Military Child Education Coalition National Training Seminar to Focus on Needs of Military Children

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and the nation's top military commanders -- including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey -- will meet here next week to support the nation's youngest heroes: children of military service members.

Duncan, the Pentagon leadership, and other leaders from education and industry are featured participants at the 16th Military Child Education Coalition Training Seminar, a training event and expo designed to address the growing, long-term needs of kids whose parents are members of the US Armed Forces.

Studies show almost 4 million children have at least one parent who is a veteran or is currently serving in the military, a life that can include extraordinary stress beyond frequent transfers to new cities or towns, saying goodbye to one or both parents on repeat deployments, managing a parent who returns from a combat zone mentally or physically injured, or coping with news that a parent won't come home.

Those adult-level situations can come early: 78 percent of military kids are age 11 or younger, and nearly 40 percent have directly experienced the nation's overseas wars. Along with Obama Cabinet and military VIPs, the MCEC National Training Seminar includes sessions with leading experts in education, health and early childhood development, and military children describing their own challenges -- and triumphs. The MCEC Expo features vendors showcasing innovative products and services geared toward childhood success.

Last year's MCEC Training Seminar in DC drew media coverage from national and regional media outlets, and this year's conference should be no different.  Registration information is online at Military Child Education Coalition, www.militarychild.org/NTS.

ABOUT THE MILITARY CHILD EDUCATION COALITION
Founded in 1998, the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is a 501(c)(3) global nonprofit leadership and advocacy organization focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for America's 2 million military-connected children affected by mobility, family separation and transition. For more information visit www.MilitaryChild.org

SOURCE Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)