What Do You Think?

An article just published on ABC News says that stress from deployment is hitting military munchkins hard. "A study released Monday in the journal Pediatrics suggested that children whose military parents have been deployed are more likely to suffer from behavioral or mental health disorders." The impact of deployment on military munchkins hasn't been studied thoroughly or in enough trials outside of the current war, but this study expresses the magnitude of the impact war has on military munchkins.

Register for Operation Purple Camp TODAY

Remember my post last month telling you about Operation Purple? Well, today is the day to register! They are offering camp in over 35 states AND 2 locations overseas. Want more information,

read last month's post or visit NMFA's camp page.

NMFA 2010 Operation Purple® Camp

The National Military Family Association (NMFA) has just issued a press release for their upcoming Operation Purple Camps. It is a free camp to support our military munchkins who have dealt with the stress of war.

The National Military Family Association has announced the locations for its 2010 Operation Purple summer camps, which support military children dealing with the stress of war.

Tips for Contacting School Districts/EFMP Counselors/Educational Liaisons

The Department of Defense's Office of Special Needs It is strongly recommended that you contact your new school district and your new installation’s Educational Liaison well before you move to help minimize the impact on your child’s educational program. Below are some suggestions to keep in mind when preparing to contact your new district and the Educational Liaison.

1. Before contacting the district or liaison, take some time to prepare. Write down the questions you want to ask and the information you want to be sure to get (e.g., contact information). Sample questions to ask school districts and liaisons are provided in this section.
2. Identify the parts of your child’s current educational program that you think are effective and those that are not, so that you can share them with the new district. Use the transition process as an opportunity to create an even more effective program for your child. 
3. When you contact the new school district, ask to speak to the special education department. Once connected, ask to speak to the special education director or LSSP. The administrative assistants who answer the phones are usually very knowledgeable and helpful, and will help you get to the right person. 
4. When you contact the district, it is helpful to document the time, date, and person to whom you spoke in your records. It is also a good idea to write down some brief notes about the conversation. 
5. Communication is a human process, so a courteous but assertive approach is usually most effective. You will have many conversations with the school district staff over the course of your child’s education, so maintaining effective communication should be a top priority. Phrasing suggestions as requests rather than demands and being open to the school district’s input will be helpful. Try to avoid becoming overly frustrated or emotional, and instead focus on working with the district to create an effective program for your child.

American Overseas Schools Historical Society

American Overseas Schools Historical Society (AOSHS), offers a wide range of information and services to Military Munchkins, including:

1. Obtaining American Overseas School Transcripts 
2. Obtaining Copies of American Overseas School Yearbooks 
3. Obtaining Replacement School Class Rings 
4. Obtaining Replacement School Letter Jackets 
5. Employment Opportunities in American Overseas Schools 
6. Obtainig a Birth Certificate for U.S. Citizens Born Overseas 
7. DoDDS/DoDEA Employment Records The American Overseas Schools Archives (AOSA) was first established on the campus of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff in 1989.

?s to Ask School Districts (When You're Enrolled in EFMP or Have a Special Needs Child)

Are you wondering what questions you should ask of the school district(s) at your new duty station? Do you want to insure they will be able to meet your child's needs? Here are a list of questions you may want to ask when speaking directly with the LSSP or other school district personnel:

1. Whom should I contact at the school when we arrive?
2. What information should I bring with me or provide to you before we arrive?
3. Could I fax/e-mail you a copy of my child’s IEP to help you prepare for his/her arrival? To whom should I send it and what number/e-mail address should I use?
4. The parts of my child’s IEP that worked really well were (insert information). Does your staff have experience doing this?

?s to Ask Educational Liaisons/EFMP Counselors

EFMP Counselors and Educational Liaisons at military installations are a valuable resource for information about specific school districts. Are you wondering what some ideal questions would be? Look below!

1. What kinds of educational support do you provide to military families?
2. What suggestions do you have for helping our child/children make a smooth transition to the district?
3. What are some positive aspects of this school district?