The Center for Safe Schools and Mission Homefront are pleased to partner with the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) to offer a series of regionally-based "Living in the New Normal" (LINN) professional development institutes.  The free two-day LINN Institute is designed to provide educators, community professionals, family members and other concerned adults with information to help support military children in times of uncertainty, trauma, and grief.

The final in a series of regionally-based LINN Institutes will be held at the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on October 20 and 21, 2010. Funding for the LINN Institutes is provided by the US Army Child, Youth and School Services (CYS). The Institutes are free to participants, but advance registration is required. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided; participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging and dinner. For additional information about this important training event or to register, please visit: www.militarychild.org/education/living-in-the-new-normal/ 

Live, Online Training Sessions:
Resources and Activities to Support Military Children

There are approximately 31,000 military children living in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Each of these children has at least one parent serving in a component of the Armed Forces. Each also faces the reality that their military parent may be called to deploy to various regions of the world. Whether it's the first time or a way of life, whether their parent is leaving or returning, deployment can impact a child's ability to effectively learn.

The Center for Safe Schools held three live, online training sessions to:

• address the emotional cycle of deployment and how it can manifest in students;
• provide resources to assist you as educators and community providers working with military children and;
• offer ideas for activities to help support your efforts.

This online training opportunity was a collaborative effort between Operation Military Kids, the Pennsylvania National Guard State Family Program Office, the Department of Education and the Center for Safe School's Mission Homefront Initiative.

Toolkit Available to Help Educators Understand Needs of Military Children

Of the 1.2 million school-age children of our nation's service members, the majority (more than 80 percent) attend public schools. Although many of these schools are located near military installations, many more are not. The 625,000 children of National Guard members and Reservists often attend schools that may be located in an area with no military installations or supporting organizations nearby. Although most schools that serve these children have a sincere desire to help, the information needed is not always readily available.

The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) is a professional organization with a membership base of more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. With a grant from the Veterans Support Foundation AASA worked with the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) to develop an online toolkit to raise awareness and encourage advocacy regarding the education needs of military children and to offer resources to the school administrators serving these students. The AASA Toolkit: Supporting the Military Child includes tips for school leaders on building connections, promoting academics, and offering support; fact sheets about military children, Impact-Aid funding, and the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity; and other resources.

Click here to download the Toolkit. Click here to visit the AASA website.

Educators and school personnel play important roles in supporting military children who have experienced loss. Although educators cannot, and should not, take on the responsibility of providing therapy to children who are grieving, they can be valuable partners in observing children, creating supportive environments, and knowing when to suggest referral to a mental health professional.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), in partnership with the National Military Family Association, Zero-to-Three, TAPS, and more, has developed a series of three documents on traumatic grief in military children. According to the NCTSN “the series provides culturally competent materials for educating families, medical professionals, and school personnel about how to better serve military children who are experiencing traumatic grief.” Click here for Traumatic Grief in Military Children: Information for Educators (2008). Click here for Traumatic Grief in Military Children: Information for Families (2008).

Deployment Impact Survey for Schools

An estimated 35,000+ children in Pennsylvania have at least one parent currently serving in either the National Guard, Reserve, or Active Duty component of the military. Since September 11, 2001, many of those children have been affected by the deployment of their parent(s), family member, friends and even teachers in support of the Global War on Terrorism. The impact of these deployments varies from child to child and at times can be seen in changes in behavior, attitude, interest and/or performance in school.

One of the greatest challenges schools face is in identifying the children who are impacted and who may be in need of additional support. To assist schools in this effort, Mission Homefront developed this downloadable survey and a sample letter that can be modified to fit your school’s needs to go along with it.

Click here to download the Mission Homefront Family Survey. Click here to download the accompanying letter that can be modified. For further information or questions please contact Michelle Nutter at 717-763-1661 ext 212 or Bobbi Lucas-Spahr at 717-763-1661 ext 108.

Ten Tips to Help Military Children During the Holiday Season

What may be a joyous season for many of us often brings stress and depression to others, including our children. This can be especially true if child has a parent or loved one serving overseas. Here is a list of 10 Tips to Help Military Children During the Holidays for parents, relatives and friends to keep in mind when helping fill military children’s time with productive and constructive activities so they don’t dwell on negative thoughts while their loved one is away.