Tricare for Kids Coalition’s Post

Explore how cross-sector partnerships are boosting support for military families, tackling issues from school bullying to food insecurity. Check out the OneOp blog for insights into the impactful benefits of these collaborations: https://lnkd.in/euJy7KPQ

From constant moves to diverse experiences, military kids navigate a unique journey. 🌎 Their resilience, adaptability, and worldly perspective shape future leaders. Let's recognize and support their strength 🇺🇸 🔗: https://lnkd.in/e5-h_Jz6 #MilitaryKids #Resilience #FutureLeaders"

Relocations, deployed parents and new environments are just a few of things that make up the life of a military child. And while military life can come with wonderment and diverse experiences, it also can have its challenges. That is why the USO is there for our nation’s military kids, every step of the way. Read more here: https://brnw.ch/21wMeCt

The United States Department of Defense's efforts through the State Liaisons program highlight a crucial initiative for military families. Yet, the stark absence of progress in Virginia, particularly in suicide prevention, signals a critical oversight. We must bridge this gap by integrating the lived experiences of our military community into policy-making. Bold action is necessary to create a support system as resilient as our military families themselves. It's time for Virginia to prioritize these voices and enact meaningful change. #MilitaryFamilies #SuicidePrevention #CallToAction

Recognizing #52 of 100 #UnsungHeroes - our nation’s #MilitaryChildren. With April being the Month of the Military Child, it is difficult for me not to point to each of our 5 kids who grew up in a military family — my three sons (Luke, Karl, and Jack) and Laura’s son and daughter (Jack and Mary Frances). But I won’t for two reasons. 1) They aren’t kids anymore and 2) they probably wouldn’t like it much if I did. The truth is: despite all of the sacrifices they made, none of them think they did anything extraordinary; and each of them would say the military lifestyle helped them in the long run. I may be biased but I think all 5 of them are amazing human beings, all in their own unique ways. With one common thread — some of their awesomeness is the result of the experiences they had as military kids, not in spite of them. And yes, we see in them the same traits that are common in hundreds of thousands of other military kids who are enduring (or have endured) multiple moves and the stress of parents being absent or deployed — strength, adaptability, independence and resilience. Many of those kids will go on to serve in the all volunteer force, just like their parents did before them, and just like one of our 5 kids did right out of high school a decade ago. These are all important things to consider in an era where propensity to serve is at all time low among young people; DOD faces unprecedented recruiting challenges; and more and more military families are saying they would not encourage their kids to serve. It is the Month of the Military Child. We should all take a moment to recognize these #UnsungHeroes. The future viability of the all volunteer force largely rests on their shoulders. #100UnsungHeroes

RESULTS ARE IN! Check out the recently posted report from Military Family Advisory Network 's nationwide survey. With data gathered from 10,149 military-connected respondents, this study report explores critical issues impacting military-connected families. https://loom.ly/H5dUut0

The Month of the Military Child: Celebrating Resilience I grew up as a military kid–my dad was career Air Force–which meant frequent moves, constant change, and continual adjustment. Despite this, my childhood was a good one. April has been designated as the Month of the Military Child, which I greatly appreciate having been one myself. This focus serves as a reminder of the strength and resilience military kids develop as they navigate the unique challenges of military life. I want to take a moment to celebrate their spirit, acknowledge their challenges, and share how these experiences forge extraordinary resilience. Military children face a distinct set of challenges. Frequent moves, parental deployments, and the need to adapt to new environments and schools are just a few of the hurdles they regularly encounter. Despite these challenges, military kids often develop an impressive set of skills that can serve them well throughout their lives. The key trait they often develop is resilience. Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties, and for military children, this trait becomes a fundamental part of their character. Each move brings with it the necessity to make new friends, adapt to new schools, and integrate into new communities. These experiences, while challenging, foster adaptability, flexibility, and inner strength. The ever-changing environment military children grow in also cultivates a heightened sense of empathy and a broad understanding of diversity. Exposed to various cultures and communities, they often grow up with an enriched perspective on the world. This exposure can help them develop compassion and value diversity–traits that are increasingly important in our society. It’s crucial to ensure support systems are in place to help military kids manage the emotional and social challenges they face. Schools, communities, and military organizations can offer resources and programs designed to provide stability and continuity. Building supportive communities around them can help mitigate some of the emotional upheaval associated with their lifestyle. Programs that connect military families with others in similar situations can provide a sense of stability and belonging. The Month of the Military Child celebrates these kids who play a crucial role in the armed forces community. It's a time to recognize not just the challenges they face, but the extraordinary resilience they develop in response. They have huge potential to have a profound impact on the world, armed with the strength and adaptability forged through their unique experiences. Their journey is one of constant change, but also a journey that prepares them for a world full of possibilities. This post is dedicated to military children everywhere — may your paths be as bright and courageous as you are. #militarykid #militarychild #resilience

💜 Today, on National Purple Heart Day, we honor the brave men and women who have been wounded or killed in service to our country. 🇺🇸 This day also reminds us of the unique challenges faced by military families, especially their children. Here are some ways schools and educators can support children from military families: Understanding Transitions: Military families often move frequently, which can be challenging for children. Providing a welcoming environment and offering support during transitions can make a big difference. Building Connections: Encourage peer support and buddy systems to help military children build friendships and feel a sense of belonging in their new school. Flexibility and Support: Be flexible with deadlines and attendance policies, especially during times of deployment or family relocation. Understanding their unique circumstances is key. Counseling Services: Ensure access to school counselors who are trained in addressing the specific emotional and social needs of military children. Celebrate Resilience: Acknowledge and celebrate the resilience and strengths of military children. Highlight their unique experiences and contributions to the school community. Parental Involvement: Foster strong communication between schools and military parents. Keeping parents informed and involved can help create a supportive network for the child. By understanding and addressing the needs of military families, we can create an inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students. 💜 #NationalPurpleHeartDay #MilitaryFamilies #SupportOurTroops #Education #SchoolPsychology #PsychedServices #learndo

Here's an interesting tidbit that seems most people including myself are not aware of. It's not well advertised by scouts. Girls in AOL are required to be in a separate Girls Patrol (aka den). Not the combined family style. It's actually written in the new AOL manual(but only in two separate spots about a sentence each). AOL Girls can not camp with Boys Only Troops. They have to separately camp with girl troops. Yes, scouting is doing a combined pilot program but it's not official policy yet and is still in a test pilot phase leaving the cub policy unchanged. The Girls patrol has to do the troop visits separately with Girls troops or I am guessing as of now combined or separate troops. https://lnkd.in/egSZrti5

Useful to know on #ArmedForcesDay.