“Early Childhood Programs’ Scarcity Undermines America's Rural Communities” Release Event

Join Council for a Strong America on December 3rd at 12:00 PM ET for the release of a new, national research report, the premiere of a new short film, and a roundtable discussion, all of which will delve into the state of early childhood care and education in rural America. Through the voices of rural community leaders, early childhood educators, and parents, each element of the event will explore the current state of child care and preschool in rural communities, and the impact they have on kids’ development, local economies, and, ultimately, public safety and national security.

Research Report

Alongside the video, Council for a Strong America will release its newest research report, “Early Childhood Programs’ Scarcity Undermines America’s Rural Communities.” Panelists will present the facts and figures that highlight current concerns around rural early childhood education scarcity.

Film

Our film crew spent the last two months traveling to four rural towns across the U.S.—in California, Maine, Nebraska, and Ohio—to speak with families, early childhood educators, and community leaders on the ground about how early childhood education scarcity has impacted their communities.

Roundtable Discussion

Finally, the roundtable will feature a diverse array of panelists, including members of ReadyNation, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, and Mission: Readiness, and educators, all hailing from different rural communities. The speakers will tell their stories to illuminate what access, affordability, and quality in early childhood care and education look like in rural America.

Panelists:

• Thomas Dempster, Director, IFAM Capital; Former South Dakota State Senator; ReadyNation Member
• Chief Geoff Spalding, Astoria (OR) Police Department; Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Member
• Maj. Gen. (Ret.) James C. Johnson, U.S. Air Force; Mission: Readiness Member
• Mindy Young, Trainer, Dawson County (NE) Early Childhood Professional Learning Series
• Sandra Bishop, Ph.D., Research Director, Council for a Strong America

There will be time for Q&A. Register here.

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