http://www.health.mil/blog/10-06-24/Family_Resiliency_Webinar.aspx.

Providing policy, tools, and resources to further enhance the quality of life of service members and their families.

This Week in MC&FP April 8, 2011

____________________________________

As we prepare this week‟s issue, we await a final federal budget decision. In the

event that a resolution is not reached and a government shutdown takes place, only mission-essential

work will be accomplished in our office. Should that happen, production of “This Week” will be

discontinued until staff returns from furlough. In the meantime, have a good week and take care. Please note: Some hyperlinks in this text are lengthy, sometimes extending more than one line. For best

results, cut and paste the entire link into your Web browser.

From the DASD

Continuing Family Support During a Government Shutdown

The Military Community and Family Policy team provides quality of life programs to

servicemembers and their families worldwide. Our programs and services range from

commissaries, exchanges and MWR to child and youth centers, family programs and centers, and

family advocacy.

A government shutdown would furlough much of our global workforce and affect programs, some

more than others. We have identified those family support missions and functions that will

continue in the event of a government shutdown. Here is a list of some of our programs and how

they will operate:

- Department of Defense Education Activity – DODEA – Schools will remain open.

- Commissaries will remain open world-wide.

- Exchanges will remain open world-wide.

- Child Development Centers will remain open with priority given to service members and DoD

civilians supporting mission-essential operations.

- Family Support Center staffing will be determined by installation commanders.

- Military OneSource http://www.militaryonesource.com Web site and call center will remain

fully operational

- MilitaryHOMEFRONT http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil will remain fully operational

Military Family Life Counselors are available and will telework if office access is prohibited

- Family Advocacy Program Each Service will determine staffing at each installation.

- MWR – Morale Welfare and Recreation programs will close. However, installation lodges will

remain open.

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P a g e 2

- Education Centers for family members and servicemembers will be closed. This includes

counseling services, testing centers, learning centers and computer labs. Tuition assistance will

not be authorized or granted.

- MyCAA – Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts will remain available and are

unaffected by the furlough.

Information about other important services:

- On-Installation Banks and Credit Unions will remain open for business to provide normal

services. They can also provide free financial education and counseling.

- Servicemembers who encounter financial difficulties caused by the government shutdown are

eligible for support through the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and financial aid from service

organizations.

We at MC&FP serve more than 2.2 million uniformed service members, 1.1 million civilian spouses

and 1.8 million military children. Their care and support is a top national security priority, and it‟s

our mission. See http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/04/continuing-family-support-during-a-

government-shutdown/

From DoDEA

DoDEA Holds 21st Century School Design Criteria and Guidelines Symposium

The symposium identified requirements and outlined the path forward for 21st Century school

construction. Forty subject-matter experts from across the country and additional attendees

representing various elements of OSD discussed the impact of both technology and education on

21st Century school design. While a broad range of focus points were established, a recurring

theme was robust technology infrastructure support and facilities that are both flexible and

adaptable to support a variety of educational deliveries. Opening remarks were provided by Mr.

Robert Gordon, DASD, MC&FP. Key speakers were Principal Deputy Director & Associate

Director for Education, Mr. Charles Toth; Associate Director for Financial and Business

Operations, Mr. Kevin Kelly; and Senate Armed Services Committee professional staff member

Mr. Lucien L. Niemeyer.

„Sea of Pink‟ Campaign Delivers Valuable Life Lessons

Children from Vogelweh Elementary School, Germany, recently participated in The Sea of Pink

Campaign. The program encourages students to wear pink clothing to show they are against

bullying and to find ways to stand up for their friends and seek help. One school guidance

counselor says the day was full of valuable lessons. From Armed Forces Network – Europe, see

http://www.afneurope.net/Home/ArticleDisplayDD/tabid/649/aid/17919/Default.aspx

Acting Director visits schools in Japan

DoDEA Acting Director, Ms. Marilee Fitzgerald, spent several days this week visiting Yokota Air

Base, Yokosuka Naval Base, Camp Zama and Atsugi Naval Air Station, Japan. While there she

visited DoDEA Schools, made office calls with command leadership, and conducted town hall

meetings with parents and staff.

