Operation Military Kids (OMK) is a nationwide initiative designated to provide support to the children and youth of families that are impacted by the Global War on Terrorism. This includes those served by Army installations, Air Force bases, and those children and youth who are geographically dispersed. Building upon their ten year collaboration to support youth development programs, 4-H and its military partners are now placing special emphasis on the children and youth of National Guard and Reserve Solders.

Working together we can have a strong impact on military families in our own backyard.

https://www.nebraskaomk.org/cgi-bin/sos_view.cgi?p=.01

Family Assistance

The VFW holds the resilience and dedication of today’s military family in the highest esteem. These families believe in something larger than themselves, and their selflessness is inspiring.

Through VFW programs like VFW Operation Uplink™, VFW Unmet Needs and VFW’s Military Assistance Program, we’re doing even more to ensure not a single service member, veteran, or their families fall through the cracks. Whether you or your family need the opportunity to call home more often, or a deployment has caused financial strain, we are the organization to turn to. We’re an organization of veterans helping veterans!

Unmet Needs

Deployments are a very difficult time for military families. Fact is, basic military pay doesn’t always cover “basic needs” -mortgages, health care, groceries, the list goes on. Unmet Needs provides emergency grants to military families who need temporary help making ends meet.

https://vfwne.com/family-assistance/

Trauma treatment and therapeutic support for active military, veterans and their loved ones.

Locations | Experts | How You Can Help This Program

Trauma and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can happen to anyone who has been exposed to dangerous or deadly events – even those psychologically overwhelmed by the possibility of these experiences. Traumatic events change the survivor psychologically, biologically and socially. Multiple traumatic experiences complicate recovery and increase a person’s reluctance to seek support. Trauma and PTSD are treatable—it is never too late to start treatment.

Signs and symptoms of trauma & PTSD

• Isolation – personality changes
• Startled reaction to noise or movement – hypervigilance to surroundings
• Unwanted reliving of traumatic memories – triggers can include: sights, sounds or smells
• Hostile or suicidal feelings and impulses – loss of meaning to life
• Lack of emotional reactivity – feeling numb
• Sleep problems, dreams or nightmares
• Excessive need to control situations
• Anxiety, guilt or depression
• Problems with authority
• Concentration and memory problems
• Thrill-seeking & risk-taking behaviors
• Sense of a foreshortened future

Effects
Untreated trauma reactions and PTSD can lead to physical illness, substance abuse, social avoidance, family life conflicts and a reduction in employment or school performance. Loved ones of war exposed persons can experience secondary and/or transgenerational trauma reactions which can affect their ability to carry out everyday life tasks as well as influence family interactions, social behaviors and emotional development of children. In either case, the mere passage of time will not relieve trauma and PTSD.

At Ease^® can help!
The At Ease^® program provides confidential, individualized counseling services for active military personnel, veterans and their loved ones. All veterans and their loved ones will be accepted regardless of ability to pay.

At Ease^® is coordinated from the LFS Bellevue office, but veterans and their loved ones may also be served at LFS locations in Blair, Plattsmouth, Fremont, Papillion, four Omaha area locations and Grand Island (for those residing in Adams, Blaine, Buffalo, Clay, Custer, Franklin, Furnas, Garfield, Greeley, Hall, Hamilton, Harlan, Howard, Kearney, Loup, Merrick, Nuckolls, Phelps, Valley, Sherman, Webster and Wheeler Counties). Additionally, Telehealth sessions can be used to serve veterans and/or their loved ones living in greater Nebraska.

As assessments are completed, therapists will individualize treatment using a combination of individual and group treatment approaches including families/couples and peer-to-peer mutual support groups and educational opportunities for veterans and their loved ones which address PTSD, war zone stress reactions, trauma-related guilt, anger management and coping strategies for managing everyday life situations. When appropriate, At Ease^® staff will coordinate services with other community agencies and refer clients to area resources.

About Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska
LFS provides Behavioral Health Services that focus on the needs of those who have experienced trauma, including outpatient mental health treatment, substance abuse/addictions treatment, 24/7 urgent care and emergency and community support services.

LFS behavioral health services are made available through insurance payments, sliding scale fees and contributions.

