Operation: Military Kids Kentucky http:/// Annual Report 2012 Operation: Military Kids is a partnership of Army Child, Youth and School Services, 4-H National Headquarters/ USDA and the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension 4-H program. Operation: Military Kids Kentucky is funded by the 4-H/Army Youth Development Project under Kansas State University Special Project #2010-48661-21868 Agriculture and Natural Resources Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H Youth Development Community and Leadership
Kentucky Operation: Military Kids KENTUCKY OMK MISSION I really appreciated the military kids who spoke about their experiences. I learned that sometimes it is okay not to have the right things to say, but just be there for your friends. I never knew how much they have to go through. I hope to be a better support system for my peers who are a part of military families. (SOMK participant) Support Kentucky military families throughout the deployment cycle through programs, trainings, and supports that raise awareness of issues, increase and improve services, and build effective local community networks and state-wide collaborations to maximize resilience in Kentucky military families. KENTUCKY OMK OVERALL STATE TEAM GOAL Our goal is to connect military families with local resources in order to achieve a sense of community support and enhanced well-being. This goal is being accomplished by the KY OMK State Team in the following ways: Support military kids where they live when impacted by deployment Grow a highly effective state OMK team and collaboration of partners Build community capacity and create community support networks across the state for military families Increase awareness of issues families face throughout deployments Implement of OMK core programs in partnership with OMK State Team and regional networks To accomplish OMK State Team goals, a total of 13 conference calls and 4 face-to-face meetings were held. KENTUCKY OMK GRANT PERSONNEL Tyrone Atkinson Kerri Ashurst OMK Coordinator OMK Director tcatki2@uky.edu kgoodman@email.uky.edu KENTUCKY OMK MILITARY FAMILY REGIONAL SUPPORT NETWORKS The Lincoln Trail Area (District 5 Support Network) includes 18 counties. The Purchase and Pennyrile Area (District 7 Support Network) includes 17 counties. As part of their visioning and planning process, a total of 39 conference calls and face-to-face meetings were held with 215 community members in attendance.
PARTICIPANT QUOTES This was so much fun, thanks for everything. We had no idea there would be this much offered for our kids to enjoy. (MOMC participant) Our son is in the military and so much of what we heard today is useful information that civilian and military family members need to hear. Supporting military families is necessary. Supporting families while the service members are deployed helps take stress off deployed family members." (RSG participant) It s a wonderful thing that you all are doing! Being a military reservist I know that when a family member goes away, you really do need to reconnect when you get back. The fact that you have these opportunities for them is just fantastic. (Doug, WTVQ News Anchor) I have heard so many good things about the program and camps. I look forward to seeing what else is available for our family members. (Rita, NOSC Louisville) NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS The OMK State Team delivered 58 support programs to military youth around the state. Over 1,000 service members trained in Extension/OMK programming at National Guard Reintegration programs. Fourth year of OMK Family Camps (Mammoth Cave and Life Adventure Center) with 46 families (136 people) attending from Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard. Governor Proclamation for an annual Military Appreciation Day at Kentucky State Fair. Over 200 pillows made and donated by community partners and organizations. Conducted 21 briefings on the OMK initiative reaching 766 community members. Trained 275 youth and adults on military culture or the impact of parental military deployment on youth through Hero Pack projects. Over 900 military youth and family members utilized the Mobile Technology lab at various community events. Addition of Yellow Ribbon Discovery Toolkit with IPads to loan across the state. Engaged 596 community volunteers who provided over 3,300 hours of service. Fleming and Lawrence County Children Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR) youth participants partnered with OMK for a Hero Pack project (100 Hero Packs). The Lincoln Trail Area/District 5 Military Family Support Network is planning a Military Family Appreciation Parade for Month of the Military Child in 2013. The Pennyrile Area/District 7 Military Family Support Network participated in a Resource Fair at Fort Campbell and will facilitate a resource fair for geographically dispersed military families in 2013.
