Transcript Slide 1

OPERATION:
MILITARY KIDS
Background
For ten years 4-H and the
Army have partnered,
involving 7,000 youth in
300 4-H clubs across the
U.S. and in Europe,
Japan and Korea.
OMK takes this experience,
merging 4-H and Army resources,
to provide support to youth who
are not on installations,
but dispersed in rural, urban and
suburban communities across
the country.
What is OMK?
A partnership of the Dept. of Defense,
county and state 4-H programs and the
National 4-H Headquarters USDA.
OMK’s Guiding Principles
Partnerships and joint commitments at the
federal, state and local level are critical.
Rapid response is necessary.
Youth’s interests and involvement are
important.
Programs must be replicable.
Programs must be sustainable.
OMK’s Three Major
Components
Building a Community Planning Team
for planning and guidance for ongoing programs.
Implementing Educational Program Options
Supporting the Children of Those
Who Serve in the National Guard and
Army Reserve.
Through OMK, 4-H will reach out to
children and youth of Army National
Guard and Army Reserve soldiers
who are now deploying to Iraq,
Afghanistan, and other locations as
part of the Global War on Terrorism.
Operation: Military Kids
Creates community support
networks for military youth “in
our own backyard” when Soldier
parents are deployed.
Delivers recreational,
social, and educational
programs for military youth
living in civilian communities.
Supports military kids
coping with the stress
of knowing their
deployed parents may
be in harm’s way.
Collaborates with schools
to ensure that staff are
attuned to the unique needs
of military students.
Educates the public on the
impact of the deployment
cycle on Soldiers, families,
kids, and the community
as a whole.
Becomes a part of the ongoing
deployment support services for
military children and youth.
The Deployment
Stages
OMK will assist these
youth throughout the
stages of deployment.
Pre-Deployment/Preparation
Knowing a parent is leaving.
Deployment/Separation
The parent is actually gone.
Post-Deployment/Reunion
The parent is back.
How Do We Support Middle and High
School Youth?
Educate about the issues and
challenges facing older
youth of deployed parents,
especially when they assume
parental roles.
Encourage Veterans’ and other
community groups to provide
scholarships for extracurricular
activities
Find adults or other
youth to provide
respite care for
younger siblings
Recruit mentors to
assist with homework
and other school
challenges
Partner with other
community organizations
to provide programs
for older youth.
What Can You Do To
Help?
Keep in Mind...
Military Kids who live in local
communities –
Suddenly have different
needs, but still “look”
the same
Discover their world is
turned upside down
Find usual support
systems no longer are
relevant
Lack “connections”
to each other
Are impacted by
intensity and frequency
of media coverage
Are you ready to get involved
with Operation: Military Kids?
If so, here are a few ways
to begin –
Send care packages directly
to their soldier parents.
Begin an “Adopt A
Military Family” project.
Help spread the word to
other local clubs and
organizations to get
them involved.
Help Alachua County 4-H
identify our local Military
families.
To participate or get additional
information, please contact the
Alachua County Extension Office
at 352-955-2402 or e-mail us at
[email protected]
Join our Alachua County
4-H OMK leadership team.