Military to Debut Virtual School
A new online curriculum is in the works to ease school transitions for itinerant members' children
By Zach Miners, U.S. News and World Report
Posted November 5, 2009
When new assignments force members of the armed forces to move, it often means children need to switch schools. In some military families, children change schools multiple times during the course of their academic lives. The Department of Defense says that the disruptions can produce setbacks in students' schooling, but department officials are working to fix that: They're developing the military's first online virtual high school, to be open in time for the 2010-2011 school year.
The online curriculum is being developed in collaboration with experts at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas under a $6.2 million contract from the Department of Defense Education Activity program. The coursework is meant not to replace or compete with face-to-face schools but to supplement them.
DoDEA, which is responsible for the education of military members' children, has offered distance-learning programs since the early 1980s. Until now, the majority of distance-learning courses offered by the agency have been classes to supplement the core curriculum, such as Advanced Placement courses. The new virtual school is a bit different: It's meant to offer a complete curriculum of courses necessary to graduate from high school. Full Article +
DODEA Comes Through with $56M for Public Schools Serving Kids of Military
MOAA Website (Military Officers Association of America)
Read the full press release, including the full list of recipient schools at the DODEA Web site.
The Department of Defense Education Activity awarded $56 million in grants to public schools serving military children throughout the nation. There were two categories of grants — competitive and invitational. More than $41 million was awarded to 35 school districts in the competitive category and nearly $15 million was awarded to an additional nine school districts in the invitational category.
A total of 284 schools within the 44 districts will receive grant funds and those schools serve over 77,000 military students. The amount of the awards is based on military student enrollment and range from $300,000 to $2,500,000, depending on the number of military students at the target schools. Full Article +
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District receives federal grant
by Rebecca George
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District will expand academic, career training and social support programs for children of military families using a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense's school division.
District officials stated in a press release that they were honored to receive the grant. It will help lead to changes at all secondary schools, said Wayne Gerke, assistant superintendent of secondary schools for the district.
The grant-funded work will focus on five schools with the highest population of military dependents.
Those include Eielson Junior-Senior High, Lathrop High, North Pole High, North Pole Middle and Tanana Middle schools. During the 2008-2009 school year, the district served more than 1,100 military dependents from both Eielson Air Force Base and Fort Wainwright Army Post in the five schools. Full Article +
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District has received a 1 point 3 million dollar grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity. The grant is intended to help fund programs for children of military personnel. The borough is using the money on programs that improve students performance, allows them to take more advanced placement classes, and provide transportation for after-school activities. Assistant Superintendent, Wayne Gerke says, although the money was obtained because of the high percentage of military dependents , the programs will benefit other students, too.
Video clip +
Operation Kids has mock deployment
By Jennifer Rios
SAN ANGELO, Texas — To prepare her 6-year-old son for her departure to Iraq, Priscilla Ochoa "deployed" him to Afghanistan.
At Goodfellow's Operation Kids, Raymond Ochoa was issued gear, briefed on his mission and otherwise learned what his mother would soon go through. Ochoa, an Air Force staff sergeant, and her family have talked about her upcoming Iraq tour, but she wanted to make things tangible for her son.
"I'm going to deploy soon," Ochoa said Saturday. "I thought it would help so he would get an idea of what's going on." Full Article +
Lawmakers form caucus for military families
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Thursday Oct 22, 2009
Sixty members of the House of Representatives are forming a new caucus to look out for the interests of military families, and intending to tackle spouse employment and aid for families with special-needs children as their first legislative issues.
One co-chair of the caucus is Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, a Republican lawmaker from Washington state who is married to a 26-year Navy veteran. The other co-chair is Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr., D-Ga.
The Military Family Caucus officially launches Nov. 4 at an event at which Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, will be the keynote speaker.
McMorris-Rodgers, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, represents a district that includes Fairchild Air Force Base. Bishop, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, represents a Georgia district that includes Fort Benning and Marine Corps Logistic Base Albany.
Aimee Henneke, an Air Force spouse who handles military issues for McMorris-Rodgers, said the congresswoman was surprised to discover that there was no single caucus representing the interests of military families in the House, although the Congressional Women's Caucus has worked on some military family issues.
"If this is going to be the year of the Military Family, why not elevate to a whole different level," Henneke said, by forming a caucus of lawmakers dedicated to the cause.
One of the first planned orders of business is to arrange briefings for the staff of lawmakers in the caucus to give them a better understanding of programs available to military families and gaps in programs, Henneke said. Full Article +
Workshop for parents, professionals working with special needs kids
By Lee Anne Hensley (Hilltop Times staff)
A nationally recognized training workshop will be offered free of charge to parents and professionals from Hill Air Force Base who work with or are parents of children with special needs. The Specialized Training of Military Parents workshop will be held Oct. 26-28 in the Education Building 385, Room 208. The workshop offered Oct. 26 will be open to educators and other professionals working with special needs children and will be held from 8:30 a.m. until noon. The next two days offer full-day workshops for parents as well as educators and professionals, and is offered from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
"The first day is a half-day training for professionals and the workshops will discuss partnerships and communication between the schools and the military," said Judith Maughan, 75th Force Support Squadron Educations Programs officer. "It will also identify some of the unique needs these students and families have. Full Article +
Impact Aid program benefits NAS Jax military family/DoD civilian school children
By Staff
In an economy where retail sales are slow, home property resale values receding, and even the sale of lottery ticket purchases down, local public schools continue to feel the pressure when competing for budget dollars. Parents or guardians, both military and civilian, who live or work on NAS Jacksonville (Jax) can help ease some of this financial strain by actively participating in the Impact Aid program.
Traditionally, property taxes, sales taxes and personal income taxes account for a large portion of the average school district's annual budget. However, federally connected students do not contribute as much to the local tax base because their parents or guardians do one or more of the following in the school districts that their students attend:
The Impact Aid program is designed to help compensate by reimbursing public school districts for the loss of these traditional tax revenue sources. Since its inception in 1950, this program has been amended many times and now includes five different types of impact aid. Public school districts are eligible to receive basic impact aid support payments if they have at least 400 "federally connected" students or these students comprise at least three percent of the average daily attendance. Unlike most other forms of educational assistance, Impact aid goes directly to the participating school districts from the federal government rather than through state agencies. Full Article +
DoDEA Educational Partnerships Awards $56 Million in Grants to Schools Serving
Children of Military Service Members
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - October 19, 2009 The Department of Defense Education Activity awarded $56 million in
grants to public schools serving military children throughout the
nation. There were two categories of grants -- competitive and
invitational. More than $41 million was awarded to 35 school districts
in the competitive category and nearly $15 million was awarded to an
additional nine school districts in the invitational category. Full Article +
States' compact levels the field for military kids
By Cheri Carlson
Military children can lose credits, the opportunity to play sports or
take an honors class, and sometimes even the chance to graduate on time
or continue in kindergarten as they move from base to base and school to
school.
On average, military families move every three years, and children end up on many campuses, each with its own set of rules and schedules.
To help meet those challenges, officials drafted the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, addressing key issues such as enrollment, placement, eligibility and graduation requirements. By this summer, 24 states had signed off on it, officials said. Full Article +
28 Aug – Kids of deployed soldiers show psychological effects
By Amy Norton
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Recent studies have shown that U.S. veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan are coming back with high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems. Now research suggests that deployment may be taking a toll on their kids, too: Children of U.S. service members deployed overseas may have an elevated risk of anxiety and other emotional difficulties.
