Preparing Children
Preparing to say Goodby
Preparing to say Goodby to Children from from Surviving Deployment.com

Together in Deployment
Together in Deployment - Compiled 10/08/06 during general session of MCCW Worldwide Training Conference, Atlanta GA (Statement by MCCW Worldwide.org)

Military Children & Deployment
A large listing of articles about the effects of deployment on military children - from Ft Eustis.

(Source of Links: militaryonesource.com)

Deployment Brochure
From the Fleet and Family Support Center - The Center offers a Return & Reunion Program to help both the service member and his or her family adjust after a deployment.(Site description authored by: Military Onesource)

Preparing for the deployment of a parent - a checklist
Deployment is a stressful time for all family members, especially children. Communicating with children during this time of uncertainty can help ease their stress..(Site description authored by: Military One Source)

Questions & Answers
A series of articles containing questions and answers about deployment from Military Onesource

Helping Children Cope During Deployment
A seies of articles dealing with helping children cope with a parents deployment

General Information
Cycles of Deployment Report from NMFA
Since Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom have begun, our servicemembers have experienced deployments into combat zones, longer work hours, as well as intensive training schedules. NMFA asked about your family's experiences as cycles of deployment, longer work hours and rigorous training programs continue. (Site description authored by: NMFA)

Fort Leavenworth Deployment Preparation Handbook
This handbook has been developed to assist you and your family in preparing for deployment, unaccompanied tours and extended temporary duty. You will find within these pages helpful suggestions, pertinent information about on post agencies, and those tasks which are essential for your family's welfare. As with any separation, preparation is the key to success Site description authored by:The Fort Leavenworth Deployment Preparation Handbook).

Deployment Survival Handbook
http://www.mwrarmyhawaii.com/acs/acs_documents/Soldier_%20
Family_Deployment_Survival_Handbook.pdf
Commanders of deploying units discovered that while their units were highly trained to fight, little if anything was done to train and prepare families to better cope with the stresses and unique problems that often arise during extended and oftentimes unexpected deployment of their spouses. (Description authored by: Deployment Survival Handbook).

Deployment Health and Family Readiness Library
http://deploymenthealthlibrary.fhp.osd.mil/home.jsp
This library provides service members, families and healthcare providers an easy way to quickly find deployment health and family readiness information. Within this library you will find access to fact sheets, guides, and other products on a wide variety of topics published by the services and organizations that serve you.

Dealing With Emotions
http://deploymenthealthlibrary.fhp.osd.mil/products.jsp?topicid=80
Articles on how to deal with the emotions of deployment and return from deployment

DeploymentLINK
http://deploymentlink.osd.mil/
Mission: To advise the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) on force health issues, we will: foster actions to protect the health of all those involved in deployments, assess deployments to understand and communicate information concerning non-traditional threats to health, and facilitate change to enhance the health of and support for the deploying forces.

• Building Family Rituals While You Are Deployed
  Family life changes during a deployment. Following treasured rituals and creating new ones can help your family feel close to you throughout your separation. Rituals ground families and give members a sense of security and belonging. They remind families that they are still a family, even when they are apart. (Link description authored by: Militaryonesource.com)
  
  
• Child Care Backup Planning When Your Spouse is Deployed
  As the sole parent in charge, there are steps you can take to make everyday life at home go more smoothly during your spouse�s deployment. But what if something happens to you while your partner is away?(Link description authored by:: Militaryonesource.com)
  
  
• Coping with a Deployment Extension
  A deployment extension is difficult for service members and their families. You�ve been anxiously looking forward to your loved one�s return home only to find that your reunion plans must suddenly be put on hold. (Link description authored by:: Militaryonesource.com)
  
  
• Coping with Compassion Fatigue
  Helping others who have undergone a trauma from a natural disaster, accident, or sudden act of violence, can be highly satisfying work. But helping trauma victims can take a toll on even the most seasoned mental health professional.(Link description authored by:: Militaryonesource.com)
  
  
• Coping with Post-Traumatic Stress
  A traumatic event -- such as a natural disaster or another kind of violent experience -- can trigger intense emotional reactions. Both victims and people who provide aid and relief can be affected. Some people respond to trauma with few reactions, while others may respond with many.(Link description authored by:: Militaryonesource.com)

