Readiness & Deployment Support Program Deployment Support Groups:
Hearts Apart Hearts Apart is a deployment support group that brings families together that are experiencing the hardships of separation and deployment. This is an opportunity to network while learning valuable information that will aid in meeting the challenges of the military lifestyle. The weekly topics are based on the immediate needs of the participants and include but are not limited to: Stress Management, Single Parenting, and the Emotional Cycle of Deployment. Occasionally, we will invite representatives from other resources (such as New Parent Support, Exceptional Family Member Program, Life Long Learning, and Military Family Life Consultants) to provide the group with a better understanding of the additional programs and resources that are available to them. The group meets on Fridays from 1000-1200 at the MCFTB Training House (487 Laurel Bay Blvd). Children are welcome, however free childcare is available at the MCAS CDC with advance registration. Kids on the Home Front Kids on the Home Front is a networking group for children that have a deployed parent. Children make new friends and connect with each other while they create a deployment related craft project. This workshop is offered every other Saturday, giving children something to look forward to throughout the deployment. Pre-Deployment:
Pre-Deployment Briefs (Single/Married) The purpose of the pre-deployment brief is to prepare the individual Marine and their family members for the upcoming deployment. This brief provides information and resources for the service member or family member to use before, during, and after the deployment. During Deployment Workshops:
Kids-N-Deployment Kids-N-Deployment is a unit specific workshop that is offered 2-4 weeks after the departure. This is a two sided workshop; one side for children (K – 5th grade) and the other for parents. Children will enjoy a puppet show, decorate a hard cover journal, and participate in unit project to send to the deployed unit. The parents’ workshop is open to all parents; they will learn how to better communicate with their child about deployments and feelings. During the workshop, parents and children will have an opportunity to record a message from home to include with the unit project.