Awesome Kid Certificate (Deployment Kids)
DeploymentKids.com honors all military kids. You are brave! We appreciate all the sacrifices
you make when your loved one serves our proud country. Thank you! Here is a special (free) certificate for you based on a drawing sent in by 6-year-old Alexander.
Military Child Medal (Morgan House Woodprojects)
When servicemembers serve, they aren't the only ones who serve. Their families serve also, and usually the separation is hardest on the children. Homecomings are joyous moments for military families, but until recently, the service and sacrifice made by the children of deployed troops went largely unrecognized.
There is NO "issuing criteria" beyond that of a loving parent that wishes to recognize the contributions of the child that loves them and who sacrifices just like their parent while the
parent is serving their country. This certificate is available for purchase.
Military Child Recognition Certificates (U.S. Army MWR)
Parents recognize your everyday heroes with these (free) certificates that you can download
and print out for your Military Kid! (Scroll down to the bottom of the page.)
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NACCRRA (National Association of Childcare Resource and Referral Agencies)
NACCRRA is working with the U.S. Military Services to help those who serve in the military find and afford child care that suits their unique needs. Through several innovative civilian/military efforts between the Services, NACCRRA and Child Care Resource and Referralagencies (CCR&Rs) are building the quality and capacity of child care throughout the country
Sittercity
Sittercity is America's largest and most trusted online source for in-home caregivers with over 1 million nationwide caregiver profiles. Your Sittercity membership gives you online access to local caregivers with profiles that include pictures, parent reviews, references, background checks and more. The Sittercity program is funded by the DoD and is available to you at no cost. Register on Sittercity and find local sitters and military subsidized care providers.
Sittercity Helps You Find:
- Babysitters! For after-school, hourly care, school vacations, deployment and PCS, extended work hours, special needs children, and anytime you need a sitter
- Nannies! For full and part time, infant and young child care
- Certified CDH/FCC care providers
- Care providers who are authorized access to an installation
- Elder care companions, dog walkers, housekeepers and tutors
Military fmilies can have a Sittercity membership at no cost! Sittercity memberships are funded by the DoD to help you find local sitters and military subsidized child care providers. Memberships are available to Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force families. Activate your membership today!
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Stephen's Touch
Compassionate listening service for military family members living without a loved one
The Stephen Ministries is a non-denominational ministry that provides a one-on-one confidential listening ministry. Since starting in 1975, more than 9,000 congregations from over 100 denominations are involved in Stephen Ministry. These congregations come from all 50 states in the U.S.A, 9 Canadian provinces and 21 other countries.
Stephen Ministers care for people who are suffering some difficulty or trauma in their lives. Stephen Ministers don't give advice and they don't proselytize. If the person receiving care wishes, the Stephen Minister may say a prayer during the session for them but that is totally optional.
The free, caring listening is being offered to spouses, parents, adult children and siblings of those who died or those who are dealing with separation due to military service. Please pass this information along to others who would benefit from the caring listener.
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Coping resources, toolkits, and other helpful resources
Children of Military Service Members Resource Guide
Deployment not only affects our military service members individually, but also has a significant effect on their families, especially the children. From toddlers to teenagers, children may face difficult separations, strong emotions, and note parental changes once the deployed family member returns.
In support of the DCoE mission to identify and promote effective instructional material for wounded warriors, families, and health care providers, we developed the Children of Military Service Members Resource Guide – an online resource to assist families and health care providers address the mental and emotional health needs of military children. The guide identifies age appropriate resources addressing such topics as:
- Deployment
- Homecoming
- Loss of a Parent
- Mental / Emotional Wellbeing
- Moving
DeploymentKids.com
Site includes journaling ideas, distance calculator, links, downloads, etc.
Helping children coping with deployment and reunions (Real Warriors)
Children respond differently to a parent’s deployment depending on their age and maturity level. Negotiate the stages of deployment with tips on helping children cope while mom or dad is deployed. Organize pre-deployment family meetings and review age-leveled activities, books and videos. Website includes numerous helpful articles and resources.
