Global Child Thrive Act
The Global Child Thrive Act
Helps give children the best possible start by integrating early childhood development (ECD) interventions in U.S. foreign assistance programs.
Credit: Conrad N. Hilton Foundation/Joop Rubens
About the Act
The Global Child Thrive Act, which became law in January 2021, directs U.S. government agencies to integrate ECD interventions in current and new U.S. foreign assistance programs that serve vulnerable children and their families. The law calls on the U.S. government to implement a comprehensive, coordinated approach to ECD programs within U.S. foreign development and humanitarian assistance.
Pillars of the Act
If implemented well, the Global Child Thrive Act will result in ECD-integrated programs that multiply U.S. foreign aid investments and amplify the return on that investment by creating positive outcomes for children. The main pillars of the law include mandates to:
Direct the integration of ECD interventions into U.S. foreign assistance programs.
Emphasize coordination with partner governments, international organizations, and other partners to integrate best practices for ECD.
Identify evidence-based priorities, indicators, outcomes, and targets to support inclusive ECD projects (including pilot projects where appropriate) in partner countries.
© UNICEF/UN0253393/Pasquall
What’s next?
Now that the legislation has passed, the Thrive Coalition will play an active role in seeing these requirements actualized. Significant work is needed to ensure the U.S. government is working to address the whole child comprehensively across the segmented foreign assistance programs implemented by 30+ offices and agencies within the U.S. government.
“Focusing on children is focusing on our future”
U.S. Representative
Brian Fitzpatrick
(R-PA)
Photo Credit: Sesame Workshop/Ryan Donnell.