<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Georgia Operation: Military Kids
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Georgia Operation: Military Kids

 

What is 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
4,768
Air Reserve & Air National Guard
490
Navy Reserve
236
Marine Reserve
144
Active Duty (all branches)
over 10,000
Current as of June 9, 2009
http://www.defenselink.mil/
over 15,638 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.

 

   
 

The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. An equal opportunity/affirmative action organization committed to a diverse work force.