AUGUST 2020
In this Issue... Ombudsman Moment August 2020 Naval Air Station Kingsville Hosts Baby Shower to Go Virtual Job Fair: Do’s and Don’ts How to Raise Safe and Healthy Kids Baby Safe Sleep Can Be as Easy as ABC … Offering Military Spouses Financial Education Visit us online at:
A ‘New’ Back-to-School in 2020 BY PATRICIA PARKER, LCSW, NAS PENSACOLA FFSC CHILD COUNSELOR Have you been seeing the back to school advertisements for school clothes or uniforms, school supplies or college and dorm room supplies for the 2020 to 2021 school year? Are you thinking, “Am I ready for back-toschool?” In February 2020, students, teachers and families expected school graduations, end-of-the-year field trips and celebrations. Military families were preparing for the much-anticipated summer break for vacations or transitions to a new PCS location. However, by the end of March, children were home-schooled, teachers were preparing remote classroom instruction and parents became full-time caregivers and teachers for their children. Fast forward to July 2020. Stay-at-home orders and restriction continue to exist and vacations or family events have been cancelled or postponed with little assurance that the future will get “back to normal.” Typically, by mid-August families get notice of schools schedules, orientation and begin planning back-toschool routines and activities. But the events of this year might affect all of that. Safety precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been the focus of many activities. Our plans will be hugely affected by the decisions made by military, healthcare and government leaders. The backto-school plan for 2020 will be part what is affected. Whatever changes about our children’s education in the 2020-2021 school year, programs exist that provide surveillance and support to military parents. There are ongoing online forums and classes offered through Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), Military OneSource, Anchored4Life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Military Child Education Coalition and Blue Star Families, which holds regular town hall meetings. When attending a virtual learning event, connect with others to address present and future concerns.
Family Connection is a publication of the Fleet and Family Support Program. The Navy’s Fleet and Family Support Program promotes the self-reliance and resilience of Sailors and their families. We provide information that can help you meet the unique challenges of the military lifestyle. The appearance of external links in this newsletter does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. Navy or Department of Defense. If you have questions or comments, contact the Fleet and Family Support Program, cnic.ffsp.fct@navy.mil.
As we anticipate what the “new normal” will be, seek people and programs that support military families in all transitions. Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSCs) provide transition assistance, counseling, information and referral for local schools and resources and links to school liaison officers. Military OneSource has 24/7 support by phone at 800-342-9647 or online at militaryonesource.mil to find national and local resources. If you know contacts in your local school district, reach out to the district office or search online for the district plan for reopening. Transitioning families will need to provide their child’s records from previous schools, record of immunizations, grades or last report card, list of courses taken and any documentation of special education services (IEP) or 504 Plans for accommodations and modifications of instruction. Continued on next page. ATTENTION READERS: Make Family Connections Interactive! Share your questions, comments, good news stories, useful resources and articles you have written or found helpful. As space allows, we will include them in future newsletters OR release on social media. Submit to cnic.ffsp.fct@navy.mil
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AUGUST 2020 Continued from Page 1
You may be wondering what will happen if schools do not fully reopen in the fall and parents continue to provide home schooling. This is a worrisome possibility and it is best to start planning for any eventuality. There are some important situations to consider in home schooling, including: How can I prepare? Do
I have resources to support my child?
If
not, can I make a list of strengths and resources I will use to support my child?
What
are the ways I adapted and learned to help my child in the
past? What
supports do I have from family and friends?
Do
I have or can I make a list of websites or phone numbers for my child’s medical, educational and recreational activity providers?
What
else do I need?
Make a list of questions or concerns you continue to have and share the list with someone who can help you with this transition. Also, consider your family’s traditions and how you can stick to important ones to help your child to cope with difficult life events through this experience. Ask yourself: What
family traditions do we already have?
Which What
traditions can we keep or adapt?
about taking pictures on the first day of school?
What
about planning special meals or snacks, such as pancakes, Taco Tuesday or preparing lunchboxes?
How
do we break the day into segments for quiet study time, active outdoor time and “gadget-free” time?
How
can we create new spaces for the family: for everyone to have privacy and quiet space to go for a break?
