Operation: Military Kids

1. Operation: Military Kids Reaching out to Military Youth Before… During… and After Deployment (Revised 2/08)

2. Objective #1 Define the background and purpose of OMK.

3. OMK Background • Began nationally in December, 2003 • Started in Indiana in May, 2005; current grant runs through September, 2008 • Initiated by U.S. Army Child and Youth Services (CYS) based on need for support of military families, especially youth • 4-H was sought as the first national partner by CYS because of its presence in every county in the nation • OMK is now in 42 states, selected by CYS, based on deployment levels

4. OMK Purpose • Provide support to military children and their families through a network of community resources to help them overcome challenges they face.

5. Military Family Challenges • Global war on terrorism resulted in high levels of mobilization and deployment • Deployed family member • Reduced income level • 2nd parent working • Child care issues • Extended family – care of children

6. Military Family Challenges • Tutoring needs • Increased stress levels • Increased medication levels • Changes in spousal roles • Adult roles assumed by children • Community/schools unaware of change in family status

7. Objective #2 Identify National, State, & County OMK Team Partners.

8. National Partners • 4-H • U.S. Army Child and Youth Services (CYS) • Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) • National Association of Child Care Resource Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) • The American Legion & American Legion Auxiliary • Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA)

9. Indiana OMK Team • State Contacts • Steve McKinley, 765-494-8435, mckinles@purdue.edu, OMK Project Director • Judy Hauser, jhauser@purdue.edu, 765-494-9516, OMK Project Coordinator

10. County OMK Teams • Key to the success of OMK in Indiana! • Purpose: identify and address local military families’ needs in a timely manner • No set number of members required • Include those with diverse backgrounds, with and without military experience • Goal: Continue to build County OMK Teams in 2008 and beyond

11. County OMK Teams • Include a variety of individuals/groups as team members • Youth & Adults • Community & Business leaders • Extension Staff • Local military personnel • Family Readiness Groups (FRG’s) • School representatives • Social Service agencies • YMCA/YWCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, Scouts • Other…

12. County OMK Team Activities • May include State OMK Team components • Be flexible and responsive to meet local needs identified • Foster positive relationships with military families • Participate in already-established community, 4-H & Extension events

13. Objective #3 Describe primary components of OMK.

14. Primary Components of OMK • Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK) • Hero Packs • Mobile Technology Lab (MTL)

15. Speak Out for Military Kids • Speakers Bureau designed as an educational program to raise the awareness of issues facing military families • Participants find out first hand what military families go through • Builds public awareness about issues facing military families during mobilization and deployment • Participants give presentations in their communities about military life

16. Speak Out for Military Kids • Participants are youth in grades 7-12, with or without military backgrounds • Primary qualification is an interest in learning more about military life and in communicating this message to their communities

17. Hero Packs • First outreach effort of OMK • Contain fun and educational material for the youth and informational material for parent/guardians • Purpose is to say “Thank You” to military youth for the sacrifices that they make during the deployment cycle of a loved one • Each pack includes a handwritten letter from youth to military families

18. Hero Packs • Over 3,000 have been assembled and distributed in Indiana. • Extension Homemakers are partnering with 4-H to assemble additional Hero Packs in several counties. • Sample patterns are available for those interested in making backpacks. These are suggestions only; most any pattern that will hold the contents will be suitable.

19. A suggested list of items to put into a Hero Pack includes… Small photo albums Disposable camera Stationary Journal Pen and/or pencil 4-H stuffed animals Hats T-shirts Phone cards Stamps Stickers Coloring books Crayons Certificates for restaurants Discount Cards Donated items from local businesses, service organizations, government Hero Pack Items

20. Hero Pack Items continued… • Information on local services available to military families • Tutoring for students, Child care options, Food bank, Family services • Local 4-H, Extension Homemaker, Extension information – relevant to military families • Opportunities available in 4-H • Programs offered through Extension Homemakers/CFS – money management, budgeting, healthy lifestyles, meal planning, etc. • Master Gardener/home horticulture information relevant to raising vegetables, flowers, ornamentals

21. Hero Pack Distribution • Locally through Family Readiness Group (FRG) or Armory • Designed for youth who have parents in some phase of the deployment cycle • Respect privacy of military families by not asking for names • May distribute at upcoming FRG activity • Through FRG, invite military youth to attend 4-H/Extension event • Give packs to FRG for later distribution

22. Mobile Technology Lab • Mobile, wireless computer lab • Provides access to technology to communicate with deployed loved ones • Users can create cards, letters, digital videos, audio recordings, photos

23. Mobile Technology Lab • Messages are created, then printed or downloaded to CD for distribution to service men and women • Utilized at County 4-H Fairs, Indiana State Fair, Indiana Fever/Pacer Games, local deployment/reunion events, Family Readiness Group events

24. Mobile Technology Lab • Hardware includes • Laptop computers • Color printer • Digital camera • Digital camcorder

25. Mobile Technology Lab • Software includes… • Hallmark Card Studio • Greeting Cards • Hundreds of options to choose from • KidPix Deluxe • Paint Zone • Drawings • Graphics

26. Mobile Technology Lab • Software includes… • Encarta • Electronic encyclopedia • Videos from Discovery Channel • Dictionary and Thesaurus • Research tool for media report

27. MTL Scheduling • Need to have local representatives trained to use MTL • 2-3 hour training available through State OMK Team • After completion of training, may schedule MTL for local use • Responsible for transportation, set-up, repacking, and care of MTL

28. Objective #4 Explain procedures to hold County-Sponsored Event.

29. County-Sponsored Event • Supported through State OMK Grant • Application made through Extension Staff by FRG’s and other community partners • $500 maximum per event • May join efforts with multiple counties in multiple program areas • Applications accepted at any time (as long as dollars are available) • Use for Hero Pack supplies, local military-related events, etc.

30. Sample County-Sponsored Events • Purchase of items to fill Hero Packs or materials to construct bags for Hero Packs • Supplies used with Mobile Technology Lab • Funds for activities in support of military unit events – homecomings and departures • Funds for activities to lead with children during FRG meetings

31. Objective #5 Describe other OMK Activities.

32. Other OMK Activities • Invite military youth to join existing 4-H Clubs and Jr. Leaders • Help FRG’s start new 4-H Club and/or incorporate 4-H activities into FRG events; “Activities to Assist” Kits are available • Encourage military youth to attend 4-H Camps and State Conferences • Special activities for members of FRG’s – e.g., Boone County National Guard Mother’s Day event • Incorporate OMK programming into other youth programs (e.g., St. Richard’s School)

33. Objective #6 Initiate OMK programming in your community.

34. County OMK Programming • Identify local contacts for OMK activities. • Ask an SOMK speaker to visit your group. • Assist with assembly and distribution of Hero Packs. • Schedule the MTL for an event. • Organize and/or partner with your County OMK team and respond to local needs. • Hold a County-Sponsored event.

35. For More Information Send an e-mail to omk@ydae.purdue.edu; or call Steve or Judy (765-494-8435; 765-494-9516) THANK YOU for your support!!!