In a study of 116 spouses of deployed Army personnel, researchers found that one-third of the participants' school-aged children were at high risk of so-called psychosocial problems. The most common ones were "internalizing" symptoms, such as being anxious, worried or crying more often.
The results, published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, are based on a screening questionnaire—which means that the children deemed at "high risk" of psychosocial problems do not necessarily have them. Full Article +
27 Aug—At camp, military kids share laughs, fears
By KIMBERLY HEFLING (AP)
FOMBELL, Pa. — Thirteen-year-old David Rojas didn't tell his mother how terribly he missed her while she was on Navy deployments to the Middle East, because he worried it would upset her.
Knowing her mother is under stress, Shania Jones, 10, does extra chores to help with her younger brother and sister while her dad's away with the West Virginia Army National Guard on his second Iraq deployment.
"Deployment" is a word unfamiliar to many children. For David, Shania and other military kids who stayed recently at Camp Kon-O-Kwee in western Pennsylvania, it's a way of life that's become increasingly hard.
27 Aug—Discriminating Shoppers
An article in the August 21st 2009 Gazette tells of $5.8 million in federal grants being awarded to Colorado Springs school districts where the military population is growing. The article says this:
"Four Pikes Peak region school districts have been awarded Defense Department grants aimed at assisting schools where the military population is growing. The area districts — Academy School District 20, Falcon School District 49, Harrison School District 2 and Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 — received $5.8 million to use on programs over three years. The districts will use the money to improve student achievement, and Falcon and Harrison have targeted math programs in particular. The Department of Defense Education Activity awarded $56 million nationwide, and was able to make awards to all qualified districts, said spokeswoman Connie Gillette. The grants are for schools with at least a 15 percent military dependent population, but the programs can serve all students in the school."
Over 10,000 new soldiers and airmen will be flowing into the Colorado Springs area over the next couple of years, so these grants were not unexpected.
Take another look at the districts that are receiving these grants and take note of the district that is not receiving the money. D11, the largest district in the region, does not qualify for the federal funding. When military families move to a new location, the parents tend to be discriminating shoppers when it comes to the education of their children. It is apparent that very few military families would place their children in a school district that spends little effort on educating kids. Full Article +
24 Aug—Ft. Lewis, McChord schools awarded grants
The Suburban Times, Ben Sinclair • August 24, 2009
ARLINGTON, VA -The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Educational Partnership awarded grants to two Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base area schools through the Promoting Student Achievement at Schools Impacted by Military Force Structure Changes FY 09 Competitive Grant Program. The Bethel School District in Spanaway, Washington received a grant in the amount of approximately $500,000. The Clover Park School District in Lakewood, Washington received a grant in the amount of $2 million. The amount of the grants is based on the number of military-connected students within the school district.
The grants focus on enhancing student learning opportunities, student achievement, and educator professional development at military-connected schools with projected military student growth between 2007 and 2009 due to force structure changes. This data is based on a Report to Congress on Assistance to Local Educational Agencies for Defense Dependents Education published in March 2008. School districts serving 22 military installations identified through that report were invited to submit a grant proposal. Full Article +
24 Aug—Clover Park, Bethel score DoDEA grants
MICHAEL SWAN
Clover Park School District and Bethel School District were awarded $2 million and $500,000, respectively, by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Educational Partnership's Promoting Student Achievement at Schools Impacted by Military Force Structure Changes FY 09 Competitive Grant Program.
That's great news, but a mouthful.
The amount of the grants is based on the number of military-connected students within the school districts.
The Fort Lewis PAO relayed a release from the Dept. of Defense Education Activity regarding the grant distribution:
The grants focus on enhancing student learning opportunities, student achievement, and educator professional development at military-connected schools with projected military student growth between 2007 and 2009 due to force structure changes. This data is based on a Report to Congress on Assistance to Local Educational Agencies for Defense Dependents Education published in March 2008. School districts serving 22 military installations identified through that report were invited to submit a grant proposal. Full Article +
24 Aug Pentagon Channel:
View
24 Aug—Local school districts receive $3.8 million grants for military kids
Story By: Bea Karnes, KOAA, Channel 5, Colorado Springs
Three school districts with high enrollments of children connected to the military, have received $3.8 million in federal grants to help kids master math skills.
Project AIM: Achievement in Math for Low-Achieving Military and Civilian Students, awarded Falcon D-49 $2 million, Fountain-Fort Carson School District $1.5 million and Harrison School District $300,000.
According to Brandy Gill, Fort Carson spokeswoman, the award will benefit all families with school-age children in the Colorado Springs area, "Since Colorado Springs has such a large military population, this will definitely have a positive impact on children of military Families to include children of Fort Carson Soldiers. In the bigger picture though, it will benefit the whole community. In that respect, it's a huge win for the district." Full Article +
24 Aug—Area schools get $5.8M to help military kids
THE GAZETTE, SUE McMILLIN
Four Pikes Peak region school districts have been awarded Defense Department grants aimed at assisting schools where the military population is growing.
The area districts — Academy School District 20, Falcon School District 49, Harrison School District 2 and Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 — received $5.8 million to use on programs over three years. The districts will use the money to improve student achievement, and Falcon and Harrison have targeted math programs in particular.
The Department of Defense Education Activity awarded $56 million nationwide, and was able to make awards to all qualified districts, said spokeswoman Connie Gillette. The grants are for schools with at least a 15 percent military dependent population, but the programs can serve all students in the school.
Fort Carson is in the midst of adding about 6,500 soldiers this year; Peterson and Shriever Air Force bases will grow by a few hundred airmen over several years.
Here's a look at what the area school districts received because of that growth and what the money will be used for: Full Article +
24 Aug—Support, advice for parents, kids gearing up for school
Andrews AFB Capital Flyer, By Pacifica Chehy
When entering Dr. John Bennett's, one might think they have walked into an office supply store. However, this is no Staples; it is the base school liaison officer's workplace office.
Surrounded by high stacks of new spiral-bound notebooks, scissors, glue sticks, crayons, folders, markers, colored pencils and other school necessities, Dr. Bennett, 316th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center school liaison officer, has the unique opportunity to give Team Andrews kids the tools they need to start the school year right. Full Article +
24 Aug—Jones addresses local officials
ENC Today, (NC) JANNETTE PIPPIN
SWANSBORO — As he spoke before an audience of town and county leaders Wednesday night in Swansboro, Congressman Walter Jones opened his comments with words of thanks.
He said they are the ones on the front lines, dealing with constituents and issues in their respective communities on a daily basis.
"I go back to Washington. You may see constituents every day at the gas station, at the store, in church," said U.S. Rep. Jones, R-NC. "I have great appreciation for the things you do."
Jones was the guest speaker at a meeting of the Crystal Coast Mayor's Association, which was sponsored by the Town of Swansboro.
The meeting brought together local government officials from both Onslow and Carteret counties and gave them an opportunity to ask questions about issues impacting the area.
Military growth was one issue that came up, and while the influx of military personnel and families is seen as a good thing for the region, there are challenges that come with the increase, officials said.