Teachers have many skills in creating routines, structure and procedures that help children to learn. In the first three weeks of school, they focus on procedures that will help their classroom run as smoothly as possible for the entire school year. Some ways that you can incorporate routine, structure and procedure in your home-school environment are: Develop a list of rules everyone can follow. Use positive language, such as “take care of your supplies” or “clean up before beginning a new activity.” Create
a calendar of routines or schedule, which includes wake-up time, bedtime, meals, academics and additional activities. Post the calendar in a visible area of the home and review at least once daily. For pre-readers, use pictures to indicate activities on the calendar and don’t forget to give reminders.
Verbalize
procedures to complete an activity by stating “What do you do first, second and third?” Utilize “What if…” questions and discuss the answers with your children so that they understand the process, for example: “What
if you look around and cannot see Mommy?”
“What
if your brother needs help with something?”
“Where
do we keep school supplies and what do you do if you run out or your pencil breaks?”
Remember that whatever situation faces us in the fall, you will do the best job that you can do. Military families are resilient and skilled at adapting to change. You don’t have to go it alone, please reach out to your local Fleet and Family Support Center for access to resources and support during this time of uncertainty.
Military children are strong! They know sacrifice. They show maturity. They appreciate relationships. They are adaptable. They learn independence. Their life is full of adventure. They are proud.
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AUGUST 2020
Ombudsman Moment August 2020 DEPLOYMENT AND MOBILIZATION The most challenging aspect of the Navy lifestyle is deployment and the extended separation from loved ones. Today’s Sailors deploy under far more diverse circumstances than they once did - in some ways better but in some ways more challenging. Ombudsmen learn about the processes and emotions of deployment and mobilization, and how to help families sustain emotional and physical readiness during these times. Research suggests that most people experience a similar pattern of emotions during deployment, something referred to as the Emotional Cycle of Deployment. Seven stages make up this cycle: 1. Anticipation of departure 5. Anticipation of return 2. Detachment and withdrawal
6. Return and renegotiation
3. Emotional disorganization
7. Reintegration and stabilization
4. Recovery and stabilization Just the names of the stages will have someone nodding their head in recognition. Families deal with a deployment in a healthier and more manageable way by being aware of the deployment cycle. The command ombudsman can help someone identify his or her feelings at each stage in the cycle. Deployment may look different in each Navy community, i.e., Reserve commands, Individual Augmentees, forward-deployed commands and traditional commands. Regardless of the type or duration of deployment, ombudsmen are able to provide support and guidance. Whether a family is experiencing their first deployment with their Sailor or they have already faced deployment, it is comforting to know that the ombudsman is there to offer assistance and answer questions. Deployment can be stressful. One tool that helps ombudsmen determine a person’s state of mind and well-being is the Stress Continuum Model. This model identifies moods and behaviors by color-coded stages. The green stage indicates that a person is in a healthy place. They may have stress, but nothing they cannot handle. Yellow is the reacting stage, and is usually short-term and ends when a specific challenge is resolved. Orange is the injured zone and may require counseling to help someone deal with an issue or anxiety. Red is the ill zone and may lead to problems that are more serious for the person, if not treated. Everyone at a command should be familiar with this model and use it to help keep an eye on the emotional well-being of those with whom one interacts with on a regular basis. To learn more about the Emotional Cycle of Deployment and the Stress Continuum Model or to find your command ombudsman, contact your FFSC Ombudsman Coordinator or RCC Warrior and Family Support Specialist or use the Contact Your Ombudsman feature on the Ombudsman Registry home page at https://ombudsmanregistry.cnic.navy.mil.
Naval Air Station Kingsville Hosts Baby Shower to Go On May 29, the Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville Fleet and Family Support Center developed an event that showcased their New Parent Support Program and their Spouse Support Program. The FFSC held their first baby shower to-go, hosting 16 mothers at the event. Given the restrictions in place due to COVID-19, they had to get creative to conduct the event. They partnered with the USO of South Texas, their ombudsman, the NAS Kingsville Support Organization and United Through Reading to provide new and expecting mothers with gift baskets. The gift baskets were filled with baby items including hand-knitted hats and blankets, children’s books, DVD’s, diapers and more. The FFSC staff understood that this is a stressful time for new and expecting moms. The air station’s FFSC staff found a way to make sure these moms were able to have a baby shower and celebrate their future babies during this unusual time.