• Balancing Work and Life as a Dual Military Couple
  If you�'re in the military and have a service member for a spouse, you know that the dual military lifestyle isn't easy. Juggling the demands of two hectic careers and trying to stay connected during the inevitable separations can strain even the best relationships. Yet dual military marriages can survive and thrive when spouses learn techniques for balancing work and family life and develop effective strategies for dealing with the stress and sacrifice they are sure to encounter. (Link description authored by:: Militaryonesource.com)
  
  
• Parent Check List
  Pre-deployment checklist for parents. (Link description authored by: Military Onesource.com)
  
  
• The Home Side
  Things to consider before your family member is deployed. (Link description authored by: Military Onesource.com)
  
  
• Preparing a Family Care Plan
  If you were suddenly deployed, who would provide care for your children -- or for an older relative who depends on you for care? Even if you were only away for a short time, on temporary duty or training, who would take over for you? (Link description authored by: Militaryonesource.com)
  
  
• In Love and Deployed: Making the Marriage Decision
  Deciding to get married is one of the most important decisions a couple will make together. If one or both of you are facing deployment, you may feel pressure to get married right away, before you are separated. It is never a good idea to rush into a marriage. If your relationship is strong, it will survive a deployment. (Link description authored by: Militaryonesource.com)
  
  
• Books and Resources for Children About Deployment
  A listing of books that help children understand deployment

• Adjusting to Life After Disaster Relief Work
  Disaster relief work can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help people in need of your expertise and assistance. It is a uniquely rewarding way to use the skills you have developed as a service member. But disaster relief work can also cause stress, which may not end when you complete your assignment. (Link description authored by: Militaryonesource.com)
  
  
• Coping with Post-Traumatic Stress
  A traumatic event -- such as a natural disaster or another kind of violent experience -- can trigger intense emotional reactions. Both victims and people who provide aid and relief can be affected. Some people respond to trauma with few reactions, while others may respond with many. (Link description authored by: Militaryonesource.com)
  
  
• Dealing with Combat and Operational Stress
  It's not unusual for a service member participating in combat or seeing its aftermath to be filled with complicated and conflicting emotions -- including fear, sadness, and horror -- all legitimate reactions to the combat experience. Even service members who haven't been in direct combat, but have been through a life-threatening situation, seen enemy or civilian casualties, had a friend die, or been in charge of prisoners of war, can experience the many feelings that come together as a Combat and Operational Stress Reaction (COSR). (Link description authored by: Militaryonesource.com)

Operation Ready Training Videos
(source: My Army Life Too.com)
Operation Ready Videos List
Operation Ready is a training and information source developed after the Gulf war and based on lessons learned.

(You must have Windows Media Player installed to view videos.)

Operation Ready Handbooks
(source: My Army Life Too.com)
Family Readiness Group Handbook
Family Readiness Group Leaders Handbook - The Family Readiness Group Handbook is essential reading for all soldiers who have families. (Link description authored by: MyArmyLifeToo.com).

Army Leaders' Desk Reference
The Army Leaders' Desk Reference for Soldier/Family Readiness is designed for commanders and leaders to understand and address family readiness (Link description authored by: MyArmyLifeToo.com)

Operation Ready Training
Introduction & Table of Contents
Operation Ready - Introduction and Table of contents by Texas Cooperative Extension,The Texas AandM University System in cooperation with The United States ArmyCommunity and Family Support Center.

Family Assistance Center Overview
Operation Ready - Lesson 1, Introduction of the family assistance center, by Texas Cooperative Extension,The Texas AandM University System in cooperation with The United States ArmyCommunity and Family Support Center.

Power point Notes
A Resource guide to community assistance.

Handouts and FACEX Scenarios

Video Scripts
Family Assistance Center Video Script. By watching this video, viewers will get an overview of the Family Assistance Center (FAC), understand its importance, and learn how it operates.

Bibliography and Web sites
A listiong of books and websites containing more useful information.

Reunion
Reunion is a time of celebration and change. It is important to remember that the children have grown emotionally and physically.

Children's Handouts
Information and suggestions on how to prepare and react to children experiencing one parent leaving.

Preschool Activity Book
Preschool Children is one of a series of six booklets about Army separations for children and young people ages 3 to 17. These booklets were written as part of Operation READY under contract between the University of California, Riverside and the US Army Community & Family Support Center, Family Programs Directorate.

Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation Command
4700 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22302
Phone: (703) 681-5375

National Guard Bureau - Family Programs
1411 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202-3231
Phone: 1-(888)-777-7731 or (703)-607-5414

US Army Reserve Command - Family Programs 1401 Deshler Street SW
Fort McPherson, GA 30330-2000
Phone: (404) 464-8970