By Kelly Blasko
Have you heard of MilitaryKidsConnect.org?
Military children who experience a parent’s deployment often experience the same amount of stress as the remaining at-home caregiver. Even though military children often display strong resiliency skills – recent studies have shown there are increased levels of anxiety that a child experiences when a parent is deployed, in addition to being at risk for emotional and behavioral issues at home and at school.
MilitaryKidsConnect.org is a web-based application aimed at improving child and family readiness throughout the deployment cycle. Developed by the National Center for Telehealth and Technology (T2), MilitaryKidsConnect.org, enhances the resilience and coping skills of military youth (ages 6-17).
Upon navigating MilitaryKidsConnect.org you will find three tracks based on age (children, tweens, and teens) and two tracks for parent/ caregivers and educators. Features include interactive maps that allow you to show your child where you are going, scrapbooks and message boards, games, inspirational videos about coping with deployment, and instructional vignettes.
MilitaryKidsConnect.org is an engaging way to help military youth with the day-to-day challenges of deployment and may even help enhance family resilience and support for the deployed service member.
Are you or a member of your family deploying soon? Don’t forget to check us out here at www.MilitaryKidsConnect.org!
Dr. Kelly Blasko is a Research Psychologist and Subject Matter Expert for the National Center for Telehealth & Technology (T2), and the project lead for MilitaryKidsConnect.org.
