Supporting Those Who Protect Us – Recognizing Our Military Families

Many years ago I had the great privilege of attending a week long leadership development program called “Leadership at the Peak” held at the Center for Creative Leadership in Colorado Springs, Colorado. At first I was a bit reluctant to attend, especially when I learned that included among my “classmates” were General George Casey, Jr., now Chief of Staff; US Army; Admiral Michael Mullen, now Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; Admiral William Fallon, US Navy (now retired); General Hal Hornburg, US Air Force (now retired); and General Michael Moseley, US Air Force (also now retired). There was a total of 11 of us in the group—5 Four Star Generals, 5 other gentlemen (also all very accomplished) and me—the only woman. I certainly took a deep breath before I entered the room to meet these distinguished individuals for the first time.

Aside from having an incredible week of self reflection and professional growth, I had never been so overwhelmed by the profound sense of sacrifice and honor that these men conveyed on behalf of all of the men and women in our Armed Services. Before meeting them, I thought that there was no more noble a calling than that of caring for young children because as educators we set the foundation for a lifetime of opportunity for children everywhere across our great country. However, spending time with this esteemed group (as well as our other colleagues) enhanced my realization that the contributions we make through our own efforts are made possible by the sacrifices, large and small, of those who serve in the military. I join the chorus of grateful voices for the gift of freedom that they provide for all of us.

Although it is only one small way of supporting our military families, I want to ensure that military families everywhere are aware of a great opportunity that is available to help them find and afford child care in communities throughout the country. The Department of Defense (DoD) is well known for operating exceptionally high-quality child development centers on bases or military installations, in many cases these centers are full, and there are also many service members who do not live near a base or may prefer to use community-based programs. Working with the DoD, the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) offers significant subsidies to military families at both accredited and licensed centers in communities nationwide. Service members including deployed/active duty Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen as well as active duty National Guard and Reserve service members can be eligible, depending on their type of service and enrollments at the center on their base. You can learn more about the programs and determine your eligibility by going to the NACCRRA website. As the nation’s largest provider of early childhood education and care, with the most nationally accredited centers of any private provider, you may also find it useful to go to the KinderCare Learning Centers website to find an eligible program in your community.

April is the Month of the Military Child. And so it seems fitting as this month draws to a close to take a moment to honor all of our service members, especially those who must balance the two greatest responsibilities in our nation—serving our country and raising children. If you are a military family, there is no way to express our full appreciation to you and your family. However, it would be an honor to play a small part in repaying our debt to you by helping to prepare your children for the future that you protect.

If you know a military family, please consider forwarding this post to them.

Celebrating the Week of the Young Child

While as a parent it may seem that every day of every week is dedicated to your children, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) designates one week each year as the Week of the Young Child to focus public attention on the broader needs of young children and their families. This year the Week of the Young Child is April 19-25. The NAEYC website provides many rich ideas about how to celebrate this special week as well as information on agencies with a key focus on our children. While this event is typically celebrated in child care centers and community agencies with special activities such as reading nights or open houses for children and their families, the true importance of this week is to increase visibility on issues facing young children and their families such as poverty, nutrition, and violence—and by highlighting these issues, to encourage our society to recommit to addressing Children’s needs.

Children are our most vulnerable citizens. They also benefit the most from the resources invested in them.  All of our efforts in support of children must start with awareness that children deserve our respect as unique individuals whose thoughts and interests require our care and attention. The Week of the Young Child provides an important opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the incredible of efforts of those who teach, support, and protect all children so that they receive the best possible start on a lifetime of learning and opportunity. While children growing up in our country face many challenges related to early care and education, health, poverty, and violence, we should not forget that we are part of a global community, and that the challenges our children face are also faced by children beyond our borders. In fact, in some parts of the world the effects of these challenges are much more magnified.

I have been reminded of this in recent exchanges I have had with Olusesan Olukoya, a Country Representative/Project Manager of the African Regional Youth Initiative who works with more than 500 youth and community based organizations in Africa to address development issues outlined in the United Nation’s 2015 Millenium Development Goals.  While more pronounced in Africa, many of the issues addressed through the work of this organization such as HIV/AIDs, maternal health, poverty and hunger, are issues that we in the United States also face. However, they also face issues related to school enrollment, access to fresh water, and diseases such as malaria that are not significant in the United States. While these problems can seem overwhelming, improvements can be made if they are matched by the fierce resolve and relentless efforts of those who are committed to making a difference for families and children—all children.   

So as we celebrate the 2009 Week of the Young Child, please rededicate yourself to supporting efforts to improve the lives of your own children, the children in your schools and communities, and even the children across our borders whom you will likely never see or know. It can be as simple as spending a few extra minutes each day reading to your child or taking the time to thank your child’s teachers for all they do. Every child deserves a chance at a brighter future. We can all play some role, large or small, in helping to make that dream a reality.