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Episodes
Conversations about the challenges military-connected kids face as they navigate multiple education systems from birth through high school.
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
Description:
National Military Family Association joins us to discuss their Operation Purple Programs, which offers camps and retreats for military kids and their families at locations around the country. Operation Purple gives military families a respite from daily life, strengthens participants' well-being, and supports communication and connection inside families and our broader military family community. NMFA recently launched a new Operation Purple opportunity just for teen Hidden Helpers.
"This program is powered in part by Wounded Warrior Project® to honor and empower post-9/11 injured service members, veterans, and their families”.
Show Notes:
National Military Family Association
https://www.militaryfamily.org/
Bio:
Becca Garrison, Director of Military Family Programs:
Becca began her career as a classroom teacher and has spent the last thirteen years channeling her passion for transformational learning and growth into action for schools, nonprofits, and social impact startups across the country. She is honored to support the incredible NMFA program staff in developing, implementing, and delivering programming serving military children, spouses, and families. Becca is a proud daughter of a Marine, and gratefully celebrates the service of her brother and father (both USMC), her sister-in-law (Army), her cousin (Air Force) and every family member that has supported them in their service and many deployments and moves. Becca is consistently amazed at the courage, resourcefulness, and determination of military spouses, like her mother, Ann.
Natalie Mizell - Program Manager, Operation Purple Program
Natalie was born at Fort Meade Hospital to Air Force parents, so marrying a military man was inevitable and they have a daughter. Being a military kid, spouse, and parent, she understands and enjoys working with her military community. Her education is in Business and Project Management and background includes finance, event planning, research, and customer support. This background is perfect for her position at NMFA to oversee logistics, locate and work with partners that fit our Operation Purple Family Programs for service members, veterans, and their family. Natalie enjoys learning new things, helping others, and being a part of our Association because of our passion for military families.
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
Description: The organization, Our Military Kids, shares how they recognize the sacrifice of children of deployed National Guard, Reserve, and post-9/11 combat-injured service members with extracurricular activity grants.
This program is powered in part by Wounded Warrior Project® to honor and empower post-9/11 injured service members, veterans, and their families”.
Show Notes:
Website: https://www.ourmilitarykids.org/
Grant Application: https://www.ourmilitarykids.org/apply/
Contest: https://www.ourmilitarykids.org/contest/
Bio:
Kara Dallman- Executive. Director
A retired Navy Veteran and military spouse of 20 years, Kara Dallman joined Our Military Kids as Executive Director in June of 2020. She has 16 years of experience in the military nonprofit space with a proven track record of collaboration with investors, thought leaders, and other nonprofits. Highly driven and entrepreneurial, Kara has led Our Military Kids toward 67% favorable program growth by designing and directing strategies that enhance organizational operations, optimizing fundraising, and maintaining sound financial practices.
In her military career, Kara was an Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS) officer leading shore-based teams to conduct anti-submarine warfare and strategically integrate with air and surface assets in real time. After 12 years on active duty, she transitioned to the Navy Reserve and was mobilized a month after 9/11 leaving her young military children behind which makes the mission of Our Military Kids very close to her heart. She retired from the Reserve in 2008 as a Commander.
Kara has a BS from the College of the Holy Cross where she was commissioned through Navy ROTC, an MBA from San Diego State University’s Fowler College of Business, a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy and was a member of the first DEI cohort conducted by Compass, a nonprofit with a mission to inspire business professionals to engage with their local nonprofits to transform communities. In 2013, Kara was awarded the prestigious Sanctae Crucis Award by the College of the Holy Cross.
Michelle Tran is the Program and Operations Manager for Our Military Kids. She works closely with families and Veterans within OMK’s Combat-Injured Program. Tran holds a BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Virginia Tech and has worked on the Our Military Kids program team for the past 13 years.
Michelle “Chelly” Criqui is the Marketing and Communications Manager for Our Military Kids. A military kid herself, Criqui received an Our Military Kids grant to row on her high school’s crew team while her father was deployed overseas with the Army National Guard. Chelly graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing. She began volunteering with Our Military Kids in early 2018 and officially joined OMK’s communications team that same year.
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
Description: Elizabeth Dale-Deines from SAAM, discusses the use of artwork to exercise interpersonal skills and build strategies for connecting with other.
This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support from the North Country Spouses Club.
https://www.northcountryspousesclub.com/
Show Notes:
https://americanart.si.edu/education/learn-from-home
Bio:
Elizabeth Dale-Deines, Teacher Programs Coordinator at Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Elizabeth collaborates with DC-area schools and cultural organizations to incorporate interdisciplinary thinking and student-driven learning into established curricula. During the pandemic, she was proud to collaborate with educators across the Smithsonian to create fun, printed learning resources for students in DC and nationwide. Elizabeth has a B.A. in psychology from the University of Virginia and an M.A.T. in museum education from George Washington University.
