Click on the images below to connect with these valuable resources. Disclaimer: Posting and sharing of resources on this web does not constitute an endorsement by National Guard Bureau, the Program Management Team or contract personnel.
Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor. Crisis Text Line trains volunteers to support people in crisis. With over 100 million messages processed to date, we’re growing quickly, but so is the need.
4‑H is delivered by Cooperative Extension—a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. For more than 100 years, 4‑H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds, giving kids a voice to express who they are and how they make their lives and communities better.
4-H Military Partnerships creates opportunities and provides support to military connected youth whether they live on or near an installation, in our communities, or on overseas installations. 4-H clubs provide consistency in belonging and an opportunity to develop life skills through a positive youth development framework
We provide hands-on, innovative, specialized programs and support services to military service members and their families with a particular focus on junior-enlisted men and women — the individuals on the front lines of defending our nation. Programs are offered at low cost and require no dues or membership fees.
This is a great activity book for military kids which includes activities they can do when a loved on is deployed.
Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of people with autism and their families.
Provide a world-class Club Experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.
Bloom is the place you can find comfort and advice about everything military kid related: from moving tips to the top things to do at your duty station. You can also read posts from our featured authors, often other military kids who want to share their stories and connect with their community. They all offer a different perspective on military life. Bloom also highlights all the cool things military brats are doing around the world, like writing songs about their life and winning awards.
Break the Cycle inspires and supports young people 12 - 24 to build healthy relationships and create a culture without abuse. We are a culturally affirming organization that centers young people, caring adults, and communities in our prevention and intervention efforts. Our dynamic and diverse team believes that all young people deserve to live in a world where they can thrive.
Access LGBTQ* Inclusive Information by clicking here.
The Center for Parent and Teen Communication offers practical, science-based strategies for strengthening family connections and building youth prepared to thrive. We also educate parent, professional, and teen audiences to effectively communicate through workshops and speaking engagements. And, we conduct original research to determine how healthcare professionals can partner with parents to support adolescent well-being.
Army Child Care Fee Assistance was created to provide authorized Reserve and Active Duty personnel assistance in locating, selecting, and offsetting the cost of civilian child care when on-base child care is not available or a viable option for the service member and their family.
Our mission is to engage in applied research and evaluation, implementation science, education, and outreach to advance the well-being and health of military families.
Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. At the office of Federal Student Aid, our more than 1,300 employees help make college education possible for every dedicated mind by providing more than $120 billion in federal grants, loans, and work study funds each year to more than 13 million students paying for college or career school.
eKnowledge™ has introduced the next generation of advanced Test Prep and multi-media eLearning programs. Based on our proprietary Student-Centered Learning Model™ , the new eKnowledge™ SAT and ACT PowerPrep™ programs use highly effective diagnostics to identify each students individual learning “style”, and then adapt the teaching method to fit that style.
Every day GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. Together, we can transform our nation’s K-12 schools into the safe and affirming environment all youth deserve.
Burnout is a state of mental and physical exhaustion that can zap the joy out of your career, friendships, and family interactions. Continual exposure to stressful situations, like caring for an ill family member, working long hours, or witnessing upsetting news related to politics and school safety can lead to this stress condition.
As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans, the Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than 3 million members and supporters nationwide — all committed to making HRC's vision a reality.
Access LGBTQ resources for child welfare professionals by clicking here.
Hy-Vee is a grocery chain located (primarily) in the upper-midwest. As a business, Hy-Vee has taken many positive steps to encourage youth and families to adopt a healthier lifestyle. This website contains some fun activities youth may enjoy doing which encourage remaining active and eating healthy.
The It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe. Growing up isn’t easy, especially when you are trying to affirm and assert your sexual orientation and/or gender identity. It can be a challenging and isolating process – but, the good news is, no one has to do it alone.
MCEC delivers programs, services, and professional development to meet the needs of military-connected students, parents, and professionals.
