When you think of the Service Members' committed to defending our country and deploying worldwide, do you think of the children they've left behind? There are more than 2,000,000 military-connected children, 80% of which attend public schools in the United States. Although they didn't volunteer for this duty, but in their own way, they serve our nation too.

From their website "The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) identifies unique challenges facing military-connected children, increases awareness of these challenges in military and educational communities, and implements programs to meet these challenges."

The dependent children of military families often move between six to nine times during their K-12 experience. This website targets the effort to support these students and their families by providing information sharing community relationship between the school districts, military installations, and the transitioning student. This is an effort to get the community more involved in the support needs of these families, and to provide the resources available.
Although the website can be accessed by anyone, it provides specific information and resources available to the parents of transitioning students. There are resources and training available for teachers, counselors, principals and peers.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, they've been a key organization providing reliable resources for more than ten years. Their website is easily navigated, and update regularly. With multiple social networking links at the top like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.. it serves as an information and support focal point to an often overlooked community. They are the recent recipients of a $150k grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to further their efforts to see children succeed.

Resources are provided for the parents, students, and educational professionals. With programs like: The call of the Arts, Tell me a story, Student to Student, Parent to Parent, Living in the New Normal, and the Transition Counselors Institute. These varied programs provide meaningful training and assistance in bringing resources to the aid of these students. By delivering multiple informational streams, it is their belief this information can be pushed to those in greatest need.

http://www.militaryonesource.mil

"Military OneSource is provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to active duty, Guard and Reserve (regardless of activation status) and their families. It is a virtual extension of installation services."

As a Senior NCO, from time to time, I'll receive calls of concern or need from my Airman or their families. At a time of crisis, stress, helplessness, or just looking for resources; there is no greater resource that i can immediately provide. Military OneSource, is targeted for the family members of those serving in all branches the military. It's the portal to a seemingly never ending resource of information provided by the Department of Defense. It covers an unbelievable range of possibilities faced by the family members of those Serving our country. Its online resources are available 24 hours a day, online or via phone.

The target audience is most definitely the families; however, it is accessible by anyone seeking information and available resources. Its navigation is very clear, and intuitive. With tabs at the top covering topics such as: Military Life & Deployment, Family & Recreation, Healthier & Relationships, Career & Education, Financial & Legal, Crisis & Disasters, & Community. Each of these tabs is then broken down further into many sub-resources. It is timely and updated continuously. If there are any other questions or concerns that are not easily found, a 24 hour phone number is provided free of charge. Many of its staff members have military experience, and all receive continuing training on military life matters.

Because the site ends in .MIL, and is maintained under the Department of Defense, the credibility and accuracy of services is unmatched. There is no question of its validity, nor are there any distracting ads to weigh the information down. Because of the high credibility the .MIL domain carries, the site can be given to someone in distress without hesitation or doubt. As an example, in a time of crisis, you can easily refer a spouse or loved one to militaryonesource.mil effortlessly. There is no 'selling' the person in need, nor is there any justification needed. When you're dealing with high levels of suicide, deployment issues, PTSD, debt, etc... It's an invaluable tool to provide the families.

Because this is a "OneSource' tool, it covers all the facets of Work, Family & Community. There is guidance to available (free) resources for deployments, wounded warriors, and other military benefits. Additionally, there is an abundant list of information regarding moving, parenting, child care, elder care, and relationships. Lastly, there are many resources to legal issues & assistance, substance abuse, money management, and trauma. It really is an incredible repository to the military families.