Senior Military And Civilian Leaders Gather In Support Of Military And Veteran-Connected Children

WASHINGTON, June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter and some of the nation's top military and education policy leaders will meet here next week to support the educational, social and emotional well-being of our nation's youngest heroes: children of military service members and veterans.

Carter, senior military officers, and leaders from education and industry are featured participants at the 18th annual Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) National Training Seminar, a training event and expo designed to address the challenges facing children whose parents are members of the U.S. Armed Forces or recent veterans.

Nearly four million children have at least one parent who is a recent veteran or is currently serving in the military, a life that creates extraordinary stress, including frequent transfers to new cities, towns and states, or countries outside the U.S.; saying goodbye to one or both parents on repeated deployments, both for combat or training; coping with a parent who returns from a combat zone mentally or physically injured; or dealing with the news that a parent won't be coming home. Those difficult 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 senior U.S. government officials, the MCEC National Training Seminar includes sessions with leading experts in education, health and early childhood development, and military parents and students describing their own challenges -- and triumphs. Registration information is online at www.militarychild.org/NTS.

ABOUT THE MILITARY CHILD EDUCATION COALITION (MCEC)
The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is a 501(c)(3) global, nonprofit organization focused exclusively on the well-being and needs of America's approximately four million military and veteran-connected children, specifically in the areas of academic opportunity and excellence, school transition support, and developmental needs. Our goal is to ensure that every military-connected child grows and thrives through good and challenging times in order to be college, workplace, and ultimately, life-ready. To learn more, visit www.MilitaryChild.org.

SOURCE Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)

Related Links

http://www.MilitaryChild.org