Military OneSource is your 24/7 connection to information, answers and support to help you reach your goals, overcome challenges and thrive. As a member of our military family, you are eligible to use this Department of Defense-funded program anytime, anywhere. Turn to Military OneSource for tax services, spouse employment help, webinars and online training, relocation and deployment tools, and much more.
Commissaries are an integral part of the quality of life offered to service members and their families. The Scholarships for Military Children Program was created in recognition of the contributions of military families to the readiness of the fighting force and to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military family community. It is the intent of the program that a scholarship funded through contributions be awarded annually for each commissary operated by the Defense Commissary Agency.
With over 20 years experience working with community, corrections, military organizations, and government agencies, National Fatherhood Initiative is your non-profit partner for creating sustainable fatherhood programs and initiatives.
NMFA is the voice of military families because, for 49 years, we have proven that we stand behind service members, their spouses, and their children. Our Association is the “go to” source for Administration Officials, Members of Congress, and key decision makers when they want to understand the issues facing our families. They know we have “boots on the ground” with military families and understand better than anyone that “military families serve, too.”
The National Guard Spouse and Family Interest page is a comprehensive resource developed by NGB J1, offering valuable information and links to programs and services available through the National Guard and its military partners. Designed to support spouses and families, this site provides easy access to resources on, Strong Bonds, Exceptional Family Member Program, Family Programs, Resilience, and more, empowering National Guard families to thrive at every stage of their journey.
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
On Our Sleeves is the national movement to break stigmas around children’s mental health. No family should struggle alone on their journey. Our mission is to provide free mental health educational resources to every community in America to educate families and empower advocates. We also support access to services by connecting families to trusted local resources.
It's a great feeling. To get relief during a crisis, a way to regain resiliency and a little bit of recognition and recurring support for a life of sacrifice. That's what we do at Operation Homefront... and it's making a difference.
Operation Respect’s inspiring music, SEL curricula, multicultural videos and highly-regarded professional training provide adults with the tools they need to help children express their feelings constructively, resolve conflict peacefully, celebrate diversity, and engage with each other in a spirit of caring, compassion and cooperation
Our intent with every dollar we raise and spend pursuing knowledge through research or creating resources is to offer support to self-advocates, parents, siblings, teachers,
military families, and more. Ultimately, we do that one study, one resource, one child, one family, one school, one teacher at a time.
Our Military Kids, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports children (grades 5th–12th grade) of deployed National Guard and Reserve service members, as well as those of wounded veterans from all service branches, with grants that provide up to $300 for a chosen activity. Participation in these extracurricular activities has proven to help military children cope with stress and anxiety, while their parents are recovering or serving overseas.
All children deserve the chance to reach their full potential. That’s why PBS KIDS aims to improve educational outcomes for young children across America. We are committed to supporting the entire ecosystem in which children learn, which relies on their parents, caregivers and teachers — as well as local organizations that support education, including PBS member stations.
The hardships inflicted on families because of childhood cancer are often not quantifiable. The financial burden of increased expenses, while income may be decreased - due to reduced work hours or even unpaid, extended leave - can seem overwhelming. Pinky Swear Foundation’s financial assistance and family experience programs provide help to these families in need.
Polaris is a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery. Named after the North Star that guided slaves to freedom in the U.S., Polaris systemically disrupts the human trafficking networks that rob human beings of their lives and their freedom. Our comprehensive model puts victims at the center of what we do – helping survivors restore their freedom, preventing more victims, and leveraging data and technology to pursue traffickers wherever they operate.
The Red Cross supports military members, veterans, and their families by helping them prepare for, cope with, and respond to the challenges of military life. Volunteers provide essential services and comforts on military bases and in hospitals worldwide, assist military families during deployments and emergencies, and continue offering support to veterans even after their service ends.
AASA, the School Superintendents Association, advocates for the highest quality public education for all students, and develops and supports school system leaders.
Shared Hope International is dedicated to bringing an end to sex trafficking through our three-pronged approach - prevent, restore and bring justice.