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
Description: Jasmine and Charlotte discuss how some schools struggle to meet the needs of military kids and the vital role a school plays in the overall wellbeing of these students.
This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support from HEB Operation Appreciation!
Show Notes:
Purple Star School Program: https://www.militarychild.org/purplestarschools
Military Family Life Consultants:
Student to Student Program:
https://www.militarychild.org/programs/student-2-student
BLOOM Blog:
https://www.bloommilitaryteens.org/blog/categories/military-life
Bio:
Jasmine is a 17-year-old aspiring journalist who attends Byron P. Steele High School in San Antonio Texas. She enjoys hanging out with friends, skateboarding, and writing.
Charlotte is currently in the 8th grade living in Texas and has attended 6 schools. She has attended schools on base in England, and Germany. Charlotte was born in Texas, moved to Germany, then Ohio, then England, and now Texas. Moving has always been a challenge for Charlotte, especially moving back to the US, but hanging out with other military children had made her adjustment a bit easier. Charlotte enjoys playing volleyball in her free time and hanging out with friends.
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
Description: Vishal Amin, Travis Manion Foundation Mentor, shares how his journey taught him the strength of character in others can help identify your own purpose. As parents we can help our kids to recognize and utilize their own strengths to thrive with direction.
This episode was made possible thanks to the support from the Kirtland Spouses Club.
https://kirtlandspousesclub.com/
Show Notes
TMF: https://www.travismanion.org/
Bio:
Vishal Amin is a Travis Manion Foundation Mentor, Presidential Scholar, and the General Manager of Microsoft's Defense Security, Compliance & Identity business. Leading Cybersecurity professionals and technical specialists focusing on Microsoft's Security, Compliance, Identity, Management & Privacy (SCIM-P) growth in support of the US Federal Government. Vishal has served within several agencies and organizations, through various capacities, as a recognized leader, technical specialist and Cybersecurity thought leader, building, and shaping industry partnerships to better connect both the Private and Public Sector.
Prior to joining Microsoft and his work within industry, Vishal spent the first 21 years of his career within the Department of Defense and the United States Marine Corps. During his distinguished Military service, Vishal served as an Aviator in the F-18 Fighter community and has built organizations within the Joint Special Operations community supporting multi-national operations. Outside his professional accomplishments, Vishal sits on multiple Cyber advisory and philanthropic boards where he invests his time driving diversity in Cyber and empowering those who serve their communities through various veteran service organizations and nonprofit organizations.
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
Description: Marie McGarry, Special Education Advocate, shares tips for navigating the IEP process particularly during time of transition.
We'd like to thank HEB for making today's podcast possible. H‑E‑B Operation Appreciation is a companywide campaign created to honor the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces — men and women who are H‑E‑B Partners and customers, friends, and family.
Show Notes:
Mil-OneSource
Bio
Maire McGarry is an educator, military spouse, and a proud Mom to two military connected teens. Marie was a classroom teacher for over 10 years, and she has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on literacy education from Lesley University in her home state of Massachusetts. Maire is one of MCEC’s own! She has worked for MCEC since 2017 as a member of Parent Support, the Webinar Team and is a current member of the Cross Training Team.
Marie became interested in advocacy work through her own experiences as a parent of a child with exceptional needs. Marie has completed Levels 2 and 3 of the COPAA Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) Program which included over 120 hours of classroom work and self-study hours as well as a 40-hour supervised practicum. She is currently working with families in the Northern Virginia area as a Special Education Advocate.
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Description: Dr. Flake takes questions from a live audience regarding the challenges surrounding autism spectrum disorder. He also elaborates on emerging innovation to overcome these challenges and the importance of creating a community of care.
This episode was made possible thanks to the Hurlburt Spouses Club.
https://hurlburtspousesclub.com/
Show Notes:
PEERS- UCLA
https://www.semel.ucla.edu/peers
The JBLM Center for Autism Resources, Education, and Services (CARES)
https://madigan.tricare.mil/JBLMCARES
Military-connected Children on autism Spectrum with Subject Matter Expert, Col(R) Eric Flake, M.D
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f8TKXHtcQBq5WJX5LSqhNw
Bio:
Colonel (Ret) Eric M. Flake, M.D., is a team member of Olympia Pediatrics, the largest independent pediatric group in Thurston County, Washington. He is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician and created the Developmental-Behavioral Family Readiness Center for the DoD. Dr. Flake is faculty of the only Department of Defense (DoD) Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Tacoma, Washington, and founded the only DoD Autism Center — JBLM Center for Autism Resource, Education and Services (CARES). He attended the military medical school (USUHS), graduating in 2001.
