UMass seminar to explore the needs of military kids

Professionals who work with children will gain an understanding of the needs of children of military families at a free institute co-hosted by the UMass Amherst School of Education and 4-H?s Operation Military Kids offered by the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC).

The two-day institute, called ?Living in the New Normal (LINN): Helping Children Thrive in Good and Challenging Times,? takes place on Nov. 14 and 15 in the UMass Amherst Campus Center, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is included.

Participants will learn about the experiences of children of deployed military personnel in hands-on sessions on topics such as grief, happiness, trauma vs. challenges, stages of development, coping styles, ranges of emotion, injury and reintegration.

They will acquire basic knowledge of the effects of military/combat-related illness and injury or death of a parent on children; learn to identify methods of building resilience and courage; identify existing community resources that provide sustained support to children experiencing trauma and loss; and create a customized training module for various community sectors using lessons learned.

In addition to national presenters, scheduled speakers include retired Brigadier General Paul Smith, assistant adjutant general, Massachusetts National Guard; Kathy Clair-Hayes, Red Sox Foundation/Mass General HomeBase program; Jennifer Cesaitis, Massachusetts National Guard family/youth programs; Maureen Serrecchia, state family program director, Military & Family Support Center; Gretchen May UMASS 4H Extension Operation Military Kids.

MCEC is a nonprofit organization addressing the educational needs of military-connected families. Concerns about military children dealing with the impact of profound challenges prompted the MCEC to develop these national institutes that are designed for professionals who work with children including school counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, educators, daycare and social service providers, clergy and others who interface with children of military families.

LINN institutes are funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense/Department of the Army. Register for the institute on the UMass Amherst School of Education?s website: www.umass.edu/education/events/linn

Source: http://www.masslive.com/living/index.ssf/2012/11/umass_seminar_to_explore_the_needs_of_military_kids.html

peyton hillis fletcher cox charlotte bobcats new york rangers nfl mock draft 2012 norfolk island michael brockers