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From the Family Advocacy Program Office

Presidential Proclamation – April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Our Nation's children are our hope for the future, and caring for them is one of our greatest

responsibilities. During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we renew our commitment to

preventing child abuse and neglect by promoting healthy families, protecting children, and

supporting communities throughout our Nation.

See http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/31/presidential-proclamation-national-

child-abuse-prevention-month

From the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Office

Looking for an opportunity of a lifetime? The CEW seeks a few good people – maybe you!

The Civilian Expeditionary Workforce is looking for professionals to serve in Afghanistan. For

details, see http://www.cpms.osd.mil/expeditionary; click on „Career Fields,‟ select a CoCom

(CENTCOM), select a location (Afghanistan), select a function (other), sort (title) and click on

„SEARCH.‟ Then scroll down to see the listing for the following quality of life duty positions.

Morale, Welfare and Recreation Officer, GS-14. Duties include planning and coordinating

with all regional commands the movement of entertainment and MWR equipment across the

area of operations.

Deputy, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Officer, GS-12. Duties include supervising the day-to-

day operation of the program offices and serving as command liaison to the Army Continuing

Education Centers, AAFES, Stars and Stripes and the USO.

Transportation Coordinator, GS-9/11. Duties include coordinating and executing all aspects of

entertainment tours in the area of operation.

Education Service Officer, GS-9/11. Duties include developing, directing, and conducting the

overall ACES program.

Education Service Officer, GS-9/11. Duties include developing, directing and conducting part

of the ACES program; developing needs assessment surveys and design, and conducting and

analyzing surveys to evaluate current status and needs in education and training.

YMCA Membership Update: DoD- sponsored memberships top the 100,000 mark this month

More than 45,000 military members and 61,000 family members have taken advantage of the

program through March. In addition, close to 10,000 families have participated in the respite care

program offered by the YMCA.

The YMCA program is offered to families of deployed National Guard and Reserve personnel (on

Title 10 orders) and their family members along with those on active duty military assigned to an

independent duty location without free access to fitness facilities. In addition, wounded warriors

assigned to a Community Based Warrior in Transition Unit are also afforded membership while

they are assigned to the unit. Respite care is available at participating YMCA‟s offering 16 hours

of care per month, per child. Participants continue to provide positive comments on their

experience in the program.

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P a g e 4

From the Office of Family Policy/Children and Youth

Military OneSource Webinars – April Sessions Announced

Webinars are Web-based training sessions using teleconference audio and the internet to deliver an

interactive seminar. All posted times are listed in Eastern Daylight Savings Time. For more

information, see http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/OnlineCommunity/Webinars.aspx

New TRICARE Young Adult Program, Monday, April 11, 2011, at 11:00 a.m.

The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2011 included a provision to extend

premium-based health coverage to eligible dependent children until age 26, similar to the

provision in the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Tune into this informative

Webinar to find out who qualifies for the new TRICARE Young Adult program. You‟ll learn

when you can enroll, what coverage to expect, and how much it will cost. Please note that this

event requires registration. To register, go to: https://www323.livemeeting.com/lrs/8000084292/Registration.aspx?pageName=83qvxj6jdkqcn4gd

iCan Achieve – Teen weight management Program overview, Tuesday, April 19, at 11 a.m.

iCanAchieve is a 12-month program for teens ages 13 to 18 that will support their weight

management efforts. The program focuses on helping teens make behavioral changes that will

allow them to set and achieve their goals. The program, based on scientifically proven methods,

includes telephonic health coaching, a health assessment, online tools, and educational

information. Come hear about how this valuable program can benefit your teenager.

Digital Literacy for Kids, Monday, April 25, 2011, 10 a.m.

