IOWA NATIONAL GUARD YOUTH AND TEEN

PROGRAMOverview & Pre-Deployment Brief

MISSION STATEMENT

The Iowa National Guard Youth Program exists to…

…promote and sustain the quality of life and resiliency of National Guard families by providing secure, timely, flexible, high-quality support services and enrichment programs to National Guard children and youth.

WHAT THE YOUTH PROGRAM DOESPlan and implement state-level youth eventsProvide resource support for FamiliesConduct educator trainingsResolve/refer military youth-specific issuesDevelop youth-specific curriculum/briefings Recruit and train volunteersCommunity capacity buildingServe as the youth SME at the state levelProvide support to various state-level programsParticipate in various community programs

MILITARY CHILD EDUCATION COALITION (MCEC)

MCEC focuses on ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military-connected children affected by mobility, family separation, and transition

Works collaboratively with Youth Program to offer trainings in Iowa

STATE YOUTH SYMPOSIUMAnnual symposium held in Des Moines

each springHeld in conjunction with the State Family

Readiness ConferenceYouth and teens are grouped by age to

participate in exciting activities

OUR MILITARY KIDS This organization provides up to $500 in

grant money for various youth extracurricular activities

Requirements: Service Member must be on Title 10 orders Children of a wounded or fallen National Guard

Service Member are also eligible for grants Must not have received a grant previously for

this deployment Must be for an approved extracurricular activity

OUR MILITARY KIDS :APPLICATION PROCESSApplications may be submitted online:

www.ourmilitarykids.org By phone:

703-734-6654

*Complete the form specific to your service branch.

CHILD CARE AWARE OF AMERICA (CCAA)Previously known as NACCRRACCAA is our nation's leading voices for child

careCCAA works with more than 700 state and

local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies nationwide

These agencies help ensure that families in 99 percent of all populated ZIP codes in the United States have access to high-quality, affordable child care

CCA FOR MILITARY FAMILIES CCAA is working with the U.S. Military Services

to help those who serve in the military find and afford child care that suits their unique needs

Through several innovative civilian/military efforts between the Services, CCAA and Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCR&Rs) are building the quality and capacity of child care throughout the country

OPERATION MILITARY CHILD CARE (OMCC)OMCC is a fee assistance program available

to:Service Members on Title 10Families of the Fallen (Survivors of Fallen Warriors)Wounded Warriors

Includes ADOS only if…In support of overseas contingency operationsA period of 30 or more days

MILITARY CHILD CARE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD (NCCYN)

MCCYN is a fee assistance program available to:Service Members on Title 32 orders (ARG)Army Federal TechniciansArmy Civilians

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTSThe following requirements must also be met:

If Service Member is married, the spouse must be…Currently workingActively looking for work*Currently attending school*

*Documentation of spouse’s income or education is not required for Wounded Warriors or for the Respite Care program.

If the Service Member is single, same requirements apply to legal guardians at time of deployment

GIVE ARMY PARENTS A BREAK RESPITE CAREAvailable to Army Guard Members on Title 10Eligible for up to 16 hours or child care every

monthRespite Care is available to:

Army Guard Members on Title 10Army Guard Members on Wounded, Ill, or

Injured StatusSurvivors of Fallen Warriors

AIR GUARD WOUNDED WARRIOR PROGRAM Wounded Warriors Program is a fee

assistance program

Air Guard Members must be enrolled in a Wounded Warriors program recognized by the Air Force to qualify for this program

Fee assistance rate is determined on a case by case basis

HERO & MOBILIZATION PACKS These resources are available to youth dealing with an

upcoming or recent deployment of a loved one Hero Pack

For youth ages 3-12 Each back pack contains family support materials,

communication tools, and fun items

Mobilization Pack For youth ages 13 and up A collection of resources collected by fellow Military teens to

help their fellow Military teens deal with the challenges associated with a loved one’s deployment

Both of these resources are available from the Iowa Child and Youth Coordinators

SCHOOL RELATED ISSUESIs your child having school issues related to

military life?

Talk with your child’s teacher about the deployment as soon as possible

Working together with the teacher leads to more positive outcomes for children with a deployed parent

SCHOOL ISSUES (CONT.)Contact Child & Youth Coordinators:

Youth Program staff are available to offer on-site trainings to educators and school systems

Help problem solve school related concerns

Provide resources for educators

DEPLOYMENT – WHAT TO EXPECTReactions to a loved ones deployment based

on a variety of factors such as age of the child, previous deployment history, and location of deployment

The change and adjustment is stressful for children and adults

Typical reactions at various ages may not reflect your child’s unique experience

REACTIONS BY AGE (1-6 YEARS) Toddlers (1-3 years)

Reaction is largely dependent on remaining care giver Tantrums, being tearful and changes in eating or sleeping

patterns are common Preschooler (3-6 years)

Clinginess, thumb sucking, bed wetting, separation anxiety and changes in sleep are more common when stressed

Signs of irritability, low energy, physical complaints such as stomach aches

Their imaginative thinking can lead to feelings of guilt that they were responsible for their parent leaving

Increases in attention-seeking behavior are common

REACTIONS BY AGE (6-12 YEARS)This age group understands some of the

realities of deployment and often worry about the safety risks

May act out , be irritable, or whine more Physical complaints such as stomach and

head aches can be a sign of excessive worry or stress

REACTIONS BY AGE (TEENS) Greatest awareness of dangers related to

combat deployments Sensitive to reaction of peers and can feel

isolated is others express negative views about the military conflict

Increased rebellion is common As with younger children irritability and

challenging behaviors are typical

STRATEGIES BY AGE (1-6 YEARS)Remaining caregiver must take care of self…if

you are doing well, your young child will do better as well

Maintain routines as much as possible Provide reassurance through positive

attentionSet aside play time with the child Address false beliefs

STRATEGIES BY AGE (6-12 YEARS) Maintain routines and expectations Listen to your children. Allow them to express worries

and feelings Be honest and use age appropriate communication to

discuss the deployment Otherwise all they will know is what they hear from peers or

media Provide reassurance on a regular basis Help them identify their entire network of support (i.e.

grandparents, teachers, aunts, and other important people) Understanding their many sources of support can increase

their feeling of security

STRATEGIES BY AGE (TEENS) Maintain open communication: teens understand the

potential consequences of war and benefit more from open and honest communication.

Model healthy coping skills. Allowing them to see your sadness/worry and how you

handle it is one of the best ways for them to learn how to manage similar feelings.

Look for signs of high risk behaviors and help teens identify healthier strategies to manage stress

Help them identify other sources of support and encourage them to share their concerns with another safe adult

Include teens in discussions regarding significant changes in routine

BE PROACTIVEThere are a lot of deployment-related

resources available, but it may take some time and research to find the ones most appropriate for you

Reach out to FRG and State Youth Staff…we can help you find the resources that are best for you

CONTACTJeremy Van WykLead Child & Youth Coordinator, IANGOffice: 515.252.4040Cell: 515.689.2617Email: jeremy.vanwyk@us.army.mil

Audrey GieseChild and Youth Coordinator, IANGOffice: 515.757.3064Cell: 515.897.8168Email: audrey.giese.ctr@us.army.mil