October 5, 2011

1. Welcome! October 5, 2011 We will be starting the “Understanding Military Culture Webinar” shortly

2. Welcome toMilitary Families Webinar #1 (series of 3):“Understanding Military Culture”Facilitated by: Penny Deavers, SE Resource Team

3. Welcome to Connect Pro • We will be using the following windows: • PowerPoint Window • Attendee List • Chat • Note • We will also use the “Raise Your Hand” feature

4. Raise your hand by clicking: You will see your status change in attendees list Un-mute your phone (press * #) when called upon Remember to mute your phone again once you have finished speaking Lower your hand by again clicking: Introduction to Connect Pro

5. Asking Questions in Connect Pro • By Writing: • Write question in chat window • Press enter • Only the moderator will see the question

6. Shannon Greer IT Specialist Charline McCord T/TA Coordinator Donna Dent Associate Coordinator Iris E. Smith Coordinator WELCOME! CAPT Southeast Resource Team Carol A. Hagen Epidemiologist Penny Deavers T/TA Specialist, GRAA Carlos Pavao T/TA Specialist Deirdre Danahar T/TA Specialist LaShawn Martin Sr. Admin Assistant Bertha Gorham Evaluator

7. Objectives Gain knowledge of the structure of the military Increase understanding of military culture Explore resources available to military children Better incorporate the needs of the military into the SPF process Take one action step from information provided

8. Welcome and Overview of MilitaryStephanie Weaver, MSG, National Guard Counterdrug Liaison to SAMHSA

9. Facts and Figures: Need for Tx and Recovery Support Services • Authorized End Strength for FY 2010 Army National Guard – 358,200 Army Reserve – 205,000 Navy Reserve – 65,500 Marine Corps Reserve – 39,600 Air National Guard – 106,700 Air Force Reserve – 69,500 Coast Guard Reserve – 10,000 Total Active Force = 854,500 Source: FY 2010 National Defense Authorization Act

10. Facts and Figures: Need for Tx and Recovery Support Services • Authorized End Strength for FY 2010 • Army - 547,400 • Navy - 328,800 • Marine Corps - 202,100 • Air Force - 331,700 • ____________________________________________________________________________ • Total Active Force = 1,410,000 Source: FY 2010 National Defense Authorization Act

11. Facts and Figures: Need for Tx and Recovery Support Services • Approx 75% of positive urinalysis results for National Guard are from folks never deployed • Drugs of Choice • Alcohol (culturally accepted and often encouraged) • Marijuana • Cocaine • Meth

12. Facts and Figures: Need for Tx and Recovery Support Services • In FY 2010 assessed problem • 6% (59) primary problem was alcohol or drugs • 7% (69) secondary problem was alcohol or drugs • FY 10 Suicides in Army National Guard • Suicides nearly doubled from FY09 • Over 52% were soldiers that have never deployed

13. SAMHSA’s Strategic Priorities • # 3 – Military Families • Goal 3.1: Improve military families’ access to community-based behavioral health care through coordination among SAMHSA, TRICARE, DoD, and Veterans Health Administration services. • Goal 3.2: Improve the quality of behavioral health-focused prevention, treatment, and recovery support services by helping providers respond to the needs within the military family culture. 

14. SAMHSA’s Strategic Priorities • # 3 – Military Families • Goal 3.3: Promote the behavioral health of military families with programs and evidence-based practices that support their resilience and emotional health. • Goal 3.4: Develop an effective and seamless behavioral health service system for military families through coordination of policies and resources across Federal, national, State, Territorial, Tribal, and local organizations.

15. Military Families: Webinar #1“An Introduction to the Culture of the Military” Mona M. Johnson MA, CPP, CDP Director School Behavioral Health, CAF-BHO Mona.m.johnson1@us.army.mil 253-968-4440

16. Military & Veteran Culture: • Why is there a lack of understanding? • Ratio of Service Members to Civilians population is small compared to other eras (WWII) • Today less than 2% of 300 million people in US serve in military • This small percentage is why it’s important for civilians to take time to learn and understand the military and its Veterans

17. Realities of the Military: • Military life is physically, emotionally and psychologically demanding • Culturally, Service Members and their families appear (and are often) strong, confident and competent • When relating to civilians, these projections of duty, honor and strength can be misread by their language and bravado • It is impossible for civilians to truly understand the pressures of war, which is the reality of Service Members whose jobs entail going to war, protecting and sometimes killing others • Continued research is telling us more and more about the long-term impacts of war

18. Becoming Culturally Competent: • Be aware of your own attitudes about the military • Learn the culture of the military (structure, training, uniforms, ranks, laws, rituals, etc.) • Know about the benefits and resources available to Service Members and veterans

19. Speak to an Expert: • Find a person who understands military culture and have them teach you about it • Speak with someone who has served or someone with a close family member who has served • Speak with someone who works with Veteran Service Organizations, such as American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans • Note: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and admit what you don’t know.