OMK IMPACT An Army Reserve mom stated, Events like this let our family know how much Hero Packs assembled; 277 Hero Packs distributed: 406 Mobile Tech Lab Participants: 941 MOMC Participants: 961 RSG Participants: 1,181 SOMK Participants: 216 Volunteer Impact: 596 people providing over 3,300 hours Healthy Living Programs Participants: 255 Military Family Days Participants: 1,467 our community supports us. Your team efforts to keep our Army Reserve Youth engaged with quality activities are greatly appreciated. "Military families are so special and we as the community need to give more attention to them. They sacrifice so much for us, so we will continue to support them in any way we can." (McCracken County Extension Homemaker) "THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST MEANINGFUL SERVICE PROJECTS I HAVE EVER PARTICIPATED IN. (Phi U Conclave HERO Pack participant) PURPLE UP A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE IN THE MILITARY. WE WANTED TO BRING AN AWARENESS OF THE CHALLENGES THEIR FELLOW MILIITARY STUDENTS GO THROUGH. (Beth, Principal of Peaks Mill Elementary School) WHEN: April 13th WHAT: Purple Up for Military Kids WHERE: Everywhere WHY: In support of military kids WHO: Anyone How: Wear Purple to show support for the children of military service members. Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is a combination of Army Green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red and Navy blue. Peaks Mill Elementary helped OMK honor military kids by asking the staff, and students by way of letters that were sent home to encourage parents to allow kids to wear purple. Programs like Purple Up Day seem to help, said Beth. They really support each other and they always get excited when we re visited by Soldiers in uniform. Purple Up for military kids is just another exciting way to spread awareness about the Month of the Military Child and to show appreciation to those whose love ones serve.
OMK STATE TEAM Boys and Girls Clubs of America KY National Guard KY Army Reserve Fort Knox and Fort Campbell Child Youth and School Services Veterans Military Family Life Consultants KY Cooperative Extension Military Child Education Coalition KY Department of Education American Legion Auxiliary UK Veterans Resource Center CONTRIBUTIONS AND DONATIONS Over $54,000 in resources or funds was received to support OMK programs and camps. Some examples include: Navy Command Ombudsman Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana Child Care Council of Kentucky, Inc. Child Care Aware Military One Source Cabinet for Health and Family Services Hero Pack items from Phi Upsilon Omicron, Dollar Tree Stores, Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association, Fleming and Lawrence County CYFAR programs, Keeneland Race Track, 4-H Clubs and State Teen Council, and Family and Consumer Sciences Extension. Gift Certificates for weekend trips to Mammoth Cave Hotel and Play Date with Your Mate Retreat at Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass. MREs from Kentucky National Guard. T-shirts from Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association and Family and Consumer Sciences Extension. Operation: Comfort Pillows and items to make pillows from Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association, JoAnns Fabrics, Quilters Square, Extension Master Clothing Volunteers, 4-H Teen Conference, Family Career and Community Leaders of America. Planetarium from Woodmen of the World. Military Dog Demonstration from Edmonson County Police Department. Water bottles and journals from Military OneSource. Face painting from Face Painting Fun. Volunteer time from Army Reserve, county Extension offices, National Guard, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, Boys and Girls Club, 4-H Master Clothing Volunteers, Kentucky Extension Homemakers, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, Family Resource and Youth Service Centers, Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass, Mammoth Cave Hotel, Veterans and community volunteers. Monetary donations from American Legion and Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association. School supplies for military kids from Dollar Tree Stores. Camping supplies from Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass.
KENTUCKY AND NATIONAL PARTNERS The program reflects a strong collaborative effort of youth, adults, schools, and civic, military and private organizations. Together, these groups provide a statewide support network for military families the everyday heroes in our own backyards. LIKE US ON Facebook.com/OperationMilitaryKidsKY For more information contact: Kerri Ashurst, Ph.D. KY OMK Director kgoodman@email.uky.edu Tyrone Atkinson Jennifer Tackett KY OMK State Coordinator tcatki2@uky.edu 4-H Military Liaison jennifer.tackett@uky.edu Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky Counties, Cooperating. Disabilities accommodated with prior notification.