Schools and Children’s Behavioral/Mental Health

This site provides signs and symptoms of learning disabilities.

The Military Family Research Institute is a cross-departmental research program housed at Purdue University and funded by the Department of Defense, Office of Military Community and Family Policy. The mission of MFRI is to conduct interdisciplinary, multilevel research that provides insight into the impact of quality of life factors on military members and their families.

The resources fall into 3 groups: First, there are citations of relevant articles on such topics as combat trauma, the impact of deployment on troops & their families, the challenges of returning home after discharge, bereavement, and providing clinical services to troops and their families. A few of these are available online, and where possible, I've provided links. Second, there are links to helpful organizations and programs, such as aid and assistance programs for each branch of the service, Operation Uplink, Operation Military Support, Military Spouse Career Center, Seamless Transition for Veterans returning from Iraq & Afghanistan, Veteran Employment site, legal information & resources for military personnel and their families, National Military Family Association, Military Sentinel, Operation Family Fund, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Books for Soldiers, and Fisher House. Third, there are links to United States military organizations.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With over 120 crisis centers across the country, our mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the largest scientific organization in the world dedicated to research focused on the understanding, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of mental health. NIMH supports research on the following disorders: Anxiety ,Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, ADD),Autism Spectrum Disorders (Pervasive Developmental Disorders), Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Illness),Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression, Eating Disorders, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),Schizophrenia, and Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)

Returning Service members often have questions abut how to reconnect with their spouses and children. A child’s reactions depend on his or her own personality, but there are several things that all returning parents should keep in mind. This site offers tips for returning service members to reconnect with their children.

NMFA activities revolve around programs to educate the public, the military community, and the Congress on the rights and benefits of military families AND to advocate an equitable quality of life for those families. Members of the Government Relations Department study issues, testify before Congressional Committees, work with Congressional staff and represent NMFA on advisory groups for many DoD agencies, to include the Defense Commissary Agency Patron Council and the TRICARE Beneficiary Panel. Since its inception in 1969, the effectiveness of NMFA is reflected in accomplishments in most of the issue areas in which the association works. These include medical and dental benefits, dependent education, retiree and survivor benefits, relocation and spousal employment. NMFA staff speaks regularly to all types of groups, including family service organizations, Commanders' Conferences, and officer and enlisted spouse clubs. More than 100 NMFA Representatives in the field extend our presence worldwide. NMFA has access and credibility in areas where it CAN and DOES make a difference. The Operation Purple summer camp program was created by NMFA in order to give the children the tools to face these challenges head-on and with success. Through the generous funding from Sears, Roebuck & Co. and its Sears American Dream Campaign, the Operation Purple summer camp program was launched in the summer of 2004 and expanded in 2005.

Operation: Military Kids (OMK) is the U.S. Army's collaborative effort with America's communities to support the children and youth impacted by deployment. This initiative was officially launched in April 2005. Since its inception OMK has touched 65,000 military youth and provided information to 7200 community members across the United States.

The Military Child Education Coalition is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, world-wide organization that identifies the challenges that face the highly mobile military child, increases awareness of these challenges in military and educational communities and initiates and implements programs to meet the challenges. MCEC's goal is to level the educational playing field for military children wherever they are located around the world and to serve as a model for all highly mobile children.

SAMHSA‛s Building Blocks for a Healthy Future site offers information and tips for parents, caregivers, and teachers of children aged 3 to 6. Additionally the site features materials, and ideas for spending time with your children and learning together.