These non-federal resources have been compiled to assist educators at all levels in better understanding and supporting the approximately 2.3 million children under the age of 18 living with a disabled Veteran and whose personal needs may compete with the caregiving tasks they perform for their Veteran parent or guardian. The resources may also be beneficial to other children, both in military and Veteran families without a disabled Veteran and in civilian caregiving homes. The resources offer information for educators, parents, and family members that focus on the academic, non-academic, and mental health needs of children living in military households, particularly Veteran caregiving households.
Hidden Heroes
- A recent study published by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Mathematica focused on how caregiving impacts children growing up in military caregiving homes and identifies activities that could support the well-being of children in these homes.
National Military Family Association
- Education Revolution : The National Military Family Association (NMFA) believes in high, consistent standards across state lines to ensure military kids get the education they deserve. NMFA advocates for seamless education transitions and its Education Revolution Toolkits are step-by-step comprehensive guides for teachers, administrators, and state or local officials, as well as resources for parents and advocacy information to be a voice for children's education.
- The Field Guide to the Military Teen was created by military teens as a resource for community members, educators, parents, and other adults to help them appreciate the military teen perspective. It includes testimonials as well as research-driven tips on how to best assist the teens in your community by addressing the unique challenges they face.
Military Child Education Coalition
- Military Student Consultants provide concierge services and resources that address challenges associated with the military lifestyle.
- SchoolQuest is a free interactive tool to support highly mobile and military-connected students and parents manage their school choices before, during and after a transition.
- Navigating Your Military Connected Child's Individualized Education Program (IEP): Provides parents with guidance to manage their child's IEP.
- Transitions for Military-Connected Students with Exceptional Needs: Helping military-connected students with exceptional needs navigate transitions.
- Transitions What Every Parent Needs to Know: Parents helping military-connected students navigate transitions.
- Supporting Veterans with Young and Elementary School Children Through Transition: Veterans supporting young children through transitions.
- Supporting Veterans with Children in Middle School and High School: Veterans supporting middle and high school children through transitions.
- 2022 Resource Supporting the Wellbeing of Youth in Caregiver Roles Webinar: Supporting Youth in Caregiver Roles.
- 2022 Resource Developing Social and Emotional Skills in Your Child: Guiding school-aged children through social and emotional development.
Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission
- The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children was developed by the Department of Defense and the Council of State Governments in 2007. The Compact is focused on keeping kids on grade level and on track to graduate and is focused on key educational transition issues such as eligibility, enrollment, placement, and graduation.
- The Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) oversees the implementation of the Compact. Comprised of 50 member states and the District of Columbia, MIC3 helps ease the transitions of military children as they transfer interstate between public schools and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools. While the Compact is state law and supersedes conflicting state laws and regulations, it does not supersede federal law or regulations.
Services Offered
- Assistance with educational issues related to military children transitioning between interstate school districts and DoDEA schools
- Free virtual and in-person training on request
- Communicating the purpose of the Compact to stakeholders through informational materials, training, and various resources
- Briefing on the Compact to military personal, school districts, and various stakeholders
Resources
- Parent and School Guide
- Toolkit for Parents
- Toolkit for Schools
- MIC3 Summary Video
- For assistance, stakeholders can contact their state compact commissioner and/or military school liaison through the MIC3 interactive map; or visit the MIC3 website at www.mic3.net.
Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop offers bilingual (English and Spanish) research-based resources and professional development tools focused on creating a circle of care with parents, caregivers, and providers supporting young children.
- Sesame Street in Communities: Featuring friendly, furry Muppets, the site covers a wide range of topics supporting the ABC's and 123's, healthy bodies, healthy minds, and a variety of tough topics such as trauma, parental incarceration, and more.
- Sesame Street for Military Families is Sesame Street's over 16-year-long initiative to support military and veteran-connected kids and families throughout their military life journey. The site has multi-media resources covering topics from deployments to relocation, as well as transitions in healthcare and celebrations.
- Resources for Providers: This page breaks down ways in which healthcare providers can use the resources to best support the families in their care.
The Family Caregiving Experience:
Sesame Street's Family Caregiving resources were created to help kids and families navigate the transition out of military service together.
- Veterans and Changes: These resources support the entire family when servicemembers transition out of the military.
- Injuries: Long-Term Caregiving: For military and veteran families, these transitions to caregiving can mean a unique set of challenges. These materials can help you face what lies ahead as a family, ensuring everyone feels heard, understood, and valued.
Naming/Identifying Feelings, Expressing Emotions, Building Confidence, Resilience:
This collection of resources offers skills and coping mechanisms for children to draw from when experiencing big feelings, ultimately fostering resilience.
- Self-Expression: This page has tips and resources for teaching kids communication skills, helping them maintain a positive outlook, and supporting them as they express how they feel.
- Learning and Growing Together: Navigating and making the best of change and uncertainty is a big part of military life. The resources on this page can help families get started.
- Resilience: Here, find tools to help kids overcome everyday obstacles to help kids learn, grow, and build confidence.