20. Take Part in the Culture: • Get to know the Child and Family Services at your local installation • Volunteer at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) • Talk to Service Members/veterans and ask them questions about their service • Attend a deployment homecoming event • Assist with an active duty or veterans’ event

21. How the Military Works: • There are 5 branches, each with their own mission: • Army • Navy • Air Force • Marine Corps • Coast Guard • There are 3 categories of people: • Active Duty • Reserve & Guard Forces (work civilian jobs while serving one weekend per month but can be called to active duty) • Veterans and retirees (past military members)

22. Who’s in Charge? • The President of the United States is the Commander-in-Chief and is responsible for making all final decisions • The Secretary of Defense (DoD) controls each branch of the military except the Coast Guard

23. Missions of the Military: • Department of Defense - Charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the United States Armed Forces. • Army – To fight and win our Nation’s wars by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across a full range of military operations and spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commanders • Air Force – To deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests – to fly, and fight in air, space & cyberspace

24. Missions of the Military:(continued) • Navy – To maintain, train and equip combat- ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas • Marines – Are trained, organized, equipped for offensive amphibious employment and as a “force of readiness”

25. The “New” Emotional Cycle of Deployment

26. Stage One: Anticipation of Departure • Timeframe: When family members receive orders • Increased feelings of stress in home • Reality of change ahead is “sinking in” • Denial & anticipation of loss • Focus is on completing family pre-deployment activity checklist • Family members may feel more emotional • In case of multiple deployments – new cycle may begin before family has had time to successfully renegotiate shared vision from last deployment

27. Stage Two: Detachment & Withdrawal • Timeframe: Last week or so before Service Member leaves • Service Member is focused on preparing for mission & may distance self from family • Anger, arguments may occur as family prepares to protect themselves from impact of separation • Communication may be difficult • In preparation for loss, family may begin to act like Service Member is already gone • Multiple deployments can result in need to repeatedly create distance; to feel “numb” and avoid emotional connection

28. Stage Three: Emotional Disorganization • Timeframe:1-12 weeks into deployment • Life without Service Member may initially feel overwhelming • Routines change, responsibilities added • Kids may . . . • Feel numb & not interested in doing much • Feel more irritable than usual • Have difficulty concentrating – particularly at school • Wish things would go back to “normal” • Be surprised near the end of this stage because things may be moving smoothly now that the Service Member is gone

29. Stage Four: Recovery & Stabilization • Timeframe: Usually months 4 -10 after deployment • Family starts to settle into routine without Service Member • Coping with changes can be positive for kids • May enjoy newfound responsibilities • Sense of independence • Relief that family is functioning well • Coping with changes can be challenging for kids • Difficult time accepting changes • Stressed, depressed & difficulty getting things done • Feel unsupported & worried about how to make it through • Often there is a mixture of both responses

30. Stage Five: Anticipation of Return • Timeframe: About 8 weeks before Service Member returns • Homecoming is exciting! • Family is happy, excited, & feeling boost of energy • Trying to make things “perfect” for return • Sense of relief that Service Member will be home combined with worries about whether or not things will be the same • Positive Leave Experience = Positive Homecoming • Challenging Leave Experience = Challenging Homecoming

31. Stage Six: Return Adjustment & Renegotiation • Timeframe:About 1-12 weeks after Service Member returns • During separation all family members have changed • Changes may hold pleasant surprises or may cause conflict • Family may feel overwhelmed by Service Member attempts to get to know everyone again • Everyone needs space & time to readjust • Entire family must begin to renegotiate how household will look now that everyone is together again

32. Stage Seven: Reintegration & Stabilization • Timeframe: Up to 6 months (and beyond) after Service Member returns • Family continues to adjust to having Service Member home • A “new normal” is established regarding routines and expectations • Members may begin to feel secure, relaxed, & comfortable with one another again • If readjustment challenges resurface, support is important…it is okay to ask for help if needed.

