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Resources for Supporting Military Students
The resources below provide best practices, research, lesson plans, and activities to support the military students. To learn more about meeting the unique needs of military kids, read "Military Minded: How to Support Students from Military Families" in the March 2016 issue of Education Update: ASCD
Building Capacity in Military-Connected Schools
Created by the University of Southern California, the Building Capacity project provides ongoing research and practices that public schools can implement to ease transitions for military children and their families. Additional resources can be found on the project's archived website.
FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress) – FOCUS World
Boost your family strengths - online! FOCUS World is an interactive website where families can practice skills that support resilience. The whole family can play together and explore Feeling Fox's family home. Two new activities, a virtual calming jar and silly stories game, are great for taking a break when things get hectic.
Don’t just get by, get stronger! Contact FOCUS to learn how managing emotions can support a stronger family. Call 757-373-9620, email Norfolk@focusproject.org, visit www.FocusProject.org or www.facebook.com/FOCUSresiliencytraining.
Military Child Education Coalition
Through the nonprofit Military Child Education Coalition, educators can enroll in continuing education courses and access a series of guidebooks (available for purchase online) for supporting military children.
Military Family Research Institute
Based at Purdue University, the Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) aims to assist military families through research and partnerships with civilian communities. In its "How to Help" series, MFRI offers guidance targeted to early childhood educators about how to help young children of military families before, during, and after deployment. It also offers guidance for K–12 classroom teachers and support staff.
Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission
As of January 2015, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have joined The Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3), which advocates equal treatment of military children transferring between districts and states.
Military Kids Connect
A project of the U.S. Department of Defense, Military Kids Connect offers lesson plans for elementary, middle, and high school teachers on how to integrate military culture into the classroom.
Military OneSource Confidential Help – Non-medical Counseling
Sometimes strength means asking for help and the care of friends and family isn’t enough to pull through a difficult stretch. Military OneSource is committed to promoting readiness and resilience in military members and families. Confidential non-medical counseling provides resources and support to address a variety of issues and build skills to tackle life’s challenges.
Check eligibility requirements or call 800-342-9647 to speak with a consultant 24 hours a day, seven days a week – from anywhere in the world.
Military OneSource Financial Resources Highlight- MilTax Program
MilTax free tax services include tax prep and e-filing software and personalized support that address the realities of MilLife – deployments, combat and training pay, housing and rentals, multistate filings, living OCONUS and more.
Military-Themed Books
Military students respond well to seeing their unique experiences represented in the curriculum. The American Library Association's list of W.Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction winners offers ideas appropriate for older students.
Staying Strong
Staying Strong, an initiative of the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program, offers a documentary video, downloadable educator toolkit, and classroom activities to raise awareness of the issues military kids face and to encourage the creation of "a resilience-building classroom community."
Supporting Military Teens
For tips and insight into the unique needs of military-connected teens, read "10 Things Military Teens Want You to Know" from the National Military Family Association.
Write a Letter to a Service Member
Send a letter to a deployed service member. Instructions and information available on Forgotton Soldiers Outreach, Inc website.