HILL AIR FORCE BASE – Military connected students in the Davis School District and their parents have a new, unique resource that helps them face the struggles and challenges of being a military child.
Resulting from a need presented to the Davis School District regarding support for military families, including those with special needs, the four-person Military Support Team was created this past October.
“Davis School District listened to these concerns and felt that wrap-around services could provide students who were facing challenges with some extra supports to help them feel more successful in their school environment,” said Military Educational Therapist Jenn Rupp.
Military connected students experience many challenges that their peers don’t face. On average they change schools between six and nine times throughout their K-12 education, leaving behind established friendships and are required to start over in a new place.
Rupp said this can lead to feelings of isolation or loneliness as they repeatedly face the emotions of being the new kid or the sting of their peers not understanding the challenges of military lifestyles.
“These and other challenges can lead to increased stress, interpersonal conflicts, and often heightened feelings of sadness and anxious thoughts,” she said. “Youth who feel overwhelmed and stressed beyond their natural capacity may turn to maladaptive coping mechanisms.”
Military Family Advocate, Krystal Joscher said this is where the team can assist, providing support and resources that has not been available before now.
“Military families go through unique emotional stress and this program can help bridge the gap for them,” she said. “For many military connected students, their life is a continual transition and the only constant in their lives is that things will soon change.”
Military Educational Therapist Jordan Dye said supportive services are individualized to the needs of the student and family. The services can include brief individual therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention and safety planning and outreach.
The military family advocates work with students and their family to remove educational barriers through connecting military families with the resources they need to support themselves and thrive. They also help identify physical and emotional self-care and stress, coping mechanisms.
Military Family Advocate Francesca Suarez said their program is designed to build strong military connectedness.
“Our team gives educators in our district a better understanding of military culture,” she said. “It is more than rewarding to be a part of such positive change for the military connected community here in Davis County.”
All members of the Military Support Team have a direct military connection as a military spouse, parent of a military-connected child, having been a military child or current military member.
“I’m excited to help people as part of this team because I’m a parent to military connected children,” Suarez said. “I have seen the struggle they face beginning new schools every couple of years, losing friends and feeling lost in the shuffle. Our team can teach these children how to use positive coping skills and effective resources to assist in their challenging, ever-changing military lifestyle.”
Joscher said she hopes parents will allow the team to help at any time, but especially when problems are small.
“Please don’t wait for there to be an urgent need for resources and supports for your child or your family,” she said. “Reach out to your child’s school and use our resources and supports as preventative care. We are so excited to help in any way we can.”
Student can be identified for the team’s services through a school administrator referral, with the parent’s permission or parents can reach out to their school administrator for a referral.