Onslow County Manager Jeff Hudson asked about impact aid to help the county with its responsibility to provide an education for the children of military families. Full Article +
Online courses help families
Clover Park: New option for computer-based academy aimed at children with a parent in military
JOYCE CHEN; The News Tribune
Clover Park School District is contracting with Federal Way's Internet Academy to offer an online program this fall, catering mostly to children in military families.
The program is targeted at kindergartners to eighth-graders living on Fort Lewis, who will have the option of taking courses online, with eight hours a week of required face-to-face instruction and support from a part-time teacher on post.
The district will pay $150,000 for an online curriculum.
The program will give flexibility to children of military personnel with unpredictable schedules, said Norma Melo, Fort Lewis school liaison officer. Full Article +
21 Aug—Online classes to greet Wildcats this semester
By Kurt Schauppner
The Desert Trail
TWENTYNINE PALMS — Thanks to the wonders of the Internet and a Department of Defense grant, students at Twentynine Palms High School, 72750 Wildcat Way, will have three more advanced placement classes at their disposal this year.
School will begin for about 850 Twentynine Palms High School students on Monday, Aug. 24.
Like Yucca Valley High School on the west end, Twentynine Palms High School students will take classes offered online by Aventa Learning. About 39 Wildcat students are expected to take advance placement classes in European history, psychology and chemistry.
According to information on the Aventa Learning Web site, the European history course, a two-semester course, covers the fall of Constantinople to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
It is taught at the level normally reserved for a college freshman or sophomore modern history course. Full Article +
20 Aug—When a parent goes to war, military kids grow up fast
Children of parents deployed to wars overseas assume adult responsibilities
By Stephanie Chen
CNN—In Pennsylvania, Tyler Dix, a 16-year-old movie buff, is wide awake by 7 a.m. to cook breakfast for his younger siblings.
In Georgia, Tucker Simmons, a 14-year old novice guitarist, prepares ice packs for his mother whenever her chronic lower back pain kicks in.
In California, Kaylei Deakin, an avid 17-year old rock climber, disciplines her little sisters when they act out.
Tyler, Tucker and Kaylei are three teenagers from across the country who have very different interests, but one experience that bonds them: They grew up fast—sometimes too quickly—to fill the shoes of mom or dad when their parent was shipped off to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As the death toll from the two wars has risen over the last eight years, the fight has also affected a growing number of children left at home to cope without a parent. Full Article +
20 Aug—SUBASE has new resource for families with school age children
By: Naval Submarine Base New London Public Affairs
GROTON, Conn. - Southeastern Connecticut Navy families with school age children will have a new resource for the 2009-2010 academic year, as Naval Submarine New London (SUBASE) welcomed a new School Liaison this summer.
Miranda Chapman became SUBASE's first School Liaison in July.
"The Navy believes that School Liaison Officers will be a step in the right direction toward helping schools and installations respond to the complexities of transition and deployment," said Chapman. Full Article +
19 Aug—Online classes to greet Wildcats this semester
By Kurt Schauppner
The Desert Trail
TWENTYNINE PALMS — Thanks to the wonders of the Internet and a Department of Defense grant, students at Twentynine Palms High School, 72750 Wildcat Way, will have three more advanced placement classes at their disposal this year.
School will begin for about 850 Twentynine Palms High School students on Monday, Aug. 24.
Like Yucca Valley High School on the west end, Twentynine Palms High School students will take classes offered online by Aventa Learning. About 39 Wildcat students are expected to take advance placement classes in European history, psychology and chemistry. Full Article +
18 Aug—Area schools to benefit from government grant
HCS will receive almost $2 million for educational programs
By KELLY R. CANTRALL
HARDIN COUNTY — Hardin County Schools is getting a hand in teaching the children of servicemen and women.
Hardin County Schools will receive almost $2 million worth of grant money from the Department of Defense Education Activity to use for educational programs at schools with a population of military children.
The grant, worth $1,990,024, will fund programs that help prevent students from falling behind or intervene when students face academic problems. The programs will be used at 12 schools. The schools should start getting the money in September. Full Article +18 Aug—Defense grant to fund school reading program
Havelock News, By Sue Book
Craven County Schools can expand a pilot project on innovative reading instruction to 14 schools with a $1.5 million Department of Defense grant.
"We are thrilled that Craven County Schools was awarded the Department of Defense Education Activity grant," Col. Frank P. Bottorff, exiting base commander at Cherry Point, said in a statement. "This grant will have a direct impact on improving the reading skills of numerous students to include the children of our Marines, sailors and government employees.
"Our military families don't just live here, we are an integral part of the community, and we're happy to be a part of a program that benefits so many schools." Full Article +17 Aug—OCEANSIDE: OUSD gets $2M grant for reading help
Programs will go into schools with many military families
North County Times, STACY BRANDT
Four Oceanside schools will be able to start new intervention programs this year for students struggling to read, thanks to a $2 million federal grant.
The U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity announced earlier this month that it would give Oceanside Unified School District $2 million over the next three years to fund reading programs at three elementary schools and a middle school with a high percentage of students from military families.
Students at those schools who are at least two years behind in reading skills will qualify for the programs.
It's important to have special help for students from military families because they often face instability in their home and school lives, said Jeanne Iman, director of curriculum and instruction for the district. Full Article +
17 August—DoDEA Educational Partnership awards grant to CMCS, Clarkesville Online
ARLINGTON, VA – The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Educational Partnership awarded a $2 million grant to Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) in Clarksville, Tennessee through the Promoting Student Achievement at Schools Impacted by Military Force Structure Changes FY 09 Competitive Grant Program. The Clarksville-Montgomery School District supports students whose families are stationed at Fort Campbell.
The DoDEA grants focus on enhancing student learning opportunities, student achievement, and educator professional development at military-connected schools with projected military student growth between 2007 and 2009 due to force structure changes. This data is based on a Report to Congress on Assistance to Local Educational Agencies for Defense Dependents Education published in March 2008. School districts serving 22 military installations identified through that report were invited to submit a grant proposal. Full Article +
17 Aug—Grant brings $2M to Clarksville-Montgomery County schools
Money will help to support system's military dependents
By ANN WALLACE • The Leaf-Chronicle • August 15, 2009
The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System has $2 million more in its coffers after an announcement today by the Department of Defense Education Activity Educational Partnership.
"This grant could not have been awarded at a better time as we implement the new more rigorous academic standards adopted by the state of Tennessee," said Michael Harris, director of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools.
"This will go a long way in helping us support our military dependents and their academic needs," Harris added.
The grant is funneled through the Promoting Student Achievement at Schools Impacted by Military Force Structure Changes FY 09 Competitive Grant Program. Full Article +
School Board receives $2 Million Grant
Leesville Daily Leader
The Vernon Parish School Board has been awarded a generous grant in the amount of $2 million.
The grant was awarded by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Educational Partnership through the promoting student achievement at schools impacted by military force structure changes. The Vernon Parish School District was chosen because it supports students with families stationed at Fort Polk.
General James C. Yarbrough said the grant will be beneficial to both the post and the community.
"Just last month, the Vernon Parish School System was one of the signers to the reaffirmation of the Army Community Covenant. This educational partnership grant will further the goals of that covenant and allow us and the school system to strengthen our working relationship," Yarbrough said. "It is difficult to overstate the value education has in our society, and we are pleased with the commitment the Department of Defense Education Activity has shown to the administrators, teachers, parents and students of the Vernon Parish School System." Full Article +
13 Aug—Defense department grant will help Craven students with reading
Sue Book
Sun Journal Staff
Craven County Schools can expand a pilot project on innovative reading instruction to a total of 14 schools with a $1.5 million Department of Defense grant the system learned it received this week.
