N e w H a m p s h i r e N at i o n a l G u a r d

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1 N e w H a m p s h i r e N at i o n a l G u a r d C h i l d & Y o u t h P r o g r a m A n n u a l R e p o r t Photos Clockwise From Top Left: NHNG Army and Air partnered Teen and Youth Summer Camps August 2017 Region 1 Symposium June 2017 NHNG Winter Youth Camp February 2017 *Note: Photos in this annual report have been photo released and are on file with the Lead Child and Youth Coordinator

2 N e w H a m p s h i r e A n n u a l R e p o r t M i s s i o n To promote and sustain the quality of life, readiness, and resiliency of geographically dispersed New Hampshire military youth and families by providing high quality support services, enrichment programs, and community partnerships that support military youth and families. G o a l s Deliver recreational, social, and educational programs for New Hampshire's military youth that build a sense of belonging and provide opportunities for them to network with other military families in their community. Provide New Hampshire's military youth with opportunities to build teamwork, develop life skills, leadership skills and ensure they are better able to manage their lives throughout the deployment cycle by fostering resiliency. Educate military families, schools, and community personnel in New Hampshire on the impact of deployment cycles on military families and the resources, support services, and programs available to them. Volunteers As a full-time member of the Active Duty Force of the NH National Guard, my children rely on the youth program to connect, be understood, and to feel a part of the NHNG family. My youngest child has told me numerous times, "Dad you cannot retire until I can go to camp for a few years, because my sister loves it so much". That, to me, is influencing beyond your direct contact and will serve my family and NHNG well in the future. I feel comfortable that my kids can handle any deployment or mission that is put in front of me because of the Youth Program. That makes me sleep well at night and is priceless! ~National Guard Parent, Post Camp Survey Participants Served Branch/ Component Ages 6-12 Ages Adults Branch/ Component Ages 6-12 Ages Adults Army National Guard Air National Guard Army Army Reserve Air Force Air Force Reserve 4 3 Navy Navy Reserve 5 2 Marines 12 2 Marine Reserve 2 Coast Guard Youth served, ages 0-5: 118 The Lead Child and Youth Program Coordinator (LCYPC) directed the efforts of 2 Statutory and 34 Gratuitous Volunteers, resulting in 347 volunteer hours contributed. Through the efforts of these volunteers, the Child and Youth Program (CYP) was able to reach a wider audience with more impactful, targeted, and robust training than would have otherwise been possible. Gratuitous Volunteers, like those from NH s Department of Health and Human Services Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team (DBHRT), worked with the LCYPC to plan and execute Yellow Ribbon programming that directly supported the goal of developing life skills and aided military youth in managing their lives throughout the deployment cycle. In addition, Statutory Volunteers provided administrative support that aided in the smooth and efficient implementation of youth programming during 2 Yellow Ribbon events, 9 independent events, 5 residential camps, and 2 major initiatives. The volunteer corps has made considerable and meaningful impacts in serving New Hampshire s military youth, and is a significant force multiplier to the efforts of the LCYPC.

3 H i g h l i g h t s 2 summer camps, partnered with the Air National Guard, were held at Copper Cannon Camp. Youth and teens participated in trainings, including outdoor education, survival skills, resilience training, and leadership and communication training with Upreach Equestrian Center. 2 vacation camps were held in April and February, at Copper Cannon Camp and American Youth Foundation Merrowvista. 1 outreach program provided 223 youth and teens with superhero-themed winter break kits in an initiative to encourage activities promoting resilience, fitness, gratitude, mindfulness and connection. 6 family events were held by the Family Program and its partners throughout the year, serving 388 adults and 467 children, youth and teens. To me, camp means a whole new experience and stepping out of your comfort zone. ~camper Camp means I can meet other kids who understand what it s like with a military parent. ~camper Camp is like a second home. ~camper ~2017 Youth and Teen Summer Camp Surveys 2 Yellow Ribbon events were supported, with innovative programming, partnered with NH Department of Health & Human Services DBHRT Team. 4 educational, awareness-raising briefings on military youth were presented, reaching 646 educators and community members. 1 military youth appreciation initiative reached 272 military youth, providing certificates for April: Month of the Military Child. 1 State Youth Leadership/Symposium Weekend was held in partnership with Copper Cannon Camp, providing leadership skills training, resilience training and team challenges. NH National Guard Regional Symposium at the University of New Hampshire June, State Youth Council meetings and trainings were held as well as 1 Regional Symposium. Teens participate in a team challenge as part of NHNG Teen Leadership Weekend. September 2017 I feel I learned a lot about myself and how I can change the way I think about things and deal with situations I feel closer to my family after this weekend. It was crucial that this workshop carved out the space and time out of our lives to reflect on improving our family s lives in a structured and methodical way. ~Seven Habits of Highly Effective Military Families Participants NH Teen Resilience Program In FY17 the NHNG Child and Youth Program delivered the fundamental two-hour Teen Resilience Training to 28 teens at April and Summer Camps. In addition, 47 teens also participated in training blocks from the full curriculum at the NHNG CYP Summer Camp, Teen Leadership Weekend, and State Youth Council meetings. The objective of the teen resilience curriculum is to increase individual resilience and performance by helping teens develop the mental, emotional, and behavioral ability to cope with and recover from a stressful or adverse experience and achieve positive outcomes, adapt to change, stay healthy, and grow from the experience. This curriculum is consistent with the Army's adult curriculum and aids in creating a common language between military teens and their Service Member. Upon completion of modules, teens reported developing increased coping skills, greater self-awareness and self-control, and the ability to build stronger relationships through improved communication. Additionally, teens reported a greater understanding of goal setting and an improved ability to plan steps to achieve those goals.

