Families can’t pause parenting. We can’t pause supporting them.
Dear friends,
On July 4, a sweeping new federal law — the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” — was signed into effect. It will reshape nearly every public resource that families with young children and low incomes rely on: healthcare, education, nutrition, and financial support.
Room to Grow is a nonpartisan organization, but we are not neutral about the wellbeing of children and families. Every parent deserves support, and every child deserves the chance to thrive. When the systems around families shift in ways that reduce that support, it’s our responsibility to speak out, step in, and show up.
What This Means for Families
This new law brings major changes that will directly affect the families we partner with:
More than 11 million adults and children are likely to lose healthcare coverage as eligibility for Medicaid tightens. Medicaid currently covers 2 in 5 births in the U.S., including prenatal care and safe deliveries, making these cuts a risk to maternal and infant health.
An estimated 2 million children are among those impacted by cuts to SNAP, alongside veterans, unhoused individuals, former foster youth, and adults with disabilities. School meals, summer EBT, and early nutrition programs are also slated to be scaled back or harder to access.
1 in 3 children under age 17 — more than 22 million kids — remain excluded from receiving the full Child Tax Credit due to low household income. Among those disproportionately excluded are:
More than half of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Black children
Nearly half of Latino children
Two-thirds of children with a female single parent
Over one-third of children under age six
These changes don’t just affect programs. They affect families, communities, parents, and babies.
As the nation’s social safety net shifts, Room to Grow’s support of families with low incomes becomes more vital than ever. For nearly 27 years, we’ve partnered with families during their child’s first three years, providing essential items, guidance, and connections to local resources. We help fill the widening gaps, and we’ll continue walking alongside families, no matter what.
And we hope you will continue to do the same and help us meet this moment.
How You Can Help
Support Room to Grow
Your gift powers the long-term, consistent support families with young children deserve. Make a direct and immediate difference here.Speak up for families
Contact your legislators and urge them to prioritize early childhood care, public schools, food access, and healthcare coverage.Support aligned organizations
We encourage support of nonprofits doing complementary work, such as:Every Mother Counts (improving maternal care and childbirth equity)
Feeding America (increasing nutritious food access)
Children’s Defense Fund (advocating for equitable policies that protect children’s rights)
Zero to Three (advancing early childhood development through policy and education)
Now is the time to act. We can’t ask parents to raise the next generation alone, especially as the systems around them shift. Families need us. And we need you.
Thank you for standing with us — and with families.
With gratitude,
Akilah King
Chief Executive Officer
Room to Grow