Operation Military Kids Helps Deployed Service Members' Kids and Teens

The U.S. Army's "Operation: Military Kids" helps kids before, during and after deployment. A collaborative effort with America's communities to support children and teens, OMK helps soften the impact of U.S. service members who must leave their kids for active duty in far-flung locales.

Whether it's the first deployment or a series of multiple deployments, OMK seeks to connect military children and teens with local resources to provide a sense of community support and well-being.

In 2009, over 150,000 youth participated in OMK activities across the U.S. Community members representing over 43 national, state and local organizations worked together using a variety of core OMK program elements to help kids and teens while their loved one serve far away.

OMK's network of National, State and Local Partners enroll kids and teens in a variety of youth programs and support services in their neighborhood. OMK Partners organize special events, provide transportation to sporting events or other extracurricular activities, and participate in the Hero Pack initiative.

OMK offers kids and teens the following benefits:

• Meet other youth who are also experiencing deployment
• Participate in a range of recreational, social and educational programs
• Gain leadership, organizational, and technical skills by participating in the Speak Out for Military Kids program or Mobile Technology Lab programs
• Receive assistance with school issues by connecting with Army Child, Youth and School Services School Liaisons -- More on School Transition Support
• Attend single day, weekend or even longer residential camps

OMK also helps support the Army Family Covenant, the Army Community Covenant and the Army Soldier Family Action Plan.

For information about Operation Military Kids in your state, contact your State 4-H Military Liaison. If your state is not an OMK state, email OMK.

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Nexxt.