Special EL Preview of PBS Series on Early Childhood

Next Monday, November 24, from 6:00-8:45 pm at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center there will be a “sneak preview” screening of “Are We Crazy about Our Kids?”—one episode in an upcoming new Public Broadcasting System (PBS) series—for those who register by November 19 to attend this special Hannah screening.

According to Jessica Yorko, Environmental Justice Coordinator at the Ingham County Health Department, this local event “includes dinner and networking time, film showing, and community dialogue to answer the question: What do we want policy-makers in Ingham County and the State of Michigan to do to ensure that all children have the resources and opportunities they need in order to thrive? The findings from this dialogue will be delivered to local and State officials at a second screening in the spring, to coincide with the national broadcast of the series. This event is free, but you must obtain a ticket by registering at eventbrite.com. At this website you can also register for free on-site child care, and free transportation to the Hannah Center from any of three Lansing locations."

“Are We Crazy about Our Kids?” constitutes one episode of Raising of America, a documentary series that will be broadcast next spring on PBS stations around the USA. According to the series’ website, Episode 1, “The Raising of America Signature Hour—Early Childhood and the Future of Our Nation” will ask the questions, “Why is child well-being in the U.S. so much worse than in other rich countries?” and “How might we do better?”

Episode 2, “Once Upon a Time—When Childcare for All Wasn't Just a Fairytale,” will explore another angle: “Back in 1971, Congress passed a bill providing high-quality, universal childcare, home visiting and other services from birth to age five to every family that wanted it,” but “President Nixon’s 11th hour veto marked the first time ‘family values’ was invoked to undermine pro-family and child initiatives.”

Episode 3, “Are We Crazy About Our Kids?,” is the episode that will have a special pre-release showing right here in East Lansing next week. Here’s what the series’ website says about this segment:

Investing in high-quality early care and education pays for itself in many ways and many times over. This episode brings to life the classic economic studies of Perry Preschool and other initiatives conducted by Nobel Laureate James Heckman, former Federal Reserve economist Arthur Rolnick and others which illustrate how we can either invest early for success or pay more for failure later. So, what is holding us back?

The event at Hannah is sponsored by Michigan Power to Thrive, a network of local health departments and community organizers whose mission is to work for health equity. Local sponsoring partners include ACTION of Greater Lansing, the Ingham County Health Department, and the Ingham Great Start Collaborative.

Reminder: Those who wish to attend the special Hannah screening, dinner, and discussion must register by November 19 through this link.

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