CALIFORNIA: The United States ranks 26th out of 29 nations when it comes to the well-being of children. It’s a country where 40 percent of 5 -year-olds aren’t ready for kindergarten, and where 75 percent of young adults aren’t ready for military service.Such was the scenario presented in the film, “The Raising of America,” which was shown at the Columbus Public Library on Macon Road.
The event, organized by the Muscogee County Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy, drew about 100 people representing the city’s business, philanthropic, governmental and educational arenas.Warren Steele, founder of the Ferst Foundation, said the goal was to make the community aware of the challenges that many children face in the Columbus community.
To address the problem, his organization mails one book per month to children in Muscogee County from birth until 5 years of age.Experts quoted studies showing that a child’s ability to learn is affected by the level of stress in their home environment. They blamed low wages and the lack of paid family leave and quality child care as barriers to early child development.
Cotter said child care services cost about $12,000 to $13,000 per year in Columbus, and many parents can’t afford quality care.Steele said the documentary was filmed in Massachusetts by a production crew from California. Sponsors of the Columbus event include the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the Ledger-Enquirer
