Theyre In Your Backyard: Joining Forces with Suddenly Military Youth and Families

1
Theyre In Your Backyard Joining Forces with
Suddenly Military Youth and Families

• Theresa M. Ferrari Janel Digby
• Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference
• March 12, 2005

2
Background

• Nationally, 4-H has a 10-year history of a formal
  partnership with the Army 6 years with the Air
  Force.
• Ohios 4-H partnership with Wright Patterson Air
  Force Base began in 2002.
• Role of 4-H Military Liaisons has evolved over
  past three years.

3
4-H at Wright Patterson AFB

• Partnership with Greene and Montgomery Counties
  has evolved over three years.
• Have developed signature events.
• Integrate with on-going programs.
• Play to our strengths.
• People make it happen!

4
(No Transcript)
5
Ripped from the Headlines

• When duty calls, life put on hold (March 28,
  Columbus Dispatch)
• Wartime stress Poor morale and high suicide
  rates point to big problems for troops in Iraq
  (March 30, MSNBC.com)

6
Military Youth Families

• Suddenly military families - from National
  Guard and Army Reserve
• Extent of mobilization in Ohio in every county,
  in our own backyard

7
Location of Mobilized Army Reserve
Soldiers/Families OHIO
The single dots outside of the major cities are
normally five or less soldiers/families in that
zip code. The closer you get to a major city, the
more the numbers increase per zip code. Feb 04
8
Impact of Global War on Terrorism

• Has changed the face of military service for
  those in National Guard Reserve.
• Mobilization and deployment are at all-time high
  levels.
• Have different needs than traditional military
  families.

9
Issues for Military Youth Families

• Fear of the unknown regarding safety of deployed
  parent
• Parent absent for significant events, less
  parental involvement
• Lack of educators awareness of and sensitivity
  regarding deployment and needs of children of
  deployed service members

10
Issues for Military Youth Families

• Children being placed in day care so remaining
  parent can work outside the home
• Constant shuffle between relatives and child
  care providers
• Lack of connection with other youth with deployed
  parents

11
Issues for Military Youth Families

• Lack of proximity to installation family/youth
  programs
• Geographically dispersed families
• Child care needs
• Changes in financial resources

12
Deployment Cycle
13
The Emotional Cycle of Deployment

• Each stage is characterized by a time frame and
  specific emotional challenges.
• Failure to adequately negotiate can lead to
  significant strife.
• Promoting understanding of deployment helps avert
  crisis and need for intervention/mental health
  counseling.

14
The Emotional Cycle of Deployment

• Three distinct stages
• Stage One Pre-deployment
• Stage Two Deployment includes Sustainment
  Re-Deployment
• Stage Three Reunion

15
Stage One Pre-deployment

• Shock/surprise for Guard Reserve Soldiers and
  family members
• Anticipation of loss vs. denial
• Train up/long hours away
• Getting affairs in order
• Mental/physical distance
• Stress/arguments
• Time frame Variable

16
Stage Two Deployment

• Mixed emotions grief loss combined with
  relief
• Disoriented/overwhelmed
• Numb, sad, alone/lonely, feelings of abandonment
• Sleep difficulties
• Security issues
• Frequent communication helps all cope
• Time frame First month

17
Stage Two Sustainment

• New routines established
• New sources of support
• Feel more in control Able to cope
• Independence
• Confidence I can do this
• Phone contact unidirectional initiated by
  spouse may lead to feeling trapped as may miss
  call
• Time frame Months 2 -18

18
Stage Two Re-Deployment

• Anticipation of homecoming
• Excitement
• Apprehension Will I have to give up my
  independence?
• Burst of energy nesting
• Difficulty making decisions
• Time frame Months 17-18

19
Stage Three Reunion

• Honeymoon period
• Loss of independence
• Need for own space
• Renegotiating routines
• Reintegrating into family
• Most important stage to get to know one another
  again patient communication, going slow and
  lower expectation are key
• Time frame 3-6 months or more after deployment

20
Strengths for Youth Resulting from Deployment

• Fosters maturity
• Growth inducing
• Encourages independence
• Encourages flexibility, adaptability
• Builds skills for adjusting to separation
  losses faced later in life
• Strengthens family bonds
• Civics relationship with community, etc.

21
Symptoms of Deployment Stress in School Setting

• Unable to resume normal class assignments/activiti
  es
• Continued high levels of emotional response (i.e.
  crying intense sadness)
• Difficulty concentrating in school
• Express violent or depressed feelings verbally or
  through drawings/play

• Intentionally hurt self or others
• Gain or lose significant amount of weight in
  period of weeks
• Discontinue care of personal appearance
• Exhibit possible alcohol/drug abuse problem
• Frequent absences
• Experience decline in performance grades that
  does not improve over time

22
Suggested Healthy Responses By Adults

• Educate self on the impact of deployment on
  children/youth families.
• Reflect what you see and hear in terms of child
  behavior to help them with understanding.
• Be patient, understanding, caring, and firm with
  consequences for misbehavior.
• Help children/youth identify, accept, and express
  what they are feeling.
• Model constructive ways of dealing with strong
  and/or challenging emotions like anger, grief,
  loss, sadness.

23
Operation Military Kids
24
Operation Military Kids National Initiative

• Designed to provide support to children/youth of
  Army National Guard and Reserve families that are
  geographically dispersed and are impacted by the
  global war on terrorism.
• Supported by grant funds provided by USDA/Army
  Youth Development Project.
• Educates citizens in states about facts
  challenges of military life involving youth in
  affected communities.

25
Operation Military Kids
26
Operation Military Kids

• Creating a statewide infrastructure
• OMK State Team
• Speak Out for Military Kids
• Social, educational, and recreational programs
  for suddenly military youth
• Hero Packs
• Mobile Technology Lab

27
Family Assistance Centers

• Columbus
• Toledo
• Kettering

• Cincinnati
• N. Canton
• Portsmouth

28
Other Air Force Units

• Air Wings
• Columbus
• Springfield
• Mansfield
• Swanton

• AF Reserve Commands
• Wright Patterson AFB
• Youngstown

29
Camps

• Operation Purple Camp
• July 24-29
• Camp Graham
• 140 youth from deployed families
• Funded by National Military Families Association
• Grant funds from Ohio 4-H Foundation
• 30 youth from deployed families
• Attend local 4-H camps

30
Discussion

• How can we reach out to the military youth and
  families in our backyard?

31
Joining Forces with the Military
32
References

• Image taken from http//www.mfrc-dodqol.org/index.
  htm
• Operation Military Kids Manual