Nebraska has a large military population with approximately 1,000 -1500 deployed military members each year over the past several years. This segment will identify resources available to military families through the Joint Family Support Assistance Program to assist military children and their families throughout the Emotional Cycle of Deployment.The Nebraska National Guard Teen Council. The teen council is dedicated to developing leadership skill and enhancing life for military children and youth of Nebraska. Dave Hall and
Jess Cooley
Military Family Life Consultation (MFLC) services are provided at no charge, with no records kept. Eligible individuals include military service members and their significant others (children and adults), whether legally related or not. This is short-term solution focused consultation, not psychotherapy. Red Cross has provided space to meet in their local offices! If possible, call ahead to schedule an appointment and/or ask questions. Dates are subject to change, as situations beyond control may arise that necessitate schedule adjustments. One can schedule a visit with an MFLC on dates other than these listed. Just call/email us!
MFLC CONSULTANTS
Barb Shupe – 402.613.3080 – [email protected]
Louise Jacobs – 402.219.2163 – [email protected]
Renee Duffek – 402.219.2446 – [email protected]
What is Nebraska Operation: Military Kids?
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!
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
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 |
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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] |
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Youth Program – Contact Information | |
Mr. Dave Hall 1776 N. 10th St. Email:
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Ms. Kelli Czarnick Child and Youth Lead1776 N. 10th St. Lincoln, NE 68508 Telephone: (402) 309-7338 DSN: 279-7338Email: [email protected]
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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]