Get AD-ucated! Help kids improve their digital literacy – talk to them about staying safe online,

being good digital citizens, and thinking critically about the advertisements all around them.

Sleep Strategies for Infants and Children, Friday, April 29, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.

Getting infants and young children to sleep – and stay asleep – can be a tremendous source of

stress for parents. This webinar is designed to help parents learn about children‟s sleep patterns

at different stages of development and explore effective ways of helping their children fall

asleep and sleep through the night. Participants will be able to learn about children‟s sleep

patterns at different stages of development, explore specific sleep problems, identify conditions

that disrupt sleep for young children, and learn strategies for establishing a nighttime routine.

For more information on these and other upcoming Webinars, see

http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/OnlineCommunity/Webinars.aspx

Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls Infant Bed-side Sleeper, Pampers®Pacifier

In cooperation with the Consumer Product- Safety Commission, manufacturers recalled two

products used by infants.

Arm's Reach Concepts recalled infant bed-side sleepers due to entrapment, suffocation and fall

hazards. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bed-side sleepers and visit

http://www.armsreach.com/instructions to view and download assembly instructions and to

make sure that the product is properly configured. Consumers should also contact the company

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P a g e 5

by phone or via the company Web site to receive hard-copy instructions by mail and an

assembly/warning label. Consumers who are missing the fabric liner or other components

should immediately contact Arm's Reach for an alternative remedy. For additional information,

contact Arm's Reach at (800) 954-9353 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. EST Monday through

Friday, or visit the firm's Web site. For additional information, see

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11187.html

Pampers®Natural Stages pacifiers were recalled by Key Baby LLC due to a choking hazard.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled pacifiers away from infants and contact Key

Baby for instructions on returning the product for a full refund or $10 coupon toward the

purchase of any Pampers® Natural Stages products. For additional information, contact Key

Baby toll-free at (800) 447-1224 anytime, or visit the company's Web site at http://www.key-

baby.com. See http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11188.html

“Forging the Partnership” – Registration to close March 31st! You can be last, just don‟t be late!

Have you registered for the conference yet? Plan to join us at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago,

April 27- 29. Registration closes March 31st so don‟t wait any longer – register now!

See http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/FRC2011.

The conference will offer more than 200 presentations including: keynotes, research presentations,

workshops, interacts and computer workshops. Topic areas will address early childhood, school-

age, teens, parent/family, health, and community capacity building. In addition, the conference will

include more than 80 program showcases and more than 40 research posters. Plan to attend two

town hall meetings – one with the Services‟ senior enlisted advisors and the second with religious

ministry. Be part of this unique experience – see you in Chicago!

From the Office of Strategic Outreach

MC&FP‟s April/May eMagazine „Celebrating Military Children‟ Published

We are proud to present the April/May 2011 edition of the Military Community and Family Policy

eMagazine! Please visit http://apps.mhf.dod.mil/mcfp/emag to read about the latest program

updates and information.

In this issue, we celebrate our military children and youth who also serve. April is both the Month

of the Military Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month. We at MC&FP would like to take this

opportunity to share with all our readers ways to protect our military children and youth, invest in

their education and support programs that help them thrive. Our next issue will be published in

June.

Want to subscribe? It should only take a few seconds to complete the on-line form.

See http://apps.mhf.dod.mil/pls/psgprod/f?p=AMS:SUBSCRIBE:3484019724587894

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From the Resale and NAF Policy Office

Commissary On-Site Sale Events The Guard/Reserve On-site Sales Program provides the commissary benefit to deserving

Guard/Reserve members and their families who live in areas that aren‟t close to an existing

commissary store. These sales are not only for the Guard and Reserve – they're for any authorized

shopper. Currently, there are no on-site sales for online ordering. For more information, visit

http://www.commissaries.com/guard_reserve_sales.cfm

In the next few weeks, DeCA will deliver the benefit:

April 14-17 Guard and Reserve Chattanooga, Tenn.