"We are thrilled that Craven County Schools was awarded the Department of Defense Education Activity grant," said Col. Frank P. Bottorff, exiting MCAS Cherry Point commander. "This grant will have a direct impact on improving the reading skills of numerous students to include the children of our Marines, Sailors and government employees. Our military families don't just live here, we are an integral part of the community and we're happy to be a part of a program that benefits so many schools."
Larry Moser, Craven County Schools' superintendent, said, "This program, called Fast Forward, is a research-based program that will help all of our students at those schools with at least 25 percent enrollment of military-connected students." Full Article +
7 Aug—Randolph Field ISD selected for $1.3 million DoD grant
by Senior Airman Katie Hickerson
Editor
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas—The Department of Defense Education Activity board announced July 29 that Randolph Field Independent School District was selected to receive a $1.3 million grant to be awarded over the next three years.
Randolph Field's goal is to reduce the achievement gap between at-risk students and their peers and this grant money will help reach that goal through enhancing educator professional development student learning opportunities and achievement in the areas of mathematics, science, reading, English language arts and writing.
"The district appreciates the opportunity afforded through this grant to accelerate our progress toward becoming a professional learning community that will enhance the academic achievement of each Randolph Field ISD student," Billy Walker, RFISD superintendent said. Full Article +
11 Aug—Schools to Do More for Military Students
By Ana Tintocalis, NPR, San Diego
SAN DIEGO — San Diego Unified public schools near the Miramar Corps Air Station will share a $2.5 million federal grant intended for programs that could make life easier for military students between deployments.
The U.S. Department of Defense collectively awarded eight schools the money. District officials say those campuses take in about 3,200 students with ties to the military. That's about 26 percent of the district's student population. Full Article +
7 Aug—Students affected by military get boost
The Tribune, Colorado
The Department of Defense Education Activity, known as the DoDEA, awarded a $2 million grant to Academy School District 20 in Colorado Springs through the Promoting Student Achievement at Schools Impacted by Military Force Structure Changes FY 09 Competitive Grant Program.
The grants focus on enhancing student learning opportunities, student achievement and educator professional development at military-connected schools with projected military student growth between 2007 and 2009 due to force structure changes.
This data is based on a Report to Congress on Assistance to Local Educational Agencies for Defense Dependents Education published in March 2008. School districts serving 22 military installations identified through that report were invited to submit a grant proposal.
"Since Colorado Springs has such a large military population, this will definitely have a positive impact on children of military families to include children of Fort Carson soldiers," said Brandy Gill, Fort Carson spokesperson. "In the bigger picture though, it will benefit the whole community. In that respect, it's a huge win for the district." Full Article +
6 Aug—USD 475 & 383 Receive Department Of Defense Grants
Two Fort Riley area schools are getting big grants from the Defense Department.
The Daily Union reports the Department of Defense education activity awarded Geary County Unified School District 475 about $2 million and USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden more than $452,000.
The grants are given to schools impacted by military force structure changes.
To enhance educational opportunities for soldiers and their families which will have a direct impact on military readiness, retention and recruitment. Full Article +
6 Aug—Educational partnership awards grant to NC schools
The Associated Press (WBTV, Rocky Mountain Telegram, WMBF, Fayetteville News and Observer)
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.—The Department of Defense has awarded a $2 million grant to a North Carolina school district that educates students from two military bases.
The Cumberland County School District was awarded the money Wednesday and will focus on increasing math and science skills. The district serves over 16,600 students from families at Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base.
The grant program was created to help schools affected by base realignment plans and it is meant to enhance the education of military students. The money will target five elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Full Article +
Schools get $2 million grant for math, science programs
By Sarah A. Reid
Staff writer, Fayetteville Observer
The Department of Defense Education Activity announced Wednesday that Cumberland County schools received a $2 million competitive grant.
The money will help bolster math and science programs, said Paula Shambach, the grants development coordinator for Cumberland County schools.
Eight schools in the Westover district will receive a portion of the proceeds. Those schools are: Westover High School, Westover Middle School, Anne Chestnutt Middle School, Ponderosa Elementary, Morganton Road Elementary, Cliffdale Elementary, Bill Hefner Elementary and Ben Martin Elementary.
School districts serving 22 military installations were eligible to apply for funding, according to a news release. The money was available to school systems that will have military student growth between 2007 and 2009 because of base realignments and closures.
To apply, at least 15 percent of each school's population had to be military-connected students, Shambach said. School systems could ask for up to $1,200 per military student over the three-year grant period. Full Article +
6 Aug—Two Fort Riley area schools are getting big grants from the Defense Department.
The Daily Union reports the Department of Defense education activity awarded Geary County Unified School District 475 about $2 million and USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden more than $452,000.
The grants are given to schools impacted by military force structure changes.
To enhance educational opportunities for soldiers and their families which will have a direct impact on military readiness, retention and recruitment. Full Article +
3 Aug—Manhattan Area Schools Get Grant From Department Of Defense Save Email Print
Reporter: 13 News, WIBW—CBS
The Department of Defense has given a very helpful grant to Manhattan area schools. The Department of Defense education activity awarded USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden schools a grant for over $452,000. The grant was given through a competitive program for schools impacted by military force structure changes. The amount of the grant is based on the number of military connected students within the school district. The grant will focus on enhancing student learning opportunities and achievement as well as educator professional development. Full Article +
Area schools get DOD grants
By The Capital-Journal
Created August 3, 2009 at 10:19pm
School districts in Geary and Riley County received large grants this month from the Department of Defense Education Activity through a program aimed at improving achievement in areas impacted by military changes.
Manhattan-Ogden Unified School District 383 and Geary County USD 475, both of which serve families connected to Fort Riley, received grants through the Military Force Structure Changes 2009 Competitive Grant Program.
According to the Department of Defense, Manhattan-Ogden received $452,400 and Geary County took in about $2 million. The amount of the grants was determined by the number of children in the district affected by military changes.
"The Department of Defense Education Activity Grant reinforces our partnership with the Central Flint Hills region," said Nikki Crisman, Fort Riley's Child and Youth Services coordinator. "Additionally, it reinforces our partnership for soldiers and families who live and work in these communities." Full Article +
Deborah Mullen, wife of the nation's most senior military officer, had a message for military families while on the Sesame Street TV set here yesterday: servicemembers and their families have a wealth of support behind them.
"I just would like to assure people that there are folks who care, who are working diligently to try and make it better," Mullen said as she sat at the counter in Mr. Hooper's Store on Sesame Street. "I think we can't exactly understand what they're going through, but we all want to make sure that we provide whatever it is they need, whether it's resources, [or] education."
"I think that the more isolated a family is when they're dealing with ... the separations [and] these issues of reintegration, I think it's more difficult on families," she added. "I think it's important for, particularly National Guard [and reserve] families, that they are connected to the school where their children attend."
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is looking at developing training to help civilian counselors and teachers understand problems military children face, Mullen said. Full Article +
Helping Military Children Deal with Deployment
Inside a Northfield classroom, teachers and community leaders are learning how the big guard deployment will impact military kids.