Holiday stress and deployment (Kids Growth)
This article from Kids Growth offers tips in helping kids with a deployed parent cope with holiday stress and offers great insights.
Holiday stress and deployment (Surviving Deployment.com)
Ten tips to help children celebrate holidays when a parent is deployed.
Military Families Knowledge Bank
Here you will find many useful resources available to assist Military Family Members and their Health Care and Service Providers.
Military OneSource
Military OneSource (MOS) supplements existing family programs by providing a website and a worldwide, 24 hour, seven-day-a-week information and referral telephone service to ALL active, Guard and Reserve Soldiers, deployed civilians and their families. MOS services are provided at no-cost.This site is designed to help military families deal with life's issues.
Military Youth Coping with Separation: When Family Members Deploy (DVD)
Military teens tend to adapt well to family deployment experiences, but all need some form of support. This video program, developed by military pediatricians and adolescent-medicine specialists, is designed for older children and adolescents to help them understand that they are not alone as they experience family separation. Narrated by Cameron, a military teen who has experienced family deployment, the video shows candid interviews with military youths describing their own experiences. Viewers will learn about coping strategies for dealing with feelings and emotions during deployment challenges. A special bonus section features interviews of parents and youth-serving professionals discussing their challenges and successes while parenting and caring for military children.
Also includes a facilitator’s guide and a military youth stress management plan. Available for viewing online.
Sesame Street's Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments, Homecomings, Changes
This bilingual (English and Spanish) multimedia outreach program is designed to support military families with children between the ages of two and five who are experiencing deployment, multiple deployments, or a parent's return home changed due to a combat-related injury. Has materials, videos, music available for download.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress —an NCTSN member site—and FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress)—a project co-sponsored by the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress—perform research on, develop resources about, and provide assistance to military families.
Preparing Children for Deployment - Real Warriors
Although children’s reactions will vary with their personalities and ages, a parent’s deployment will almost always be puzzling to children. Parents wonder how the separation will affect their children and how they can help them through this time. The deploying parent wonders how they can continue to be a good parent while they are away; the stay-home parent worries about handling added responsibility.1 Part 1 of the series, Preparing Children for Deployment, provides steps and activities that prepare your children for the absence of a parent — no matter what that parent’s branch of service may be. The tips are designed to help parents and children connect by building trust and cooperation within the family.
Successfully coping with the deployment experience - AfterDeployment.org
Children are not little adults. They have their own unique view of the world which is very different from the world adults see. While reassurance and guidance with words is important to children, watching their parents successfully cope with the deployment experience will help them develop confidence. This program is designed to help you help your kids. Take an assessment or jump into the workshops to learn more about successfully coping with the deployment experience. Check out the videos of others who are dealing with deployment, and explore the e-library for in-depth information.
In this workshop you can learn about families with kids and compare your personal experience with those of others by watching them share their stories. Choose an interactive exercise based on what you've learned to help make changes in your life.
Toolkit - Military Kids
Each summer, the National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple® program provides a free week of camp for thousands of military youth who have a parent serving in the Uniformed Services. We asked participants to tell us the best and hardest parts about military life in an activity called the Top Ten List. The messages in this toolkit summarize what they’ve said over the past few years.
This toolkit, coming from the perspective of elementary school-age military children 6 to 11 years old, is the second in a series from the National Military Family Association to give the people in military kids’ lives—teachers, school counselors, coaches, community leaders, religious leaders, neighbors, family friends, or relatives—a way to help them manage stress and affirm the positive aspects of military life.
What we hear repeatedly from military kids is that they need people in their community to know what they’re going through. The best thing you can do for a military kid is know who they are and be there when they need to talk to someone.
Toolkit - Military Teens
Each summer, the National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple® program provides a free week of camp for thousands of military youth who have a parent serving in the Uniformed Services. We ask them to tell us the best and hardest parts about military life in a popular activity called the Top Ten list. The messages in this toolkit summarize what they’ve said over the past few years.
The National Military Family Association created this kit to give the people in military teens’ lives— teachers, school counselors, coaches, community or religious youth group leaders, neighbors, family friends, or relatives—a way to help them manage stress and affirm the positive aspects of military life.