April 15-16 National Guard LaGrande, Ore.

April 15-16 Air National Guard North Platte, Neb.

April 15-16 Guard and Reserve Swanton, Georgia

April 15-17 Texas Air National Guard Houston, Texas

April 15-17 Oregon National Guard Redmond, Ore.

April 16 Guard and Reserve Fort Wayne, Ind.

April 19-20 Guard and Reserve Fort Myer, Calif.

In the News

From the American Forces Press Service -- Department Hosts Adventure Camps for Kids

Whether it‟s kayaking down a river, backpacking through the forest or racing “high-adventure

style,” military teens with a thirst for adventure will have a host of options to choose from this year.

See http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=63494

From DoD Live – Family Focus Friday, Military Kids Speak

I, as a military child, have experienced and suffered from my dad‟s deployments three times.

Experiencing this is not easy because no one wants a father to be away. Feelings that I did not

think I had just came out of me and I realized that I missed him. The feeling most likely to be

found in a military family is sadness. Sadness is not a good feeling because it could lead to

depression. I want people to listen to what I have to say and realize what military children go

through. See http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/04/family-focus-friday-military-kids-speak-by-

lauriliz-mulero/#

From the Pentagon Channel Report – Five Protective Factors to Prevent Child Abuse Top Focus

During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Military Community and Family Policy is

renewing its unwavering commitment to protecting children and promoting healthy families. A

Pentagon Channel interview with MC&FP‟s Tib Campise and news story this week looks at factors

which serve to promote strong parenting and reduce the likelihood of abuse or neglect. See

http://www.pentagonchannel.mil/?pid=bVWzXx6o8mCpSTFZSPc3u_XG3FL5jPmG.

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From the Pentagon Channel – Five Military Children ‘of the Year’ Lauded for Their Service

Five military children were recognized for their resilience, strength, character and achievements

April 7 during Operation Homefront's ''Military Child of the Year'' awards ceremony held in

Arlington, Va. See http://www.dodvclips.mil/?pid=JyAJu2hSkZwp4cCs9qGbcs5QmTYBnDPQ

Tips of the Week

Nutrition Tip of the Week – Enjoy Green Tea Time Today

Want a boost for your health? Try a cup of hot or cold green tea brimming with antioxidants instead

of the usual soda or coffee. Available in bags, loose leaves, bottles, and cans, green tea contains the

antioxidants known as catechins which are beneficial for good health. Drinking green tea may help

reduce the risk for coronary heart disease, as well as for stomach, throat and skin cancers.

For more information on green tea and making healthy food choices, check out the Commissary‟s

Web site at http://www.commissaries.com/

Parenting Tip of the Week – Celebrate the Month of the Military Child All Month Long

In honor of the Month of the Military Child, installations of all Services have planned a month

packed with special activities, such as parades, carnivals, and block parties. However, you choose

to celebrate this month and throughout the year, help your children feel appreciated and to

understand that they serve in many ways. You can find ideas for family activities at

http://www.bblocks.samhsa.gov/family/activities/family_activities/default.aspx. You can also check

with your installation, command Web sites, and local media for Month of the Military Child events

near you.

Let‟s Move/Childhood Obesity Prevention Tip of the Week – Yoga for kids: A good idea?

Research on the benefits of yoga for kids is limited. Anecdotal reports suggest that yoga can calm

children, reduce obesity, enhance concentration and help children manage certain health conditions,

such as headaches and irritable bowel syndrome. Studies suggest that yoga may also benefit

children who have various mental and physical disabilities. Yoga may even help children who have

eating disorders lessen their preoccupation with food. More studies, however, are needed to

confirm the positive health effects of yoga for kids. At the least, yoga can be a gentle method for

your child to get more physical activity and enhance his or her well-being. What happens during a

typical yoga class for kids?

