Army National Guard: Resources for Families

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.

At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone. 

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.