What we hear repeatedly from military teens is that they need people in their community to know what they’re going through. The best thing you can do for a military teen is know who they are and be there when they need someone to talk to.
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Our Military Kids (National Guard/Reserve)
If you or your spouse are in the National Guard or Reserves and are deployed overseas, Our Military Kids can help pay for sports, fine arts and tutoring programs for your children.
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Defending the Blue Line
Defending the Blue Line is a non profit organization created by soldiers with the spirit of keeping hockey alive for the children of our nations military heroes. Our mission at Defending The Blue Line (DTBL) is ensuring that children of military members are afforded every opportunity to participate in the game of hockey. We accomplish this by providing free equipment for military kids, hockey camps, special events, and financial assistance for registration fees and other costs associated with hockey.
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Books on Bases...Smiles on Faces (Blue Star Families)
Books on Bases, Smiles on Faces is a program presented by Blue Star Families in conjunction with Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.). The goal of this program is to have a positive impact on children from military families through book donation. Blue Star Families will present books provided by K.I.D.S. to base libraries, Department of Defense schools, and military-impacted public schools.
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4-H Military Partnerships
4-H is the largest out of school youth organization in the United States with over 7 million youth members. There is Cooperative Extension staff responsible for 4-H programs in every county and city - so there's probably a 4-H program near you. Whether you live in a city, suburb or rural area, there's something for you in 4-H.
In most states, you can join 4-H if you are between the ages of 8-18. Some areas have special age-appropriate programs designed especially for younger kids. Check with your Cooperative Extension office to find out what projects and activities are available for youth your age.
American Heritage Girls (also offers a program for military families living abroad)
American Heritage Girls is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country. Military families...take note: American Heritage Girls created the Trailblazer program to reach dedicated service families, missionary families and/or girls in geographically isolated areas.
Even though we recognize that the BEST delivery system for the AHG program is within the Troop setting, we understand that many girls and their families find themselves in unique situations. The AHG Trailblazer program is the vehicle through which we hope to accommodate those situations so that more girls can be touched by this powerful, Christ-centered ministry. For details on this program, CLICK HERE.
AWANA
Awana helps churches and parents worldwide raise children and youth to know, love and serve Christ! We do this through:
- Fully integrated programs for ages 2 to 18
- The best evangelism tools to reach unsaved children, youth and families
- Teaching that builds an enduring biblical faith
- Resources bringing churches and parents together to disciple the next generation
- Initial and ongoing volunteer training
- Healthy mentor and peer relationships
- Dynamic fun for children, teens and adults alike!
Check the website to locate an AWANA program at your local church or military chapel.
Boys and Girls Clubs of America
In every community, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. Young people need to know that someone cares about them. Boys & Girls Clubs offer that and more. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. Boys & Girls Clubs are a safe place to learn and grow – all while having fun. They are truly The Positive Place For Kids.
Club Beyond
www.mcym.org (Military Community Youth Ministries)
Club Beyond® is the name used by MCYM to identify its ministry with military high school and middle school aged kids worldwide. Club Beyond staff and volunteers love young people and are available to journey with them through the hard challenges of adolescence, providing positive role models and exhibiting Christ-like behavior.
In addition to weekly 90 minute club meetings, Club Beyond also means retreats (usually one per semester), along with special activity nights, lock-ins, ski trips, summer camps, and work service projects. Club Beyond leaders also offer weekly Bible study sessions for those students who want to go deeper in their spiritual development and study of the Bible. All of these activities are well chaperoned, with high ratios of volunteer leaders for kids in attendance.
Good News Clubs (Child Evangelism Fellowship and Cadence International)
Currently over 3,400 weekly school-related Good News Clubs are held across the nation, reaching more than 119,000 students each week. Whether meeting off campus during school hours or on campus after school, these clubs provide opportunity for children in the public schools to hear the Gospel and learn truth from God's Word. Check to see if there is a Good News Club in your neighborhood or school.