Warm-up. Your child will remove his or her shoes and may lie down or sit cross-legged on the

floor or on a chair. A special object – such as a yoga mat or pillow, clothing, or stuffed animal

used only for yoga – may be used to signal that this is a time for relaxation. The instructor may

encourage your child to quiet his or her mind, perhaps by closing his or her eyes and imagining

a problem disappearing.

Breathing. Your child will be encouraged to focus on breathing in and out slowly and deeply

through the nose. In one technique, your child might imagine filling up his or her stomach with

air like a balloon and then slowly releasing the air.

Postures. Gentle movements, including stretching, will help your child prepare to do postures

that involve standing, sitting, twisting, balancing and bending. Some instructors provide

pictures of plants, animals or objects to imitate. During each pose, your child may be reminded

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to breathe through his or her nose, to avoid forcing a position, and to stop if he or she

experiences pain.

Relaxation. After completing a series of poses, your child may lie down on the floor on his or

her back and close his or her eyes. The instructor may repeat a sound or phrase to encourage

your child to concentrate on his or her breathing. Your child may also be encouraged to

visualize experiences, such as lying on a cloud or floating through the sky.

Reawakening. As the class ends, your child will begin stretching or wiggling his or her body

and slowly rise from the floor.

Source – Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/yoga-for-kids/MY01401/METHOD=print

Financial Tip of the Week – A New Way to Pay Off Credit Card Debt

If you have credit card debt, you‟re going to have to work hard to get out of debt or attain an

excellent credit score. Here are some approaches that may assist you to get out of credit debt:

Learn to live within your means. If you have credit card debt, it must not be on the same card

that you use to make purchases because that makes it difficult to gauge whether your everyday

spending is at a responsible level. Ideally, you should be paying for your everyday purchases in

full each month. Once you fall into a routine of paying down the balance on this credit card

every month, not doing so will be a shock and will serve as a warning that you‟re spending

irresponsibly.

Lower your average monthly balance. Separating your debt from your spending also helps

lower your average monthly revolving balance, which is the amount that your interest rate is

applied to. Since you never revolve a balance on your everyday expense credit card, it never

accrues interest. Only the debt on your other card does. Choosing to make do with a single

credit card means that your interest rate will be applied to the sum of your debt and your

monthly expenses, and your costs will be greater.

Control payment allocation. Isolating different credit needs also ensures that you won‟t carry

multiple balances on the same card, as would be the case if you transferred a balance to your

everyday card. This helps you save money because it allows you to apply monthly payments

strategically in order to pay down the balance with the highest interest rate quicker.

Garner the lowest possible interest rates. You can get a pretty low interest rate on a single

credit card, sure. But, can you get the lowest purchase APR, the lowest interest rate for balance

transfers and the lowest regular rate? Not on any one credit card. However, if you get multiple

credit cards, you could, of course, gather this collection of credit card attributes.

Maximize credit card rewards. Can you find one with the best cash back rewards, the best

airline rewards, the best hotel rewards, the best rewards on gas purchases and the best rewards

from your favorite store? In short, no. So, if you‟re debt-free and you pay your credit card

bills in full each month, assemble the best collection of rewards credit cards in order to create a

comprehensive package that fits your spending and lifestyle needs.

Military OneSource Tip of the Week – Help Prepare Your Children for Your Deployment

Whether this is your first deployment or your fifth, it can be difficult for your children. But, with a

little pre-deployment planning and a positive attitude, you can help ease some of their stress. The

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following ideas will help you and your family create special ways to stay in touch during your

deployment:

Give your family a scrapbook or a special box to hold letters, drawings, and other souvenirs

you send home. While you‟re deployed you can send them photographs or other keepsakes of

your time overseas. Later you‟ll be able to tell them the stories behind those objects and

photographs.

Hide small gifts or notes throughout your home, and jot down the location of each item. Choose

gifts that are age-appropriate for your children, or write special notes of encouragement. Every

few weeks during your deployment, send home (or email) a clue to lead your family to one of

the gifts or notes.