The Dougy Center provides support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families grieving a death can share their experiences. Through our Pathways Program we provide a safe place for families facing an advanced serious illness.
We provide support and training locally, nationally and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children in grief. We are supported solely through private support from individuals, foundations and companies.
NCTSN's mission is to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States.
Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.
The USO strengthens America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation.
United Through Reading connects military families who are separated - for deployment or military assignment - by providing the bonding experience of shared storytime.
YSA helps young people find their voice, take action, and make an impact on vital community issues.
ZERO TO THREE works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development.
According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), an estimated one in nine girls, and 1 in fifty-three boys, under the age of 18, experience sexual abuse or assault at the hands of an adult. RAINN also reported females between the ages of 16-19 are four times more likely than the general populations to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault.
These statistics, as well as those from other world and national organizations and research entities, validate the importance of teaching youth about the importance of consent, and what to do, should they find themselves in a potentially dangerous situation. These conversations should start early, utilizing age-appropriate vocabulary, and continue on into adulthood.
In an effort to help and support parents, guardians and youth service works, consider reviewing the following resources, as they all contain information about working with, teaching and equipping youth with the knowledge and tools needed to stay safe, healthy and, to the extent possible, out of dangerous situations.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network: https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources//teen_sexual_assault_teens.pdf
Love is Respect.Org: https://www.loveisrespect.org/understanding-teen-dating-violence-and-sexual-assault/
Break the Cycle:
https://www.breakthecycle.org/working-young-survivors
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network: https://www.rainn.org/national-resources-sexual-assault-survivors-and-their-loved-ones
Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/relationships/sexual-consent
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Teen Dating Violence | Intimate Partner Violence Prevention | CDC
Let's face it, divorce or long separations can be challenging at best. No one ever wants to feel removed from those they care about, but in reality, things like divorce and long separations happen. This can cause some mixed emotions and feelings when it occurs. You may find yourself happy one day... sad the next... angry another day, or you may feel numb at times. There are no rules to how you experience emotions when something like this happens. As a result, you may find yourself feeling confused about everything happening around you.
If you find yourself in this place, don't be afraid to ask for help and seek out someone you know and trust. You might also check out some of these resources, as they give you some great tips and information to help you positively cope with things happening in your life.
Teens Health:
Dealing With Divorce (for Teens) | Nemours KidsHealth
University of Missouri Extension:
http://extension.missouri.edu/p/GH6602
Safe Teens:
Military deployments and prolonged separations have become a way of life for many Army National Guard Families. Whether the Service Member is away from home for one month or one year, his/her absence can have a profound impact on a child's social, emotional and physical health.
The following resources, available through Army National Guard Child and Youth Services, are designed specifically to provide parents/guardians with valuable information to help support your youth the next time his/her loved one is away from home.
Our Military Kids: This organization provides grants to youth so they can participate in extra-curricular activities, which might not otherwise be possible due to financial constraints within the family.
LINK: http://ourmilitarykids.org/
Sesame Street for Military Families: "Talk, Listen, Connect" videos are available in the Explore by Topic section of the Sesame Street for Military Families website. These videos and related resources, including extensive tips for parents, downloadable child activities, and links to outside websites, are free to all site visitors.
LINK: http://sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/
Deployment Guides and Resources: This website provide valuable information for military families, regardless of military branch affiliation. Families are able to access information on the deployment cycle, resources available and other relevant military community topics.
LINK: http://www.military.com/deployment/deployment-guides-and-resources.html
Operation: We Are Here: This website contains lists of books for youth which focus on various aspects of the deployment cycle and military life. Many of the books listed come with brief overviews, as well as links to available retailers.
LINK: http://www.operationwearehere.com/ChildrenBooks.html
Flat Daddies and Mommies: This is a great activity where the family prints a life-sized picture cutout of the deployed Service Member. The flat daddy/mommy can then be taken with the family on special trips or even included in pictures. You can connect with the Flat Daddies initiative via their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/flatdaddies/
I'm Already Home: Elaine Dumler has dedicated her life to gathering fun projects and activities for military families to do while their loved one is away from home. These ideas have been gathered from military family members and those within the military community, both nationally and world-wide. Visit Elaine's website to learn more about some of the great ideas for helping military families remain connected while the Service Member is deployed or away.
