,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #dhfd ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,october #bh1 #bjai,mr4 ,castro of ,texas 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,fitzpatrick1 ,mrs4 ,watson ,coleman1 ,mr4 ,cisneros1 and ,ms4 ,moore7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to develop and implement policies to advance early childhood development1 to provide assistance for orphans and other vulnerable children in developing countries1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,global ,child ,thrive ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,according to a #bjai report from the ,united ,nations ,inter-,agency ,group for ,child ,mortality ,estimation entitled ,levels ,trends in ,child ,mortality1 the total number of deaths among children younger than #ae years of age dropped by #ef percent between #aiij and #bjah1 from approximately #ad1bjj1jjj to approximately #f1bjj1jjj4 7#b7 ,according to a #bjaf article published in ,the ,lancet entitled ,early childhood development3 the foundation of sustainable development-- 7,a7 an estimated #bej1jjj1jjj children in low-income and middle-income countries suffer suboptimal development due to poverty and stunting alone2 and 7,b7 children who do not meet developmental milestones are expected to lose about #be percent of their average yearly income once they become adults4 7#c7 ,according to a report from the ,united ,nations ,children's ,fund 7,,unicef71 entitled ,the ,state of the ,world's ,children #bjaf3 ,a fair chance for every child1 nearly #bej1jjj1jjj of the world's #fej1jjj1jjj primary school age children do not master basic literacy and numeracy4 7#d7 ,according to a #bjah report from the ,world ,health ,organization entitled ,nurturing ,care for early childhood development-- 7,a7 the environment in which a child grows has a profound impact on future learning1 behavior1 and health2 and 7,b7 a country's economic diversity and growth could be improved by investment in early childhood development4 7#e7 ,according to a #bjag ,,unicef report entitled ,,unicef's ,programme ,guidance for ,early ,childhood ,development1 nurturing care1 which is key to early childhood development1 consists of a core set of interrelated components1 including-- 7,a7 behaviors1 attitudes1 and knowledge about caregiving1 including health1 hygiene care1 and feeding2 7,b7 stimulation1 such as talking1 singing1 and playing2 7,c7 responsiveness1 such as early bonding1 secure attachment1 trust1 and sensitive communication2 and 7,d7 safety1 including routines1 protection from violence1 abuse1 neglect1 harm1 and environmental pollution4 7#f7 ,according to a #bjaf report published in ,the ,lancet entitled ,advancing ,early ,childhood ,development3 ,from ,science to ,scale-- 7,a7 nurturing care from parents1 relatives1 and other caregivers and services are formative experiences for young children2 7,b7 programs promoting nurturing care can improve early childhood development outcomes2 and 7,c7 children who do not receive nurturing care display negative development outcomes1 such as greater sensitivity to the effects of stress or behavioral problems1 especially children who do not receive nurturing care before their second birthday4 7#g7 ,according to the ,united ,states ,government ,action ,plan on ,children in ,adversity1 ,a ,framework for ,international ,assistance3 #bjab-bjag1 children who live without protective family care1 in abusive households1 on the streets1 or in institutions1 or who are trafficked1 are participating in armed groups1 or are being exploited for their labor are more likely to be exposed to violence1 exploitation1 abuse1 and neglect4 7#h7 ,according to a #bjag ,,unicef report entitled ,early ,moments ,matter for every child1 violence1 abuse1 neglect1 and traumatic experiences produce toxic stress that limits neural connectivity in developing brains4 7#i7 ,according to a #bjad working paper from the ,national ,scientific ,council on the ,developing ,child at ,harvard ,university entitled ,excessive ,stress ,disrupts the ,architecture of the ,developing ,brain-- 7,a7 situations that produce toxic stress increase the production of cortisol in a child's brain1 which disrupts its healthy development2 and 7,b7 chronic stress can potentially affect the expression of genes that regulate the stress response across the life course4 7#aj7 ,according to a #bjah article in the ,north ,carolina ,medical ,journal entitled ,adverse ,childhood ,experiences 7,a,c,es73 ,an ,important ,element of a ,comprehensive ,approach to the ,opioid ,crisis1 adverse childhood experiences 7,a,c,es7 are traumatic or stressful experiences1 including emotional1 physical1 or sexual abuse1 domestic violence1 household substance abuse1 household mental illness1 parental separation or divorce1 and the incarceration of a household family member4 7#aa7 ,according to a #bjaf report in ,development and ,psychopathology entitled ,childhood ,adversity and ,epigenetic ,regulation of ,glucocorticoid ,signaling ,genes3 ,associations in ,children and ,adults-- 7,a7 children and adults are at risk of developing psychiatric disorders and other medical conditions if they have had an adverse childhood experience 7,,ace72 and 7,b7 adults who have had numerous ,a,c,es die nearly #bj years earlier1 on average1 than adults who have not had numerous ,a,c,es4 #c4 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 it is time to build on the reduction in preventable child deaths worldwide achieved by focusing new efforts and attention on-- 7,a7 saving children's lives2 and 7,b7 supporting the healthy development of children's brains2 7#b7 methods of delivering parent training and education on nurturing care1 such as the ,center for ,disease ,control and ,prevention's ,maternal1 ,infant1 and ,early ,childhood ,home ,visiting programs1 could help other countries realize