At a film screening this week, more than 50 local residents learned that America continues to pay for failure instead of investing for success.
An upcoming documentary series, “The Raising of America” aims to serve as a public engagement campaign that explores how a strong start for all children can lead to a healthier, stronger and more equitable nation.
Sponsored by the Montelores Early Childhood Council (MECC), the third episode in the series “Are We Crazy About Our Kids?” was screened at the Sunflower Theatre on Tuesday. Participating in an hourlong question-and-answer session afterward, a panel of six local child advocates agreed that they were most surprised that leaders from other countries – from Canada to China – had recognized a need to invest in early child services while America appears asleep at the wheel.
“It saddens me that we haven’t done more,” said Bobbi Lock, director of the Montezuma County Public Health Department.
Examining the rate of return on investing in high-quality early care and education, the episode revealed to Montezuma County Public Health Department nurse Allison Duran that additional investment was needed locally.
“For every dollar spent on prevention, the return is three-fold,” said Duran.
Four Corner Child Advocacy Center counselor Rachel Heberle agreed, citing studies that showed that early childhood investment could help reduce future crime rates by half and to higher paying jobs.
“Investing in children could trickle down for generations,” said Heberle.
Tentatively scheduled for broadcast on public television this fall, the series will reveal some horrifying statistics, said MECC coordinator Vangi McCoy. She was most disturbed to learn about the amount of trauma that so many children face. By investing early, she said, that stress could be mitigated.
“If we have adults that are crazy about kids, then I know we could make a real difference,” she said.
McCoy said it’s easy to be a proponent for children because they were so cute, but she urged others to be mindful that children are also attached to an adult. To create real change, McCoy said it would require a two-generation approach.
“We also need to care about the parents,” she said. “That’s how we’re really going to make a difference.”
A licensed social worker and early childhood mental health specialist with Cortez Integrated Health System, Della Pope agreed, adding that adults should be more mindful and attuned to caring for all children in the community.
“We can measure the health of our community through the welfare of our children,” said Pope.
Ute Mountain Ute education director Tanya Amarine encouraged parents to engage in educational opportunities to ensure their children received care, support and education.
“The more you know the better you can advocate for what’s right,” she said. “Don’t quit learning.”
Amarine added that even those without children are affected when a child slips through the cracks, by paying taxes to jail them or hiring special education teachers.
“These kids at some point are going to impact your life either directly or indirectly, and taking the time to foster their growth is pennies on the dollar,” she said. “At some point, these kids are going to touch your life whether you know them or not.”
In coming weeks, MECC officials are hopeful that state and national lawmakers will accept invitations to attend a second community event when the signature hour of the documentary series is screened. The hope is legislators will better fund early child services.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com