Caregivers caring for a special needs family member or a member with an injury have a lot on their plate. Knowing where the resources are on the military post and how to get them allows for the caregivers to have the time they need for themselves all while caring for the family member.

Exceptional Family Member Program

The Exceptional Family Member Program, or EFMP, was established to ensure that family members with health needs would only be moved by the military to locations where those services could be continued. Each military installation has a EFMP office with coordinators there to ensure which services are available and how to get them.  

One program through the EFMP program is Respite Care. Respite care available for each family is different for each branch of service. If you are in the Navy or in the Army, it will not be the same across the board due to the different funding resources for each branch of service. Reach out to your local EFMP office to know what respite care is covered. The idea of respite care if provide a well-trained caregiver to care for the family member with additional needs all while giving the family caregiver a well-deserved and needed break.

Counseling

Caring for an injured or special needs family member adds unique challenges for the caregiver in the family. Non-medical counseling is available on Military One Source via telephone, in person or through live video sessions. There are phone numbers for both OCONUS and CONUS locations.

Medical counseling is available through the military health insurance, TRICARE. At the time of this writing, Telemynd is covered for telehealth counseling services.

The Military and Family Life Counseling Program through the Military and Family Support Center on the military installation offers non-medical counseling for all military-connected family members. They offer in-person counseling both on and off base, allowing for flexibility of the military family. Find your base program here.

Did you know that Military One Source offers Health and Wellness coaching? These coaches can help with managing stress and healthy eating habits. Call the Military One Source number to get in contact and learn more about the services here.

Caregivers Empowering Caregivers

The CEC program through Blue Star Families offers workshops connected caregivers to create peer networks while also sharing resources. These workshops are currently offered virtually but will transition to in-person as able.

Military Veterans Caregiver Network

Become part of a network of military-connected caregivers by competing for this form through Blue Star Families.

Other Resources

The National Alliance for Caregiving is a network and resource for unpaid caregivers caring for those with a mental health condition.

Operation Family Caregiver is a program through the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving that offers peer-to-peer networking for the military caregiver.

Psych Armor is a not-for-profit that offers free online education for military-connected caregivers.  

Here is a downloadable list of resources for military-connected caregivers.

Deployments among military families are a commonality. While the operational tempo seems to have slowed in comparison to a decade ago, deployments are a normal part of military life. Deployments are not enjoyable for military children at any age. It is a time when one parent is across the world, unavailable for regular and usual communication. It can be especially difficult if the deployed parent is the one who does bedtime or the usual driving for the Saturday activities. Deployment is a change in pattern, no matter what is going on.

Can we all agree that being a teen is challenging? It is a time of building on self-esteem and evaluating body image to include the stress of academics and activities while developing character. Add in the challenge of family separation from a family member with the added worry about that family member during deployment and it can be a difficult situation to manage.

Communication

With as much lead time as possible, have an open discussion with the teenager about the deployment. Talk about expectations for the deployment from home and for the service member. Set aside time to allow for your teen to ask questions that may have come up later after the initial discussion. Having these open times for conversation can allow for more time to go over any questions or concerns. If able, turn off any distractions to allow for full attention to the conversation.

Communication continues after the initial discussion, and throughout the deployment. Review how this will happen – through letters, email, or applications like What’s App. This expectation setting helps set the tone for the deployment. Put up a calendar with the expected months of the deployment so there is a clear picture. This visual may be common for younger children, but it is helpful for all ages to have a timeline to return to and review.

Plan Together

As part of the communication, set up expectations for changes in responsibilities during deployment. Allow for a two-way discussion on what will change, what will stay the same, and overall plans. Write up a checklist, or a chart for the change in responsibilities. If it works for your family, decide on a reward system. Adding things to look forward to during deployment help change the focus to positive things to look forward to.

Planning together can continue during deployment. Maybe involve your teen in planning a trip for after deployment. Email back and forth with the deployed parent discussing ideas can keep communication open and allow for an activity to build on the relationship.

Alone Time

As much as possible, plan time for the service member and the teenager for a special outing or activity. Maybe it is to a movie of mutual interest, putt-putt golf, a new video game, or a beach day. There isn’t a magic outing, the idea is to just spend time together. Do what you enjoy together.