greater gains in early childhood development2 7#c7 negative early childhood experiences can obstruct lifelong health and opportunity2 7#d7 well-developed and inquisitive children are the global leaders of tomorrow2 7#e7 countries will only be able to reach and exceed their development goals if their youngest children get a strong start2 and 7#f7 focused cross-sectoral coordination for promoting early childhood development is essential for the efficiency1 effectiveness1 and sustainability of all early childhood development initiatives4 #d4 ,assistance to improve early childhood outcomes globally ,chapter #a of part ,i of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baea et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #ace7;f77#a7 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baeb;f7f77#a771 by striking #bjjf and #bjjg and inserting #bjbj through #bjbe2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 #acg4 ,assistance to improve early childhood outcomes globally 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 7,b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate2 7,c7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,d7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,children ,the term children means persons who are younger than #ah years of age4 7#c7 ,deinstitutionalization ,the term deinstitutionalization means the process of transitioning from a child care protection system that relies on residential care to a system that primarily supports family-based care4 7#d7 ,early childhood development ,the term early childhood development means the development and learning of a child younger than #h years of age1 including physical1 cognitive1 social1 and emotional development and approaches to learning that allow a child to reach his or her full developmental potential4 7#e7 ,early childhood development program ,the term early childhood development program means a program that ensures that every child has the conditions for healthy growth1 nurturing family-based care1 development and learning1 and protection from violence1 exploitation1 abuse1 and neglect1 including-- 7,a7 a health1 clean water1 sanitation1 and hygiene program that serves pregnant women1 children younger than #e years of age1 and the parents of such children2 7,b7 a nutrition program1 combined with stimulating child development activity2 7,c7 age appropriate cognitive stimulation1 especially for newborns1 infants1 and toddlers1 including an early childhood intervention program for children experiencing at-risk situations1 developmental delays1 disabilities1 and behavioral and mental health conditions2 7,d7 an early learning 7#cf months and younger71 preschool1 and basic education program for children until they reach #h years of age or complete primary school2 and 7,e7 a child protection program1 with an emphasis on the promotion of permanent1 safe1 and nurturing families1 rather than placement in residential care or institutions1 including for children with disabilities4 7#f7 ,inclusive early childhood development ,the term inclusive early childhood development means the full and effective participation1 accessibility1 attendance1 and achievement of all children1 especially children who are excluded or at risk of being marginalized1 such as children with disabilities4 7#g7 ,relevant executive branch agencies and officials ,the term relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials means-- 7,a7 the ,department of ,state2 7,b7 the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development2 7,c7 the ,department of the ,treasury2 7,d7 the ,department of ,labor2 7,e7 the ,department of ,education2 7,f7 the ,department of ,agriculture2 7,g7 the ,department of ,defense2 7,h7 the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 including-- 7i7 the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention2 and 7ii7 the ,national ,institutes of ,health2 7,i7 the ,office of the ,global ,,aids ,coordinator2 7,j7 the ,chief ,executive ,officer of the ,millennium ,challenge ,corporation2 7,k7 the ,national ,security ,advisor2 and 7,l7 the ,director of the ,peace ,corps4 7#h7 ,residential care ,the term residential care means care provided in any nonfamily-based group setting1 including orphanages1 transit or interim care centers1 children's homes1 children's villages or cottage complexes1 group homes1 and boarding schools used primarily for care purposes as an alternative to a children's home4 7b7 ,statement of policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to support early childhood development in all child-focused international assistance programs1 in partnership with affected countries1 other donor country governments1 international financial institutions1 nongovernmental organizations1 faith-based organizations1 international organizations1 multilateral organizations1 and the private sector2 and 7#b7 to encourage partner countries to lead early childhood development initiatives that include incentives for building local capacity for sustainable implementation by-- 7,a7 scaling up the most effective1 evidence-based1 national interventions1 including for the most vulnerable populations and children with disabilities and developmental delays1 with a focus on adaptation to country resources1 cultures1 and languages2 7,b7 designing1 implementing1 monitoring1 and evaluating programs in a way that enhances their quality1 transparency1 equity1 and accountability1 increases sustainability1 and improves child and family outcomes in partner countries2 and 7,c7 utilizing and expanding innovative public-private financing mechanisms4 7c7 ,implementation 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of the ,global ,child ,thrive ,act of #bjai1 the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development1 on behalf of the ,president1 shall direct relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials supporting young children-- 7,a7 to incorporate early childhood development into current programming to be carried out during the following #e fiscal years2 and 7,b7 to promote inclusive early childhood development in partner countries4 7#b7 ,elements ,in carrying out paragraph 7#a71 the ,administrator and relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials shall-- 7,a7 build on the evidence and priorities outlined in ,advancing ,protection and ,care for ,children in ,adversity3 ,a ,u4,s4 ,government ,strategy for ,international ,assistance #bjai-bjbc1 published in ,june #bjai 7referred to in this section as ,,apcca72 7,b7 to the extent practicable1 identify evidence-based strategic priorities1 indicators1 outcomes1 and targets1 particularly emphasizing the most vulnerable populations and children with disabilities and developmental delays1 to support inclusive early childhood development2 7,c7 support the design1 implementation1 and evaluation of pilot projects in partner countries1 with the goal of taking such projects to scale2 7,d7 support inclusive early childhood development by supporting bureaus1 working groups1 and task forces implementing relevant sector strategies and public laws1 including-- 7i7 the ,global ,water ,strategy required under section #acf7;j7 of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baeb;h7j772 7ii7 the whole-of-government strategy required under section #e of the ,global ,food ,security ,act of #bjaf 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #icjd note72 7iii7 the ,basic ,education ,strategy set forth in section #aje7;c7 of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baea;c7c772 7iv7 the ,u4,s4 ,government ,global ,nutrition ,coordination ,plan1 #bjaf-bjba2 and 7v7 ,,apcca2 7,e7 focus on improving coordination with foreign governments and international and regional organizations with respect to official country policies and plans for early childhood development1 maternal1 newborn1 and child health and nutrition care1 basic education plans1 water1 sanitation and hygiene1 and child protection plans2 7,f7 support strategies that-- 7i7 enable parents to care for their children2 7ii7 prevent unnecessary family-child separation2 7iii7 assist families with children with disabilities2 7iv7 assist countries in planning and implementing deinstitutionalization programs2 and 7v7 promote nurturing1 appropriate1 protective1 and permanent family care1 while reducing the percentage of children living in residential care or on the street2 and 7,g7 consult with governments1 international financial institutions1 nongovernmental organizations1 local and international civil society groups1 multilateral organizations1 the private sector1 faith-based organizations1 community-based organizations1 organizations run by people with disabilities1 and early childhood networks academic and professional associations1 and local field workers1 as appropriate4 7d7 ,annual report on the implementation of the strategy ,the ,special ,adviser for ,children in ,adversity shall include1 in the annual report required under section #e of the ,assistance for ,orphans and ,other ,vulnerable ,children in ,developing ,countries ,act of #bjje 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baeb;g71 which shall be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees and made available to the public1 a description of-- 7#a7 the progress made toward integrating early childhood development interventions into current programming2 7#b7 the efforts made by relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials to implement subsection 7c71 with a particular focus on the activities described in such subsection2 7#c7 the progress achieved during the reporting period toward meeting the goals1 objectives1 benchmarks1 and timeframes described in subsection 7c72 and 7#d7 the progress achieved during the reporting period toward meeting the goals1 objectives1 benchmarks1 and timeframes described in subsection 7c7 at the program level1 along with specific challenges or gaps that may require shifts in targeting1 financing1 or timeframes in the following fiscal year4 7e7 ,interagency task force ,the ,special ,advisor for ,children in ,adversity shall regularly convene an interagency task force1 which should-- 7#a7 provide intergovernmental and interagency coordination1 monitoring1 evaluation1 and reporting of the activities carried out pursuant to this ,act2 7#b7 promote coordination on early childhood development initiatives that include children with a variety of needs and circumstances2 and 7#c7 establish a coordination mechanism within ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development to oversee and coordinate ,united ,states ,government ,early ,childhood ,development programs1 strategies1 and partnerships across ,federal departments and agencies4 4 #e4 ,special advisor for assistance to orphans and vulnerable children ,section #ace7;e77#b7 of the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baeb;f7e77#b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by amending subparagraph 7,a7 to read as follows3 7,a7 ,coordinate assistance to orphans and other vulnerable children among the relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials4 2 and 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking the various offices1 bureaus1 and field missions within the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development and inserting the relevant ,executive branch agencies and officials1 partner governments1 multilateral institutions1 the private sector1 and nongovernmental and civil society organizations4 #f4 ,rule of construction ,nothing in the amendments made by sections #d and #e of this ,act may be construed to restrict or abrogate any other authorization for ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development activities or programs4