The Vermont Department of Education and Vermont National Guard teamed up to bring the nonprofit group Military Child Education Coalition here. Experts say deployments impact kids differently; some get angry at their parent for volunteering or ask why now?
"It's not them. They didn't do anything to create this change," said Karen Campbell of Brattleboro.
Children often feel out of control, so one tip is to let them be in charge of what they can control. Also having a support system in place is key.
Karen Campbell has four children and her husband is getting ready to deploy for the second time.
"So it's all kind of oh— déjà vu kind of things— like I was there," she said.
She attended the free workshop because there is no big military base in Vermont where families live, so guard members can feel isolated— especially kids— whose friends are not going through the same thing. Full Article +
DoDEA grant
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) awarded a grant to Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 through the Promoting Student Achievement at Schools Impacted by Military Force Structure Changes FY 09 Competitive Grant Program. USD 383 received a grant in the amount of $452,400.00. The amount of the grant is based on the number of military-connected students within the school district.
"The Department of Defense Education Activity Grant reinforces our partnership with the Central Flint Hills Region," said Nikki Crisman, Fort Riley's Child and Youth Services coordinator. "Additionally it reinforces our partnership for Soldiers and Families who live and work in Manhattan and Ogden."
Crisman said the grant enhances educational opportunities for Soldiers and their Families, which directly impacts military readiness, retention and recruitment.
"Military Families pursue assignments where they have access to quality schools and education for their children," she said. "This grant will strengthen our community partnerships, as well as establish Fort Riley as the premiere division-level post in the world." Full Article +
July 9, 2009 - Help Needed for Children of Soldiers
Honolulu Star Bulletin-- Editorial
Much has been written about the psychological stress plaguing U.S. soldiers cycling in and out of war zones, but now comes news of an alarming spike in depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts among children of active-duty military families. The findings have grave implications in Hawaii, where many spouses and children remain while their active-duty loved ones are repeatedly deployed to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. For some families, being based so far from extended family elsewhere in the United States compounds the stress and sense of isolation. A concentrated effort to provide a range of services is strongly encouraged. Full Article +
July 8, 2009 - Morongo Unified Schools Receive $2 Million Grant
By Melissa Pinion-Whitt, The San Bernardino Sun
The Morongo Unified School District has received a $2 million federal grant focused on districts that serve children of military families.
The Department of Defense Education Activity awarded the grant to help the district with professional development programs and expanded learning, military officials said. About 23 percent of the district's 9,630 students have family members in the military.
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2007 allowed the Department of Defense Educational Activity to help students not enrolled in Department of Defense schools. Full Article + | DoDEA Press Release +
July 8, 2009 - Boards Say Funds Needed To School Military Children
Harnett County School leaders and commissioners said Tuesday they want to pursue any federal money that is available to help build new schools. They also said the federal government is not doing enough to absorb the tremendous growth it is causing.
School board members and county commissioners told a representative of U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge's office and a representative from the State Department of Public Instruction they want to take advantage of programs that are now available. Both boards instructed their staffs to begin the application process for federal bond programs that will allow for renovating old buildings and constructing new schools. Harnett County is eligible for money under two bond programs. The county can get as much as $4.5 million in funds through the Qualified Zone Academy Bond, or QZAB, program.
That program allows for renovations and repairs to buildings which have at least a 35 percent population of free or reduced lunches. The money is can be used for anything except new construction. QZAB bonds can only be issued if the school district secures a private entity partner willing to contribute cash or in-kind services of 10 percent of the amount being issued. Harnett County is authorized to apply for up to $2.4 million under the qualified school construction bond program. There is no free or reduced lunch or community match required under the school construction bond program. The money can be used to build new schools but school board members and commissioners said it won't be enough. It has been projected that Harnett County will get at least 4,000 more students before the 2013 school year. That will require one elementary, middle and high school just to deal with growth in the southwestern part of the county. It is there the impact of the Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, movement is being felt the most. Full Article +
July 1, 2009 - New Ga. laws effective today
The 2009 session of the General Assembly enacted 89 bills that become law Wednesday, affecting Georgians from embryos to students to retirees. Of the 193 bills signed into law after the session, 91 took effect when Gov. Sonny Perdue signed them during the spring, and nine will become law Jan. 1. One each becomes law when appropriations come and one on Jan. 1, 2011. The list taking effect next week includes two controversial measures. One establishes April as Confederate History Month; it includes the designation of the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum in Savannah as an official state historical civil rights museum. The other measure would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote, but it can't be applied unless the federal government concludes it won't unfairly harm minority voting. Among the most sweeping new laws is the reorganization of the state's health agencies so that concerns of mental health and disabilities get their own department."A new, focused agency will improve our mental-health system, while the two remaining agencies have been reorganized to better align services," said Perdue's spokesman Bert Brantley. "Our end goals are simple: better care for our state's most vulnerable citizens and more value for our tax dollars." Full Article +
July 1, 2009 - Summer camps offer stress relief
MILITARY CHILDREN: Dealing with deployment is purpose for two nonprofits' free programs
At least 320 military children in the north country will be able to attend free summer camps in August.
The two camps fall under different nonprofit programs, but they have the same objective: Get military kids that are dealing with deployments outside and away from the day-to-day stresses. Full Article +
June 17, 2009 - Kaine signs bills to assist Va. military families, veterans
RICHMOND, Va. - Gov. Tim Kaine Tuesday ceremonially signed several Virginia General Assembly bills providing assistance to military personnel and their families and honoring the Commonwealth’s veterans. Among the bills signed was the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The compact, which has been signed into law in at least 10 other states, will allow for the uniform treatment, at the state and local district level, of military children transferring between school districts and states, and will also address the timely sharing of their educational records. According the Governor's office, Virginia currently has more school-aged children of active duty military than any state in the nation (76,352). Full Article +
June 16, 2009 - Tinton Falls can appeal to keep out civilian students
TRENTON — The Tinton Falls Board of Education can proceed with a legal appeal that attempts to keep out of its classrooms the children of civilian tenants who may soon live at Naval Weapons Station Earle. An administrative law judge Friday rejected a motion filed the by Colts Neck Board of Education that asserted the time limit for Tinton Falls to file an appeal has long expired. Peter Karavites, the Tinton Falls school board president, said the district was well-prepared to press its case that the education of civilian children was never part of the arrangement with the Navy."Anybody who is neutral can see that we never, ever, requested anyone but Navy children," Karavites said. "Every piece of paper says that, except the law that was written in favor of Colts Neck." Full Article +
June 6, 2009 - Children of Conflict
Since 9/11, more than a million kids have had a parent deployed. Their childhoods often go with them.
The Harding girls have their own name for the local Applebee's—"the bad-news place." The last two times their father was sent to Iraq, he took his young daughters there and broke it to them as gently as he knew how, over a sampler platter and soft drinks. "I just tell them, 'Here's what's going on in the world, and this is what I have to go do'," says Sgt. First Class Sean Harding. Since the Army doesn't say just when a deployment is supposed to end, he offers his best guess with a three-month margin of error: "?'If everything goes right, I'll be back sometime within these 90 days'." He says other things, too. He tells the girls that they have to help their mother take care of the house and each other, that he may not come back, and that if he doesn't, each daughter will get a last letter from him. He won't discuss the contents, but in essence the letters would give his final wishes and try to say how much he loves them. "We all started crying," says Courtney, 14. "Nobody wanted to hear that he might not come back." Full Article +
June 11, 2009 - Findings of Task Force to Help Children of Military Families Announced
Sacramento, California - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today unveiled the final report of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children Task Force. The report offers recommendations to remove barriers to the educational success of children of military families because of the frequent moves and deployment of an active duty military parent.
