* GROWTH MINDSET * LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT * RESILIENCY SKILLS * SOCIAL INTERACTIONS * SERVICE LEARNING * EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
M i s s i o n To ensure military children, youth and teens have the necessary tools, support and resources to promote stability, resiliency and a sense of community throughout New Jersey. G o a l s Deliver recreational, social, and educational programs for military youth living in civilian communities Assess the needs and interests of NJ National Guard families with children, youth and teens Incorporate resilience standards into all programming Collaborate with schools and youth serving organizations to identify military students within their classrooms/programs and provide training to ensure that staff are attuned to the unique needs of military students Offer opportunities for youth and teens to give back to their community through service projects and public speaking engagements Branch / Component Adults Ages 6-12 Ages 13-18 Army National Guard 1,323 569 380 Air National Guard 747 252 186 Army Active 182 96 33 Army Reserve 118 73 37 Air Force Active 110 182 46 Air Force Reserve 75 45 16 Navy Active 45 32 29 Other 2,402 199 112 TOTAL 5,002 1,448 839 TOTAL YOUTH SERVED: 2,287 VOLUNTEERS The program would not be possible without our dedicated volunteers!! This year, over 50 adults volunteered to support 11 events throughout NJ. These volunteers provided over 250 hours of service by assisting with the planning process and implementing various programs.
2017 Child & Youth Program Highlights 5 Guard Teen Panel meetings & events 13 Joining Community Forces events 11 Family Days & FRG meetings attended 3 CPR trainings offered 8 Military Appreciation Days supported 3 STEAM Programs 4 National Guard Youth Camps 5 Events where MRT skills were utilized 2 Teen Leadership & Resiliency Programs The Child & Youth Program offers exciting and educational events and programs! My children always ask when the next event is - LT Schwartz, Army National Guard with 4 young children 3 Yellow Ribbon events & Deployment Ceremonies 11 Education Outreaches (briefings & support groups) with over 40 school packets mailed GUARD TEEN PANEL The NJ Guard Teen Panel is a joint program representing both Army and Air National Guard. The members are ages 12-18 that meet regularly to discuss issues facing military youth/teens and to assist in planning, organizing and developing future programs, trainings and events. The NJ GTP met bi-monthly either in person or on conference calls and volunteered over 200 service hours collectively as a team!!! Members also participated in CPR/AED/First Aid training, Counselor Training and Leadership Development Training. TEEN RESILIENCE TRAINING There have been 80 teens in NJ that have received Resilience Training. The teens participated in programs and events that incorporated six skills that contributed to and helped build resilience. These skills have helped teens adapt to life s challenges like deployment and school transitions and has encouraged them to set goals, manage stress effectively and communicate clearly. The members of the NJ Guard Teen Panel continue to impact their own communities by volunteering within their schools and community organizations or clubs.
M I L I T A R Y F R I E N D L Y S C H O O L S This year the Child & Youth Program mailed 46 informational packets to various schools and child care providers across New Jersey. These packets included an introduction letter about the program, military lifestyle and useful resources. There was also deployment literature and handouts for educators on available trainings, book listings and activities for youth and teens. The program was then contacted by four of these schools for more information. They requested trainings and tools to enhance their schools to become military friendly. The Coordinators then worked with school officials to set up meetings and trainings with ideas on how to become military friendly to include Military Kids Clubs, Parent Support Groups, Walls of Fame and special events during the months of November and April. We hope to work with more schools and child care providers in the future!! The NJ NG Youth Program has played a pivotal part in my family and my children's lives during times of deployments and job related stressors. My children were able to get needed time with fellow military kids and the staff provided unwavering support and the ability to help them cope in my absence with deployments and TDY's. My four children have learned valuable life skills, resiliency and what the National Guard and military as a whole does. This has had such a positive impact on their resiliency as their support network when we were away that my oldest son is now serving in the Air Force - mother, program volunteer & Air National Guard member T A K E Y O U R C H I L D T O W O R K D A Y In April 2017, the Child & Youth Program partnered with the Joint Base-McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst community on the annual Take Your Child to Work Day for military youth and teens. The day was educational and rewarding for all that participated. There were over 130 youth that participated to see what their parents do while in uniform. They were also able to meet other military kids and had the opportunity to discover future career possibilities. The day s events were held for military families with youth ages 8 18 and incorporated many aspects of the service member s career. The day started with in-processing where the youth rotated through stations to receive their ID card, military occupational specialty and a welcome/briefing from the leadership. The youth also participated in yoga, a hands on experience with military gear and equipment, visited static displays and worked on activities that included Hunt the Good Stuff, Goal Setting and Financial Literacy.
NEW JERSEY C o m m u n i t y P a r t n e r s The United Service Organizations of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, Inc. (Liberty USO) has served the needs of the military personnel and their families throughout PA and Southern NJ. The Liberty USO has delivered its special brand of support, comfort, morale and recreational services to service members and their families. 4-H is offered by Rutgers Cooperative Extension that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. Kids complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and citizenship, in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) provides information and education to and for military connected youth. Their mission is to ensure inclusive, quality educational opportunities for all military and veteran-connected children affected by mobility, transition, and family separation. Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance for service members and their families. They have also provided school supplies, toys and gifts during the holidays, family recreational events and baby showers with baby supplies to NJ military families. The YMCA builds strong kids, families and communities through programs committed to improving an individual s spirit, mind and body. The YMCA focuses on Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. Jack and Jill of America, Inc., is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2 19, dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty. Here in NJ, Jack and Jill of America supported the annual Back to School Bash and provided over 40 stuffed backpacks for military youth and teens in August 2017. US Family Health Plan Saint Vincent's is a DoD designated provider of the TRICARE Prime Health Program, and has been providing care to the military community for over 30 years. They are dedicated to providing our military beneficiaries the very best healthcare services available. They have also supported C&YP events to include, Parent Nights Out, Back to School Bash and Fall Festivals. Military OneSource (MOS) is a 24/7 connection to information, answers and support for all military branches/components. Here in NJ, they have provided much useful information for military families and community support organizations. The Red Cross helps members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to, the challenges of military service.
N e w J e r s e y A n n u a l R e p o r t 2 0 1 7 Find the New Jersey National Guard Child & Youth Program on the World wide web! Like us on facebook! NJNG Child & Youth Program You can also access information at: http://www.state.nj.us/military/familysupport/ youthprograms.html For more information please contact: Amanda Balas ~Lead Child & Youth Program Coordinator Office: 609-324-7018 / 609-496-9261 Cell: 609-513-6403 Email: Amanda.M.Balas.ctr@mail.mil Kimberly Jordan ~Child & Youth Program Coordinator Office: 609-324-7019 / 609-496-9260 Cell: 609-513-5841