Virginia Virginia Operation: Operation:

Military KidsMilitary Kids Presenter:

Terry PattersonSouthern Virginia OMK Region Chair

Training Agenda

• Mini Ready, Set, Go! Training:Part I. – National OMK Overview

Part II. - Virginia OMK Overview

Welcome/Introductions

Who am I?

• Develop a clear understanding of what OMK is and how it operates

• Understand ways that ALA can partner with OMK

Anticipated Outcomes

Operation: Military Kids is the U.S. Army's collaborative effort with America's communities to support children and youth impacted by deployment.

It is a joint effort between 4-H National Headquarters and the U.S. Army Child, Youth & School Services.

OMK National Goal is to Support Military children and youth where they live when impacted by deployment

National Partners

United States Army Child, Youth & School Services (CYSS)

American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary

National Network of Child Care Resources and Referral (NACCRRA)

Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)

Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA)

4-H

NATIONAL OMK OBJECTIVES• Raise community understanding about how the

deployment of a family member affects military children and youth through awareness building and educational trainings

• Build community capacity & create Local Support Networks

• Implement Educational Programs through Local Support Networks

Why OMK?

A New Reality:Impact of Overseas Contingency

Operations (OCO)

• Pre-deployment

• Mobilization

• Post-deployment (Reintegration)

Deployment Cycle

The Emotional Cycle of

Deployment

Identified Issues for Children & Youth in Military

Families• Geographically dispersed Families and lack of connection with other Youth

and Families in similar situation• Child separation/anxiety issues regarding safety of deployed Parent• Deployed Parent absent for significant events• Less parental involvement from Parent at home• Limited opportunities for Youth to attend extracurricular activities• Teens having increased care of home and younger siblings• Behavioral changes, peer pressure, lower self-esteem• Need to live with extended Family• Changes in financial resources• Communication with deployed Parent

OMK Core Elements

• Ready, Set, Go! Trainings (RSG!)

• Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK)

• Mobile Technology • Hero Pack Project Labs

(MTL)

Ready, Set, Go!Manual and Training

Community trainings designed to increase non-military youth workers, educators, counselors and other community members understanding of:

•The unique issues facing military youth; •Military culture; •The deployment cycle; •Fostering resilience in youth and to engage them in building State and Local community networks to provide support for military children and youth.

Speak Out For Military KidsSOMK OMK’s youth-driven community outreach program. Through participation in SOMK, military and non-military youth help generate community awareness of issues faced by military youth when a parent is in the deployment cycle.

SOMK Initiatives:Youth Speakers’ Bureau

Public Service Announcements developed by SOMK participants

Video productions of “suddenly” military youth telling their stories

Interactive Theater productions

Hero PacksHero Packs are a tangible expression of support for military Families from their communities – especially young people and OMK Partners

• Non-military youth and local community organizations Hero Packs and write letters of support/thanks to the youth to include in the backpack

• Local organizations donate youth items to supplement materials provided by national OMK partners

• Hero Packs are distributed to military youth impacted by deployment

Hero Pack Implementation

Mobile Technology LabsA mobile, internet-ready computer lab for use in a variety of settings. The lab provides access to technology for military youth to communicate with deployed loved ones, learn about technology, enhance educational experiences, or make videos/pictures, etc. to send deployed loved ones.

Additional OMK Program Resources

•Yellow Ribbon Curriculum•Operation: Boots On Curriculum•Operation: Boots Off Curriculum•Discover the Fun – A Day Camp Resource•Experience OMK•Up For the Challenge – Fitness Curriculum

OMK Structure

OMK State Team Roles and Responsibilities• Create a diverse and Highly Functioning State Team• Establish Local Community Support Networks• Provide Support for Core Components of OMK

Program• Provide content for State’s National OMK website• Facilitate Partner use of the OMK Mobile Technology

Lab• Submit monthly and year-end reports to National

OMK State Team

CommunityVolunteerPartners

Businesses

Local MilitaryComponents

Faith BasedOrganizations

PrivateOrganizations

Youth ServingAgencies/Organizations

Civic Groups

VeteransOrganizations

IndividualVolunteers

OMK Community Volunteer Partners

QUESTIONS?Contact:

Southern Virginia OMK Co-ChairTerry Pattersontpatters@vt.edu

Virginia State Project DirectorMegan Baker

omkdirector@gmail.com