Oklahoma Operation: Military Kids

One Little Objective One Big Objective To build support for Military Kids!

State Team Mission To raise awareness and address the issues facing military kids, develop local community capacity for support, and create sensitivity for the betterment of our military families.

Enlisted 2001-Present in the Oklahoma Army/Air National Guard. Your Operation: Military Kids Coordinator

What is Operation: Military Kids (OMK)? A Collaborative Effort with America’s Communities to Support Military Kids Impacted by Deployment.

OMK—Goal Build local community support for military kids affected by deployment. Raise awareness of the affects that frequent and extended deployment have on youth.

Goals and Objectives of Operation: Military Kids OMK GOAL: Support the military children and youth who have been or are being affected by deployment. OMK OBJECTIVES: Raise community awareness for military kids. Build local community support networks to deliver outreach services. Implement outreach support services.

Operation: Military Kids Core Program Components Four Core Elements

Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK) The Program: Common program initiative for all OMK States Program raises community awareness of issues faced by geographically dispersed military children and youth SOMK is a youth-led program facilitated and supported by adults Youth participants are both civilian and military connected youth SOMK is a community service project that builds awareness and fosters community support

Speak Out for Military Kids Outcomes: Participants create a Speakers Bureau and presentations, then deliver informative briefings to a variety of audiences throughout the state. Youth gain knowledge and skills in developing creative and informative presentations in a variety of different media. Youth learn how to capture, write and present their stories in a professional manner.

Hero Pack Project Outreach effort of Operation: Military Kids (OMK) Salute to military children for their strength and sacrifices made while a parent is deployed Combined effort of all National OMK Partners Community Service Project that builds awareness and fosters community support for geographically isolated military families Connect military youth with local support programs (B&GCA Program, 4-H Clubs, etc.)

Youth assemble Hero Packs and write letters of support to the families to include in the backpack. OMK State Teams find local donations to supplement Hero Pack items provided by National OMK Partners. Hero Packs are distributed to deserving Military Children impacted by deployment Hero Pack Implementation

Mobile Technology Labs Foster connectivity with child and deployed parent. Also a creative learning tool to keep military children's mind off of deployment. 10 Dell Laptop Computers 4 Cannon Printers 4 Digital Cameras 2 Video Cameras

Ready, Set, Go Training Curriculum designed to raise awareness of issues military children face Develop understanding of the deployment cycle Introduce Operation: Military Kids State OMK Team Members Trained to present RSG!

Facts, Opinions or Reality? “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” –Dr. Seuss We are proud of our parents! We think about war and we know what it means! We move. A Lot. We take on a lot of responsibility. We live in your community! We appreciate recognition of our family’s service. We miss our parents. In a lot of ways we’re just like other teens. We Serve too!

Deployment and the Community Blanket Activity

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment Each stage characterized by a timeframe and specific emotional challenges Failure to adequately negotiate can lead to significant strife Promoting understanding of deployment helps avert crisis and need for intervention/mental health counseling Five distinct stages— — Stage One: Pre-deployment — Stage Two: Deployment — Stage Three: Sustainment — Stage Four: Re-deployment — Stage Five: Post-deployment

Motivating Clips Tribute to Military KidsTribute to Military Kids Speak Out Military KidsSpeak Out Military Kids Military Kids share their thoughts on being a "Military Kid"Military Kids share their thoughts on being a "Military Kid" Resiliency –Army Strong FamiliesArmy Strong Families

Deployment When the family is stressed, the child is affected When a child is stressed, it affects the family. Good intentions are not enough. Education and understanding is key.

Strengths for Youth Resulting from Deployment Fosters maturity Growth inducing Encourages independence Encourages flexibility, adaptability Builds skills for adjusting to separation and losses faced later in life Strengthens family bonds Civics—relationship with community What other strengths may result from deployment?

The Price of Peace Gaddis Sisters "To share often and much.... To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded." Ralph Waldo Emerson "Random Acts of Kindness, 1994"

What can YOU do to help?

Questions? “ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL, WE CAN GIVE A LITTLE” Molly James, widow of Second Lieutenant Luke S. James, bows during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery, Tuesday, February 10, 2004.