Routine, Routine, Routine

During deployment, any parent of young children will tell you to maintain a routine. Keep the routine and it will keep the family dynamic stable. This is still the same for teenagers. It is the same for adults. While teens may have more ability to be flexible in their daily schedules as they get older, teenagers still do well with routines which outline expectations.

Resources

Each military branch has community or family services with programming for families. There is programming for teenagers specifically – often monthly. These programs not only provide military-specific tools to help teens navigate military life but also gets other teens together. Network, community, and support are key to surviving deployment, no matter the age of the person. These teens have something in common – a military parent. Check with the military unit to see if they have gatherings of teens in the unit to get together bringing them together to build relationships.

Counseling

If your teen demonstrates the inability to cope, resume normal activity, or is more withdrawn or aggressive for over two weeks during deployment, these might be signs that there is difficulty in adjusting to the change. Follow-up with your child’s primary care provider, getting connected with Military Family Life Counselors, chaplains, or Military One Source counselors.

There are so many varied responses to deployment as a teen. Military Kids Connect has great text and videos for families and teens to read and review. These can be great ways to communicate about expected feelings or current emotions.

It is no surprise that COVID has shifted the world’s focus. Life shut down two years ago, and there are maintained restrictions and testing due to the previously unknown respiratory virus. The current President has set up an initiative to help curb COVID. The plan is to cover the cost of at-home COVID testing. At-home testing is convenient, reliable, and lessens the exposure of those performing the testing.

In January of 2022, private and group health insurers will be required to reimburse for the cost of up to eight at-home COVID tests per month. TRICARE, a federal program, is not part of this program. This means the TRICARE beneficiaries will not have the same access to cost-cutting as other private insurers.

TRICARE currently only covers COVID testing when the test is ordered by your provider, has symptoms, has exposure, is required for an upcoming surgery or procedure, or is needed for a move overseas. COVID testing for non-military travel, return to work, or return to school is not currently covered under the guidelines unless a provider orders testing.

COVID testing is being done through drive-throughs at many base locations across the United States. If you have symptoms or exposure and you are desiring to be tested, look up your base testing sites. Many states also offer to test for symptoms or exposure at no cost. You can also contact your primary care provider, and if they deem testing necessary, they can order the testing to be done. Based on where your primary care provider is, depends on where you complete your testing. If it is medically necessary, TRICARE will cover it without additional cost.

While at-home COVID testing is not currently covered by TRICARE, you can order 4 tests to be delivered to your home for free at covidtests.gov as part of a recent government initiative.

High school years go by quickly, and if college applications are on your to-do list, there is an added shock added to the cost of a college education. While military families may have transferred GI benefits for their military children, there is still a need and desire to cover college costs as much as possible. Enter scholarship applications.

It isn’t a secret among military families that military children face unique challenges through their education. There are several organizations that offer scholarships to military children specifically. Due dates are typically in the spring, so get looking now to plan out the timing for the applications. Many require essays in addition to basic information.

American Legion

The American Legion’s Legacy Scholarship is for children of post-9/11 veterans who died on active service or those who have a combined disability rating of 50 percent or greater. The application period is open from January 1 to April 30^th.

Amvets

High school seniors military dependents are invited to apply to the AMVETS scholarship once enrolled for an eligible undergraduate degree, demonstrate financial need, submit a resume and essay. The window for application is January 15^th through April 30^th.  Read more about the scholarship here.

Corvias Foundation Scholarship

Children of active-duty service members planning to attend a four-year college or university can apply to the Corvias Foundation Scholarship for up to $12,500 per year for up to two years. The initial application closes on February 15^th, 2022, while additional information will be requested from semi-finalists in March of 2022.

Fisher House

In partnership with Commissary business partners, 500 scholarships of $2,000 each will be given out this year. Eligibility is determined using the DEERS database, so military dependents should be registered in the DEERS system. The applicant must be planning to or already attending a college or university full time for the fall of the year applying. High school applicants must have maintained a 3.0 GPA and college applicants must have a minimum of 2.5 GPA. Apply through the Fisher House website here including a 500-word essay, transcripts, and proof of eligibility.  The application deadline is February 17^th of 2022.

Another scholarship program through Fisher House is the Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship which is open to dependents whose military parent died or became disabled while on active service. High school applicants must have maintained a 3.0 GPA and college applicants must have a minimum of 2.5 GPA. The submission includes documentation of transcripts and sponsors information including application here. The application deadline is February 17^th of 2022.

