School Liaison Officer Newsletter for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base APRIL 2016

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1 School Liaison Officer Newsletter for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base APRIL 2016 Wright-Patt's Prince/Princess Party A Gala Affair Face painting, dancing, enjoying food and games were just some of the activities that helped bring smiles to children attending Wright-Patt's Prince and Princess Tea Party held April 23 at the Hilton Garden Inn located in Beavercreek. Approximately 100 persons, including volunteers and base families with children dressed in some of their finest attire, were on hand to enjoy this event hosted by the base's Airman and Family Readiness Center. MSgt. Christine Dodson, who serves as Wright-Patterson's Family Readiness Senior Non- Commissioned Officer, and one of the organizers for the tea party said that AFRC has started something new in 2016 called "Serving Our Families" events. These events are catered to families with deployed members, families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program and our wounded warriors. It is so important for these families to have opportunities to get together and have fun while making connections within their community. It is our hope that these events will create opportunities for families to develop friendships that sustain them through challenging situations. Wright-Patt's Exceptional Family Member Program Coordinator, Tavonne Bridges also supported this event and said that "Every child needs to feel like they are special, and the purpose of this event was to create an environment where children from EFMP and Deployed families could feel handsome or beautiful, and happy." Shown in photo below is MSgt Christina Dodson and her daughter, Daniella Dodson who were all smiles during the Prince/Princess Tea Party held for base families with deployed members, wounded warriors and children enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program. Shown in photos to the right Children participate in costume contest & face painting activities.

2 Page 2 School Superintendents/Administrators Briefed On Military Interstate Children's Compact While fostering awareness about April being the Month of the Military Child, state of Ohio Military Interstate Children's Commissioner Mr. Pete Lupiba and Wright-Patt's School Liaison Officer Andrea Attaway-Young teamed up to ensure local school superintendents and administrators were knowledgeable about legislation that helps resolve school transition issues for military families. Shown in photo is Mr. Pete Lupiba who serves as Military Interstate Children's Compact Commissioner in the state of Ohio. During briefings presented on April 8th and 12th, school officials and staff learned that all 50 states now are on board with legislation known as the "Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children". This legislation provides for the uniform treatment of military children transferring between school districts and states. Frequent transitions are common in the lifestyle of many military families. The need to re-locate, sometimes with very little notice, can occur as a result of new assignments, deployment scenarios or separations/retirement from military service. To help ease challenges and resolve education transition issues, increased communication and collaboration between military families, school teachers/administrators and community organizations is necessary to ensure military children are afforded the best educational opportunities and opportunities for academic success. The Interstate Compact is one of many programs that have been implemented to help military parents become better equipped to assist children who typically move six to nine times during their K-12 school years. The Compact was developed by The Council of State Governments' National Center for Interstate Compacts, the Department of Defense, national associations, federal and state officials, departments of education, school administrators and military families. This legislation addresses key school transition issues encountered by military families to include: eligibility, enrollment, placement and graduation requirements. The Compact also addresses concerns military families/children may face during periods of separation/deployments. According to the American Association of School Administrators, this compact provides coverage for approximately 70 percent of military school-aged children of active duty members of the uniformed services, National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders; members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired for one year and members who die on active duty. To learn more about the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children, persons can visit the following website: Wright-Patt military families are encouraged to call Andrea Attaway-Young, (937) , or visit the base School Liaison Office located in the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Bldg 2, Area A Room andrea.attawayyoung@us.af.mil.

3 Page 3 Military Family Life Consultants Providing Needed Support in Local Schools The transient nature of the military lifestyle sometimes causes stress for children and young adults, as they strive for high achievement standards, academic performance, and learn to cope with peer pressure and tension within the family unit. As part of the Department of Defense's Military and Family Life Consultant Program, Mad River Local and Beavercreek City School Districts now have licensed counselors embedded in their schools to offer private and confidential non-medical counseling service to schoolaged children. The Child and Youth Behavior (CYB) Program is a free service designed to help children learn how to be more resilient by finding healthy solutions to address unhealthy behaviors. Counselors work with the children and youth to help them develop coping skills/strategies needed to address stressful and often adverse situations. School administrators and parents in Mad River and Beavercreek School Districts have shared favorable remarks about the school-based services and support provided by Child and Youth Behavior Counselors. During this school year, counselors have collaborated with school staff to include principals, vice principals, school counselors, and teachers to gain an understanding of students' individual needs. In addition to their ongoing visibility within the schools, the MFLCs have provided guidance to students by means of discussions on adjustment, increasing resiliency, problem solving, making healthy choices, relationship building skills, self-esteem building activities, and anger management. According to Tyler Stickle, Regional Supervisor for MFLCs through Magellan Health Services, a great deal of the focus has been on children who are experiencing deployment scenarios or dealing with challenges due to a school transitions. Counselors have convened Military Family Support Groups, worked with students during study hall periods, attended PTO meetings and school carnivals. Things on the horizon include presentations to students to address stress, Anti- Bullying presentations at all schools, and ongoing support with staff at the schools to raise awareness of military family needs. CYB consultants are highly trained to assist children and youth, parents, family members and staff on issues such as school transitions/adjustments, deployment and separation and problems that sometimes arise during the reunion/reintegration period. Other issues stemming from fear, grief and loss, sibling and parent/child communication, as well as other behavioral concerns can be addressed in group sessions, individual meetings (after-hour and weekend appointments are available) or included in educational presentations.

