Surge Support Child Care Services...

  Surge Support Child Care Services The SURGE Support Child Care Program consists of two parts: First, Surge Support Child Care Services coordinates volunteer providers offering their services to military families.  While hundreds of families are welcoming home soldiers who recently returned from Iraq, there are others who still wait anxiously for loved ones to come home. There is a group is offering free child care for families with a parent in the military. The Surge Support Child Care Project allows providers to find families in need and offer their services. There are 12,000 Minnesota children with a parent in the National Guard. The idea for the program came after news of an extension was announced in January for the National Guard. The project's goal is to allow parents to attend support group meetings, to get some time alone or simply to run errands. Nearly 500 child care providers are participating by providing free ongoing, full-time child care for deployed military families is already offered through Operation Child Care. But the support program is meant to complement it with off-hour, occasional and Saturday care. The project is an initiative of the Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network, the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, Minnesota National Guard and Army Reserve. We understand that Minnesota's military families face tremendous challenges, some of which involve child care. We are here to help! Family members of Minnesota's deployed Army National Guard and Reserve are eligible to receive surge support child care services at no cost. To learn more about the surge support child care services and request referrals of participating child care providers, use this map to find your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency. “ The fact that we could count on some help during such a difficult time for our family and country was worth more than I can say. It not only allowed me to have some time on my own to run errands or have a good cry. It allowed my kids some time for fun with a non-stressed adult. They used the time to finger-paint, play games, to be kids again.” — Dina Blandshew, Parent, Participant Operation Child Care Second, Surge Support Child Care Trainings set up through your local CCR&R training coordinator.  This training is for caregivers who are working with military families and the content is based on the Military Child Education Coalition's Curriculum:  Supporting  the Children of the Guard and Reserve,  More information regarding the MCEC can be found at www.nilitarychild.org. Each of these 2 hour trainings will provide an overview of the Army National Guard and Reserves in Minnesota, explain the stages of deployment, and provide general information on the effects of deployment for children.  The trainings will also provide a variety of resources for the caregiver to use in their own child care settings. These trainings are highly recommended for any early care provider working with children from a military family. The classes are: Supporting Children and Families During Military Deployments and Reunions Participants in this class will learn about the unique needs of children and families who are experiencing a military deployment.  The stages of deployment and reunions will be outlined alongside the related effects on children. Tips and techniques to assist the children who are dealing with a separation will also be shared.   Supporting Children and Families During a Military Deployment Participants in this class will learn about the unique needs of children and families who are experiencing a military deployment.  The stages of deployment will be outlined alongside the related effects on children. Tips and techniques to assist the children who are dealing with a separation will also be shared.   Supporting Children and Families During Military Reunions While deployed parents are away, children continue to grow and family roles change. Welcoming home mom or dad can be an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. This class will examine the stages of reintegration (or homecoming), the stressors of reunions and method to support children and families as they welcome home their military service members.   Impact of Grief, Loss, and Trauma on Children and Youth Participants in this training will come to identify the unique issues impacting National Guard and Reserve families, particularly children and youth. This training offers an understanding of loss and trauma and the potential academic and behavioral changes related to these experiences.  Participants will also gain strategies to support these children and youth.   Fostering Resilience in Children and Youth "Where do I start fostering resiliency in children?"  "What are the most important things to do?"  "How long should it take to see results?"  These are the types of questions that caregivers have about the topic of resiliency. This class will define the concept of resilience while identifying risk factors and developmental assets. Finally this training will highlight the four basic steps involved in fostering resilience in children and youth.   Living in the New Normal:  Supporting Children/Youth Through Trauma and Loss Living in the New Normal is predicated on the belief that children are courageous and resilient and that these skills can be strengthened through deliberate encouragement by adults in their lives.  This training will examine the nature of grief, identify the signs of stress in children and youth, and help caregivers develop strategies for supporting military children and families through trauma and loss. SURGE Support Child Care Trainings are currently offered through the Child Care Resource and Referral Office in your area as part of their Professional Development Opportunities for Early Childhood and School-Age Programs.