Kenyan McDuffie's new housing plan will ensure everyone can call D.C. home.

Kenyan McDuffie's new housing plan will ensure everyone can call D.C. home.

Every Child, Every Step

Investing in Our Children from Day One to College, Vocation, Career, Entrepreneurship, Homeownership

Investing in Our Children from Day One to College, Vocation, Career, Entrepreneurship, Homeownership

Washington, DC is a city full of opportunity, yet too many families still face barriers that make it harder for children to reach their full potential. Child care costs strain household budgets. Access to afterschool programs and enrichment opportunities remains uneven across neighborhoods. And far more young people than should ever be the case graduate without the resources or a clear next step into higher education, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, or stable work.

These challenges are connected. Addressing them requires more than isolated programs. It requires building a system that supports families early, strengthens learning and mental development  throughout childhood, and connects young people to real economic opportunity.

That is the principle behind Kenyan McDuffie’s Every Child, Every Step agenda. It supports families from the earliest years through high school and into adulthood with real options and real opportunity.

As Mayor, Kenyan McDuffie will build a seamless pipeline to success from birth to adulthood:Build wealth through Baby Bonds → Lower family costs early → Improve education and social and emotional development  outcomes and expand extracurricular time → Cultivate pride and purpose→ Connect youth to career pathways.

Every Step Counts

Ages 0-3

Ages 0-3

In the earliest years, parents’ biggest barriers are child care costs and lost earnings that make it hard to make ends meet and save. Currently, child care costs are one of the highest expenditures in a family's budget, often exceeding the cost of college tuition. But when we invest in a child from the beginning, the returns are outstanding. For example, research shows that every dollar spent on high-quality Early Care and Education (ECE) yields at least $3 in estimated cost savings through increased productivity and future tax revenues. 

Successful programs need to be piloted and replicated to ensure every child has the health care, family support, and early learning needed for strong mental and physical development, regardless of ward or income.  Childhood development and literacy should focus on rich language interactions, responsive caregiving, and brain‑development‑aligned stimulation in home‑ and center‑based options and limiting “screen time” with devices.

In the earliest years, parents’ biggest barriers are child care costs and lost earnings that make it hard to make ends meet and save. Currently, child care costs are one of the highest expenditures in a family's budget, often exceeding the cost of college tuition. But when we invest in a child from the beginning, the returns are outstanding. For example, research shows that every dollar spent on high-quality Early Care and Education (ECE) yields at least $3 in estimated cost savings through increased productivity and future tax revenues. 


Successful programs need to be piloted and replicated to ensure every child has the health care, family support, and early learning needed for strong mental and physical development, regardless of ward or income.  Childhood development and literacy should focus on rich language interactions, responsive caregiving, and brain‑development‑aligned stimulation in home‑ and center‑based options and limiting “screen time” with devices.

Ages 4-8

Ages 4-8

This age group is when families need reliable schedules the most and kids need consistent enrichment that supports literacy and development. Studies show parents with access to reliable out-of-school-time (OST) care are up to 40% less likely to miss work due to childcare issues, directly supporting family economic stability and employer productivity. High-quality afterschool programs that focus on literacy have been found to close the reading gap, with students in these programs demonstrating up to 15% greater gains in reading proficiency than their peers.

This age group is when families need reliable schedules the most and kids need consistent enrichment that supports literacy and development. Studies show parents with access to reliable out-of-school-time (OST) care are up to 40% less likely to miss work due to childcare issues, directly supporting family economic stability and employer productivity. High-quality afterschool programs that focus on literacy have been found to close the reading gap, with students in these programs demonstrating up to 15% greater gains in reading proficiency than their peers.

Ages 9-13

Ages 9-13

The middle grades are a critical stage in youth development. During these years, students begin exploring their interests, developing leadership skills, and forming the habits and connections that shape their future. Research shows that students who regularly participate in high-quality afterschool programs attend school more consistently, earn higher grades, and are less likely to engage in unsafe behaviors.

The middle grades are a critical stage in youth development. During these years, students begin exploring their interests, developing leadership skills, and forming the habits and connections that shape their future. Research shows that students who regularly participate in high-quality afterschool programs attend school more consistently, earn higher grades, and are less likely to engage in unsafe behaviors.

Ages 14-18

Ages 14-18

High school should end one chapter and begin a new one for our youth with a credential, work experience, and clear next step. Equally important, a high school education should prepare students for more than college alone. But the unemployment rate among DC residents ages 20-24 is 15.4% or more than three times the national unemployment rate in the United States. Teenagers and young adults need a clear line of sight from school to a career.

High school should end one chapter and begin a new one for our youth with a credential, work experience, and clear next step. Equally important, a high school education should prepare students for more than college alone. But the unemployment rate among DC residents ages 20-24 is 15.4% or more than three times the national unemployment rate in the United States. Teenagers and young adults need a clear line of sight from school to a career.

Ages 0–3: Affordability and Wellness begins at birth

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Ages 9–13: Discovering Purpose and Expanding Possibility

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Ages 4–8: More Learning Time and Enrichment, Less Strain on Working Families

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Ages 14–18: Meaningful Experience That Launches a Strong Future

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Ages 0–3: Affordability and Wellness begins at birth

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Ages 4–8: More Learning Time and Enrichment, Less Strain on Working Families

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Ages 9–13: Discovering Purpose and Expanding Possibility

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Ages 14–18: Meaningful Experience That Launches a Strong Future

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The District's Future…

This is the promise of Every Child, Every Step: the city invests early, provides strong support every step of the way, and then delivers a  promising future for every child, including as much as $50,000 through Baby Bonds when a person turns 18.

D.C. Mayoral candidate Kenyan McDuffie

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$25

$50

$75

$100

$200

OTHER

If you've saved your information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately.

Support kenyan mcDuffie for mayor

$25

$50

$75

$100

$200

OTHER

If you've saved your information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately.