Members of the statewide EarlyWell coalition met last week to begin shaping their advocacy priorities for the 2027 session of the North Carolina General Assembly, focusing on strengthening the systems that support young children and their caregivers.

Discussions centered around expanding access to evidence-based home visiting programs, strengthening Family Support Network services statewide, and making early relational health a priority within North Carolina’s Rural Health Transformation Program. EarlyWell members will continue planning for their 2027 policy priorities in the months ahead and engaging lawmakers, state leaders, and other partners as the legislative session approaches. The EarlyWell Initiative is co-led by the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation and NC Child to unite families, early childhood clinicians, advocates, and system leaders around a shared goal: strengthening infant and early childhood mental health and the policies that help children and their caregivers thrive.