Make time to spend alone with each of your children before you leave. This will give them a

special memory of you to have while you‟re deployed.

Mark a map or globe where you will be located, unless the information is classified. As you

travel, you can have your children mark on their map where you have gone. Mark locations of

family members or friends in other parts of the world, too.

Make audio recordings or video recordings of yourself reading your children’s favorite

storybooks. Ask your spouse to play these for your children before bedtime each evening when

you‟re away.

Have your children help you pack, if there’s time. This will help them think and talk about your

deployment and ask some of the questions they may be wondering about.

Ask your children for a special keepsake to bring with you on your deployment. You can carry it

with you and take photographs with it while you are away to share with your children. Also, be

sure to give your children a photograph of you in a special frame to keep near their beds.

Agree on a phrase you will each say before going to sleep. It could be as simple as, “Sweet

dreams, goodnight.” Think of your children and spouse while you say it each night, and ask

them to think of you when they say it each night.

Set up a blog or an online site where your spouse and children can share photographs and

notes. If you will have access to a computer while you‟re deployed, you can set up a private

Web site where your family can write and post pictures or videos to share with you.

Put your name on a prayer list at your place of worship, if that is your custom. This will give

your family and the entire community the opportunity to pray for you each weekend.

Your Family Center can give you information and support on many issues that affect service

members and their families. And, Military OneSource, a free 24/7 service from DoD, available to

all active-duty, Guard, and Reserve members and their families, provides information and referrals

plus face-to-face counseling. Call (800) 342-9647 or access http://www.MilitaryOneSource.com.

Spouse Tip – Community Colleges: Getting the Biggest Bang for Your Education Buck

For military spouses who are just beginning to explore post secondary education options, it‟s

important to take a close look at what local community colleges have to offer before making a

school choice or program of study decision. Not only do community colleges offer core academic

courses (for example, freshman level English, history, math, science, social science) that lead to

respected Associate Degrees in professional fields, they also provide the latest occupational and

vocational course work that local and regional employers are demanding for growing industries.

Completion of subject matter expert or technical course work leads to professional licenses and

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credentials needed for near term employment nation and worldwide – especially in fields such as

health care, legal, financial services, information technology, trades, advanced manufacturing, and

defense.

Community colleges are also a great way to finish the first two years of classes required by

four-year institutions for bachelor‟s and advanced degrees. So, instead of spending over a thousand

dollars for one course, military spouses can spend a couple hundred dollars and get the same

academic credit needed to get a job today that has a clear portable career ladder with upward

mobility and predictable salary increases. Because community colleges are funded by state

governments, their freshman level courses are designed to transfer to state funded four year colleges

and universities – making them a perfect stepping stone to more advanced education and training

needed in high demand fields such as teaching, nursing, information technology, business and

accounting.

So, think like a business manager. Ask yourself “How can I get the biggest bang for my education

buck?” The answers to the following questions will help you compare schools and educational

outcomes that lead to skill sets and credentials that are in demand by competitive local, national and

global employers:

How much does each academic credit hour (or unit) cost? Multiply the unit cost by the number

of units per course to get the total cost for each course.

What is the total cost of your entire program of study, including books, fees, equipment,

supplies, and student loans (remember to include interest payments)?

What is the graduation rate for each school and program of study you are considering?

What degree, license or credential will you have when you graduate?

What jobs will you qualify for once you graduate?

What is the salary range for each of these jobs? See http:// www.CareerOneStop.org

Will you be able to afford to repay your student loans within a reasonable period of time given

the salary you will be making once you find employment after graduation?

How many jobs in your chosen career field does the Department of Labor predict will be available

in the locations where you expect to live as a military family

Do employers respect the school and program of study you have selected? Ask Human

Resource professionals who work for the employers you want to work for.

See http://www.CareerOneStop.org

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