"Military families make many sacrifices on behalf of our country's safety and security," O'Connell said. "Children of men and women in the service often shoulder an extra burden of trying to complete their education while transferring from one state to another. These students often don't get academic credit for the school work they performed or have trouble getting their student transcripts. We can help these students overcome some of these challenges by adopting the suggestions in the Military Children Task Force's report." The report entitled, Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, is the culmination of a series of meetings of the Military Children Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of 15 members, including lawmakers, military, educators, and other government representatives. The goal of the Task Force was to identify issues and offer solutions. Full Article +
June 5, 2009 - Education compact endorsed
The Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization voted Thursday to support the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
Immediately after the organization voted in support of the compact, L. Michael Mortimer,state Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine's community liaison, sent a text message to the Cape Vincent senator telling him there was community support. Mr. Mortimer said Mr. Aubertine then presented the legislation in Albany on Thursday. Full Article +
June 4, 2009 - 48th Brigade families cope with deployments
Staff Sgt. Dwayne Watson and other members of the 48th Brigade left Camp Shelby in Mississippi last week to board a plane bound for Afghanistan. Watson, 39, left behind his wife, Traci, and their two children — Allie, 10, and Chris, 3 — in Byron in exchange for serving as a military police officer in Afghanistan.
Dwayne Watson previously deployed to Bosnia in 1997 as an Army reservist when the couple was first married. But with two children now, Traci Watson has a lot more responsibility to handle on her own.
“You take for granted being able to go to the grocery store alone,” she said. “Everything becomes more hectic when you have one or two kids tagging along.” Allie Watson is old enough to have a basic understanding of what it means for her father to be heading into a war zone. While her grades haven’t fallen, her mother said teachers have noticed that Allie’s schoolwork has reflected her father’s deployment.“She’s just turned 10,” Traci Watson said, her voice choked with emotion. “They’ve studied war. She knows what happens — that people don’t come home.” Full Article +
May 26, 2009 - New state law aids students in military families
By Jenn Rowell, Montgomery Advertiser (AL)
Children in military families move eight times on average during their academic career, according to Defense Department figures.
Alabama recently joined a group of 19 other states that will work together to help those kids as they face multiple academic challenges. Constant change and differences in school systems' requirements prompted the concept of an Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. Alabama joined the compact when the Legislature approved the bill and Gov. Bob Riley signed it into law May 19. The compact requires each state to establish its own council that includes the state superintendent, but the Alabama Department of Education is just now getting acquainted with the new law, and local officials aren't sure how the new law will affect them either. Full Article +
May 26, 2009 - Senator Webb Requests $5 million for Military Children with Disabilities
Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) this week sent a bipartisan letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee requesting $5 million in Impact Aid funding from the FY2010 National Defense Authorization Act to assist local school districts educating large numbers of military children with severe disabilities. Impact Aid funding is needed to relieve strained local school districts that have seen increased numbers of military children with disabilities due to 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) recommendations. Many of these school districts have strong Special Education programs and have higher percentages of military children with disabilities than those with non-federally connected students. Providing special education services is expensive, costing upwards of $100,000. Full Article +
May 20, 2009 - State helps 'new kid in school'
By Steve Campbell,
Huntsville Times
Gov. Bob Riley signed a law Tuesday designed to help students of military families transfer with less hassle to Alabama schools.
The law makes Alabama the 19th state to join the Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. States in the organization help the students work out differences in states' graduation requirements, school admissions, eligibility for extracurricular activities and other school-related issues. Full Article +
May 19, 2009 - Military Wife Documents Life on Home Front
By Faiza Elmasry,
Voice of America, Washington, D.C.
Freelance journalist Alison Buckholtz grew up in a non-military family. She never imagined she would fall in love with a member of the armed forces. But she did, and since she married an active-duty U.S. Navy pilot in 2001, their life together has often been a life apart - marked by long separations, unforeseen challenges and unexpected rewards, as well. Full Article +
May 17, 2009 - Military counselors travel the state to prepare families for returning soldiers
by Judy Peet and Tomas Dinges/The Star-Ledger
Each time the baby of a New Jersey Army National Guardsman is born, the department sends a baby blanket. Since last June, when nearly 3,000 New Jersey troops left for a yearlong deployment, the Guard sent out 30 blankets.
These 30 newborns are among scores of Guardsmen's children who have had to spend a year without their father or mother. Now the soldiers are coming home.
Nobody is sure exactly when, but the return of New Jersey's largest deployment since World War II is expected to start shortly after Memorial Day. Unlike other wars in other times, these soldiers will get more legal, financial and psychological support than any returning troops in U.S. history. What they may not immediately receive, however, is one of the things they dreamed about most: Their child's hug. Of all the uncertainties associated with returning to civilian life after a year in a combat zone, perhaps the least predictable is how the children will react."You give me an age and I'll give you a problem the kids experienced when their father came home," said Randi Cairns, 39, of East Brunswick, who raised four children through her husband's three deployments. "The thing I've learned is: Never underestimate the impact on the children." For months, military counselors have traveled throughout the state, preparing families for what to expect from the children when their loved ones return from the desert. Full Article +
May 16, 2009 - Organization offers counseling to children of deployed soldiers
By ANDREW GOODRIDGE,
The Daily Sentinel
Military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan may be deployed several thousand miles away, but local children can still feel the effects of the war.
The faith-based Samaritan Counseling Center is using grant money to provide outreach specifically to children with family members deployed overseas. The center recently received a grant from the Texas Resources for Iraq-Afghanistan Deployment (TRIAD), which funds counseling services for military personnel and their family members. The center has offered these counseling services for several months, but counselors are now increasing their focus on youths affected by the war. Children suffering from the stress of having a deployed family member often exhibit behavioral changes, such as a loss of interest in hobbies or friends, difficulty concentrating, irritable moods, or physical symptoms like stomachaches and headaches or weight gain, Angela Cooper, a Samaritan Center counselor, said."With some kids waiting for a parent to come back home, there's a lot of stress, depression and anxiety," Cooper said. "And sometimes when a parent who returns and shows signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, a child can mimic those symptoms." Full Article +
May 19, 2009 - New Law Eases Challenges for Military Families
Reported by: RNS (Montgomery, AL)
Governor Bob Riley has signed a law aimed at helping children of military personnel transfer to new schools when their parents change assignments. The new law makes Alabama the 19th state to join the Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The states work together to help transferring students from military families by reconciling variations in graduation requirements, school admissions, eligibility for extra-curricular activities and other education-related issues. For instance, states would agree that children who move mid-year could continue in the same grade even if their new school has different age requirements. It would also mean students who are enrolled in honors or advanced classes in one state could continue those classes in another state. The bill was sponsored by Representative Craig Ford and Senator Ted Little.
April 14-15, May 27-28, June 16-17, 2009 - Regional Joint Services Family Assistance Workshop
Since September 2007, MC&FP staff have conducted 21 Joint Services Family Assistance Workshops throughout the United States, in Europe and the Pacific. The two day workshops provide hands-on experience with a variety of Department of Defense on-line resources including Military OneSource, MilitaryHOMEFRONT, Plan My Move, TurboTap, and the Military Spouse Career Center.
