HARD COPIES NOW AVAILABLE

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WHAT:  addressing the needs of youth of military families:

OPERATION: MILITARY KIDS LAUNCHES TO SUPPORT TEENS AND TWEENS OF DEPLOYED PARENTS 


WHO: M.-A. Lucas, director of the Army’s Child and Youth Services division, is available to discuss the launch of Operation: Military Kids.  M.-A. will be joined by a teen who has a parent on active military duty to discuss first-hand what additional challenges youth face when a parent is deployed and not around for a prolonged period of time.

 

News Background:

 

Teenage years can be tough times as kids face increased responsibilities, choices, and changes in

 their appearance and bodies.  It’s at this time that parents can play a vital role in providing extra

support and understanding.  But for tens of thousands of kids who have a parent away on active

 duty in the war on terror, that support system may be strained. 

 

Starting April 6th, The Department of Defense is launching a new program titled

Operation: Military Kids to reach out to teens and tweens of military families. The program is

designed to provide a variety of recreational, social and educational programs in communities

not located near military installations.

 

Partners in the program include the Army Child and Youth Services, United States Department of

Agriculture 4-H program, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Military Child Education Coalition,

National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, Veterans Organizations,

and other community based groups.

 

Topics M.-A. and the teen can address include:

Ø       What is Operation: Military Kids?

Ø       How did the program develop?

Ø       What specific needs does it address?

Ø       Who is eligible to participate?

Ø       How do families participate or find resources in their community?

Ø       What kind of an impact has it made on teens and tweens?

 

This satellite media tour is sponsored by NACCRRA – The National Child Care Resource and

Referral Association in conjuction with the U.S. Department of Defense.

B-roll support of teen and tween activity programs will be provided by the Department of Defense and

available as a hot-roll into your satellite window, or cassette placed upon request

 

To request a hard copy interview with M.-A. Lucas, please contact:

Randi Appelbaum/DMS AT 212-727-1802, OR E-MAIL RandiA@dmswire.com.