State and county Extension staff, community agencies, schools, and 4-H Club youth are reaching out to military youth…before, during and after their parents are deployed.  This outreach effort is called Operation: Military Kids. 

• Annual Report (PDF 1.72 MB)

• Reaching out to Missouri's suddenly military families
  (photo slide show)

• National Operation: Military Kids website http://www.operationmilitarykids.org

• O:MK creates community support networks for military youth “in our own backyard” when soldier parents are deployed.

• O:MK delivers recreational, social and educational programs for military youth living in civilians communities.

• O:MK supports military kids coping with the stress of knowing their deployed parents may be in harm’s way.

• O:MK collaborates with schools to ensure that staff is attuned to the unique needs of military students.

• O:MK educates the public on the impact of the deployment cycle on Soldiers, families, kids and the community as a whole.

• O:MK provides resources for military families experiencing the ongoing deployment cycle.

***Large view of Map of Missouri Military Youth Served by 4-H (in PDF)

Operation: Military Kids is supported by many Missouri partners.

• Missouri 4-H

• Missouri National Guard

• Army/Air Force Reserve

• Military Reserve

• Whiteman Air Force Base

• Ft. Leonard Wood

• American Legion

• Missouri Veterans Commission

• Missouri Child Education Coalition

• University of Missouri Extension

• Youth and Volunteers

• Faith Community

• Boy Scouts

• Girl Scouts

• Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

• Boys and Girls Clubs

• Missouri School Board Association

State Board Member Monthly Publicity Report Form (Word) or (PDF)
Community Partners Guide (PDF)

Contact
Joan Zeller, zellerc@missouri.edu or 573-882-6006

Operation: Military Kids is provided by Army Child & Youth Services in partnership with National 4-H Headquarters, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, US Department of Agriculture.  The project is working to ease the stress of deployed or returning National Guard and Reserve children.