Dr. Flake has published numerous articles and presentations regarding childhood resilience, autism and the psychosocial effects of deployment on children. He is an Associate Professor at the Uniformed Services University and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Washington, currently serves in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and serves on the science advisory board for the Military Child Education Coalition.
Tuesday Jan 31, 2023
Tuesday Jan 31, 2023
Description: Adolescent therapist, Samantha Seagreaves, discusses the topic of self-harm and what parents need to know in order to help their children.
This episode was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Laughlin Spouses Club.
https://www.laughlinxlspouses.com/
Show Notes:
Suicide and Crisis Line: 988
Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
MCEC's Well-being Toolkit
https://www.militarychild.org/wellbeingtoolkit
Military One Source
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/non-medical-counseling/
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique https://insighttimer.com/blog/54321-grounding-technique/
Self-harming behavior/suicidal ideations? https://rainn.org/articles/self-harm?_ga=2.192178734.566500757.1663877164-1359087713.1663626085
Apps
Calm Urge: Self Harm Tracker https://apps.apple.com/us/app/calm-urge-self-harm-tracker/id1551984419
DBT Coach: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dbt-coach/id1452264969
Suicide Safety Plan https://apps.apple.com/us/app/suicide-safety-plan/id1003891579
Bio:
Samantha Seagreaves (M.S.) is a graduate from Kansas State University and Capella University in social science and psychology. She is currently working as an adolescent drug and alcohol counselor in the state of Pennsylvania but has experience advocating for military families from all over the country including her own children. She got into advocacy when she realized the struggle of finding mental health resources for her own children while holding down the fort while her husband was on the front lines.
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
Description: West Virginia University (WVU) Student Government Association President, Chloe Hernandez, discusses how her experience of being a military kid influenced her desire to advocate for mental health.
This episode was made possible thanks to the generous support from the Naval Officers' Spouses' Club Hampton Roads.
https://www.noschamptonroads.com/
Show Notes:
MCEC's Wellbeing Toolkit
https://www.militarychild.org/wellbeingtoolkit
Bio:
Chloe Hernandez is a senior at West Virginia University double majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology. Apart from her studies she is also currently serving as the Student Body President and a voting member on WVU’s Board of Governors. When not in the classroom, or in a meeting, you can find her working in a neuroscience research lab, scribing at the hospital, or taking long walks with her dog Zoey
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
In today’s episode Dr. Gregory Leskin and MCEC's Georgia Mckown are joined by Tib Campise, the DOD Associate Director for the Child and Youth Advocacy Program. They discuss the complicated topic of harmful behaviors in children and youth. Tib also shares how the DoD is developing programs related to preventing and responding to these behaviors as well as tangible ways to communicate with students and families about this important topic.
Show Notes:
NDAA
https://armedservices.house.gov/ndaa
Thrive
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth (NCSBY)
Virtuallabschool.org offers seven professional development tracks for the professional development for Child and Youth Educators with 15 courses.
https://www.virtuallabschool.org/
OneOp offers a virtual professional development platform for providers who serve military families.
– search sexual behavior under webinars and courses
https://oneop.org/sbcy-series-courses/
Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education) focuses on youth 12-17 and their families. Links to YouTube “Just in Time” webinars.
https://awareprogramsonline.com/
Military One Source
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/
Student Liaison Officers
https://www.dodea.edu/partnership/schoolliaisonofficers.cfm
Bio:
Mary E. “Tib” Campise, MSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker currently serving as the Associate Director for the Child and Youth Advocacy Program, and the DoD Tiger Team lead for developing policy and programs related to Harmful Behavior between Children and Youth (HBCY) and Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth (PSB-CY). She began her work in the child abuse and neglect and domestic abuse field in 1987 and became a DoD Senior Program Analyst in the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) in 2007 primarily focusing on child abuse and neglect and early home visiting. Currently, she has responsibility for policy development and oversight of the DoD intervention and response to HBCY and PSB-CY in military families.
Dr. Gregory Leskin is licensed clinical psychologist and serves as Director, NCTSN Military and Veteran Families and Children Program and the Academy on Child Traumatic Stress at the UCLA/Duke University’s National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. Dr. Leskin directs the NCTSN/DoD Academy on Child Trauma, an online training and social media platform developed to train DoD Family Advocacy Program staff clinical skills related to child trauma and behavioral health prevention for military families and children. Previously, Dr. Leskin has worked as a Clinical Researcher and Director of Clinical Training at the National Center for PTSD, Stanford University and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. He completed a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) post-doctoral fellowship at the National Center for PTSD at the Boston VA Medical Center. Dr. Leskin has written, consulted, and lectured on a number of clinical topics, including risk factors facing military-connected children, combat-related PTSD, impact of deployment on families and children, and promoting psychological resilience and well-being. He is the primary developer for the MiTi Kids program bringing together Military Informed and Trauma informed Principles for organizations to serve the needs of military and Veteran Families.