Helpful Links for Military Families
Military One Source - 24/7 resource and referral for all kinds of topics. 1-800-342-9647
Search "Operation Purple Camps", a free week of summer fun for military kids with parents who have been, are currently, or will be deployed. Locations are throughout the United States and U.S. Territories. Check in February for a listing of camp locations.
Search "Operation Military Child Care". Child care fee assistance for National Guard and Reserve who are activated or deployed and whose children are enrolled in non-DoD licensed child care programs or call Child Care Aware at 1- 800-424-2246 M-F 8:30a.m.-7:00p.m. EST.
Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance and morale assistance for our troops, for the families they leave behind, and for wounded warriors when they return home.
* Ripple Reader - Do you know a child with a deployed parent? Operation Homefront is connecting military families separated by miles by reading a book through Ripple Reader. This free gift to military families struggling with deployment is a way to stay connected in a child's life while serving far from home. Register today to receive a free eBook (one per family, please) while supplies last. Open to any deployed service member where internet access is available. Read a book to an important child in your life today!
Operation Military Kids - Organizing volunteers in local communities to support military youth by presenting free Ready, Set, Go! workshops to increase awareness of community members of the impact of deployment on military youth and families; organizing and training teams of teens to "Speak Out for Military Kids"; packing and delivering Hero Packs to military youth to show our appreciation for their sacrifices; providing support at a variety of activities for youth; and hosting camps.
Grants for enrichment activities and tutoring for military youth.
Real Teens Connected Web page is for teenagers 13-18 years old. The site offers a variety of services to all Army-affiliated youth, including news updates, information and stories written by Army kids. It is hosted through the Boys and Girls Club of America YouthNet Web site, www.bgcayouthnet.org -- first-time users must register there before accessing the Real Teen Connected page. Returning users then just click on the "Army Teens" menu tab and type their user name and password to enter. Eligible youths must also have an Army Knowledge Online account that is sponsored through a parent or guardian.
Sitter City is a new program to help all military servicemembers find in-home care providers: babysitters, nannies, elder care companions, even pet sitters.
Tutoring help free around the clock tutoring in 16 subjects.
Distributed by: Gretchen May OMK State Coordinator 101 University Dr Amherst, MA 01002 413-577-0332 HYPERLINK "mailto:gmay@umext.umass.edu" gmay@umext.umass.edu
Operation: Military Kids is a partnership of Army Child and Youth Services, National 4-H Headquarters/USDA, and University of Massachusetts Amherst 4-H Youth Development. Operation: Military Kids- Massachusetts is supported by the 4-H/Army Youth Development Project under Kansas State University special project number 2007-48661-03868.