We barely invest in Kansas City kids. That’s no path to a strong future | Opinion

It is often said that a budget is a moral document — a reflection of a nation’s true priorities and values. If that is true, then our recent federal budget decisions send a devastatingly clear message about where our youngest children rank: at the very bottom.

And the impact of these decisions are apparent right here in the Kansas City metropolitan. Futures First’s research found that infant care remains the most difficult service for providers to sustain, forcing many programs to reduce or eliminate infant classrooms altogether — leaving parents trapped on 12-month waitlists just to secure a slot. Dozens of local child care businesses now report being at high risk of closure. If those closures occur, more than 1,200 child care spaces could disappear from the Kansas City area.

Behind every one of those lost spaces is a child who may miss out on the nurturing relationships and early learning experiences that build the foundation for lifelong success — and a family left scrambling for care in an already strained system, turning what should be a joyful milestone into a breaking point and a profound financial crisis for KC families and our economy.

Recent Children’s Budget and Kids’ Share analyses show that federal investment in children has declined for the fourth consecutive year, falling to just 8.57% of total federal spending. For infants and toddlers — children from birth to age 3, when brain development is most rapid and foundational — the investment is even smaller: just 1.59% of the federal budget.

At the same time, proposals to cut programs such as Medicaid, SNAP and early childhood education threaten the very supports families rely on to keep children healthy, safe, and ready to thrive.

We know better. Decades of research and lived experience tell us that the earliest years shape lifelong outcomes — not only for individual children, but for communities, economies and our nation as a whole. When families have access to health care, nutritious food, quality early learning and stable supports, children flourish. And when children flourish, our workforce grows stronger, our communities become healthier and our future becomes more resilient.

Investing in young children is not a partisan issue or a short-term expense. It is one of the smartest, most effective strategies we have for building a stronger nation.

Children cannot advocate for themselves in budget negotiations or committee hearings. They depend on adults to make choices that recognize both their potential and their worth.

We have an opportunity to choose differently.

We can build budgets that reflect our highest values — budgets that strengthen families, expand opportunity and recognize early childhood as essential infrastructure for our country’s future. If we want a nation that is healthier, more prosperous and prepared for what comes next, the path forward is clear: Put children first, not as an afterthought, but as a defining national priority.

Congress is getting very close to releasing its 2027 funding priorities. Take a moment to join us at futuresfirstkc.org in our efforts to make children and families a priority.

Paula Neth is president and CEO of Futures First, formerly The Family Conservancy, a Kansas City, Kansas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on children.