Operation: Military Kids Operation Military Kids is a nation wide effort to support youth and families from every branch of the military. We know that there are youth and families who do not have a daily support network that would commonly be found on an installation, or who live in communities where people may not even know of their military connection. The Department of Defense supports Operation Military Kids and the programming that gets young people involved and connected to resources. Operation: Military Kids 24 February 2010

The Purpose Minnesota Operation: Military Kids builds partnerships to increase capacity for youth, families and communities to support youth of military families The overall goal of Operation Military Kids is to build partnerships to increase the capacity of communities to support the young people in military families. Helping community members better understand what is happening in the lives of these young people and how they can get involved is a key element of Operation Military Kids. When communities, including the schools, businesses and community members understand what youth may be experiencing, there are then opportunities for support and networking.

OMK National and State Partners For more information contact: 800-4444-4238 ext 223 or omk@umn.edu

OMK Overview Create community support networks for military youth “in our own backyard” when parent(s) are deployed Deliver recreational, social and educational programs for military youth living in civilian communities Support military kids coping with the stress of knowing their deployed parents may be in harm’s way By creating support networks for military youth “in our own backyard” or more specifically, where they live, we can help find and provide resources, connect to other caring individuals and support them through challenging times. When we know where youth are, we can create programs and opportunities to get them involved in the community and provide opportunities to connecting to others. We know that across MN, young people may not always have others they can relate to. They may be isolated from other military youth and often feel alone. Through OMK, we can connect them to others and help them feel supported. During programs, OMK staff help youth by processing and reflecting through activities. They encourage young people to talk and express their thoughts and feelings and also provide parents with some resources as well. We know youth care about their loved ones and we want to support them through those feelings.

OMK Overview (cont.) Collaborate with schools to ensure that staff are attuned to the unique needs of military students Educate the public on the impact of the deployment cycle on Soldiers, families, kids and the community as a whole Become a part of the ongoing 4-H Program in the locations where there are military families Providing training opportunities to schools also helps the young people. When teachers and school personnel better understand the deployment cycle and what feelings and reactions are often expressed during those times, school staff are better able to support young people and are aware of what triggers might be and how the youth might respond to situations. Because many school staff have not had experience with a deployment or a military child, this is often a good overview and helps both the child and the teachers. Training opportunities are available for the public and community organizations to also provide an awareness of the deployment cycle and the impact that is experienced by families and kids, but also on the community. Learning about the deployment cycle and the phases that families and youth experience can be a way that communities can think about ways to support others and find ways to show support or get involved in other activities. Connecting youth to other organizations or programs is also a show of support. When youth groups can help a young person develop interests or skills or even develop a relationship with other caring youth and adults, the young person has an opportunity to develop resilience and personal skills such as communication, cooperation and social skills. All of these are important to youth as they find their own ways to cope with the stress of a deployment.

OMK Elements – Hero Packs Hero Packs are given to suddenly military youth as a thanks for the sacrifices that they make while their parents are deployed Packs are filled with journals, books, disposable cameras, stationary, Hero pins, personal notes and more Hero Packs are possibly the best known product of Operation Military Kids. Hero Packs are backpacks that have an Operation Military Kids logo on them that kids often identify with – and can recognize others who have the same backpack. In Minnesota, there are three different backpacks available – one for toddlers through age 4, one for youth ages 5-11 and also one for older youth. Inside the Hero Pack, youth will find a variety of items, including a book that is appropriate for their age, a parent pack of information, a stuffed animal, a disposable camera and then numerous items that have been donated such as stickers, yo-yo’s, piggy banks, etc. Each Hero Pack also always contains a Thank You note written to the military child from a non-military youth – telling them thank you for being a Hero and offering their show of support for them during a deployment. Currently in Minnesota, the Hero Packs are distributed through pre-deployment events with a unit or organized activity. They are not individually handed out to youth, they must be received through the coordination of an event. If a unit has not received them in the past, there are ways to coordinate them to the youth.

OMK Elements – Ready, Set, Go!/Hidden Heroes Trainings R,S,G!/Hidden Heroes Trainings are designed to increase understanding of the unique issues facing military youth dealing with the deployment and reintegration of a parent or loved one In Minnesota, we call our training “Hidden Heroes” – to talk about the often not so noticeable audience that is impacted by deployment. Our Hidden Heroes are family members – husbands, wives, parents of a service member, aunts and uncles, children – the audience is large because we know our service members touch many lives. These Hidden Heroes are coping in their own ways through a challenging time, but we want to help educate those who can help – people in communities, school staff, business members, community organizations, staff members of youth groups and many others. People want to be supportive and better understand what is happening, so this training is an opportunity to make that connection. This training is offered in a 1.5 -2 hour timeframe and can be adapted to meet the audience needs.

OMK Elements – Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK) SOMK is a youth-driven community outreach initiative designed to raise awareness of issues facing military families SOMK gives kids an opportunity to put voice to their story and find others that share their experience Youth in grades 7-12 are offered the opportunity to attend a Speak Out for Military Kids retreat, which is usually held over a weekend approximately three times per year. Youth who attend the retreat are often excited to connect with and meet other youth who share similar experiences by having a loved one in the military. Because many youth in MN are geographically dispersed, this retreat is a great opportunity to meet others. Youth also learn about telling their story about being a military youth and develop that story into a presentation that is delivered to family and friends at the completion of the retreat. They also take that presentation back to their communities to share with others and help explain what they feel and experience as a military youth.

OMK Elements – Mobile Technology Lab (MTL) The MTL contains 14 laptops, a printer, scanner, digital camera, video camera and various software The MTL can be used at any OMK activity including SOMK to help kids stay connected to their parents while they are deployed Minnesota has a Mobile Technology Lab that is available for use. This Mobile Technology Lab has 14 laptop computers, a printer, a scanner and digital cameras. This equipment is available to use for events and is often used to design cards or thank you notes to a loved one or to create presentations that can be shared with audiences. This Mobile Technology Lab is available for checkout by contacting Amber Runke, OMK Program Specialist. It is important to note that this Mobile Technology Lab is stored in two very large storage cases that do require planning to transport.

OMK Elements – Youth Activities Many other youth activities are available as well through Operation Military Kids. There is an opportunity to request support for school age youth during these types of programs.

OMK Website Other opportunities for youth include day camps or overnight camping experiences, as well as special events such as a night at the MN Timberwolves practice gym, tickets to events or other opportunities. It’s important to know that all opportunities are available by going to the Operation Military Kids website at www.operationmilitarykids.org where a calendar lists every opportunity that is available across the state.

Thank you for helping us support Minnesota’s Military Kids!