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Conversations about the challenges military-connected kids face as they navigate multiple education systems from birth through high school.
Episodes
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families. Jenny Valderas discusses how their programs and resources serve the entire family… because when military families are strong, our communities are strong, and America is strong.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Cannon Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https://www.cannonspousesclub.org/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Resources:
Operation Homefront
https://operationhomefront.org/
Military Child of the Year Award
https://operationhomefront.org/military-child-of-the-year/
Bio:
Jenny Valderas is Operation Homefront’s Senior Director of Family Support Services. She has worked with the organization for more than a decade and in her current role, Valderas oversees the planning and execution of programs that address the unique needs and challenges faced by America’s military families, including the delivery of school supplies and holiday meals, and celebrating expectant parents and exceptional military children.
Beyond her professional capacity, Valderas is also a military spouse, providing a distinct personal connection to the military community and Operation Homefront’s mission to create strong, stable, and secure military families.
Valderas received a Bachelor of Arts from George Mason University.
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
A lot is asked of military families, and sometimes a simple form can feel like a violation of privacy. Understanding why information is requested and how that information is used – and protected – is critical to ensure resources and benefits reach those they are intended for. Recently, MCEC’s Parent Webinars featured What is MSI and Impact Aid. This podcast recaptures Nikki’s conversation with Lori Phipps and Nanette Pigg, subject matter experts on these two data collectors.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Texas Education Agency. To learn more, visit https://tea.texas.gov/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Resources:
Military Student Identifier
https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/school-support
Impact Aid Program
https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/impact-aid-program/
National Association of Federally Impacted Schools
https://www.nafisdc.org/impact-aid-resources/about-impact-aid/
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
https://www.ed.gov/essa?src=rn
School Liaison programs
https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/search?program-service%3D12%2Fview-by%3DALL
Military Family Life Counseling (MFLC)
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/non-medical-counseling/military-and-family-life-counseling/
MIC3
Bios:
Lori A. Phipps is Chief of the Department of the Air Force School Liaison Program Division at the HQ Air Force Services Center (AFSVC), HQ Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center (AFIMSC), Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. She is responsible for providing managerial and operational oversight of the School Liaison Program, which encompasses PreK-12 Education, Public Schools on Military Installations (PSMI), and the Military & Family Life Counseling Program (MFLC). In addition, she oversees the education, development, and training program for the School Liaison Program Managers, $2M Educational Community Outreach programs, and 71 PSMIs. Her program provides support to over 770K military-connected families, 34K schools, community stakeholders, and installation support services for Commanders, Schools, and installation personnel across all Air Force Commands, the U.S. Space Force, the Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard as well as all joint service component families. Division is an advocate at the State/National Level for legislation benefiting military-connected students, dedicated to ensuring equitable access to quality education, support services, and resources.
Prior to her current position, Mrs. Phipps served as the Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland School Liaison Program Manager supporting over 35,000 military-connected students in forty-two school districts. Her efforts resulted in legislation to ensure the state was in compliance with the Military Interstate Compact as well as early registration and homeschool student support. In addition, she has served as a Youth Specialist, providing youth development capabilities through a system of quality, available, and affordable programs.
Prior to her Civilian positions, Mrs. Phipps served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. During her active-duty career, she served as a Security Forces member and was selected as the first Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Instructor for the Air Force. She was appointed the Installation Crime Prevention Manager and held other leadership positions.
Nanette Pigg began her career in Child and Youth Services in 1998, she has worked in a variety of roles in child development and education. When she first heard about the School Liaison program, she decided that was the job she had been training for her whole career. Nanette served as the SLO for Fort Cavazos for three years before moving to Installation Management Command in San Antonio. In her current role, she serves as the School Program Manager with operational oversight of the Army’s School Liaison Officer program. Nanette is a proud Army spouse, she and her husband Barry raised 3 daughters who experienced firsthand the challenges of transitioning to new schools every few years. They have 8 grandchildren, 2 great-grandsons, and two German Shepard’s.
