Inadequate education, barriers to health care and crushing poverty make it overwhelmingly difficult for many children to realize their dreams. Finding ways to alter these trajectories is serious grown-up business says Dr. Irwin Redlener. He draws upon his years of professional experiences to examine our nation’s health care safety nets and special programs that are designed to protect and nurture our most vulnerable kids, but that too often fail. Dr. Redlener, a public health analyst for NBC and MSNBC, regularly communicates with leadership in US Departments of Health and Human Services and Homeland Security. He serves as a special advisor on emergency preparedness to NY Mayor Bill de Blasio and recently partnered with Cher in CherCares, a new program that assists communities struggling with COVID-19.