DCoE Blog

• Support National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

  Posted by DCoE Strategic Communications on April 28, 2011

  This month, much of our discussion has been centered on military families and the importance of ensuring that the psychological health and well-being of children are maintained, especially when coping with such challenges as a parent’s deployment or combat-related injury. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) continues the focus on children with their annual National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day May 3, 2011.

  This awareness day is a part of SAMHSA’s “Caring for Every Child’s Mental Health” initiative, which seeks to raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health and that positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development from birth. This year, the national theme is “Building Resilience for Young Children Dealing with Trauma.” Check out the comprehensive list of early childhood and trauma resources addressing children’s mental health concerns available on SAMHSA’s website.

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  Categories: Community Support , Psychological Health , Military Children   |   Comments (0)

• Children of Military Service Members Resource Guide Now Available

  Posted by Carlton Drew , DCoE Education directorate director on April 26, 2011

  A new children’s resource is available for parents, other family members and health care providers. Developed by DCoE, the “Children of Military Service Members Resource Guide” is a quick-reference tool that addresses the mental and emotional well-being of military children. Whether concerns are associated with deployment, rehabilitation or reintegration – aspects that are common with military service – they can be challenging for the entire family unit, especially children. The resource guide is one way to help recognize and respond to the psychological and emotional health needs of children of military families.

  Age-appropriate resources listed in the guide include books, films, websites and social media support groups on topics such as:

  • Deployment
  • Homecoming
  • Grief

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  Categories: Families , Resources , Psychological Health , Military Children   |   Comments (2)

• DCoE Introduces Training Guidance for Clinical Practice Guidelines

  Posted by Carlton Drew , DCoE Education directorate director on April 22, 2011

  Using their advanced medical training along with basic self-aid buddy care, Sgt. Alisa Picena and a team of medics were able to save a life during an attack against the base in Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sr. Airman Willard E. Grande II)

  To better support health care providers who care for our wounded warriors, DCoE promotes the application of Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinical practice guidelines. These guidelines provide documented, evidence-based standards on screening, assessment, treatment and prevention, and are used to improve medical care delivered to service members and veterans.

  In conjunction with the DoD and VA guidelines, DCoE recently developed a new training guidance document, “Guidance for Training and Education on Clinical Practice Guidelines.” This document provides an overview of common methods currently used to train health care providers in guideline use and implementation evaluation. Topics discussed include:

  • Clinical practice guideline definition
  • Existing guideline training and education resources

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  Categories: DCoE , Resources , Treatment , Psychological Health   |   Comments (2)

• April DCoE Monthly Webinar: Experts Discuss Increased Efforts to Support Military Children

  Posted by DCoE Strategic Communications on April 21, 2011

  In an effort to recognize and support our nation’s smallest and youngest heroes, DCoE and other Defense Department organizations are focusing on resources and information specifically created for military children and parents this month—Month of the Military Child. Join us for our next DCoE webinar, “Supporting Military Children in School Settings” April 28 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. to join in the discussion, share your thoughts and ask questions directly to subject matter experts.

  “A significant element of family readiness is an educational system that provides not only a quality education but one that recognizes and responds to the unique needs of children in military families,” said Kathleen Facon, chief of Educational Partnerships for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).

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  Categories: Families , DCoE , Training , Military Children   |   Comments (2)

• Access Resources Through ‘Courage to Care, Courage to Talk’ Series

  Posted by DCoE Strategic Communications on April 19, 2011

  Talking to a child about their parent’s injury or knowing what questions to ask a health care provider about a spouse’s injuries may be difficult. Don’t worry, help is within reach and it’s available at couragetotalk.org.

  Download video here

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  Categories: Families , Resources , Military Children   |   Comments (0)

• First Lady Obama, Dr. Biden Launch Joining Forces to Support Military Families

  Posted by DCoE Strategic Communications on April 14, 2011

  First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden kicked-off a nationwide campaign called “Joining Forces,” April 12. They share remarks about the campaign in this video:

  A look inside the “Joining Forces” initiative, some facts below:

  • It’s led by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, to support and honor the sacrifices of America’s service members and their families.

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  Categories: Community Support , Families , Resources   |   Comments (4)