Military Families Why They Matter Objectives Military Demographics

Military Families, Why They Matter

Objectives • Military Demographics • Resources for working with Military Families • How The Branch can help

The Numbers -DOD Survey

The Numbers • 1, 888, 486 military children* - includes Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve * As of the 2013 Department of Defense Demographics • An estimated additional 2 million children whose parent(s) served in the post-9/11 era and are considered veterans.

SIGNIFICANCE: There are nearly 4 million children living throughout the U. S. who have had a parent serve in the U. S. Military since 9/11. It is likely that there is a military or veteranconnected child in every school district in America.

Region 6 States with Highest Military Population

The Branch What we are and how we can assist you

Branch Staff is Assigned to Work with Parent Centers by Region Vicki Farnsworth, Regions 1 and 2 vfarnsworth@wapave. org Barb Koumjian, Regions 4 and 6 bkoumjian@wapave. org Tina Swearingen, Regions 3 and 5 tswearingen@wapave. org Heather Hebdon hhebdon@wapave. org

Universal, Targeted, Intensive Universal Goal Targeted Goal Intensive Goal Identify the gaps in information and areas which can be fortified with additional resources to support both the EFMP programs and Parent Centers. Per request, The Branch will provide intensive phone and/or 1: 1 technical assistance to Parent Centers with regards to military families. Providing information, resources and technical assistance to Parent Centers related to supporting military families who have children with disabilities across the nation.

Areas of Interest Universal Technical Assistance

Military Culture: Families served by Parent Center Staff Active Duty / Activated NG or Reserves Potential Results of Active Service Military Family Members

WELCOME HOME! Child with CP Walking to Dad for the Very First Time

Military Culture Activity Commonly used Acronyms and Terms

Active Duty Army You get a call from the wife of an Active Duty Soldier. She says, “Ma’am, I am sorry to be calling you but I need your help. My husband’s CO has told him he will be on a FTX next week when we are supposed to be in an IEP meeting at the elementary school on post. The SLO and EFMP navigator will be able to attend the meeting but I really need a civilian advocate to assist as well. We just PCS’d here and have never been in a Do. DEA school. I have to let the Rear D XO know ASAP if someone is coming from outside the gate so she can contact the NCOIC to get you post access.

www. branchta. org Where you can locate products geared to assist Parent Centers

www. branchta. org

“ Thank you for providing National Security to our Nation! ” -The Branch Staff