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AUGUST 2020
Virtual Job Fair: Do’s and Don’ts
Do test your technology devices in advance (connection, speed and audio connection).
Don’t hang around in your pajamas; dressing professionally will help keep you in the job-hunting mindset.
Do research basic information about each company whose recruiter you hope to talk to at the career fair.
Don’t passively wait for recruiters to initiate a chat with you. Take the lead.
Do be prepared to talk about your career aspirations as well as academic or prior work experience to show your skills and strengths.
Don’t ask questions that any job-seeker should already know when approaching a recruiter, such as “What does your company do?”
Do have a few questions prepared for each recruiter and take advantage of the time you have to build a connection with them.
Don’t be impatient and leave a chat if a recruiter does not respond in a timely fashion. Hiring managers may have multiple chats going on simultaneously.
Do approach as many companies that match your profile as possible – even those that you are unfamiliar with.
Don’t monopolize the time of a recruiter by discussing irrelevant points.
Do write in full sentences when you chat with recruiters, avoid slang and emoticons and watch your spelling.
Don’t forget to collect the contact information of recruiters you talk to at the job fair.
Do follow up on job opportunities that you discovered at the job fair by sending a follow up email to recruiters.
Don’t expect to be hired on the spot.
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AUGUST 2020
How to Raise Safe and Healthy Kids FROM THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION’S HEALTH EQUITY WEBPAGE PLAN A HEALTHY PREGNANCY Take folic acid and avoid drinking alcohol to help prevent certain birth defects and disabilities. Know your family’s health history to see if you and your baby are at higher risk for certain diseases and conditions. Make sure any health conditions you have are under control and that you are up-to-date on your vaccinations. KNOW THE SIGNS OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT As your kids grow, they should reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, and act. A delay in any of these areas could be a sign of a developmental problem. The earlier you recognize a delay, the more you can do to help your kids reach their full potential. GET CHECK-UPS AND VACCINATIONS Routine check-ups, including dental and eye exams, help identify ways to stay healthy, provide the opportunity to receive preventive services, and help find health problems early, when chances for treatment are better. Vaccinations help prevent many diseases and save lives. Keep track of your and your family’s check-ups and vaccinations to make sure they stay current. PROTECT YOUR KIDS Take steps to make sure your home, car, school and other areas are safe. Use car seats and seat belts for appropriate ages and sizes. Keep harmful substances and objects out of children’s reach. Be aware of signs of maltreatment, including physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Ask a trusted friend or family member to watch your kids if you feel yourself losing control and need a break. PROVIDE HEALTHY MEALS AND SNACKS Eating right will help provide the nutrients needed to have energy, build strong bones, and fight diseases and conditions. For babies, breastfeeding is best. As children grow, help them choose healthy meals and snacks. Pay attention to what and how much they eat. You’ll help them stay on track and may uncover problems of which you were unaware. LIVE A SMOKE-FREE LIFE Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are harmful to you and your family. Be smoke-free during pregnancy to help prevent premature birth and other health problems. Stay smoke-free to help lower your children’s risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), bronchitis, more severe asthma, ear problems and pneumonia. You can help protect your children by making your home and vehicles smoke-free. Quitting smoking is the single best way to protect your family.
KEEP YOUR KIDS ACTIVE Help kids and teens be active for at least one hour a day. Include activities that raise their breathing and heart rates and that strengthen their muscles and bones. Find fun, safe and active things you can do with your kids to help keep the whole family healthy.
MONITOR ACTIVITIES Kids learn from family, friends, media, school and more. Know who they spend time with, what they are doing and whether their activities are age-appropriate. Discourage TV viewing for children under two years of age and limit TV viewing to no more than two hours per day for children two years and older. Know how their schools promote health and safety.
TEACH YOUR KIDS HEALTHY HABITS Help your kids develop skills to make safe and healthy choices every day. These include fastening seat belts, wearing helmets, applying sunscreen, brushing teeth, washing hands, forming healthy relationships and more. Make safe and healthy choices every day to show kids how to do it.
