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OPERATION: MILITARY KIDS

OPERATION: MILITARY KIDS. Background. For ten years 4-H and the Army have partnered, involving 7,000 youth in 300 4-H clubs across the U.S. and in Europe, Japan and Korea.

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OPERATION: MILITARY KIDS

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  1. OPERATION: MILITARY KIDS

  2. Background For ten years 4-H and the Army have partnered, involving 7,000 youth in 300 4-H clubs across the U.S. and in Europe, Japan and Korea.

  3. OMK takes this experience, merging 4-H and Army resources, to provide support to youth who are not on installations, but dispersed in rural, urban and suburban communities across the country.

  4. What is OMK? A partnership of the Dept. of Defense, county and state 4-H programs and the National 4-H Headquarters USDA.

  5. OMK’s Guiding Principles Programs must be sustainable. Partnerships and joint commitments at the federal, state and local level are critical. Rapid response is necessary. Youth’s interests and involvement are important. Programs must be replicable.

  6. OMK’s Three Major Components Building a Community Planning Team for planning and guidance for on-going programs. Implementing Educational Program Options Supporting the Children of Those Who Serve in the National Guard and Army Reserve.

  7. Through OMK, 4-H will reach out to children and youth of Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers who are now deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations as part of the Global War on Terrorism.

  8. Operation: Military Kids Creates community support networks for military youth “in our own backyard” when Soldier parents are deployed.

  9. Delivers recreational, social, and educational programs for military youth living in civilian communities.

  10. Supports military kids coping with the stress of knowing their deployed parents may be in harm’s way.

  11. Collaborates with schools to ensure that staff are attuned to the unique needs of military students.

  12. Educates the public on the impact of the deployment cycle on Soldiers, families, kids, and the community as a whole.

  13. Becomes a part of the ongoing deployment support services for military children and youth.

  14. The Deployment Stages OMK will assist these youth throughout the stages of deployment.

  15. Pre-Deployment/Preparation Knowing a parent is leaving.

  16. Deployment/Separation The parent is actually gone.

  17. Post-Deployment/Reunion The parent is back.

  18. How Do WeSupport Middle and High School Youth?

  19. Educate about the issues and challenges facing older youth of deployed parents, especially when they assume parental roles.

  20. Encourage Veterans’ and other community groups to provide scholarships for extracurricular activities

  21. Find adults or other youth to provide respite care for younger siblings

  22. Recruit mentors to assist with homework and other school challenges

  23. Partner with other community organizations to provide programs for older youth.

  24. What Can You Do To Help?

  25. Keep in Mind... • Military Kids who live in local communities –

  26. Suddenly have different needs, but still “look” the same

  27. Discover their world is turned upside down

  28. Find usual support systems no longer are relevant

  29. Lack “connections” to each other

  30. Are impacted by intensity and frequency of media coverage

  31. Are you ready to get involved with Operation: Military Kids? If so, here are a few ways to begin –

  32. Send care packages directly to their soldier parents.

  33. Begin an “Adopt A Military Family” project.

  34. Help spread the word to other local clubs and organizations to get them involved.

  35. Help Alachua County 4-H identify our local Military families.

  36. To participate or get additional information, please contact the Alachua County Extension Office at 352-955-2402 or e-mail us at Wrheltemes@ifas.ufl.edu

  37. Join our Alachua County 4-H OMK leadership team.

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