These days, it can feel like the spotlight is always on the issues that divide us. But when it comes to supporting Oregon’s children and families, there are values we all share, regardless of party.

We all want to see families thrive. We all want to invest in smart solutions that save money over time. And we all understand the importance of local leadership in shaping effective policy.

That’s why we’re proud to support the Child Success Act (SB 1167), a bipartisan proposal to connect Oregon families with the resources they need during the first 1,000 days of their child’s life – from pregnancy through 2 years old.

This is a crucial window in a child’s development. In those first three years, 80% of a child’s brain is formed, laying the foundation for lifelong health, learning and success. But it’s also a time when many families are stretched thin, navigating complex systems, dealing with rising costs and managing the demands of caregiving, often without enough support.

The Child Success Act invests $12 million across seven Oregon regions to fund local “Child Success Models” that address these challenges head-on.

These models weren’t created in Salem. They were designed by local leaders – educators, pediatricians, health workers, nonprofit organizations and parents – who met over the course of a year to answer the question, “If anything were possible, how would our community ensure that every child has an equitable opportunity to thrive during the first 1,000 days of life?”

Through this process, each region developed a plan that reflects what families in their communities are experiencing and identifies solutions that are most likely to help.

In some regions, the focus is on expanding home visiting programs and strengthening maternal mental health support. In others, the priority might be midwifery care, early childhood education or helping families navigate complex social services. The point is: One size doesn’t fit all. This legislation empowers communities to act on what they know works.

This is the kind of common sense, compassionate policymaking that Oregonians want to see. It’s collaborative, fiscally responsible and, most importantly, locally-driven. And we believe it will pay off for years to come.

By investing upstream, before crises occur, we can reduce the need for much more expensive downstream services. When families have the support they need in the early years, children are more likely to stay healthy, enter school ready to learn and succeed later in life. And families are less likely to face challenges like homelessness, substance use or involvement with the child welfare or criminal justice systems.

Simply put, when we support families early, we strengthen the entire state.

What makes the Child Success Act especially promising is that it has brought together people and organizations across the political spectrum. In an era where it’s all too easy to focus on division, the Child Success Act is a reminder that we can still come together around shared priorities, especially when it comes to our children.

The seven regional demonstration pilots are just the beginning. These communities will show us what’s possible when we trust local leaders, listen to families, and invest where it matters most. Their success will inform future policies and provide a roadmap for how Oregon can build stronger systems to support all families.

The Child Success Act is about more than a single program or budget cycle. It’s about creating the kind of future we all want for Oregon. A future where every child has a real shot at success, and every family has the support they need to get there.

We urge our colleagues in the Legislature to support the Child Success Act and help us take this critical step forward together.

Sen. Floyd Prozanski, a Democrat, represents Senate District 4, including parts of Eugene and Springfield, in the Oregon Legislature. Rep. Kevin Mannix, a Republican, represents House District 21, which includes Keizer and North Salem.