PROVIDE LOVE AND SUPPORT Kids need the support and love of family and friends. Talk to your kids to help them understand how they can be healthy, safe and happy. Find out what is going on with them and how they are making decisions and handling problems. Respond to their physical and emotional needs. It is important for kids to develop in a safe, loving, and secure environment. For more information visit https://www.cdc.gov/family/parenttips/ index.htm
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AUGUST 2020
Baby Safe Sleep Can Be as Easy as ABC … Safe sleep is for every night and every nap! Some additional risks of putting your baby in bed with you, or bed-sharing, are: Suffocation from soft mattress, memory foam, waterbed or loose or soft bedding such as pillows, blankets or quilts. A
baby that sleeps between two parents or shares the bed with other children is at high risk for overheating his or her body during the night. The tight-obstructed space may limit oxygen.
H
A: Alone
Babies are most safe when sleeping in their own space with no other adults or children.
Bed-sharing increases risks for infant deaths including adult or older child rolling over onto the baby, a baby’s face being covered by soft bedding or increased risk of overheating.
H
Sleeping area should be free of clutter. Always remove blankets, toys, pillows and bumpers/wedges/positioners from a baby’s sleeping area.
H
Strangulation
can occur in a bed frame that allows part of an infant’s body to pass through while trapping the baby’s head. It is harder for an infant to lift his or her head due to the weakness of his or her muscles in infancy.
Tips and recommendations for parents with infants include: your room not your bed! If you bring your baby into your bed to breastfeed or comfort, make sure to put your baby back into a separate sleep area in your room when finished.
Share
Set
alarms to wake you up! If you are feeding or comforting your baby and there is risk that you may fall asleep, identify different strategies you can use to stay awake.
H
Dress
your baby in sleep clothing, such as a wearable blanket instead of using loose blankets in the sleep area.
B: Back
Babies should be placed in a sleeping position on their backs for at least the first six months or until a baby can turn themselves over.
Dress
H
Babies placed on their back to sleep are less likely to choke if they throw up or drool.
Use
H
Most babies involved in sleep-related deaths sleep on their stomach.
your baby according to the weather! The recommended room temperature for a baby is between 68 to 75 Fahrenheit degrees. tummy time during the day. Supervised tummy time when your baby is awake helps strengthen your baby’s neck, shoulder and arm muscles. It also helps prevent flat spots on the back of your baby’s head.
While
sleeping, detach pacifiers with strings. A pacifier attached to string, clothing, stuffed toy or blanket carries a risk of suffocation, choking or strangulation. If the pacifier falls out of your baby’s mouth during sleep, there is no need to put the pacifier back in.
Keep
a smoke-free environment. Babies are at higher risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome if they are exposed to cigarette smoke in their home, car, bedroom or other areas.
For more information about baby safe sleep practices, contact your local New Parent Support Home Visitation Program staff or visit https://www.cnic. navy.mil/ffr/family_readiness/fleet_and_family_support_program/counselingadvocacy-and-prevention/new_parent_support.html.
H
C: Crib
Babies sleep on a firm and flat surface with a tight-fitting sheet. H Safe sleeping environments are a safety-approved crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard.
H
Non-safe sleeping environments are adult beds, couches, chairs, car seats or swings.
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AUGUST 2020
Offering Military Spouses Financial Education MILSPOUSE MONEY MISSION GETS ‘THE BILLS PAID’ The MilSpouse Money Mission is leading the charge to educate and empower military spouses to elevate their families by making smart money moves. Military spouses often are the family’s chief financial officer. They manage everything from permanent-change-of-station moves to unexpected emergencies and changes in pay. There is little doubt about the importance of understanding the unique circumstances of managing personal finances in the military life. In recognition of military spouses and the important role they have in keeping the force financially ready, the DoD’s Office of Financial Readiness introduced the MilSpouse Money Mission, a new financial education resource just for military spouses. MilSpouse Money Mission is the DoD’s primary resource designed for and to provide military spouses with trusted information they can use to be more empowered and actively be involved in making financial decisions for their families’ financial well-being and achievement of financial goals, officials said. MilSpouse Money Mission offers military spouses accessible, free financial education and resources, including: Money
Ready Guide - A guide to support the education of spouses in tackling a variety of financial topics most relevant to their current situations.
MilLife
Milestones - A resource to empower spouses to make smart money moves during life’s big moments.
Videos
- Featuring financial tips and tools by fellow military spouses.