Young Life
Although military kids walk the same school hallways as other teens, they live in a much different world. For them, being called a military "brat" is like being called a "brother" or "friend." Military brats attend four to as many as six different schools between sixth-grade and their senior year. Many move to foreign countries. Most are likely to live with only one parent while patiently enduring a six- to 18-month deployment of their other parent. In their world, uncertainty has become the only constant.
Recognizing that "reaching every kid, everywhere" includes those on military installations, Young Life Military has been ministering to military kids for almost 50 years.
Serving in the United States and 10 European and Asian countries, Young Life Military walks the halls with military teens and their families to help them face the unique and challenging aspects of military life.
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Month of the Military Child
Has various crafts and projects for children, some military specific.
Month of the Military Child - Army MWR and Army OneSource
April is Month of the Military Child! This special celebration is a legacy of former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger – established to underscore the important role children play in the Armed Forces community. Army Garrisons plan numerous events ranging from picnics and parades to recreational fairs and fun festivals – all to recognize and applaud Families and their children, who are everyday heroes, for the daily sacrifices for they make in supporting America’s Army.
Website includes a calendar of events, a fact sheet, downloadable certificates, posters, and other MOMC material.
Month of the Military Child - Military Child's Creed (Military Avenue)
Military-Brats are strong! Active Duty kids move around the country, acclimating themselves to new cultures, new friends, new surroundings. They, along with our National Guard and Reserve children, are separated from one or both of their parents for long periods at a time.
As the mom of four military children I know they hold the key to the future. I pray for their future. I work to ensure that they are educated, social and well rounded. When their dad was deployed we sought the support we needed. We used programs like Military Kids, the YMCA, United through Reading. When friends asked "Can I help?" I gave them a resounding "YES!" We got out of the house; there was no holing up for us.
And you know what, my kids are a-ok! They are strong. They are resilient. They are adaptable. They inspired me to take a look at the US Army Soldier's Creed and apply it to their way of life.
Month of the Military Child - Real Warriors
Each year, the Department of Defense recognizes military families by celebrating the Month of the Military Child throughout April. Service members with children across the nation can take this opportunity to spend time with their loved ones, while also learning about the importance of family resilience and readiness. The information and resources on this link can help you communicate with your family throughout the Month of the Military Child and the entire deployment cycle.
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A Backpack Journalist
Helping military youth find their voice through writing, songwriting and photography
A Backpack Journalist, LLC is an educational services and event support company based in Houston, Texas, providing curriculum, workshops and events for Military Youth 6-11 and 12-18 to assist them through the deployment cycle, including reintegration.
A Backpack Journalist curriculum and training on various media in an open classroom setting and mobile lab, allows military youth to express themselves and help connect with their parents/family/other youth.
Our curriculum support events for the Yellow Ribbon Program, YLEAD weekends and CAMPS, weekend retreats that support Military Youth and FRG Volunteer Symposiums.
Army FRG Kids
A website for Army FRG Kids.
Army FRG Teens
A website for Army FRG Teens.
Army FRG Tweens
A website for Army FRG Tweens.
Military Families Near and Far (also available in Spanish)
A place where your family can create, communicate, and stay connected. Whether your family is near or far, this website can help bring you closer together. Tools and features for pre-school children, school age children and military families.
MilitaryKidz.com
Provides tangible support to the children of deployed and severely injured National Guard and Military Reserve personnel through grants for enrichment activities and tutoring that nurture and sustain the children during the time a parent is away in service to our country. Get security clearance and an ID card and enjoy the activities.
MilitaryKidsConnect.org
The Department of Defense (DoD) launched www.MilitaryKidsConnect.org for children experiencing the challenges of military deployments. The website contains informative videos, educational tools, and engaging games and activities for military kids. The site features monitored online social network forums for children to safely share their experiences with deployments.
Military Youth on the Move
Saying good-bye, finding out about your new home, moving tips
This site was designed with you in mind. Maybe you’ve had to relocate a zillion times. Sometimes you’ve lived in really cool places and other times, well, maybe it wasn’t so cool. We know how difficult and stressful it can be to have to move, say goodbye to your friends, switch schools, start over and all that. So, grab a soda, get yourself comfortable and start clicking your way to your new home, your new school and your new life.
