April is the Month Of The Military Child

The Issue
Military children look the same to teachers, friends and the community after a parent deploys, but their lives have changed dramatically. With over 1.5 million military children in the United States, and the greatest number living in California, providing services to families in their local communities is crucial.

April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize the sacrifices made by military families and their children.

What has 4-H Done?
In support of children whose parents are serving in the military, the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program has teamed up with the U.S. Military and community organizations to help military children meet others like themselves. Children whose parents have been deployed live with uncertainty and concern for their parents on a daily basis. Many families learn to be flexible, but long deployments can be difficult for military children. In the five years since the war began in Iraq, some children have seen their parents leave more than once.

In honor of the Month Of The Military Child, OMK and community partners like 4H have over 10 events throughout the State of California for military families to attend.

Operation: Military Kids is a national effort to support children of deployed soldiers from all branches of the U.S.military including National Guard and Army Reserve. Activities for military kids are ongoing throughout the year and throughout California.

The Payoff
The benefits of 4-H and other community agencies partnering together to support military families is important:
1.Children of deployed soldiers are supported through a variety of programs in their community.
2.Educates the public about military family needs.
3.Implements youth programming on bases and recruits youth and adult volunteers.

For more information about supporting military youth in your community please visit the web at operationmilitarykids.org or contact Chanda Gonzales, Operation Military Kids Project Director at: (951) 827-5241 or by email: chanda.gonzales@ucr.edu

Author: Pamela Kan-Rice, Chanda Gonzales, and Sylena Wise
Posted April 2008
For more information, contact the State 4-H Office 4-H Office at 530-754-8518 or fourhstateofc@ucdavis.edu.

To submit a 4-H Delivers story, please contact the State 4-H Office at 530-754-8518 or fourhstateofc@ucdavis.edu.