Websites for School Personnel
Military Homefront
Website for and about supporting our troops and their families
Military Child Education Coalition
Organization developed to help educators meet the special needs of military children
Department of Defense Educational Opportunities
Site to support the military child in transition and deployment
Emergency Mental Health and Traumatic Stress, Disaster Mental Health Programs (offered by SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center)
The Military Child During Deployment
Information on deployment and its affects on children from the Military Student official DOD site.
Websites for Families with Children Affected by Deployment
Pennsylvania National Guard State Family Action Office
Military Homefront
Website for and about supporting our troops and their families
Military One Source
This site is for all branches of the service. To talk to a Military OneSource consultant for assistance with issues related to emotional well-being, you can call 1-800-342-9647. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For TTY/TDD, dial 1-800-346-9188.
National Guard Bureau Family Support
National Guard Family Program online community
Office of Reserve Affairs
Supplying information and support for members and families of the reserve forces
National Military Family Association
The voice for military families
National Guard Youth
Online community for children and youth of the National Guard
Deployment Connections
Department of Defense Joint Readiness for Service members, families, parents, spouses and children
Emergency Mental Health and Traumatic Stress, Disaster Mental Health Programs (offered by SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center)
The Military Family Network
A website to connect military families with what they need. Works with community organizations, local governments and businesses networking them together, to support the families of our Armed Services.
The Military Child in Transition and Deployment
Whether you are a military child, parent, leader or educator, this site contains an abundance of information, tools and resources to help meet your unique needs.
Healthy Parenting Initiative
A collection of creative materials designed to take advantage of "teachable moments" and to inform parents about topics related to parenting in the context of deployment, relocation, and dangerous work, as well as general parenting information. Located on the Military Homefront website.
Military Teens on the Move
A Department of Defense site for teenagers in military families with information and links to sites dealing with military life and military moves.
TAPS
Each year, American families face the tragedy of the death of a loved one serving in the Armed Forces. The families left behind include loving parents, siblings and young spouses and school age children. Where can these families turn for support when faced with such heartbreak? They can, and most often do, turn to The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc. (TAPS). TAPS is a one of a kind non-profit Veteran Service Organization offering hope, healing, comfort and care to American armed forces families facing the death of a loved one.
Books and Resources for Adults
Uncle Sam's Kids - When Duty Calls by Angela Sportelli-Rehak - Shows parents and caregivers how to address the distinct stages of deployment such as worry, anger, detachment, sadness, recovery and anticipation of homecoming by using fun coping techniques, listening and normalizing common concerns, involvement in some decisions, discovering strength in family and community while promoting patriotism.
Surviving Deployment: A Guide for Military Families by Karen Pavlicin – Talks about how to stay together as a family, how to adjust to long absences and uncertain communications, how to overcome the challenges of single-family parenting and new responsibilities, and how to manage financially through a blend of personal stores from hundreds of fellow military families and checklists.
How Communities can Support the Children and Family of Guard and Reserves
A booklet to introduce concerned citizens and educators to issues facing children and families of those serving in the military and assist in creating networks of support for those families.
For purchase through Military Child Education Coalition.
Free Downloadable Resources for School Personnel and Parents
Educator’s Guide to the Military Child During Deployment
This booklet is designed to meet the needs expressed by teachers and other school personnel for background information and intervention strategies to support the military child during mobilization and deployment. Published by the U.S. Department of Education Download the free PDF version of the handbook
Working with Military Children: A Primer For School Personnel
This booklet was developed in an effort to recognize and record the extremely crucial role schools play in supporting the children of military service members during deployment. Targeted to all school personnel and guidance counselors in particular, this primer is designed to educate, support, and affirm their future efforts. Published by the Virginia Joint Military Family Services Board.
(Note: The Rate and Rank section of this document contains illegible text on pages 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the PDF (pages 10, 11, 12, 13 of the actual document. For a complete listing of officer rank insignias, please visit the Department of Defense website at: http://www.defenselink.mil/specials/insignias/officers.html)
Managing Anxiety in Times of Crisis
Includes free downloads of publications such as; How Families Can Help Children Cope with Fear and Anxiety, A Guide for Parents and Teachers, and Age-Specific Interventions at Home for Children in Trauma: From Preschool to Adolescence.