4 Page 4 April is Child Abuse Prevention Month Every Child Deserves a Safe Environment Children depend on adults to guide them and have their best interests at heart, but sometimes they are hurt by a trusted adult. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the base Family Advocacy Programs, along with other organizations that support/ develop programming for children, are making special efforts to highlight resources that keep children safe. As part of this year's observance, children of all ages have been encouraged to enter a "Coloring Challenge" where they draw and color a picture that depicts one of the happiest days of their lives. (Please see below for more details). Child abuse, as defined by the Department of Defense, is injury to, maltreatment of, or neglect of a child so that the child's welfare is harmed or threatened. Research shows that child maltreatment is associated with adverse health and mental health outcomes in children and families, and those negative effects can last a lifetime. In addition to the impact on the child, child abuse and neglect affect various systems including physical and mental health, law enforcement, judicial and public social services, and nonprofit agencies as they respond to the incident and support the victims. Research also shows that prevention is the best solution for reducing child abuse and neglect and improving the lives of children and families. Strengthening families and preventing child abuse requires a shared commitment of individuals and organizations in every community. The Family Readiness System offers many resources to promote healthy relationships with children, strengthen families, resolve potential stresses and minimize the possibility of child abuse. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment and it is a parent's responsibility to provide such an environment. While it may be hard to predict what causes child abuse, too much stress and inadequate coping skills can be contributing factors. Every parent knows that caring for children can be difficult, especially on those days when everything seems to go wrong and patience has worn thin. It is important to know how to deal with emotions before they force you to your breaking point. The Family Advocacy Program offered on military installations provides information and support to help parents manage parenting challenges. It's also important to recognize that your child may act out because of too much stress, especially in a military family. Military children may resent leaving behind their best friend because of a move, they may miss a program that is unavailable in his new school, and it may be very hard to be the new kid at school or to have a parent who is deployed. Military children are asked to deal with such transitions from a very early age. Misbehavior on your child's part may be a stimulus that causes you to overreact.

5 Page 5 Child abuse may come from other trusted adults in your child's life. Educate yourself and your children about potential warning signs for child abuse, especially among strangers. Conversation Techniques: Child Sexual Abuse offers some good tips to handle this sensitive issue. Parents who communicate with their children about child abuse empower those children to report it. One way to deal with problems such as these is to cultivate good communication skills and spend positive time together as a family. Here are some suggestions for spending quality time with your children and learning about how to be prepared for stressful or dangerous situations: Read with your children. Reading promotes bonding, especially when it becomes a special time that you share with your child at the end of a day. Get active. Look into low-cost activities offered by Youth Programs and Military Morale, Welfare and Recreation that help families get active, have fun together and reduce stress. Talk with your kids about Internet safety. School-age children may unknowingly encounter child sexual abuse online. Use the information on Military Youth on the Move to get the conversation started. Plan ahead for deployment. Visit Plan My Deployment and Military OneSource for information and resources to support children with the deployment of a parent. For more suggestions, visit Military OneSource Family Resilience Protective Factors. If someone you know is experiencing extreme stress or facing difficult circumstances, the person can contact Wright-Patt's Family Advocacy Program (937) or Airman and Family Readiness Center at (937) Getting Help to Prevent Child Abuse Everyone has a moral obligation, and in many cases a legal responsibility, to take action to stop abuse: If you suspect child abuse, visit Recognizing the Signs of Child Abuse web site. If you witness violence or know someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or Security Forces Squadron. If you suspect child abuse or neglect, by law you must report it. Make your report to Wright-Patt's Family Advocacy Program at (937)

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9 Wright-Patt Youth Center Upcoming Events Page 9

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12 Page 12 NEWS YOU CAN USE: 2016 Summer Camps Bright Beginnings School Age 2016 Summer Camps, 2973 Lantz Road, will begin on June 6. Parents can enroll children during all weeks of summer or choose weeks to attend. For more information, visit the website: or call (937) Central State University is offering Seed to Bloom Camp #3 starting June 20 through July 1, This free Ag- STEM Camp is for rising 6th, 7th and 8th Graders. Students will learn how agriculture impacts healthy eating, nature's rich plant life and soil and water quality. For more information, visit CentralState.edu/camp. The Piano Preparatory School Summer Session 2016 begins June 6. The school is located at 3899 Indian Ripple Road, Suite C, Beavercreek, Ohio, Students can learn to play piano, cello, guitar, violin, viola or take voice lessons. For more information, call (937)

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