it's transformative. In her caption, she reflects on her upbringing: 'I grew up living with my mom's parents and so deeply appreciate the roots it gave me, so we want nothing less for our kids. I never thought multi-cultural, multi-generational living would come so soon for us in our lives, but we are all SO happy and wouldn't change it for the world.' The video showcases moments that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable—scenes of everyday life that underscore the quiet, unwavering support grandparents provide. View this post on Instagram A post shared by JESS | lifestyle, family, faith, home, & travel creator (@jessthrowiton_) The comments section is flooded with stories from parents who grew up with their grandparents in their homes and are now passing that same experience on to their children. @Bunnyhoney5: 'My favorite memories of childhood are not what I received for Christmas or the trips we had it was the memories we made while growing up with my grandparents. Living with them. Seeing their day to day. Growing up seeing them grow older. Being part of their world is something I cherish and wish every kid could have. There is so much you can learn and it shapes you so much as you grow older.'@Lizziekridle: 'I grew up with my maternal grandparents living in our home and it was the biggest blessing your children getting to live with both sets is an unimaginable blessing!!!! you are all so lucky'Deborah_deleo: ' So blessed are the families in which the parents include and nurture the relationship of the grandparents in their children's lives. It is very beautiful. We so miss & love our grandchildren.' Related: This toddler's viral reunion with her grandparents after a month apart will melt your heart Beyond the sentimentality, research consistently supports the positive impact of grandparents in a child's life. According to a literature review by Zero to Three (2022), children who have close relationships with their grandparents often develop: Stronger emotional resilience: Grandparent involvement is linked to lower stress levels and greater emotional stability in kids. Improved social skills: Studies show that children who interact regularly with grandparents exhibit better peer relationships and social competence. A deeper sense of identity and belonging: Having multi-generational ties fosters a strong sense of family connection, shaping a child's self-esteem and understanding of their roots. As modern parenting becomes more fast-paced and independent, this viral Reel serves as a powerful reminder: having a village—especially one that includes grandparents—is a gift. Whether it's through daily caregiving, storytelling, or simply being a steady presence in a child's life, grandparents offer a kind of wisdom, love, and stability that is irreplaceable. For families considering multi-generational living, this viral moment might just be the push to embrace the beauty of raising children with an extra layer of love under one roof. Related: Triplet mom drops kids off at grandparents' house—just wait until you see their setup
