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OPERATION MILITARY KIDS… 4-H Serving Military Families in Our Own Backyard

OPERATION MILITARY KIDS… 4-H Serving Military Families in Our Own Backyard. Partnering to Support National Guard and Reserve Youth and Families. Operation: Military Kids… 4-H serving military families in our own backyard. Military Kids who live in local communities

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OPERATION MILITARY KIDS… 4-H Serving Military Families in Our Own Backyard

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  1. OPERATION MILITARY KIDS… 4-H Serving Military Families in Our Own Backyard Partnering to Support National Guard and Reserve Youth and Families

  2. Operation: Military Kids… 4-H serving military families in our own backyard • Military Kids who live in local communities • Suddenly have different needs, but still “look” the same • Discover their world is turned upside down • Find usual support systems are no longer adequate • Lack “connections to other Teens in similar situations” • Impacted by intense and frequent media coverage Extension staff, volunteers and 4-H youth, along with schools and other community groups can form new support systems and reach out to geographically isolated military youth and their families in the various stages of the deployment cycle.

  3. Identified Issues for Children and Youth in National Guard and Reserve Families • Lack of educator awareness and sensitivity to needs of children / youth of deployed members • Possible transition from one school to another • Scholastic achievement / opportunities • Understanding and dealing with the media • Lack of community awareness of and support for family needs • Few resources to help parents and children cope • Lack of proximity to installation Child and Youth Services programs • Accessibility and affordability of child care, after-school programs and youth activities; children home alone • Lack of summer programs for military connected children / youth

  4. Identified Issues for Children and Youth in National Guard and Reserve Families (continued) • Geographically dispersed families and lack of connection with other youth and families in similar situation • Child separation/anxiety issues regarding safety of deployed parent • Communication with deployed parent • Deployed parent absent for significant events • Less parental involvement from parent at home • Need to live with extended family • Changes in financial resources • Limited opportunities for youth to attend extracurricular activities • Teens having increased care of home and younger siblings • Behavioral changes, peer pressure, lower self-esteem

  5. Operation: Military Kids… 4-H serving military families in our own backyard • WHAT: 4-H Component of Operation Military Kids... An Army Child and Youth Services Partnership with USDA/4-H, the Military Child Education Coalition, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, The National Military Family Association, and other private organizations servicing military youth • WHY:To help relieve the stress on Military children and youth impacted by the Global War on Terrorism- particularly those with deployed parents. • BY WHOM: AYDP Project Staff, OMK State Pilot Sites, 4-H / Extension staff • WHEN:Jan 2004 and beyond • HOW: • “Awareness” Workshops for school/community personnel and non military youth • “Mock deployment” experiences , Youth Lock-ins, Camps, targeted programming for school-age, middle school and teen children/youth • On-going support mechanisms, i.e., mentoring, adopting a family, youth buddy systems, educational support programs, “Speak out for Military Kids” • Promotional materials targeting various audiences

  6. Operation: Military Kids… 4-H serving military families in our own backyard Guiding Principles • Partnerships and joint commitment at the federal, state and local level are critical. • Rapid response to the issues is necessary to affect change. • Youth’s best interests are paramount. • Programs must be replicable. • Programs must be sustainable.

  7. Operation: Military Kids… 4-H serving military families in our own backyard Program Components • Building Infrastructure Support • Identifying target audiences, needs, community partners and resources • Establishing communication links • Marketing the program • Implementing Educational Program Options • Educating the Community – “Speak Out for Military Kids” • Communication – connecting with deployed parents, understanding media • Changing Roles and Responsibilities – decision-making, coping, finances • Providing training on “Supporting the Children of Those Who Serve in the National Guard and Reserve” • The Basics – understanding the National Guard, Reserve and deployment • Issues and Insights – increasing awareness of youth and family issues • Response and Resilience – exploring potential community responses • Actions and Reactions – developing action steps

  8. Operation: Military Kids… 4-H serving military families in our own backyard Speak Out for Military Kids • Raises community awareness of issues facing geographically dispersed military youth and families • Uses youth-planned and led simulations, interviews and research to help them understand situations facing “suddenly military” youth/families • Develops a “speakers’ bureau” where youth share experiences and issues through speeches, PSAs, videos and other materials at schools, 4-H Clubs, Boys & Girls Clubs and other youth and community organizations

  9. OMK Strategies for Connecting with Schools • Contact identified key resource people at the school, school district or region – use your local network • Teachers, counselors, principals, vice-principals • Resource coordinators at schools or school districts • Regional education service centers • Offer training and materials to increase educators’ understanding of issues facing “suddenly military” children and youth • Conduct training during teacher in-service days • Make linkages between the information being offered, coping and transition strategies and, where appropriate, academic subjects • Work around school holidays and major events when planning community support activities for children and youth • Ensure that the focus is always on improving outcomes for children and youth Educators hunger for information that can help them better serve children and youth.

  10. Strategies for After-school Programs • Learn about issues faced by children of deployed parents; be aware of how these may impact program participants • Involve current participants as “buddies” for new children • Offer free hours of respite care • Provide mentors to assist with homework • Incorporate supportive materials through book clubs, art activities, computer labs and life skill sessions • Partner with other community organizations to provide programs for children during an evening or weekend Family Readiness Group meeting

  11. Supporting Middle School and High School Youth • Learn about the issues and challenges facing older youth of deployed parents, especially when they assume parental roles • Encourage Veterans’ and other community groups to provide scholarships for extracurricular activities • Find adults or other youth to provide respite care for younger siblings • Recruit mentors to assist with homework and other school challenges • Partner with other community organizations to provide programs for older youth during an evening or weekend Family Readiness Group meeting

  12. Operation: Military Kids… 4-H serving military families in our own backyard • Operation: Military Kids Pilot States • Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, • North Carolina, Washington • California, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, • New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia

  13. 4-H Resource Connections • 4-H Specialists – HQDA and Regions • cfsc@usda-army-ydp.org • 4-H State Military Liaisons, State 4-H Offices and County 4-H Agents/Educators • Connections in the Community – Schools, Commissions, Committees and other Youth Organizations • School Enrichment Programs • Teacher Training • Military 4-H Club Grants • Web Sites • National 4-H Headquarters (USDA) http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov • National 4-H Youth Directions Council http://www.n4-hydc.org/who/ • USDA/Army Youth Development Project http://www.usda-army-ydp.org • CYFERnet – Children, Youth & Families Education & Research Network http://www.cyfernet.mes.umn.edu • National 4-H Council http://www.fourhcouncil.edu

  14. Other Resource Connections • Web Sites • Army and Air National Guard Family Programs http://www.guardfamily.org • Military Child Education Coalition http://www.militarychild.org • Department of Defense Educational Opportunities http://www.militarystudent.org • Army Community Service – Operation READY http://www.armycommunityservice.org • Department of Defense Military Family Resource Center http://www.mfrc-dodqol.org • Department of Defense DeploymentLINK (Deployment Health Support) http://www.deploymentlink.osd.mil • Department of Defense http://www.defenselink.mil

  15. For More Information Contact Darrin Allen Army Youth Development Coordinator 703-602-4235 Darrin.Allen@hqda.army.mil

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