33. Strengths Resulting from Deployment: • Fosters maturity • Growth inducing • Encourages independence • Encourages flexibility, adaptability • Builds skills for adjusting to separation & losses faced later in life • Strengthens family bonds • Civics – Fosters positive relationship with community • Others?

34. Creating Links Between Prevention & the Military: • Strategic Prevention Framework • Assessment • Capacity • Planning • Implementation • Evaluation • Sustainability • Cultural Competence

35. Assessment: • Defining the problem or the issue that needs to be tackled • Collecting data to: • Understand the population’s needs • Review resources that are required & available • Identify readiness of the community to address prevention needs and service gaps

36. Capacity: • Capacity involves mobilizing human, organizational and financial resources to meet project goals • Training and education to promote readiness are also critical aspects of building capacity • Facilitate the adoption of science-based prevention policies, programs and practices

37. Planning: • Involves the creation of a comprehensive plan with goals, objectives and strategies aimed at meeting the needs of the community • Organizations select logic models and evidence-based policies and programs • Determine costs and resources needed for effective implementation

38. Implementation: • Focused on carrying out the various components of the prevention plan as well as identifying and overcoming any potential barriers • Organizations detail the evidence-based policies and practices that need to be undertaken, develop specific timelines, and decide on ongoing program evaluation needs

39. Evaluation: • Helps organizations recognize what they have done well and what areas need improvement • Involves measuring the impact of programs and practices to understand their effectiveness and any need for change • Efforts greatly influence the future planning of a program • Impacts sustainability, shows sponsors that resources are being used wisely

40. Sustainability: • Refers to the process through which a prevention system becomes a norm and is integrated into ongoing operations • Is vital to ensuring that prevention values and processes are firmly established, that partners are strengthened, and that financial and other resources are secured over the long term

41. Cultural Competence: • The process of communicating to audiences from diverse geographic, ethnic, racial, cultural, economic, social and linguistic backgrounds • Is a dynamic process that requires cultural knowledge and skill development at all service levels, including policy making, administration, and practice

42. Questions: • What active steps are you going to begin to take to learn more about military culture? • How are you going to begin implementing this Strategic Prevention Framework planning process in your own area?

43. OPERATION MILITARY KIDSPresented by Penny Deavers, SE Resource Team

44. OPERATION MILITARY KIDS (OMK) Operation Military Kids (OMK)is the U.S. Army's collaborative effort with America's communities to support children and youth impacted by deployment. Regardless of whether families are experiencing deployment for the first time, the second time or another in a series of multiple deployments, OMK’s goal is to connect military children and youth with local resources in order to achieve a sense of community support and enhance their well-being.

45. Through OMK, Participants Will… Meet other youth who are also experiencing deployment Participate in a range of recreational, social & educational programs Gain leadership, organizational, and technical skills by participating in the Speak Out for Military Kids program or Mobile Technology Lab programs

46. Through OMK, Participants Will… (cont’d.) Receive assistance with school issues by connecting with Army Child, Youth & School Services School Liaisons Attend single-day, weekend or even longer residential camps

47. 4 Components of OMK “Ready, Set, Go” Trainings: Community trainings are designed to increase non-military youth workers, educators, counselors and other community members’ understanding of: the unique issues facing military youth military culture the deployment cycle the need to foster resilience in youth and to engage them in building State and local community networks to provide support for military children and youth.

48. 4 Components of OMK, cont’d. 2) Hero Packs: Hero Packs are filled by non-military youth and community organizations with mementos and items designed to help keep military kids connected with their deployed parent. They are a way to hand-deliver a salute to military children and youth for their strength and sacrifices while parents are deployed.

49. 4 Components of OMK, cont’d. 3)Mobile Technology Lab (MTL): MLT is a mobile, internet-ready computer lab for use in a variety of settings. The lab provides access to technology for military youth to communicate with deployed loved ones, learn about technology, enhance educational experiences, or make videos/pictures, etc. to send deployed loved ones. MTLs include: laptop computers configured for the internet; digital video camera; scanner/and software packages, e.g., video/photo editing and webpage design.

50. 4 Components of OMK, cont’d. 4) Speak Out for Military Kids – (SOMK): SOMK is OMK’s youth-driven community outreach program.  Through participation in SOMK, military and non-military youth help generate community awareness of issues faced by military youth when a parent is in the deployment cycle.  SOMK provides youth participants with the opportunity to gain valuable leadership, research, organization, technology, public speaking and presentation skills.  Youth use these skills to foster activism in supporting military youth in their communities.