Tuesday Jan 16, 2024
Tuesday Jan 16, 2024
Dr. Becky Porter discusses meeting the needs of military-connected families through programs and initiatives such as our Military Student Consultants, and advocacy of Purple Star Schools through the new and popular MCEC 360 Summits. We also look ahead to what the new year holds.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Fort Gregg-Adams Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https://www.gaspousesclub.com/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Resources:
MCEC 360 Summits
The MCEC 360 Summit is a community-wide, multi-faceted event that brings insight and understanding for the unique challenges and needs of military-connected students. The 360 model includes components for students, parents, and youth-serving professionals and is tailored to the needs of each community. https://www.militarychild.org/360summits
Military Student Consultants
Military Student Consultants (MSCs) are highly specialized education professionals who provide personalized concierge support directly to students, parents, or professionals who serve military-connected families. An MSC personally responds to every phone call or submission on our MCEC website at https://www.militarychild.org/MSC
Professional Learning Community ECHOs
Find a community of learners to help you support the needs of military-connected kids using the Project ECHO® model. Our Purple Star Readiness ECHOs are being held now through May 2024 and meet monthly online. The benefits of ECHO include collaboration, idea sharing, and problem-solving with subject matter experts and peers. Join a cohort today at https://www.militarychild.org/purplestarschools#echo
Bio:
Dr. Becky Porter joined MCEC® as the President and CEO in 2019 following her retirement from active duty service with the U.S. Army.
Becky is a 1983 Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Washington and holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in clinical psychology from Fielding Graduate University. She earned her Master of Arts in counseling psychology from Chapman University and a Master of Science in national security and strategic studies from the National War College. She also earned an executive certificate in nonprofit management from the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy in 2020.
She is a board-certified clinical health psychologist, a fellow of the American Psychological Association, and a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit. Her awards and recognition include: The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Military Psychology, the Legion of Merit (3 awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal (6 awards). Additionally, she also holds the Army Surgeon General’s “A” Proficiency Designator as recognition of her significant contributions to the U.S. Army Medical Department.
Becky’s military career spanned more than 30 years, and she served in all three components of the U.S. Army with the Washington National Guard, the U.S. Army Reserves, and on active duty. She retired at the rank of colonel. She is a Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and former special assistant to the U.S. Army’s 34th Chief of Staff, Gen. Eric Shinseki.
Her assignments included: Germany; Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii; the Pentagon; the United States Military Academy; Walter Reed Army Medical Center; and the Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical, Bethesda, Md.
She commanded the Dunham U.S. Army Health Clinic, Carlisle, Pa.; the DiLorenzo TRICARE Health Clinic at the Pentagon; and Public Health Command Europe.
Becky and her husband John, also a retired U.S. Army officer, live near Fort Cavazos, Texas.
Tuesday Jan 09, 2024
Tuesday Jan 09, 2024
MCEC’s 2023 Call for the Arts received hundreds of entries from across the globe and every branch of service, with creative expressions of strength, bravery, pride, and community. In this podcast, hear my conversation with three of last year’s Elementary School Winners: Everleigh, Isaac, and Annabelle. Seeing and hearing the world from the perspective of a child is inspiring and will brighten your day. Congratulations once again to all the 2023 CFA winners!
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Fort Gregg-Adams Spouses' Club. To learn more, visit https://www.gaspousesclub.com/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Calling all artists, grades K-12: The 2024 Call for the Arts contest is NOW OPEN. Good luck to every budding artist, we look forward to being amazed. See contest guidelines and link to entry form on our website:
https://www.militarychild.org/programs/the-call-for-the-arts
Bios:
Everleigh is 8 years old and in the 3rd grade. Her dad is in the Army, and she has one little brother named Killian. Her hobbies are drawing, painting, listening to music, relaxing, playing video games and watching TV. She recently moved to South Korea in November, and this was her first time moving.
Isaac is 10 years old and in the 5th grade. His dad is in the Navy. He has two siblings: a 7-year-old sister Elaina and a 12-year-old brother Lucas. His hobbies are drawing and sketching, reading, soccer, basketball, playing outside, exploring where he lives and new places, building historical dioramas with Legos, being with friends and family, learning, history, playing piano, and learning alto saxophone. He has moved 3 times.
Annabelle is 9 years old living in Germany with her parents, 6-year-old sister Leanna, and two dogs. Her dad is active-duty Army currently stationed in Bavaria. Annabelle’s favorite things are drawing, soccer, tomatoes, and wearing shorts. She has moved 4 times, living in Georgia, Tennessee, Nevada, and Germany. Tennessee has been her favorite!
Tuesday Dec 19, 2023
Tuesday Dec 19, 2023
No matter what holiday you and your loved ones celebrate – Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or any other – this time of year can bring about high levels of stress. Rollie Sampson shares tips for stress management during the holidays, while still finding joy in the season.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https://www.ramsteinosc.org/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Bio:
Rollie Sampson, is the Military Student Well-Being Manager for the Military Child Education Coalition. Based outside Fort Liberty, Rollie joined the MCEC family after spending five years as the Military Liaison Counselor (MLC) for Moore County Schools in Carthage, NC. In her previous role, Rollie supported over 3,500 military-connected students, supervised the district’s Student 2 Student (S2S) programs, provided professional development for school administrators and staff, and managed the district’s Impact Aid Program. Rollie is also a certified school counselor, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA), and National Certified Counselor (NCC) and works with young adults in her counseling private practice in NC.
