Washington State Operation: Military Kids –
Supporting Military Families In Our Own Backyard
Washington State: Operation Military Kids is a partnership established in April, 2004 between
the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Washington State University Extension 4-H Programs, the Washington State National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve. Under grant funds provided through the
4-H/Army Youth Development Project, our mission is to create replicable and sustainable support networks for geographically dispersed military youth in schools and communities before, during, and after the deployment of a parent or loved one.
The Washington State Operation: Military Kids project focuses on the following:
- Educating the public on the impact of the deployment
and reunion cycle on soldiers, families, kids and the community as a whole;
- Supporting military kids coping with the stress of knowing their deployed parents or loved ones may be in harms way;
- Delivering recreational, social, and educational programs for military youth living in civilian communities;
- Collaborating with schools to ensure staff are attunded and able to support the unique needs of military students;
- Creating community support networks for "suddenly military" youth “in their own backyards” where soldier parents are deployed
Washington State Operation: Military Kids project goals include building capacity within existing networks of school, community, and military personnel to participate in training, receive technical assistance, and create linkages with resources that support youth and families of deployed soldiers. This will be accomplished through:
A. Providing statewide, regional and local
Operation: Military Kids Ready, Set, Go! Awareness Training of Trainers to interested school and community professionals on the critical issues facing youth and families during the process of deployment and reunion.
B. Providing the following community-based outreach activities geared to raise awareness and provide support for military kids and their families:
- Speak Out for Military Kids - A youth speakers’ bureau, formed by military and non-military youth providing presentations to schools and community groups to help educate and raise awareness about military life, deployment, and reunion.
- Hero Packs - Civilian youth participating in community service projects to assemble and distribute knapsacks filled with a variety of items to be given to military children and youth as a "thank you" for the sacrifices made while their parents are deployed.
- Mobile Technology Labs - Available to communicate and connect geographically dispersed "suddenly military" children with their deployed parents
or loved ones worldwide.
C. Integration of all Washington State Operation: Military Kids activities with existing before, during and after-school programs including Title IV Part A: Safe & Drug-Free Schools, Student Assistance Program Prevention/Intervention Services, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Washington State Extension 4-H Programs.
For more information on Washington State Operation: Military Kids please contact Mona M. Johnson, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction at (360) 725-6050,
mona.johnson@k12.wa.us
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