Military children's well-being celebrated in April Published April 11, 2013 Health Net Federal Services HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- April is the Month of the Military Child and Health Net Federal Service is celebrating the 1.8 million children of United States military families around the world. Military kids move an average of six to nine times between kindergarten and 12th grade, according to the non-profit Military Child Education Coalition. More than 900,000 of them have had a parent deploy multiple times and there are nearly 45,000 children who are living with a parent's wound, injury, illness or death, according to the MCEC. Health Net Federal Services wants to highlight resources and organizations dedicated to the well-being of military children and the unique challenges they face. Online Resources Health Net kids' journal series In an effort to support the nation's military children, these journals have been created to help kids navigate the unique challenges military families face, such as deployment, frequent moves or loss of a loved one who served. These are available here to review and print at no cost. Military Children, Deployment and Behavioral Health Care page The page is a helpful resource for military parents who see a behavioral change in their children. Click here. Military Child Education Coalition This is a support center for military children and their families affected by mobility, family separation and transition: www.militarychild.org. Military child online community This site is a safe online community for military children ages six to 17 that provides access to age-appropriate resources to support military children from pre-deployment to reunion: www.militarykidsconnect.org. Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors The program offers regional and national Good Grief Camps to military children and teens. Camps provide a safe and supportive atmosphere to learn coping skills, establish and identify support systems and connect with others who have lost a loved one. Visit www.taps.org for further information. Books for Military Children Love, Lizzie: Letters to a Military Mom by Lisa Tucker McElroy Lizzie's mom is deployed overseas. The story is told through a series of letters Lizzie writes her mom from the time she deploys until she returns home, navigating all the difficult questions military children with a deployed parent want to ask. The book is appropriate for grades kindergarten to third grade. My Story: Blogs by Four Military Teens by Michelle Sherman With raw emotion, fictitious teens describe the stress of coping with a parent away at war and the everyday challenges of school dances, sports and report cards. This book suggests coping skills such as exercising, recognizing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and reconnecting after a parent returns. Additional internet resources are included. It is appropriate for ages 13 to 17. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn Chester Raccoon doesn't want to be separated from his mom, but his mom's special ritual of kissing the palm of his hand keeps her close to him while they're separated. Books for Military Parents Deployment: Strategies for Working with Kids in Military Families by Karen Petty, Ph.D. This comprehensive handbook is for civilians and military personnel who work with or care for children who experience separation through deployment, death or divorce. The book includes theory-based, practice-driven strategies for handling separation and helping young through elementary-age children move forward and live full lives. Heroes at Home: Help & Hope for America's Military Families by Ellie Kay Written by the wife of an Air Force pilot in encouraging language and from a spiritual perspective, this book offers helpful ideas for saving money, surviving frequent moves, keeping in touch during deployment and other aspects of military life.