Council for a Strong America

After nearly 30 years, Council for a Strong America is dissolving as a national organization. The materials & resources on this site will not be updated moving forward. The @FightCrime, @Ready_Nation, & @Mission_Ready pages will remain active as their work continues.

Learn more: strongnation.org/articles/2536-…

After nearly 30 years, Council for a Strong America is dissolving as a national organization. The materials & resources on this site will not be updated moving forward. The @FightCrime, @Ready_Nation, & @Mission_Ready pages will remain active as their work continues.

#Afterschool programs support kids in a number of ways, including mental health resources. Learn more from @educationweek: edweek.org/leadership/the…

High-quality #childcare lays the foundation for academic success and positive outcomes for kids. We can look to the military’s child care system as an example. Learn more from @Mission_Ready: strongnation.org/articles/2399-…

Children who rely on nutritious school meals often lack the same support during the summer months. Texas lawmakers should prioritize joining the Summer EBT program to help provide kids with year-round nutrition, via @statesman: statesman.com/story/opinion/…

School meals account for up to half of a child’s daily caloric intake, making school lunch an important component of a nutritious diet. Maine schools are looking to invest in their meal programs, via @PressHerald: pressherald.com/2024/07/21/opi…

Diversion and restorative justice interventions can reduce recidivism and improve public safety. Read @FightCrime’s latest report on juvenile justice practices: strongnation.org/articles/2470-…

#Afterschool is a key support for young people, leading to safer communities and better-prepared kids, via @educationweek: edweek.org/leadership/the…

In March, members of @ReadyNationIL, @FightCrimeIL, and @Mission_Ready wrote to Illinois legislators advocating for important early childhood investments in the FY2025 budget. Read the letters: strongnation.org/articles/2398-…

Kindergarten-readiness in #Mississippi is improving and on track to return to pre-pandemic levels in the state, via @magnoliatribune: magnoliatribune.com/2024/07/19/kin…

When workers can’t find #childcare, employers can’t find workers. Find out more about the PA #ChildCareCrisis and how providers, businesses, and the government can partner to improve the care sector, via @centredaily: centredaily.com/news/state/pen…

$122 billion - that’s how much America’s infant and toddler #ChildCareCrisis costs our economy every year. Learn how we can address this pressing issue in @Ready_Nation’s report: strongnation.org/articles/2038-…

Early learning sets the state for future academic success. The pandemic continues to leave a lasting impact on our nation’s children, via @NYTimes: nytimes.com/interactive/20…

The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing last week to discuss ways to leverage Congressional investments in early learning and child care to better support working families and child care providers, via @firstfiveyears: ffyf.org/2024/07/11/bip…

Child care and early learning are top of mind for legislators. @firstfiveyears compiled quotes from lawmakers who have acknowledged that affordable care is critical to American families and businesses. ffyf.org/resources/2024…

As we call for strengthening the #childcare system, we can look toward the military’s child care system as a successful model. Don’t forget to read @Mission_Ready’s report on lessons we can learn from America’s armed services: strongnation.org/articles/2399-…

Teacher recruitment and retention is a key component of high-quality early education. A new report from @StartStrongPA i​​dentifies initiatives that help keep classrooms open. Learn more: elrc5.alleghenycounty.us/news/report-to…

Out-of-school-time programs, including afterschool, may fall by the wayside due to lack of pandemic-level funding. Hear more about the impact, via @NPR: npr.org/2024/06/01/nx-…

Quality #childcare is cost-preventative for many American families. We need to implement bipartisan solutions to solve our country’s #ChildCareCrisis, via @Newsweek: newsweek.com/america-cost-p…

ICYMI: Don’t forget to read the new juvenile justice research report from @FightCrime to learn more about effective, developmentally appropriate interventions: strongnation.org/articles/2470-…