FAMILY RESOURCE CONNECTION PARTICIPATES IN "OPERATION: MILITARY KIDS" PROJECT

by Nancy Cristiano, Supervisor
Family Resource Connection
NH State Library
www.nh.gov/nhsl/frc/
FRC@library.state.nh.us

The Family Resource Connection (FRC) of the N.H. State Library is a collaborative effort of the New Hampshire Departments of Health & Human Services, Education, and the New Hampshire State Library. For the past 11 years, FRC has served the needs of New Hampshire's children and their families, by means of providing information, referrals, and other resources for support. The Family Resource Connection is a friendly, specialized service for all New Hampshire families, caregivers, educators, and other professionals who need assistance relating to the care, education and welfare of children - particularly those with special needs.

FRC is currently participating in an outreach project coordinated through the UNH Cooperative Extension 4H Youth Development. The project, Operation: Military Kids (OMK) is designed to support "suddenly military" youth and families of the National Guard and Reserves.

The goal of this project is to offer supports for families that have members deployed away from home on military assignments. The children of these families have unique needs for special supports and services even though they still participate in their local community. FRC is partnering with other agencies, such as: UNH 4H, Youth Development Partners, Army Reserves, American Legion, the spiritual community, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Plus Time NH, etc.

Each of the partners has been encouraged to create programs which serve the unique needs of military kids and their families before, during, and after family members are deployed. FRC is choosing to expand its collection of materials to include a focus on families dealing with specific issues relating to deployment. FRC has a free lending library of over 5,000 books, videos, kits, etc. relating to all types of family issues - parenting, mental health, behavior issues, school concerns, chronic illness, grief and loss to name just a few. Materials are available for loan to New Hampshire residents, which are mailed, free of charge (upon request) with a postage-paid return mailer. FRC also has a variety of handouts for parents and relatives who are caring for military children.

If you know anyone from New Hampshire with a family member who is deployed, give us a call or share on New Hampshire toll-free number 1-800-298-4321 (NH only). Feel free to contact us anytime if you have questions about our program, or if you would like to borrow materials to help family members cope with family issues during deployment.

CONTACT US - WE'RE HERE TO HELP!