On a personal level, Rollie is a military family member and has spent her entire life connected to the Army as a military child, Veteran, and military spouse. Like many military-connected children, she attended eight schools before high school graduation and has had 34 different home addresses! She and her husband are both from multi-generational military families and with strong ties to the Army. They met when Rollie attended a 30-day training exercise in Germany and dated long distance until their marriage two years later. They now have three adult children and their trusty sidekick, Maggie the dog. She lives in Southern Pines, NC with her husband, a retired military officer who served 29 years in the Army.
Resources:
https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/supporting-your-mental-health-during-holi
Tuesday Dec 12, 2023
Tuesday Dec 12, 2023
The Purple Star School program is designed to help schools respond to the educational and social-emotional challenges military-connected children face during their transition to a new school. Marie McGarry and Catherine Cotovsky share their perspective as parents on the impact that Purple Star schools can have on our military-connected children.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Texas Education Agency. To learn more, visit https: https://tea.texas.gov/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Bio:
Marie McGarry, M.Ed., is an educator, military spouse, and proud Mom to two military-connected teens. Marie earned a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction focusing on literacy education from Lesley University in her home state of Massachusetts. She was an elementary classroom teacher for over 10 years. She has worked for the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) since 2017 as a Master Parent Educator, webinar and podcast presenter, and professional development trainer. Marie is a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) and is a trained Special Education Advocate who works with families in the Northern Virginia area.
Catherine Cotovsky joined the MCEC® team in 2021, where she serves as a parent educator, webinar presenter, and professional development trainer. A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduate, Catherine also attended law school at the University of Illinois and practiced civil defense litigation and family law for several years. She has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for youth in the Kansas judicial system and as a volunteer instructor for Army Community Service. Catherine has also been a military spouse for over 16 years. She and her husband met in their hometown near Chicago and now share three daughters.
Resources:
https://www.militarychild.org/purplestarschools
https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/military-families/purple-star-campus-designation
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Baileigh Levee is a military spouse, mom, and personal blogger. She discusses how her military family has navigated holiday celebrations and traditions over the years, while living all over the world. She shares tips and resources for creating new holiday traditions and making it fun for the whole family.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Fort Bliss Spouses’ Association. To learn more, visit https://www.thefbsa.org/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Bio:
Baileigh Levee
Growing up in small town Louisiana, though we proudly boasted a local Air Force Base, I had little to no knowledge of military service or the military lifestyle. My experience was likely the same as most Americans: It was a story my dad told, an old image of my grandfather in a uniform, it was comforting and the source of pride. But yet, it was distant and irrelevant to me as a kid.
In life, expect the unexpected.
I met my now Marine as a freshman in college, and together we have been married 15 years with three children. Therefore, the military lifestyle is ALL they know. While their birth certificates are part of their origin story, if you ask them where they are from, they will quickly answer, “everywhere.” East coast to west coast and now with two duty stations in foreign countries, our family motto is “home is where we are together.”
Becoming a wife and mother in a lifestyle that was unchartered territory for me has been both thrilling and humbling. There are many days when I cannot believe that this is my life, as it is such a departure from the small town where I grew up. The challenges I’ve faced have challenged everything I know. Through the highs and lows, from every address, my experience as a military spouse and mother has been my greatest adventure and accomplishment. I have found personal joy and a creative outlet in sharing our story and experiences in the hopes that it stands as a way for us to relate to others, as well as an opportunity to virtually take our family and friends along with us. No matter where we go, we have found these principals to be universal:
- Home is people, not places.
- Value those things that have no price tag.
- No grit, no pearl.
Resources:
Activity Advent Calendar Template
https://www.leveesinlondon.com/_files/ugd/71da9b_53714a40cd8d48beafa747d95777399d.pdf
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Dr. Margaret C. Wilmoth and Margaret A. Cope discuss the importance of supporting our National Guard and Reserve service members and families, through the unique challenges that they experience. They share information on identifying the children within these families, to include the availability of and access to resources.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Spouses of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. To learn more, visit http://www.jbmdlspouses.org/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Bio:
Margaret C. Wilmoth, PHD, MSS, RN, FAAN Dr. Wilmoth is professor, School of Nursing, UNC Chapel Hill and a retired Major General, US Army. She focuses on the health of the military family and that the care they receive in the civilian sector leads to quality outcomes.
