Title: Theyre In Your Backyard: Joining Forces with Suddenly Military Youth and Families
1Theyre In Your Backyard Joining Forces with
Suddenly Military Youth and Families
- Theresa M. Ferrari Janel Digby
- Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference
- March 12, 2005
2Background
- 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.
34-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)
5Ripped 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)
6Military Youth Families
- Suddenly military families - from National
Guard and Army Reserve - Extent of mobilization in Ohio in every county,
in our own backyard
7Location 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
8Impact 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.
9Issues 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
10Issues 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
11Issues for Military Youth Families
- Lack of proximity to installation family/youth
programs - Geographically dispersed families
- Child care needs
- Changes in financial resources
12Deployment Cycle
13The 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.
14The Emotional Cycle of Deployment
- Three distinct stages
- Stage One Pre-deployment
- Stage Two Deployment includes Sustainment
Re-Deployment - Stage Three Reunion
15Stage 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
16Stage 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
17Stage 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
18Stage 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
19Stage 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
20Strengths 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.
21Symptoms 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
22Suggested 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.
23Operation Military Kids
24Operation 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.
25Operation Military Kids
26Operation 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
27Family Assistance Centers
- Columbus
- Toledo
- Kettering
- Cincinnati
- N. Canton
- Portsmouth
28Other Air Force Units
- Air Wings
- Columbus
- Springfield
- Mansfield
- Swanton
- AF Reserve Commands
- Wright Patterson AFB
- Youngstown
29Camps
- 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
30Discussion
- How can we reach out to the military youth and
families in our backyard?
31Joining Forces with the Military
32References
- Image taken from http//www.mfrc-dodqol.org/index.
htm - Operation Military Kids Manual