Retired officers push early childhood benefits to help national security
A bipartisan group of retired military officers says without more educational and health investments in children the country will face a growing “national security threat.”
Now, the group is pushing for significant investments in early childhood education, parenting guidance as well as mental and nutrition services.
“The safety of our country demands urgent and intelligent action,” the group says in its mission statement. “We call on all policymakers to ensure America’s national security by supporting interventions that will prepare young people for a life of military service and productive citizenship.”
Congress is considering legislation for a new initiative called the “Early Learning Challenge Fund” designed to help states improve their early education programs and expand access to include more at-risk kids. The House already passed its version of the bill, which would fund $1 billion annually for eight years in competitive grants to states. The Senate has yet to vote on that bill.