4 U.S. Army Established in 2013, the New Hampshire National Guard State Youth Council was formed in order to support New Hampshire National Guard Youth. This council consists of volunteer members between the ages of 13-18, working together towards a common goal of actively involving youth in issues affecting them and implementing new ways to enhance the quality of life for our Guard Members and their dependents. The group acts as an advisory council to the Child and Youth Program Coordinator in matters concerning Guard Youth; enhances the goals and objectives of the Child and Youth Program; and promotes communication, involvement and support among NHNG youth. Members also receive opportunities to build upon their own leadership skills and connect with other Guard Youth in the State, Region and Nation. This year, seven council members participated in trainings focused on: resilience, team -building, leadership, fitness, and science. They have supported initiatives for military youth, promoted Purple Up! events in their schools to spread awareness, and have assisted in creating, packing and mailing Winter Break Kits to 223 military youth. This June, the State Youth Council hosted the Region 1 Youth Symposium at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH, tapping into local resources and community partners. The Finding Your Voice themed training included working with the NH Teen Institute, UNH s Browne Center, Veteran s in Performing Arts (VIPA), and the Pease Greeters, and provided leadership training, team-building, networking opportunities and sharing of best practices among Region One s military teens. NH National Guard Par tnered Camps NHNG Army & Air Youth Camp at Copper Cannon Camp: 42 military youth, ages 9-12, spent a week completing team and individual challenges, participating in resilience training, and learning valuable life-lessons. Campers also participated in traditional camp activities including: campfires, hiking, swimming, gaga, bombardment and much more. In a leadership and communication workshop provided by Upreach Equestrian Center, campers received hands-on skills training in the art of communication and studied different leadership roles in nature, practicing incorporating those in their daily lives. NHNG Army & Air Teen Camp at Copper Cannon Camp: 18 military teens, ages 13-18, spent a week learning about team-building and leadership in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire. The teens spent the week hiking, boating, swimming, enjoying campfires, and staying active with camp-wide games. They also engaged in resilience training and leadership and communication workshops in order to put leadership into practice and to prepare to role-model and support their peers in their own communities. The Summer of 2017 continued a tradition of wonderful partnered camps between the NHNG Child and Youth Program and the NHNG 157ARW Airman & Family Readiness Program. These partnered camps allowed us to maximize resources, increase opportunities for military families, and avoid duplication of services. Our collaboration enabled us to work towards a common goal of providing all of New Hampshire s military youth, teens, and families with opportunities to develop their life-skills, leadership qualities, team-building, and connections, while enjoying experiences designed to increase resilience.

5 New Hampshire National and State Partners The New Hampshire National Guard Child and Youth Program is continuously building a statewide support network, together with youth, adults, schools, community groups, military, and private organizations. This collaboration has provided a much needed web of support for our amazing military youth and families. Building Community Capacity The Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team (DBHRT), coordinated by the state of NH s Department of Health and Human Services, is a network of 600 behavioral health professionals that respond to behavioral health emergencies in New Hampshire. DBHRT has a history of providing military personnel and their families with exceptional programming around all areas of the deployment cycle. DBHRT team members work closely with the LCYPC and youth at Yellow Ribbon Events to provide interactive, resilience-based activities that allow youth to connect with each other and validate their experiences of the deployment cycle. DBHRT members also support efforts to educate the community and school systems on the needs and experiences of military youth. The NH Military Youth and Family State Team includes community members from the NHNG 157ARW Airman & Family Readiness Program, 4-H, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard School Liaison, NH Department of Education, and the State of NH Department of Health and Human Services. This collaborative team works together to build our community capacity in supporting all of New Hampshire s Military Youth. The partnership between the NHNG Child and Youth Program and The UNHCE Military Youth and Family Program allows us to maximize resources and increase opportunities for Military Families. Recognizing the significant mental health, physical, financial, employment, and educational needs of returning service members from the Global War on Terror, the Adjutant General and his team partnered with community organizations and agencies in the state which ensured a safety net for the military population and assisted in ensuring continued retention in service. The Care Coordination Program is unique to the state of New Hampshire. Its tenets include passionate and experienced Care Coordinators as well as Financial Counselors working face-toface with Service Members and their Families regardless of branch or component, with the mission of enhancing the Readiness, Retention, and Reintegration of those who live, work, or serve in the state of New Hampshire. The program collaborates with the NHNG Child and Youth Program to force multiply our services throughout the state. This Seven Habits Family Weekend (Strong Bonds Event) provided 17 youth and teens and their families with an engaging, family-strengthening weekend in which the whole family worked together to learn how to: Anticipate all phases of deployment. Apply an Inside-Out Approach to problem solving and goal creation. Resolve differences in marriage and family relationships by cooperating together creatively. Abandon unhealthy behaviors. Build family traditions, unity, and a nurturing family culture.

6 N e w H a m p s h i r e A n n u a l R e p o r t F i n d N e w H a m p s h i r e N a t i o n a l G u a r d Y o u t h E v e n t s a n d F a m i l y p r o g r a m e v e n t s o n t h e W o r l d w i d e w e b! Like us on Facebook! Search: NH National Guard Family Program For more information please contact: J e n n i f e r H o l l i d g e L e a d C h i l d a n d Y o u t h P r o g r a m C o o r d i n a t o r C o n c o r d, N H O f f i c e : M o b i l e : j e n n i f e r. l. h o l l i d g e. c t m a i l. m i l My daughter was so lucky to attend two camps while my husband was deployed this year. She has been able to establish relationships with other children who are in similar situations, while at the same time taking her mind off of the deployment. I know she made lifelong friends that she can reach out to when needed. I am so thankful for everyone involved in planning, running and supporting these programs as they have made a significant impact on all of my children. Please know that all of your hard work and dedication is much appreciated! ~Parent, Post Camp Survey