Virginia Operation: Military Kids Presenter: Terry Patterson Southern Virginia OMK Region Chair

1. Virginia Operation: Military KidsPresenter:Terry PattersonSouthern Virginia OMK Region Chair

2. Training Agenda • Mini Ready, Set, Go! Training: • Part I. – National OMK Overview • Part II. - Virginia OMK Overview

3. Welcome/Introductions Who am I?

4. Anticipated Outcomes • Develop a clear understanding of what OMK is and how it operates • Understand ways that ALA can partner with OMK

5. Operation: Military Kids is the U.S. Army's collaborative effort with America's communities to support children and youth impacted by deployment. It is a joint effort between 4-H National Headquarters and the U.S. Army Child, Youth & School Services. OMK National Goal is to Support Military children and youth where they live when impacted by deployment

6. National Partners 4-H Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) United States Army Child, Youth & School Services (CYSS) National Network of Child Care Resources and Referral (NACCRRA) American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)

8. NATIONAL OMK OBJECTIVES • Raise community understanding about how the deployment of a family member affects military children and youth through awareness building and educational trainings • Build community capacity & create Local Support Networks • Implement Educational Programs through Local Support Networks

9. Why OMK? A New Reality:Impact of Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO)

10. Deployment Cycle • Pre-deployment • Mobilization • Post-deployment (Reintegration)

11. The Emotional Cycle of Deployment

12. Identified Issues for Children & Youth in Military Families • Geographically dispersed Families and lack of connection with other Youth and Families in similar situation • • Child separation/anxiety issues regarding safety of deployed Parent • • Deployed Parent absent for significant events • Less parental involvement from Parent at home • Limited opportunities for Youth to attend extracurricular activities • Teens having increased care of home and younger siblings • Behavioral changes, peer pressure, lower self-esteem • Need to live with extended Family • Changes in financial resources • Communication with deployed Parent

13. OMK Core Elements • Ready, Set, Go! Trainings (RSG!) • Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK) • Mobile Technology • Hero Pack Project Labs (MTL)

14. Ready, Set, Go!Manual and Training • Community trainings 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; • Fostering resilience in youth and to engage them in building State and Local community networks to provide support for military children and youth.

15. Speak Out For Military Kids • SOMKOMK’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 Initiatives: • Youth Speakers’ Bureau • Public Service Announcements developed by SOMK participants • Video productions of “suddenly” military youth telling their stories • Interactive Theater productions

16. Hero Packs Hero Packs are a tangible expression of support for military Families from their communities – especially young people and OMK Partners

17. Hero Pack Implementation • Non-military youth and local community organizations Hero Packs and write letters of support/thanks to the youth to include in the backpack • Local organizations donate youth items to supplement materials provided by national OMK partners • Hero Packs are distributed to military youth impacted by deployment

18. Mobile Technology Labs 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.

19. Additional OMK Program Resources • Yellow Ribbon Curriculum • Operation: Boots On Curriculum • Operation: Boots Off Curriculum • Discover the Fun – A Day Camp Resource • Experience OMK • Up For the Challenge – Fitness Curriculum

20. OMK Structure

21. OMK State Team • OMK State Team Roles and Responsibilities • Create a diverse and Highly Functioning State Team • Establish Local Community Support Networks • Provide Support for Core Components of OMK Program • Provide content for State’s National OMK website • Facilitate Partner use of the OMK Mobile Technology Lab • Submit monthly and year-end reports to National

24. OMK Community Volunteer Partners Youth Serving Agencies/Organizations Veterans Organizations Individual Volunteers Community Volunteer Partners Local Military Components Civic Groups Businesses Private Organizations Faith Based Organizations

25. QUESTIONS? Contact: Southern Virginia OMK Co-Chair Terry Patterson tpatters@vt.edu Virginia State Project Director Megan Baker omkdirector@gmail.com