Georgia Operation: Military Kids
Operation: Military Kids is a national
initiative involving 34 states with high levels of National Guard
and Reserve deployment. Programs are being designed for these reserve
component military youth to help them find positive ways to cope
with the stress of their parents' deployment.
Some reserve component (National Guard and Reserves) do not view
themselves as 'military' until their parent's deployment. Their
parent has a civilian job and their commitment to the military consists
of one drill weekend a month and two weeks in the summer. The situation
created by a deployment places unique stress on the youth and their
families.
National Guard and Reserve service members live throughout Georgia
– they're in our backyard. Some counties have a higher concentration
of families, while others have only one. Because these families
are spread throughout the state, they do not have the support systems
that are typically available to active duty military families who
live on or near military installations.
Georgia
Military Members Deployed |
| Army Reserve & Army
National Guard |
2,087 |
| Air Reserve & Air National Guard |
135 |
| Navy Reserve |
122 |
| Marine Reserve |
10 units |
| Active Duty (all branches) |
over 10,000 |
Current as of March 4, 2008
http://www.defenselink.mil/ |
over 12,354 military members from Georgia
deployed |
Families experiencing deployment of a service member face a variety of issues that impact youth. These issues include:
- There is fear of the unknown and concern for the safety of the deployed parent.
- Parent is absent for significant events, as well as everyday matters, resulting in less parental involvement.
- Youth assume more household responsibilities.
- Lack of educators' awareness of and sensitivity regarding deployment and needs of children of deployed service members.
- Children may be placed in day care so the remaining parent can work outside the home.
- There may be a constant shuffle between relatives and child
care providers.
- Geographically dispersed families are not near family and youth programs.
- Lack of connection with other youth with deployed parents results in feelings of isolation.
- The family may experience a change in financial resources.
Georgia Operation: Military Kids has four major components
as a part of the national Operation: Military Kids program.
In addition, the Georgia State OMK Team has sponsored a special
week of camp for youth in deployed military families.
These four national programs include:
The Georgia Operation: Military Kids State Team includes
partners from each of the national OMK partners.
|