An additional focus is on the military child, specifically Reserve-connected children in civilian-centric schools and availability of programs addressing their needs.
Margaret A. Cope, COLONEL, USAF (RET) Margaret Cope, a retired Air Force Colonel, is an independent consultant in areas of national security relating to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; National Service; and National Security Transformation.
Since 2014 she has directed the development and implementation of the Reserve School Kit, a tool provided by the ROA STARs Foundation, for deploying members designed to facilitate communication with their children’s school system during the parent’s absence about the child’s unique needs during this time.
Resources:
https://www.nationalguard.mil/
https://tricare.mil/Plans/Eligibility/NGRMandFamilies/NGR_Resources
https://www.benefits.va.gov/GUARDRESERVE/
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Julie Butner shares how Tarrant Area Food Bank in Fort Worth, Texas has been empowering their local community to alleviate hunger for over 40 years, and their special relationship with military and Veteran families in the area. They are making a difference in the lives of those in need, while continuing to develop innovative practices to expand their network of support.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Mountain Post Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https://www.mpsc.us/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Resources:
https://tafb.org/hunger-heroes/
https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
Type in your zip code to locate the nearest Food Bank, and then click “Find Food” for a list of food pantries and partner organizations.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program
Bio:
Julie Butner is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Tarrant Area Food Bank, where she provides executive leadership, fund development, board management, and financial management for one of the largest food acquisition and distribution organizations in the U.S. Julie leads efforts to fulfill Tarrant Area Food Bank’s mission to “empower communities to eliminate hunger and improve health.” Through the support of 125 employees and a $130m budget, this year TAFB distributed more than 60 million nutritious meals, over 1,000,000 meals weekly, to the TAFB service area, which includes Tarrant county and 12 surrounding counties, Bosque, Cooke, Denton, Erath, Hamilton, Hill, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell and Wise.
Prior to joining the Tarrant Area Food Bank in January 2020, Julie spent most of her career working in the healthcare and hospitality industries, specifically focused on food and nutrition, and has held a variety of leadership positions in operations and business development. Julie also served as a Captain in the United States Army during Operation Desert Storm.
Julie graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Coordinated Dietetics and holds a Master of Science in Food Systems Management with an emphasis in Health Promotion from the University of Oklahoma. Julie is a Registered, Licensed Dietitian.
Julie has served the community through leadership roles in many organizations including Rotary Club, Executive Women’s Day PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge, Texas
Christian University, Fort Worth Circle Theatre, Leadership Fort Worth, Delta Gamma Fraternity, Leukemia Society, The Cowtown Marathon, and Fort Worth Sister Cities.
In her spare time, Julie enjoys tennis, running, yoga, golf, and travel with her husband of 30 years, Greg, and their two Labradors.
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Dr. Gabby L’Esperance discusses food insecurity and how it is affecting the Military and Veteran community. She shares information and resources that are available to address this need, and how the Military Family Advisory Network is focused on empowering these families to thrive.
This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Davis Monthan Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https://davismonthansc.org/.
Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.
Show Notes:
Bio:
Dr. Gabby L’Esperance, Director of Insights at Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN), is a dedicated qualitative researcher and program evaluator with a commitment to amplifying the voices of diverse communities through narrative-based research. In her role as director of insights, Dr. L’Esperance harnesses the power of qualitative methodology to uncover profound insights into the lived experiences of military and veteran families.
Through Gabby’s leadership and emphasis on the value of qualitative methods in understanding military life, MFAN continues to shine a light on the support military families need most and evaluate the programs built to support them. These research and program evaluation findings have been used as a basis for convening stakeholders, developing programs, and invoking positive change for service members, veterans, and their families.
Gabby is a subject matter expert on military and veteran family research methods, military family well-being, food insecurity, whole health care needs, military family financial readiness, program evaluation, and more. She regularly shares research findings and thought leadership to varying audiences including, but not limited to, higher education, military and veteran family stakeholders, government leadership, and funding partners.
Dr. L’Esperance earned her doctorate in public administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, specializing in nonprofit management and qualitative research. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from James Madison University. Gabby lives in Omaha with her husband and two dogs, where she continues to teach nonprofit management courses at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Resources:
https://www.mfan.org/topic/food-insecurity/
https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/survey-tools/