HOOAH 4 PARENTS

Welcome to the HOOAH 4 PARENTS page! This section of the site is geared towards parents of children of all ages. Many of these pages will concentrate on the needs of parents from pregnancy to talking with your teenager. There is also information for veterans and health information for Family members who are over 50. There are many needs specific to growing Families so please continue to check back as we expand this section of the site. And please let us know what topics you would like to see us cover in the future by emailing us your comments.

Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) Reservists   New! "The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is in the forefront of a major effort to level the "playing field" for all military-connected kids worldwide. The Military Child Education Coalition is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is working hard to identify educational challenges, to create an awareness of those challenges in the military and educational communities, and then to encourage and support opportunities for systemic change where possible. As a national and international organization, serving children wherever the military Family is located around the world, our total focus is the highly mobile, military child and his or her educational opportunities." Download the "How to prepare our children and stay involved in their education during deployment" booklet at and the equally informative booklet "How communities can support the children and Families of those serving in the National Guard and Reserves".

SOFAR - Strategic Outreach to Families of All Reservists   New! More resources for reservists' Families! -- SOFAR - Strategic Outreach to Families of All Reservists has as its goal "to provide a flexible and diverse range of psychological services that fosters stabilization, aids in formulating prevention plans to avoid crises, and helps Families to manage acute problems effectively when they occur... This pro bono program was established to serve Families of deployed reservists through preventative, educational and direct clinical services to individuals, adolescents, children and Families. The program's therapists are licensed psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists largely drawn from the greater Boston area, who have agreed to volunteer their time to work with deployed Soldiers' Family members." Please visit the web site, www.sofarusa.org/index.html, for more information.

Smoking and Young Adolescents   New! According to a new research, trying just one cigarette can make it more likely that young adolescents will take up smoking!   Click for more >>

Team Nutrition    Parents, let your schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, and YMCAs know about Team Nutrition, an initiative of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, whose goal is to improve children's lifelong eating and physical activity habits by using the principles of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid.

Choose Respect    Choose Respect is a website resource for young adolescents, ages 11-14, parents, schools, and community organizations (Y's, Boys & Girls clubs, etc.) that addresses dating violence in a straightforward, engaging manner. Kids can create a music video, take quizzes, and learn the Dating Bill of Rights and Responsibilities.

Zero to Three Zero to Three website features information specifically for military Families with very young children. Parents will find information on brain development, everyday routines, parent tips, and more. Plus, there's an easy-to-use A-Z index of topics. There's also a great section for healthcare professionals.

New! Program for Children of Deployed Reservists Unlike the children of full-time servicemembers, kids whose parents are reservists usually are not "old hands" at military life, with its frequent moves, long absences of a parent, and a community of other kids who are in the same boat. Today, with the activation of so many reservists, children who suddenly become military kids face huge changes in their lives. From worry about the deployed parent to being viewed differently by their friends to possibly moving to a new community, these children can experience a host of new situations and emotions. Now, "Operation: Military Kids," a new outreach program sponsored by Army Child and Youth Services and many child-oriented nonprofit organizations, has been launched to help children learn about and adjust to their new status. To learn about the program and get involved, visit the program's web site.

BAM Activity Calendar Encourage kids to create a personalized activity calendar in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Body and Mind Web site. This colorful and engaging site for kids also features suggested activities and practical tips from real tweens on many different activities, including canoeing, tennis, volleyball, and more!

A Dazzling Smile is a Lasting Treasure February is National Children's Dental Health Month. The theme this year is "A healthy smile is always in style." While a nice smile does improve a child's self- esteem and social connectivity, healthy baby teeth are important for chewing, learning to speak properly, and guiding the development of the permanent teeth.

Healthy Schools Healthy Youth site contains valuable resources for parents, schools, and state and local education and health agencies to identify and prevent the most serious health risk behaviors among children, adolescents and young adults. The resources include Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, Risky Behaviors, Global School-based Student Health Survey, Tools for Schools including School Health Index, and more.

Club Drugs Across the country, teens and young adults enjoy all-night dance parties known as "raves" and increasingly encounter more than just music. Dangerous substances known collectively as club drugs -- including Ecstasy, GHB, and Rohypnol -- are gaining popularity.

What Do You Know, Or Need To Know About Teen Suicide? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 1997 a startling 21 percent of high school students had contemplated suicide in the previous year and that 8 percent had tried to kill themselves.

School Violence Violence has replaced communicable diseases as the primary cause of death among American children. Violence among youth, especially in schools, is one of society's most pressing concerns. No matter where they are, parents want their children to be safe and secure.

The Maternal and Child Health Bureau is charged with the primary responsibility for promoting and improving the health of our Nation's mothers and children.

	The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Web site is a worldwide resource that provides information on VA programs, veterans benefits, VA facilities worldwide, and VA medical automation software. The site serves several major constituencies, including the veteran and his or her dependents, Veterans Service Organizations, the military, the general public, and VA employees around the world.
50 Something? Health tips and resources for making this the best time of your life! The health information in this guide covers many topics, including: blood pressure, diabetes, depression, tobacco use, osteoporosis, hearing loss, menopause, and the pneumococcal and flu vaccines.
	Military Health System Web Site is the official site of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) and the TRICARE Management Activity.
	United States Army Retirement Services provides information on benefits and entitlements to active duty personnel preparing for retirement. It also provides information to retirees through Army installation Retirement Services Officers (RSO).
The Army Family Liaison Office is an honest broker, which the Army uses to monitor Soldier and Family well being and Quality of Life. It serves as the ombudsman for Army Families in the field.
	Click here to visit MAPsite: Military Assistance Program website which has information on relocation, military benefits and other needs specific to military Families.