The Raising of Alaska

Our brains develop the most during infancy. During that crucial stage, research has shown what happens – or what doesn’t – can ripple across a lifetime.

This Forum@360 features a discussion with early childhood experts from around Alaska. Lisa Phu hosts.

Panelists include economic analyst Jim Calvin with McDowell Group; Joy Lyon, Executive Director of Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC), Southeast; Patrick Sidmore, planner with the Alaska Mental Health Board and Steve SueWing, Dad and family advocate.

Trailer for The Raising of America

The Raising of America Trailer (11 min) from California Newsreel on Vimeo.

Guests

Jim Calvin

Jim Calvin is the senior economic analyst and managing principal at the McDowell Group. The Juneau-based research and consulting firm published an economic impact study of early education in Alaska in 2006 and updated it in 2011. McDowell is in the process of updating the study again.

Patrick Sidmore

Patrick Sidmore is a planner for the Alaska Mental Health Board. He helped coordinate the Alaska Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, which identified and quantified childhood traumas in Alaskans. Researchers have found those traumas may lead to serious health problems that last into adulthood and future generations.

Steve SueWing

Steve SueWing is a father of two who lives in Juneau. He’s an active family and education advocate.

Joy Lyon

Joy Lyon is the executive director of the Southeast Alaska chapter of the Association for the Education of Young Children. The organization is both an advocacy group and service provider. It’s made up of parents, educators, social workers and advocates for early childhood education.

Impaired reception of KAUK (91.7), KRNN(102.7), and KXLL(100.7)