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December

December 28, 2009 - Military helps families find care for special -needs kids By Emma Brown, Washington Post Staff Writer When her husband, a Marine Corps colonel, was transferred last summer from the Pentagon to a base in southern California, Karen Driscoll was forced to confront her autistic child's new school district and the intricacies of federal special education law. The Poway Unified School District near San Diego offered Driscoll's 11 -year -old, Paul, the support of an aide for 10 hours a week - - fewer than half the 21 hours Fairfax County had provided and said he deserved under federal law. "They slashed his services in half and said, 'We believe this is comparable,' " Driscoll said. Until recently, Driscoll would have had to fight the school district alone. But under a new Marine Corps initiative, she had reinforcements: a caseworker and a special education attorney, provided by the military, to accompany her to meetings with school officials and, if need be, to court. That initiative is part of a larger military effort, led by the Marines and the Army, to address the medical, educational and emotional challenges faced by special -needs families.

December 27, 2009 - Military children must cope with many challenges By Preston Sparks, Staff Writer Augusta Chronicle
Both of his parents are deployed overseas in the military - - his mom in Iraq, his dad in Korea. Marcus' parents are divorced, and while his mom is away he has been living with his stepfather in Augusta, helping out with extra chores such as washing dishes, caring for the dog and helping his half brother with his studies. "It's kind of depressing," he said recently, reflecting on how as a senior at Academy of Richmond County he has achieved certain milestones that his parents have been unable to enjoy with him. "It really takes a toll on me." So does, Marcus added, having to move six times because of military reassignments. "Friends it was always hard to make because you were only there for a little time," he said, adding that he has also had problems with records transfers, sometimes losing credit for classes.

December 21, 2009 - Fort Hood summit targets education of military children By: Chie Saito
Fort Hood will host a summit on education for military children. In January, Fort Hood will host its first education summit, intended to address the unique challenges faced by military children. According to Fort Hood School Liaison Officer Cherie Cain, representatives from surrounding school districts have been invited to attend. "We want to make the transitions for our families into this area as smooth as possible and our school districts want to play a big part in that," Cain said.

December 10, 2009 - Getting naval families anchored in school Ex -teacher is Naval Station Great Lakes' first liaison officer to local schools Family
By Tara Malone,
Chicago Tribune reporter

Anne Kondziela reported for duty months ago, arriving at the naval base with no military training, no uniform and no history with the service. The former teacher and suburban mom may seem an unlikely officer. But with her blend of local roots and school know -how, Kondziela recently became the first school liaison officer at the Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago.

Kondziela's orders are clear: help military families ease into local schools that are often unprepared to handle them.

Station changes and base relocations rarely happen in tempo with the school calendar. The challenges can be as practical as transferring class credits or as emotional as coping with a parent's deployment in a time of war.

Most Navy children will attend nine different schools by the time they graduate high school, officials said. A recent survey suggests the upheaval -and its effect on families -ranks among the leading causes of sailors leaving the Navy.

"Being a local mom, I can tell them about different schools. I know who has got the great lacrosse program. I can tell them, 'This is a great place to get school supplies,' and I know all about the parks," said Kondziela, 52, of Gurnee.

The Navy recently joined the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps in recruiting people -many of them military spouses and former teachers -to help parents learn the ins and outs of parent -teacher organizations, school boards and classroom projects.

December 9, 2009 - Schools looking for military or federally -employed parents - Fredericksburg.com

Under the Impact Aid Program (Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act), each locality is compensated for federally connected children who impact a school district's financial base because of military bases, federal installations or federal activity within and surrounding their locality. Due to the large federal and military presence in Caroline County, we lose a portion of operating revenues that would normally be generated through the collection of local taxes each year.

December 1, 2009 - New Continuing Education Course Teaches Skills for Counseling Military Families Jacksonville, Florida (Vocus/PRWEB) - - Professional Development Resources, PDResourcesOnlineCE has released a new home study continuing education (CE) course intended to give the psychologist, social worker, counselor, and family therapist the tools they need to offer counseling services to military families. Military families face many challenges and trials because of the unpredictable and often difficult lives they lead. Many civilians - including mental health professionals - are not familiar with the unique lifestyle and stressors faced by these families.