Service Dependent Scholarships

Each branch of service has scholarships for their dependents. For example, the AFAS General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program offers a scholarship to eligible Air Force Dependents, ranging from $500 to $4,000.  For family members of active duty, retired and honorably discharged Surface Navy personnel, the Anchor Scholarship can be applied to tuition and tuition-related expenses.   The Marine Corps Foundation offers scholarships to children of active duty or reserve or veteran Marine who was honorably discharged or died on active service; additionally, U.S. Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains, or Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit could also apply. The Navy Wives Clubs of America has a scholarship for children of active duty or retired enlisted members of the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. The Tailhook Education Foundation offers scholarships to high school graduates and children or grandchildren of current or former Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer or Air-crewman or those service members who served on board a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. Relatives of US Navy Chief Petty Officers who meet the eligibility can apply for Chief Petty Officer Scholarships.

Military Child of the Year

While not just for high school students, Operation Homefront’s award is awarded to children ages 13 to 18, with eight children chosen to represent all the branches of the armed forces.

Military Housing

If you are living on base or post, check to see if your military housing offers a scholarship to military families on the base. Each company may have different rules on how long or often you can use the scholarship, but every little bit helps when you are talking about college expenses!

Military Spouse Organizations

No matter where you live, check with the spouse organizations on your base or installation to see if they offer scholarships. Eligibility is typically for children of active duty service members who are currently serving abord the installation that the military spouse group is associated with, but some do allow for children of military retirees in the area to also apply. Some do not have a known dollar amount listed as it is based on funding raised throughout the year, but any amount of money is an added bonus, right?

Veterans United

The Veterans United Foundation Scholarship offers scholarships by semester for those pursuing an associate, bachelor’s, graduate, post-graduate or doctoral degree. Further eligibility and application criteria can be found on their website.

Have a scholarship to share, please let us know!

Health Benefits

While getting outdoors might seem cold in the winter, there are health benefits. Getting outside and moving is the benefit of exercise – even walking daily can improve your cardiovascular health. The exercise increases endorphins which will eventually add energy to your day. The increase in activity helps improve and increase digestion. Walking consistently also has the added benefit of lowering blood pressure and heart rate. In addition, getting outside will allow for natural absorption of Vitamin D in the winter months, something that most people are lacking in the colder months due to the shorter amount of sun exposure.

Where To Go

Check out state and local parks for guides on the best places to go. There are often lists for which hikes are easy (best for toddlers or young children) and pet-friendly hikes. State and local parks often have low or no cost to enter, making it a budget-friendly outing. If you are new to the area and not sure where to check, ask your local neighborhood groups on social media or NextDoor for local recommendations. Often the locals or those who have lived there longer than you have a good idea of where to go for the winter.

AllTrails offers a free and paid app that allows for searching based on location, reviews, or type of activity

If you live near National Parks, these are great options as well. The NPS updates weather advisories daily and includes schedules of what parts of the park will be open at which part of the year. Also, for military families, visiting National Parks is also a budget-friendly option as they offer a free annual pass to military families called the military pass. Yup – 365 days of free admission to all the National Parks around the United States.

Even if you live somewhere cold, you can still safely get out and about if you are wearing appropriate warming layers. Don’t discount exploring the grounds of historic homes. If you have an annual pass to places like Mount Vernon, for instance, there are outdoor winter activities throughout the season. In the colder months, there are typically wood-burning firepits to get warm as well. It may require some hot tea to get around, but you can still get out and about!

Stay At Home

Perhaps you want to stay in your own backyard. If you have a lawn consider lawn games like ladder ball, lawn bowling or inflatable horseshoes. All of these are typically child-friendly. There are even giant versions of 4-in a row or Jenga to get the family today. Looking for a more intense game to test your skill? Check out Bocce ball or croquet! Even if you aren’t continually moving, the idea of being outside and moving your body is the goal of getting outdoors. If you don’t have a lawn, but have a driveway or a paved area consider pick-up basketball or even roller skating! Doing these activities when it is warmer in the middle of the day helps you keep warm. Or if it is too cold, some of these games adapt well to in the garage or shed.

Whatever you do this winter, you can be active in your local area. You don’t have to travel far to get out and do something. Even something as seemingly little as a backyard ball, or tossing a beach ball back and forth promotes activity and increases family bonding.

What is your favorite outdoor activity?