Supporting Children During Stressful Times
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Contact: ACF Press Office
(202) 401-9215
New Guide on Adoption Services for Military Families Released
Offers advice to military families and social work practitioners
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Health and Human Services today announced the publication of Wherever My Family Is: Thats Home! Adoption Services for Military Families. The guide highlights adoption practices that can help to minimize the obstacles military families face when attempting to become foster or adoptive parents.
Military families have many strengths, including flexibility and a strong sense of community, that make them good foster and adoptive parents, said HHS Assistant Secretary for Children and Families Wade F. Horn, Ph.D. I am confident that this new guide will help state agencies work effectively with military personnel to assure that all families who want to give a child a loving home can do so.
The guide, which is simple to read and user-friendly, is designed not only for social work practitioners, but also for military families contemplating adoption or foster parenting. It is sprinkled with stories of real military families who have adopted children.
The Department of Defense greatly appreciates the efforts HHS has put into developing an adoption guide for military parents, said Barbara Thompson, director, Office of Family Policy, Department of Defense. This guide supports the professionals dedicated to supporting military families as they navigate the requirements to fulfill their dreams of adopting children. The strengths of military families are recognized -- and helping others understand those strengths will overcome many of the hurdles faced by families who relocate and live across the world.
Prepared by a team including representatives of the HHS Childrens Bureau, The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids, The Adoption Exchange, Inc., McKenzie Consulting, Inc., the National Military Family Association and the American Public Human Services Association, the guide was unveiled at a ceremony commemorating National Adoption Month and honoring the winners of the HHS Adoption Excellence Awards.
Copies of the guide may be obtained by calling 1-888-200-4005. It is also available on line at http://www.adoptuskids.org/images/resourceCenter/militaryGuide.pdf
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Everyday day stress has been cranked up during these uncertain times. Many of us find ourselves changing our daily routines to hear the latest news. We have been adapting to the world situation as it influences our daily lives. Our children learn from us and they pick up on our routine changes, our tone of voice and our body language. So how can we support their needs during these stressful times? Here are some resources that maybe helpful:
After "September 12th; We Knew Everything Would Be All Right" which was written by a elementary school class in Kennett, MO and has won a Scholastic Book Award. It is available through Scholastic and other on line book ordering sites (Amazon). It is a wonderful book and something you may want to consider for your school age programs.
Disaster: Helping Children Cope, A Handbook for Parents
http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/naturaldisaster_ho.html
This is a more extensive four-page handout for parents discussing common reactions and stress symptoms for preschool-age children through older adolescents.
Source: National Association of School Psychologists
Statement From Zero to Three On How To Discuss Terrorism With Young Children
http://www.zerotothree.org/pr_091101.html
This has brief, specific guidelines dealing with the young child from 1-to-3-years old during times of crisis.
Source: Zero to Three Foundation, National Center for Infants, Toddlers & Families
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers Advice on Communicating with Children about Disasters
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/disastercomm.htm
These are concise paragraphs which are directed more towards adolescents and can be tailored to younger children.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
Helping the Nation Heal
http://www.bgca.org/news/heals_scoop.asp
This is brief information for staff and parents who work with youth.
Source: Boys and Girls Club of America
Helping Children Cope with Violence
http://www.naeyc.org/resources/eyly/1998/01.htm
This has six guidelines for working with young children for staff and parents.
Source: National Association for the Education of Young Children
Helping Parents, Teachers, and Caregivers Deal with Young Children's Concerns About Violence in the News
http://www.misterrogers.org/families/
This is useful information focusing on different actions to help young children. To get to the article, click on the website and see "News's Worthy!"; click on this to get to the article. Source: Mr. Rogers/Family Communications, Inc. - Producers of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood
Educators for Social Responsibility (ESR) has developed a free, 20-page guide called "Talking to Children about War and Violence in the World." This guide, available at www.esrnational.org, provides answers to the most frequently asked questions by parents and teachers about how to discuss war and other violent events with children.
"How parents can talk to their children about war: advice from Cornell child-development expert James Garbarino" can be found in the Free Resources section of http://www.ChildCareExchange.com
Coordinators' Notebook No. 19 on "Children as Zones of Peace"
http://www.ecdgroup.com/issue_19_children_as_zones_of_peace.asp
Brochure for parents (Helping Children and Families Cope with War and Trauma) from the Parents as Teachers National Center at http://www.parentsasteachers.org under "Parenting Tips ".
"Supporting Young Children During War and Conflict," from NAEYC offers with links to other resources, including a new article by Diane Levin. You can find it at http://www.naeyc.org/ece/2003/06.asp
Resources for Parents, Teachers, and Family Support Professionals in Times of War
http://www.cyfernet.org/warres.html
AS WAR BEGINS: CHILDREN FEEL IMPACT
Coping Strategies Offered for Families of Young Children
http://www.zerotothree.org/ztt_newsmedia.html
Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC); How to prepare our children and stay involved in their education during deployment
http://www.militarychild.org/
Little Listeners in an Uncertain World: Coping strategies for you and your child after September 11
http://www.zerotothree.org/coping/
A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope, Tips for Parents and Teachers
http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/terrorism.html
Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) School Crisis Plan
http://www.dodea.edu/instruction/crisis/index.htm
National Guard; Resources for Families
http://www.guardfamilyyouth.org/
MCCS One Source
http://www.mccsonesource.com/
Boys and Girls Clubs of America; Operation Proud Partner
http://www.bgca.org/
Tragic Times, Healing Words
http://www.sesameworkshop.org/parents/advice/article.php?contentId=49560
Parents' Guide for Talking to their Children about War
http://www.mwr.navy.mil/mwrprgms/youth/parentguideforwar.rtf
In the Setting of War: Teachers' Guide for Talking to Your Students
http://www.mwr.navy.mil/mwrprgms/youth/teacherguidewar.rtf