LINK: http://imalreadyhome.com/
Sometimes when the stressors of life become too great, we may find ourselves trying to find 'outs' as a way of coping with everything. For many youth, this may include spending time with friends or doing physical exercise; however, some youth may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way of dealing with everything. In 2014, an estimated 1.3 million youth between the ages of 12-17 had some sort of substance use disorder according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). While turning to drugs or alcohol may seem like a great idea at the time, that decision can have long-term negative impacts on your life, your health and your relationships.
If you are feeling lost or overwhelmed by things, talk to someone you know and trust or engage in a positive activity you enjoy. Turning to drugs and alcohol may seem like an easy 'fix' but it is not a healthy decision and may only provide a short break from everything. In additional to talking and doing positive activities you enjoy, take a look at the following resources, as they provide more great tips for successfully coping with life and avoiding the temptation to turn to drugs or alcohol.
Promises Treatment Centers:
https://www.promises.com/articles/teens/10-reasons-teens-abuse-alcohol-or-drugs/
National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens:
The Cool Spot: https://www.thecoolspot.gov/
Coping with the loss of someone or something you hold dear can be challenging; it's never easy to let go and keep moving forward. All of us experience different emotions following a loss, whether it be the death of a loved one or a pet, or it be the result of moving and saying 'goodbye' to your friends. Whatever the situation, what each person experiences is unique to them... there are no 'right' or 'wrong' emotions when someone or something is lost. It is important to remember, however, that people around you care and love you - they are there to help you get through what you may be struggling with, but you have to reach out.
If you, or someone you know, may be struggling with grief and loss, there are people and resources available to you. Talking with someone you know and trust can be the first step towards positively managing your thoughts, feelings and emotions. You might also check out the following resources:
Children and Youth Grief Network:
http://www.childrenandyouthgriefnetwork.com/
The Dougy Center:
https://www.dougy.org/grief-resources/how-to-help-a-grieving-teen/
In the wake of school shootings and violence, helping youth make sense of everything can be difficult. Movements like the March for Our Lives rally, and other youth and adult-lead initiatives, have started paving the way to enact possible change regarding gun control and efforts to ensure the safety of youth at school.
The following links provide information for helping youth make sense of the world around them...
Youth.gov: For those schools that have experienced violence, this website provides information and links to available resources and supports available through Government agencies and partner organizations. https://youth.gov/feature-article/federal-resources-helping-youth-cope-after-school-shooting
American School Counselor Association (ASCA): This website provides links to information and resources for supporting the emotional health of youth struggling with the recent rise in school violence. ASCA provides downloadable resources as well as online trainings adults can complete to better understand their role in helping youth. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors/professional-development/learn-more/shooting-resources
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): This link takes you to an article with helpful strategies for supporting youth struggling with fears about school violence. https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/migrated/pmb/hr/upload/Coping-After-a-School-Shooting.pdf
HealthySafeChildren.org: A website with information and links to available mental health resources for those helping support youth struggling with recent school shootings. https://healthysafechildren.org/trauma-violence-and-school-shooting
Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, an estimated 44,193 Americans die by suicide each year. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death (overall) in the United States. in 2014, 1,668 youth aged 13-18 committed suicide. Research has found that the rate of suicide among youth increases as they grow older. Depression, substance abuse, bullying, sexual orientation or sexual identity and dramatic changes in their personal life can all be factors impacting rates of suicide among youth.
If you, or someone you know, may be contemplating suicide, please seek help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Reach out to someone you know and trust. Please do not stay silent, as people care and are available to help.
You might also look at the following resources for additional information:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Teen Help: https://www.teenhelp.com/teen-suicide/teen-suicide-statistics/
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