The At Ease^® program is a collaboration between At Ease USA and Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska

https://lfsneb.org/behavioralhealth/at_ease/index.asp

Nebraska National Guard Family Assitance 

Family Assistant Centers – Contact Information

Mrs. Brandi Gettert 1776 N. 10th St. Lincoln, NE 68508 Family Assistance Center Coordinator Telephone: (402) 309-7333 DSN: 279-7333 Fax: (402) 309-7392Email: [email protected]

REGION 1 Bob Reichwein 11650 Rainwood Road Omaha NE 68142 402-309-7086Email: [email protected]REGION 2 Layne Beza 800 E 7th Street Wayne NE 68787 402-309-8940 Email: [email protected] REGION 3 Carey Wilson 5710 Airport Road Kearney NE 68847 402-309-7747 Email: [email protected] REGION 4 Michaela Wesley 1776 N 10th Lincoln, NE 68508 402-309-7346   Email: [email protected] REGION 5 R. Scott Halsted 1700 N Jeffers North Platte NE 69101 402-309-8602 Email: [email protected] REGION 6 Amy Reinpold 2810 1st Ave Scottsbluff NE 69361 402-309-7778 Email: [email protected] TUTORCITY.COM World-Class One-to-One Tutoring SITTERCITY.COM Find Experienced Babysitters & Nannies in your neighborhood

Youth Program – Contact Information
Mr. Dave Hall Child and Youth Coordinator 1776 N. 10th St. Lincoln, NE 68508 Telephone:  (402) 309-7955 DSN:  279-7955 Email: [email protected]	Ms. Kelli Czarnick Child and Youth Lead1776 N. 10th St. Lincoln, NE 68508 Telephone:  (402) 309-7338 DSN:  279-7338Email: [email protected]

https://ne.ng.mil/FamilyResources/Pages/default.aspx

WANT TO HELP MILITARY YOUTH IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Below are some ways your school or organization can help military kids. Some are simple. Some will take more time to plan and implement.
“Adopt” a military kid or family (or several)

Serve as a mentor to a military kid

Develop a program to help families with transportation

Create public awareness about the issues military families face during deployment

Help kids videotape messages and send to deployed parents

Pen pals with parents – help kids write, send photos, drawing, audiotapes, videotaped messages to deployed family members

Organize pen pals between military kids and between nonmilitary and military kids

Get donations for Spirit packs for deployed soldiers

Get donations for Spirit packs for families – your organization could put these together to deliver to families

Cards and notes of encouragement to kids/families

Games

o Movie passes
o Video night basket, video certificates, popcorn, juice
o Ice cream certificates
o Phone cards
o Provide email access
o Event tickets
o Gift certificates
o Gas certificates
o Use your imagination!

Plan a program that helps kids learn about the Middle East, or Asia, or Eastern Europe (remember that some of the soldiers are deployed in places other than Iraq and Afghanistan) – use the Internet as a resource, recently returned veterans, social studies teachers – plan positive and interactive learning activities for kids that teaches about geography and culture: foods/clothing/what the schools are like/what kinds of games the kids play Plan and implement family fun nights/social activities/picnics/potlucks
Provide activities/child care for kids at Guard/Reserve family support group meetings  Organize Volunteer grandparents – adopt a family to grandparentGet donations for birthday or special occasion gifts Provide opportunities for military kids and families to visit and network provide activities for kids so adults can talk Mom or dad day out – provide child care so parent can get away
Tickets to sporting event spa Donate frequent flier miles to soldiers or families Organize a clothing/toy swapAsk community organizations to provide scholarships so kids can go to county day camps, 4-H camp, State 4-H conference Plan a special camp for military kids Uncover the hidden treasures in your community – identify volunteer community resources to provide assistance to military families – a clearinghouse of volunteers and their skills

o handyman
o housework
o yard work
o childcare
o transportation
o buddy system for kids when repair person is in house
o tax help
o mentoring
o tutoring
o people who will make and deliver a meal or snack
o auto mechanic
o emergency contact list of available helpers (someone
parent or child can call at last minute where emergency
or unexpected happens)
These are just some ideas, if you put your heads together, you will
probably come up with lots more! For more information and resources,
contact:
Beth Kaiser, Nebraska OMK Coordinator, 402-440-9580 [email protected]