Military Kids Connect (MKC) is an online community for Military children (ages 6-17 yr old) that provides access to age-appropriate resources to support children dealing with the unique psychological challenges of Military life.
The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have been challenging for US uniformed
service families and their children. Almost 60% of US service
members have family responsibilities. Approximately 2.3 million active
duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members have been
deployed since the beginning of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
(2001 and 2003, respectively), and almost half have deployed more
than once, some for up to 18 months' duration. Up to 2 million US
children have been exposed to a wartime deployment of a loved one
in the past 10 years. Many service members have returned from
combat deployments with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder,
depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injury. The
mental health and well-being of spouses, significant others, children
(and their friends), and extended family members of deployed service
members continues to be significantly challenged by the experiences
of wartime deployment as well as by combat mortality and morbidity.
The medical system of the Department of Defense provides health and
mental health services for active duty service members and their
families as well as activated National Guard and Reserve service
members and their families. In addition to military pediatricians
and civilian pediatricians employed by military treatment facilities,
nonmilitary general pediatricians care for >50% of children and
family members before, during, and after wartime deployments. This
clinical report is for all pediatricians, both active duty and civilian, to
aid in caring for children whose loved ones have been, are, or will be
deployed.
"AMFAS is not a corporation, a fund-raising machine or a site created using money or outsourcing to interns. We are miltiary families who have experienced the intricacies of care, both on and off installations. We do not look to raise money, just support for military families. AMFAS serves as a starting point for a military family with a newly diagnosed child."
This Web site outlines the important policies, procedures, and best practices that will enable military families, military leaders, and school leaders to provide military-connected children the best possible support for success.
"May Institute's Centers for Autism Spectrum Disorders is dedicated to meeting the immediate and pressing need for services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in military and civilian families. We serve all branches of the military - Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard - at installations across the country."
Easter Seals' Military Family Respite Program provides a critically important service for Military families whose children have severe disabilities. Juggling the special care of their children with the demands of service to our nation places these families at the risk of burnout and other domestic challenges. Our intervention provides families with "time off" from parenting and specialized support for their children, creating a healthy and stable home."
"SOAR (Student Online Achievement Resources) is a program for military families and the school districts that serve them. It aims to address the unique challenges facing military children in our nation's public schools, while benefiting the overall student population.
SOAR Home is an internet-based application, which is easily accessible worldwide."
Essential living expenses; Bereavement assistance; Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury outreach; Morale boosting recreation events
Military children's events
Hospital outreach, assisting Military families during their most trying times"
Training to improve care giver communication with Service members, Veterans and their Families by providing behavioral health professionals easy access to nationally accredited free online CEU courses in military culture, the impact of combat stress and deployment on children and families.
"Being a military kid can be great most of the time, but it does have its own unique problems. When you're dealing with those problems, it can sometimes feel like you're all alone. You're not! If you need help, don't be afraid to ask. Check out these resources for getting help when you need it…"
"Free respite child care is available for military children up to age 12 at participating YMCA locations for up to 16 hours of respite child care per month, per child, based on the below requirements by the Department of Defense."
"The Education Directory for Children With Special Needs
The Education Directory for Children With Special Needs provides military families with children with special needs the information they need to make informed assignment decisions and easier transitions.
The directory consists of two components:
The Early Intervention Directory focusing on early intervention services for children birth through 3 years old
The School-Age Directory focusing on education services for children with special needs, 3 through 21 years old
Both provide tools and resources to help with the transition to a new location. The Early Intervention Directory summarizes national and state level early intervention trends and includes descriptions of local early intervention service providers. The School-Age Directory summarizes national and state level trends for special education and includes descriptions of individual school districts"
"The Education Directory for Children with Special Needs provides military families with children with special needs the information they need to make informed assignment decisions and easier transitions.
The directory consists of two components:
The Early Intervention Directory focusing on early intervention services for children birth through 3 years old
The School-Age Directory focusing on education services for children with special needs, 3 through 21 years old
Both provide tools and resources to help with the transition to a new location. The Early Intervention Directory summarizes national and state level early intervention trends and includes descriptions of local early intervention service providers. The School-Age Directory summarizes national and state level trends for special education and includes descriptions of individual school districts.
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