Around the world, too many young children experience developmental and health problems due to poverty, prematurity, low birth weight, infectious diseases, exposure to toxic substances, and other risk factors. Children with established disabilities, such as an autism spectrum disorder, motor disability, communication and language problem, behavior disorder, or hearing and vision impairments, also need early and swift support. For all of these children and their families, co-occurring environmental threats or limited caregiving abilities often further compromise growth and development.

The...