Workshop helps address needs of military children

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hrair H. Palyan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Educators, guidance counselors, and a wide spectrum of community professionals from across the Black Hills attended a "Living in the New Normal" workshop Dec. 4 and 5, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Rapid City, S.D.

The course, developed by the Military Child Education Coalition, was designed to provide attendees a broader perspective on how to help military children deal with change, deployments and loss.

Julie Coffey, MCEC instructor, said the workshop had a variety of learning goals, all with a central theme - always keeping children in mind.

"We're all here for the children," Coffey explained. "This group had a great attitude. Everyone came in ready to learn from one another and listen to each other's unique experiences."

Attendees broke into smaller groups to create plans tailored to address the needs of military children in their community, identify national, military and community resources currently in place to support children, and formulate methods that build resilience and maximize the natural strengths of children.

Chad Canaan, 28th Force Support Squadron school liaison officer, said in addition to networking and sharing resources with school and community members that attended, his primary goal was to learn more about the challenges military children face.

"I came here to better learn about helping kids who are going through difficult times," Canaan said. "I always enjoy learning about the different developmental stages of kids and how they react to stress and change at each stage of their lives."

Canaan added the workshop was full of important information and can be a useful tool for parents and educators as they help children through school transitions and deployments.

For more information, or to sign up for the next workshop, visit www.militarychild.org.