Rezilient Life (A ministry of American Bible Society and Club Beyond)
Let's face it; life as a military teen isn't easy.There's always change and uncertainty, and we long for something more solid to grab hold of. Rezilient Life is your place to get a grip on some of those big questions; like friendship, family, belonging and transitions. It's a solid place, and it's specifically for you.
RezLife offers a ton of cool stuff like maps, quizzes, music and videos. Check them out!
Need a pick-me-up? Want a challenge? Sign up for a text journey and we'll send you a message each day.
With a variety of meaningful topics to choose from, each personalized journey contains stories, media, Bible passages, and questions to guide you — making God's Word relevant and personal to you. Whether it's reading verses and words, listening to audio passages, or watching a video, you can explore the eternal truths of the Bible in the way that best fits your life and helps you navigate with ReZilience.
Start your personal journey today and see where God's Word takes you.
Sisterhood of the Traveling BDUs (California)
Our mission is to bring together 400 girls ages 13 to 18 with immediate family members in any branch of the military in California and 100 female service members as mentors with the common purpose of boosting self esteem, growing in leadership and confidence, and uniting together in sisterly support.
Our objective for the conference is a two day event; mixer Friday night with attractions and Saturday conference with workshops, breakout sessions, and guests speakers.
NGCYP Youniversity Mall (National Guard Child and Youth Program)
Our mission is to support the social, emotional, and academic needs of National Guard children and youth.
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FOCUS Project
As a service initiated by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED), FOCUS Project addresses concerns related to parental combat operational stress injuries and combat-related physical injuries by providing state-of-the-art family resiliency services to military children and families at designated Navy and Marine Corps sites. In 2009, FOCUS Family Resiliency Services have been made available to Army and Air Force families at designated installations through support from the Defense Department's Office of Family Policy.
When military parents fulfill occupational duties during wartime, their children and families can face many challenges, such as long separations, changes in family routines, and dealing with concerns about the safety of the parent who is deployed and about the well-being of the parent who remains at home. There may be times when they find long and multiple deployments more challenging than usual, particularly if a parent is dealing with the effects of combat stress and/or injuries. FOCUS is based on over 20 years of research with children and families facing challenges and adversities in many different settings. It has successfully provided services to thousands of participants at dozens of sites and continues to expand, including new online availability for those who are remotely located.
Operation: Military Kids
Provides tangible support to the children of deployed and severely injured National Guard and Military Reserve personnel through grants for enrichment activities and tutoring that nurture and sustain the children during the time a parent is away in service to our country.
Our Military Kids
Our Military Kids provides tangible support to children of deployed National Guard and Reserve personnel as well as to children of severely injured service members through grants for enrichment activities and tutoring. Such activities help these children cope with the stress of having a parent in a war zone or recovering from injury at home. Our Military Kids grants are made to honor the sacrifices that military families make and to ensure that their children have access to sports, fine arts, or academic tutoring programs.
YMCA supports families of deployed Soldiers
The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) is a national member association of the YMCA of the USA and works with the Department of Defense. ASYMCA has provided support services to military service members and their families for more than 140 years, particularly focused on junior-enlisted men and women – the individuals on the front lines defending our nation and their families. It offers essential programs such as childcare, hospital assistance, spouse support services, food services, computer training classes, health and wellness services, and holiday meals, among many others.
Zero to Three
Our mission is to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers. The Military Projects section of Zero to Three is committed to supporting the youngest of children from military families. Offers video for parents, brochures, flyers, articles - many resources targeted for ages newborn to three years of age.
Copyright Benita Koeman 2008 - 2012
resources
Military supporters, churches
Military chaplains
Organizations that support
Resources for
Encouragement
Military life
Free downloads for kids
Military children and teens
Military lifestyle resources
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Click on the topics below for more information:
Other helpful links for military children and teens:
A seasoned military brat shares the effects of growing up as a military brat to give insights to military parents