Recognizing stress in children
Strategies for Parents and Teachers
Helping children cope with disaster
Coming Home: Adjustments for Military Families
Emergency Mental Health and Traumatic Stress, Disaster Mental Health Programs
Website offering information and resources for educators and parents of children coping with traumatic events and people managing anxiety.
Websites for Children
Pennsylvania National Guard Child and Youth Program
Deployment Guides from National Guard Youth Online
Age specific story/activity books and guides for children facing deployment.
Post Deployment Health Kid’s Page
Department of Defense web site for children in the post deployment phase. Includes a Knowledge Center with links to site such as the US Department for Health and Human Services Pages For Kids and the Kids Page for the Veterans Adminstration.
The Military Child in Transition and Deployment
Whether you are a military child, parent, leader or educator, this site contains an abundance of information, tools and resources to help meet your unique needs.
Children's Books and Resources
While You Are Away by Eileen Spinelli - (for pre-school to grade 2) Three children’s stories of life while their parents are on active military duty abroad, each from a different branch of the armed forces. All three vignettes are upbeat and reassuring, and the book concludes with the safe return of all three loved ones.
Ned and the General: A Lesson in Deployment
By Ron Madison
Book of stories written in rhyme and based on real children affected by deployment
A copy of the book, of Ned and the General, was sent to each school district, IU, elementary school and elementary level charter school in Pennsylvania. To order more copies, go to any local or online bookstores such as www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com. For quantity orders of paperback editions, call the author, Ron Madison, at 814-255-6646.
Uncle Sam's Kids - When Duty Calls by Angela Sportelli-Rehak - Shows parents and caregivers how to address the distinct stages of deployment such as worry, anger, detachment, sadness, recovery and anticipation of homecoming by using fun coping techniques, listening and normalizing common concerns, involvement in some decisions, discovering strength in family and community while promoting patriotism.
The following books are available from Channing-Bete at: www.channing-bete.com
Let’s Talk About Deployment
Information and activity book for children
Know What? My Parent is Being Deployed
Activity book for ages 6-8
Who Knew? The Deployment Issue
Activity book for ages 9-11
Write from the Heart
Stationery kit for military families
I’ll Miss You
Activity book with positive messages to help children deal with unique aspects of military life for ages pre-k to elementary
www.guidancechannel.com
I’m Proud to be a Military Kid
Coloring book that tells children whose parents are in the military that they are special www.guidancechannel.com
Financial Assistance Links
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) – A private non-profit charitable organization providing financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States
Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) – A private, non-profit, organization providing worldwide emergency assistance, sponsoring education assistance programs, and offering a variety of base community enhancement programs that improve quality of life for Airmen and their families
Army Emergency Relief (AER) – A private, non-profit, organization to help soldiers and their families with emergency financial assistance and education assistance programs
American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) - the Red Cross collaborates with the Military Aid Societies in providing financial assistance when an urgent personal or family crisis arises. Financial assistance is provided when there is a demonstrated need for funds for such things as emergency travel, burial assistance, or urgent health and welfare needs such as food and shelter. Red Cross workers will assist veterans in the preparation, development, and effort to obtain evidence to support claim for financial benefits through the Board of Veterans Appeals.
Financial Assistance Links (Education Related)
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) – A comprehensive financial-aid site college students and their families can use to help pay college tuition through scholarships, grants, and student loans
American Education Services (AES) – Agency designed to help you succeed by giving you the tools to plan for higher education and find money for school, as well as allowing you to manage your student loan account online.
Featured Resource:
Department of Defense (DOD) Special Needs Parent Toolkit - Developed and reviewed by the military Services Exceptional Family Member Program Managers, TRICARE, DoD Education Activity and Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP) Project, this kit contains 110 pages of comprehensive information and tools geared towards helping military families with special needs children navigate the maze of medical and special education services, community support and benefits and entitlements. Each of the 6 modules contains valuable resources and important facts and record keeping tools and sample letters incorporated.