Briefers also provide information on new programs and initiatives s such as counseling available through Military OneSource and the Military Family Life Consultants, free memberships to the YMCA and the on-line library available through Military OneSource.com. One of the favorite sessions is one on financial readiness. Participants learn about new programs such as the Military Career Advancement Accounts for military spouses, which launched in mid-March.
Over 1600 Active Duty, Guard and Reserve providers have been trained. For information on sessions in Arlington, VA (May 27-28) and Charleston, SC (June 16-17) visit the conferences section of MilitaryHOMEFRONT, where you can also download the briefing slides, agenda, and photos from previous attendees.
April 5 2009 - Program Offers Confidential Counseling for Troops, Families
With the country embroiled in two wars, frequent deployments, and the home-front issues deployments cause, the nation's servicemembers and their families are enduring heightened stress levels. The Military and Family Life Consultant Program, created in 2004 as a pilot program, supplements other existing military support options to help servicemembers and their families deal with what comes with military life during times of war. The program belongs to the Military Community and Family Policy office. "The big picture of the program is that the ... MFLC Program was developed to provide short-term, nonmedical support to the active and Guard and reserve components and their family members worldwide," said Mike Hoskins, special assistant to the office of the undersecretary of defense for military community and family policy. "What [the counselors] do is they augment existing support assets on the installation."
Several hundred thousand people a year take advantage of MFLC counselors' services, Hoskins said. Part of those numbers come from command-requested, pre- or redeployment briefings. Others use the service because it offers something traditional methods don't. The fact that they sought support from an MFLC counselor doesn't end up in their permanent file. "People are sometimes worried about information ending up in their service record and then that having an adverse effect on them or their family or their status in the military or on the installation," he said. "With the exception of mandatory federal state and military reporting requirements, it's private and confidential." Full Article +
April 4, 2009 - TREAT to Provide Horseback Riding for Military Children
Tarleton State University’s Equine Assisted Therapy (TREAT) will participate in the Month of the Military Child Festival on April 4 at Ft. Hood, Texas.
The program is from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and TREAT will provide horseback riding for about 4,000 children of military families. Kids of all ages will enjoy the free celebration with competitions, pony rides, a petting zoo and more.“The happiness that shows on these kids faces is a very rewarding experience,” said TREAT director David Snyder. Full Article +
April 2, 2009 - VFW Strengthening Veterans’ Families During, After Deployment
The United States is in its eighth year of war and there are hundreds of thousands of new war veterans, many of whom have multiple deployments behind them.
America is now learning what that means in human terms, according to a press release from the VFW National Home for Children, and the statistics are startling.
The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has increased efforts, improved quality of service and developed new programs and methods of outreach to veterans. Americans have shown they are willing to help and many new non-profit organizations have sprung up to fill the gaps. Unfortunately, all these efforts can be overwhelming and confusing for the new, young veteran, making it difficult for them to get the help they need. Full Article +
April 2, 2009 - Raising a resilient child
Resilience: The ability to adapt to ever-changing conditions and maintain a sense of wholeness and well being.
Isn’t that what most parents want for their children? To raise resilient children, confident in who they are and able to courageously make good choices in response to life’s demands? Imagine a stretchy, rubber frog you can get in most toy stores. Picture yourself pulling the legs one by one as far as you can stretch them, and then letting them go, allowing the frog to bounce back to its original shape. Resilience.
The Navy environment puts unique stresses on children: the need to adapt to frequent moves, new schools, make new friends, to cope with a parent’s deployment. It’s critical for our children to be resilient in response to these demands. How can parents instill resilience?
Unfortunately children don’t come with a set of instructions when they’re born. Parenting is often a trial and error process that may or may not develop the results you want. Most parents want what’s best for their children, but raising self-confident, responsible and courageous children takes both an awareness of parenting skills that foster these attributes and an ability to put them into practice. Full Article +
April 1, 2009 - Coming Home: Military Families Cope with Change
Tune in to PBS on April 1, 2009 at 8 p.m. to join Queen Latifah, John Mayer, and your Sesame Street friends for “Coming Home: Military Families Cope With Change.” This family television special tells the stories of military families coping with the challenges and impact of combat-related injuries—both visible (such as the loss of a limb) and invisible (such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury). Join these families as they recount their heroic struggles and discover the remarkable resiliency that sets them on the path to finding a “new normal.” With help from Elmo, Rosita, and the Sesame Street friends, “Coming Home” gives voice to children as they play a central role in the family’s adjustment process, and encourages them to be what they are: kids. The program also features coping strategies and powerful real stories aimed to help these families and others find ways to be there for each other.
Join us as we salute the extraordinary courage of children, offer the general public ways to support service members in their communities, and provide a powerful glimpse into the lives of military families. We encourage children to watch “Coming Home” with a parent or caregiver so they can ask an adult any questions they might have.
Coming Home” is part of Sesame Workshop’s “Talk, Listen, Connect” initiative, providing support and resources for families experiencing deployment, multiple deployments, or changes due to combat-related injury. “Talk, Listen, Connect” kits include DVDs and print materials for children and parents. Request a Kit Now
March 26, 2009 - Gearing Up For Combat
No, it wasn't a tough day at school for Dr. Michael Gorman - the superintendent took part in a National Guard training patrol.
Pemberton Township Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael R. Gorman recently spent an afternoon on a windswept piece of Oklahoma prairie experiencing what it feels like to go to war. Wearing a body-armor vest and Kevlar helmet, Gorman climbed into a Hume for a training patrol at Fort Sill with members of the 1-150th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the New Jersey Army National Guard. The veteran educator was in the thick of things when a mock roadside bomb explosion forced the soldiers to shoot their way out of an ambush before linking up with a medical evacuation helicopter."The whole training exercise makes it very graphic - and very easy for me to understand how these soldiers get ready," Gorman said.
Allowing Gorman to reach that understanding is the reason an organization known as the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve brought him and nearly two dozen other government and business officials from New Jersey to Fort Sill on March 12 and 13 to watch the 1-150th train for its deployment to Iraq next month. The group included school officials, police commanders, a power company executive and the owner of an excavation company. The one thing every member of the group had in common was that one or more of their employees are part of the assault helicopter battalion. Full Article +
March 25, 2009 - Military Child Award
Operation Homefront and Lockheed Martin Corp. are partnering to recognize the service and sacrifice of the nation’s youngest heroes. Children ages 8 to 18 are eligible. The winner and a guardian will be flown to Washington, D.C., for the $5,000 award and ceremony April 29. The nominated child must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility System. Nominate a child of an active duty or reserve family by Monday at www.homefrontonline.com. For information, e-mail tranette@ operationhomefront.net, or call (210) 659-7756.
March 24, 2009 - Texas Measure Would Pay for Full-Day Preschool
By APRIL CASTRO Associated Press Writer © 2009 The Associated Press, AUSTIN, Texas
The Texas Legislature is considering a measure that would make it easier for schools to offer full-day pre-kindergarten programs to economically disadvantaged four-year-olds. Texas currently pays for half-day preschool, widely thought to boost student performance in later years, for qualifying children. But under a bill winding through the Legislature, the state would pay for schools to offer full-day programs. Full Article +
March 24, 2009 - Obama lays out initiatives in roundtable talk
By Andrew Barksdale
Staff writer, Fayetteville Observer NC
Newspaper reporters, including The Fayetteville Observer’s Andrew Barksdale, front left, meet with President Obama in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington on Monday. Obama spoke for about 45 minutes.
