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The Raising of America: Early Childhood and the Future of Our Nation is a five-part documentary series that explores the questions: Why are so many children in America faring so poorly? What are the consequences for the nation’s future? How might we, as a nation, do better?

Parenting Journey, formerly the Family Center, a non-profit organization providing positive, strength-based programs for parents and caregivers, has partnered with WGBH and the Department of Pediatrics at Boston Medical Center to host the screening of the documentary, “The Raising of America: Early Childhood and the Future of our Nation,” and live panel discussion on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the WGBH Yawkey Theatre, One Guest Street, Boston, MA 02135.

“We are thrilled to be bringing this amazing documentary to Boston. The Raising of America accurately portrays the many hardships faced by parents today and stimulates discussion of what we can do better both on a local and national level.” said Maury Peterson, Executive Director, Parenting Journey. “This series aligns with our core mission of helping parents build safer, stronger families and we are looking forward to hearing from a dynamic panel of medical and academic leaders from the Greater Boston area.”

“The Raising of America: Early Childhood and the Future of Our Nation,” is a five-part documentary series that explores the questions: Why are so many children in America faring so poorly? What are the consequences for the nation’s future? How might we, as a nation, do better? The series is the first national, fully integrated media/public engagement project that aims to reframe the way Americans look at early child health and development. The series producer and executive director is Larry Adelman, co-director and head of production, California NewsReel. Episode 1, which will be shown on December 9, was filmed in large part in Boston. To learn more about the documentary, visit http://www.raisingofamerica.org. Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion focusing on the long term effects of stress and trauma, and the importance of a two generational approach to improving childhood outcomes. The panel discussion will be hosted by Barry Zuckerman, MD, Boston Medical Center.

Panelists will include:

• Renée Boynton-Jarrett, MD, ScD, Boston Medical Center
• Sharon Scott-Chandler, ABCD Head Start and Children’s Services
• Jeff Howard, PhD, The Efficacy Institute
• Andrele Jean-Charles, MFT, Parenting Journey
• Marta T. Rosa, Wheelock College