Benefits of the Oklahoma OMK Program

A Delphi Study

Hillary SiegfriedOMK Graduate StudentOklahoma State University

Purpose of the Study

Determine the parents’ perception of the overall benefits of the Oklahoma OMK Program

The Delphi technique is designed as a group communication process….”two heads are better than one” (Dalkey, 1969)

What?

• Panel of experts included twenty-five Oklahoma military parents who had a child or children involved in OMK activities.

• All branches of services were represented.

• Three rounds of questionnaires, based upon an open ended question: “how has the Oklahoma OMK program been beneficial to your child/children?”

OMK Welcome Banner

So What? Helped them realize that they were not alone

in the deployment process

….Not alone

So What?Became more independent

“OMK helped them express themselves”

…More independent

So What?Gave them something fun to do while their

loved one was far away

76.2% reported that the father was the family member deployed

Something Fun to Do!Camp Ins at the Science Museum and

Aquarium!

So What?Made new friends who understood

what they were going though

“gave my child a chance to meet other kids in the same situation”

New friends who understand…

So What?

Gained self-confidence

“They have made Great strides in

self-confidence…I can’t thank OMK enough”

Speak Out? I can do that!

Now, that’s self-confidence!

So What?Met other military kids going through similar

experiences

“has broadened their exposureto the outside”

4-H OMK/NG Kids Kamp(record breaking heat, by the way)

So What?• Not alone in the deployment process.

• Became more independent.

• Something fun to do while loved one was far away.

• Made new friends understood what they were going through.

• Gained self-confidence.

• Met other military kids going through similar experience.

Now What?The work continues…..

Improve leadership skillsMore exposure to the real life worldHelp them cope during deploymentImprove communication skillsHelp them express themselvesReceive support from peers

Future efforts….the work continues

Dr. Jeff Sallee4-H Youth Development SpecialistMilitary Liaison

Dr. Pat McNally4-H Youth Development Assistant SpecialistCoordinator, OMK