Blogs
- Real conversations covering the latest money-related topics and issues.
Resources Social
- Military support links, financial calculators, quizzes and more to elevate financial literacy.
Media - A community of support and motivation to help spouses lead their best financial lives.
Ask for help understanding your personal credit and military consumer protections with a free personal financial management consultation at a Fleet and Family Support Center near you. Visit https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/family_readiness/fleet_and_family_support_program/ FFSC.html. You can also visit https://www.milspousemoneymission.org to access the MilSpouse Money Mission.
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AUGUST 2020
AUGUST 2020
We are all more organized in different areas of our life, but luckily FFSC has Subject Matter Experts that can provide you more tips and tricks to help tackle the areas that need improving.
How to register:
Step #1: Create an Account — Visit MyNavyFamily.com to establish a free account. We recommend establishing your
account at least one day before the webinar. Be sure to enter your time zone!!
Step #2: View the calendar — Once your account is confirmed, click “Live Webinar” at the top of the page to view the
calendar and select a webinar.
Step #3: Receive a Reminder Email — You will receive an email and link for the webinar one week, one day, and one
hour prior to the webinar!
Please feel free to message us at learning@zeiders.com if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Employment and Transition Tuesday, August 4th
9:00 AM EST
Tuesday, August 4th Thursday, August 6th Tuesday, August 11th
1:00 PM EST 10:00 AM EST 9:00 AM EST
Tuesday, August 18th 3:00 PM EST Wednesday, August 19th 9:00 AM EST Wednesday, August 19th 9:00 AM EST Thursday, August 20th 12:00 PM EST Friday, August 21st 12:00 PM EST Tuesday, August 25th 9:00 AM EST Wednesday, August 26th 4:00 PM EST Thursday, August 27th 1:00 PM EST Friday, August 28th
Finances
Tuesday, August 4th 1:00 PM EST Wednesday, August 5th 2:00 PM EST Friday, August 7th 12:00 PM EST Tuesday, August 11th 3:00 PM EST Thursday, August 13th 1:00 PM EST Friday, August 14th 11:00 AM EST Friday, August 14th 2:00 PM EST Monday, August 31st 10:30 AM EST
11:00 AM EST
Federal Employment * What You Need To Know! Fundamentals of Linked-In USAJOBS2020 Job Search Strategies During Challenging Economic Times Salary and Negotiation Skills Effective Resume Writing in 2020 Private Sector Resume Basics Life After the Uniform Interview Skills Virtual Interviewing Techniques Resume Writing Stay at Home Business with Direct Sales Companies FFSC Virtual Job Fair 2020
Consumer Awareness Teen$ and Money LE$ to T$P Car Buying Basic Investing Developing Your Spending Plan Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Understanding Your TSP
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AUGUST 2020 AUGUST 2020
Life Skills
Wednesday, August 5th 10:00 AM EST Wednesday, August 5th 2:00 PM EST Thursday, August 6th 1:00 PM EST Wednesday, August 12th 9:30 AM EST Wednesday, August 12th 2:00 PM EST Thursday, August 13th 11:00 AM EST Friday, August 14th 11:00 AM EST Tuesday, August 18th 9:00 AM EST Friday, August 21st 2:00 PM EST Tuesday, August 25th 9:00 AM EST Tuesday, August 25th 1:00 PM EST Wednesday, August 26th 10:00 AM EST
Ombudsman Tuesday, August 25th
Parenting
Thursday, August 6th Friday, August 7th Thursday, August 20th Thursday, August 20th Wednesday, August 26th
Relocation
Friday, August 7th Friday, August 14th
6:00 PM EST
1:00 PM EST 2:00 PM EST 4:00 PM EST 4:00 PM EST 2:00 PM EST
What about the Kids? Your Child’s Development New Moms and Dads Deployment and Children Parenting Tips
12:00 PM EST 1:00 PM EST
Sponsor Training Sponsorship Training 101
Suicide Prevention Thriving in Times of Uncertainty Using Technology to Teach Your Child at Home Communicating on Social Media Communication Skills Stress Management with WD-40 Disaster Preparedness Strengthening Couples Five Love Languages Healthy Relationship Habits Taking Care of Common Signs of Stress Personal Communications
Ombudsman Assembly
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