WASHINGTON — President Obama says the financial bailouts and the stimulus package are part of a “series of short-term emergency steps” to the nation’s long-term recovery.
Obama invited a half-dozen newspapers — including The Fayetteville Observer — to send reporters to a roundtable discussion in the White House. The president discussed his $3.6
trillon budget proposal and other administration initiatives. Full Article +
February 23-24, 2009 - Session on Children of Guard Members Set
The Military Child Education Coalition will conduct a two-day "Supporting Children of the National Guard and Reserve" Institute at the Best Western Doublewood Inn and Conference Center, 1400 E. Interchange Ave., Bismarck.
The North Dakota National Guard is hosting the professional development training for educators and social service professionals and volunteers on Feb. 23-24, with funding support from the TriWest HealthCare Alliance.
There is no conference or registration fee for participants.
School superintendents and principals, guidance counselors, school nurses and social service professionals and volunteers who deal with children of military families can access registration information at the MCEC Web site, www.MilitaryChild.org/Institutes.asp.
February 19, 2009 - Parents Join Ranks to Help Ease Military Children Moves
Rob McIlvaine, The Fort Gordon Signal, FMWRC Public Affairs
"Heroes at Home," a military partnership with the Parents as Teachers National Center, will be expanded this year to serve Families at 24 more garrisons. It has been serving military Families at 12 garrisons since 2006.
This expansion includes additional parent educators, training, technical support and outreach to states heavily impacted by National Guard and Army Reserve deployments. It also includes the development of Parents as Teachers-Heroes at Home (PAT-HAH) programs in new locations across the country. "Our mission is caring and it's a mission we take very seriously," said Shirley A. Young, Child and Youth Specialist with the U.S. Army Child, Youth and School Services Center of Expertise who oversees staff training. "Supporting military Families, particularly those with very young children, strengthens our Army Families, our service members and our nation." The mission is more important than ever because of the frequent deployments which have turned some garrisons into "revolving doors" for Soldiers, according to Young. Full Article +
February 16, 2009 - WCPS Will Debut New Cable Television Channel
By Phyllis Moore, Goldsboro News, NC
Besides airing some programming for the college, the district will also provide educational programming that will benefit the local military community. "Since 2004, our school district has been partnered with Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in the Military Child Education Coalition. With over 2,000 military dependents enrolled in our schools, students and staff can benefit from programming that deals with military issues such as deployments, homecomings, and moving transitions," Taylor said. Col. William Thomas Jr. commander of 4th Mission Support Group, said the families and children of the base will benefit greatly from programs and information broadcast on WCEA. "This is another extraordinary effort by the local community that supports the families of our men and women in uniform," he said. Full Article +
February 14, 2009 - Blue Star Kids Program Honored
Jason W. Brooks News-Bulletin Staff Writer
On a recent chilly morning, more than 30 Bosque Farms Elementary School students were willing to sit at a cafeteria table and work on coloring sheets as part of the Blue Star Kids program. The program, begun in September of 2007, has fun and lighthearted activities at times, but it's got a very serious motive and message behind it. That's why the program received a New Mexico Quality Education Award for its program design. Submitted by Ruth Vollmer, Gwen Gordon and Theresa Blythe, the program helps support students whose parents are serving in the military overseas. "Any kid who wants in, gets in," said Vollmer, the Bosque Farms Elementary School nurse who oversees the Blue Star Kids program. "We've got 50-some kids in the program now, and I know how each of them felt when their loved ones left." Vollmer has worked with Blue Star Mothers, an organization for adults who have family members serving abroad. She knew there was a need for young students to receive the same support. Full Article +
February 2, 2009 - Seabee Base, schools join forces to help military children
WLOX Assignment Education By Trang Pham-Bui
GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) - For children in military families, high school is a huge adjustment. Those years can be filled with anxiety and challenges, especially for students who are forced to change schools due to moves or deployments. "It's the new kid. It's being that new child. Just the stress of leaving your last school where you were comfortable and you had friends," said Capt. Ed Brown, the Seabee Base Commander. To help high school military students feel like they fit-in, the Gulfport Seabee Base is teaming up with south Mississippi school districts. On Monday, the school superintendents signed a memorandum, agreeing to work together to develop programs geared toward helping new military high school students. Full Article +
February 2, 2009 - Web Site Helps Troops, Families Adjust After Deployments
American Forces Press Services, By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg
A Military Health System Web site continues to help returning servicemembers and families adjust after a deployment ends, the site's program manager said Jan. 29. About 20 percent of servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan experience adjustment difficulties such as stress, irritability and sleep problems, Dr. Robert Ciulla, program manager for afterdeployment.org, said on the "Dot Mil Docs" program on BlogTalkRadio.com. The afterdeployment.org project is one of several core projects within the National Center for Telehealth and Technology, known as "T2," located at Fort Lewis, Wash., under the direction of Dr. Greg Gahm. T2 is a directorate of the Defense Department's Center for Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. Ciulla noted that possible barriers to obtaining services, including a perceived stigma, stop many servicemembers from seeking out care. Ciulla emphasized that online resources have many advantages. "Users can log on to afterdeployment.org in the privacy and comfort of their own homes and work with the site's resources anonymously. This should help with concerns about stigma," he said. Ciulla said that logging on to afterdeployment.org "means that users don't have to worry about transportation, or scheduling appointments, or arranging a sitter for the kids." He added that online tools have other advantages, including 24/7 access anywhere an Internet connection is available. Full Article +
January 15, 2009 - Military Child Education Coalition Leads Meetings
Some New Hanover County school employees had a little military training today. Nurses, guidance counselors, and social workers from area schools attended the first of two training sessions on National Guard families. The meetings are run by the Military Child Education Coalition to help school personnel understand the needs of kids whose family members are in the National Guard. Full Article +
January 14, 2009 - Finegan, West Jacksonville Schools to Remain Open
Duval County School Board rejects recommendation to close the elementary schools. By Mary Kelli Palka
People attending the School Board meeting Tuesday applaud after Duval County Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals announced that West Jacksonville and Finegan elementary schools will not be closed. Many parents, students and staffers from Joseph Finegan Elementary and West Jacksonville packed the chambers of the Duval County School Board on Tuesday night to ask that their schools not be closed. But before they could even get to the microphone, they learned that board members didn't intend to follow a recommendation from Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals to close the schools. The announcement, which came from Pratt-Dannals, was greeted with applause. Full Article +
January 6, 2009 - 4-H Grant to Benefit Military Kids By David Snow Demopolis Times
Usually, when you think about "military kids," you think of the children of soldiers who move from base to base, but since the conflict in Iraq began in 2003, there has been a new level of military kids. Those are the children of people who served with the National Guard or in the reserves who had regular civilian jobs most of the time and served a weekend in the summer. As more and more Guard members and reservists were called into the conflict, more and more children became military children. 4-H is reaching out not only to these new military kids, but to all military kids through a grant that will allow those kids a chance to have fun with kids their own age. Full Article +
