Secure The Children

I don’t know if you are aware or not, but there are a lot of people who are in the business of providing, educating, treating or dealing with children in one form or another.   Many should not be in any business at all, especially with children.  It is not the children and positive outcomes that they seek to help or are interested in, but rather they are only in it for what they can get out of it... mainly money and job security. 

Sadly, each day reports from all across the nation are told by the media of children becoming victims in an endless cycle of gun violence, beatings, abandonment, bullying, harassment, intimidation, incarceration, drugs, gangs and cruelty.  It is one thing to be raised in poverty, homeless, no medical care, lack of education and a dysfunctional family, but to deal with other conditions and people who have an ulterior motive is something else.          

In 2013 and after decades of research, the Annie E. Casey Foundation report, “Giving Kids a Foundation for Lifetime Success,” is a call for change and action.  This Kids Policy report (up to age 8) highlights the best way to ensure a successful workforce in the future is to invest in early childhood development... now!  This report also cites the best way to provide early learning for needy kids is by coordinating family, school and community efforts.  Additionally, this report is calling for policy change and that policymakers need to take a serious look at what needs to be done to address the issues and challenges in helping children to develop.   

With over 36 million children under 8 years old in America and with over 17 million (48%) living in low-income homes, the alarms bells are ringing.  According to the report in Wisconsin, there are 644,576 youth under age 8, with 265,000 (42%) living in low-income homes.  It is a fact that many of our children are in need of help, support, therapy, better schools, communities and homes.  Our children also need to have caring adults around them for inspiration, mentoring, guidance and acceptance.  They deserve the opportunity to excel and to live in a world that allows them to grow to their full potential.  The true wealth of any nation, city and community is how it takes care of its youngest residents.  If we fail to provide and secure the children, our future is at risk and the America you know of as today will turn into a place of what was, has been and what a shame.  What do you think?