Navy EFMP Southwest Region Newsletter: March-April 2013 Issue Month Of the Military ChildE E F F M M P P N N e e w w s s l l e e t t t t e e rrFl lee t t & & Family S Supporrt t C Cen t terr Me t t rro San Die g go MARCH - APRIL 2013In This Issue: Month of the Military Child Autism News/ACT 5K/10K Run/Walk ADD/ADHD Weight Loss tips Sports 4 Exceptional Athletes Recipe Share/NMCSD Health & Wellness Classes Preparing for tax season Resources & Classes/FFSC Workshops Book CornerNew Spouse Orientation Month of the Military ChildSecretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger in l986 designated each April as “The Month of the Military Child”. Recognizing the contribution that the military child makes as their parent or parents serve our nation, it is during April of each year that all branches of service provide special days and events to honor the family and their children. Military children, as they grow and become young adults, are an inspiration and a source of pride for our nation. Frequent move s and family separations throug h deployments, and reintegration issues make life especially challenging. Often military children are looked up to for their resilience and ability to deal with life changing events. The Defense Department created Military Kids Connect website (www.militarykidsconnect.org ). This site, which is an initiative of the National Centerfor Telehealth & Technology (T2), includes age-appropriate games and activities designed to help children manage challenges such as moving and deployment. There are activities to teach kids about the countries where their parents are deployed, tips to help children know what to expect when their parent returns, and videos made by and formilitary kids. The sections for tweens and teens feature secure message boards that allow children to share their stories with other military kids. The site also includes pages forparents, c aregivers, and tea chers whic h offer stra tegies for h elping ch ildren cope and links to useful resources. Since its launch in January 2012, the Military Kids Connect website has served more than 125,000 visitors and won five industry excellence awards. To mark the one-yearanniversary, the website added new content designed for children, parents, and educators. Visitor s to the site will now find new features such as graphic novels and mini-documentaries by military kids sharing their experiences. The site also includes lesson plans and information on military culture to help teachers, school counselors, and educators to better understand the differences between military and civilian youth. The site will continue to add updated information and features with the goal of helping military children–and the adults who care for them–cope with the challenges ofmilitary life.
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Navy EFMP Southwest Region Newsletter: March-April 2013 Issue
Month Of the Military Child
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MARCH - APRIL 2013
In This Issue:
Month of theMilitary Child
AutismNews/ACT5K/10KRun/Walk
ADD/ADHDWeight Loss tips
Sports 4ExceptionalAthletes
RecipeShare/NMCSDHealth &WellnessClasses
Preparing for taxseason
Resources &Classes/FFSCWorkshops
Book Corner
New Spouse
Orientation
Month of the Military Child
Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger in l986 designated each April as “The
Month of the Military Child”. Recognizing the contribution that the military child makesas their parent or parents serve our nation, it is during April of each year that all branchesof service provide special days and events to honor the family and their children.
Military children, as they grow and become young adults, are an inspiration and a source
of pride for our nation. Frequent moves and family separations through deployments,and reintegration issues make life especially challenging. Often military children arelooked up to for their resilience and ability to deal with life changing events.
The Defense Department created Military Kids Connect website
(www.militarykidsconnect.org ). This site, which is an initiative of the National Center
for Telehealth & Technology (T2), includes age-appropriate games and activitiesdesigned to help children manage challenges such as moving and deployment. There areactivities to teach kids about the countries where their parents are deployed, tips to helpchildren know what to expect when their parent returns, and videos made by and for military kids. The sections for tweens and teens feature secure message boards that allowchildren to share their stories with other military kids. The site also includes pages for
parents, caregivers, and teachers which offer strategies for helping children cope andlinks to useful resources.
Since its launch in January 2012, the Military Kids Connect website has served morethan 125,000 visitors and won five industry excellence awards. To mark the one-year
anniversary, the website added new content designed for children, parents, and
educators. Visitors to the site will now find new features such as graphic novels andmini-documentaries by military kids sharing their experiences. The site also includeslesson plans and information on military culture to help teachers, school counselors, andeducators to better understand the differences between military and civilian youth. The
site will continue to add updated information and features with the goal of helpingmilitary children – and the adults who care for them – cope with the challenges of
Navy EFMP Southwest Region Newsletter: March-April 2013 Issue
Autism Moms Have Stress Similar To Combat SoldiersBy Michelle Diament (http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2009/11/10/autism-moms-stress/6121/)
Mothers of adolescents and adults with autism experience chronic stress comparable to combat soldiers and struggle with frequentfatigue and work interruptions, new research finds. These moms also spend significantly more time caregiving than moms of thosewithout disabilities.
Researchers followed a group of moms of adolescents and adults with autism for eight days in a row. Moms were interviewed atthe end of each day about their experiences and on four of the days researchers measured the moms’ hormone levels to assesstheir stress.
They found that a hormone associated with stress was extremely low, consistent with people experiencing chronic stress such assoldiers in combat, the researchers report in one of two studies published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.“This is the physiological residue of daily stress,” says Marsha Mailick Seltzer, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madisonwho authored the studies. “The mothers of children with high levels of behavior problems have the most pronounced physiologicalprofile of chronic stress, but the long-term eff ect on their physical health is not yet known.”
Such hormone levels have been associated with chronic health problems and can affect glucose regulation, immune functioningand mental activity, researchers say.
In a companion study, the researchers followed up with the same group of mothers daily to interview them about how they usedtheir time, their level of fatigue, what leisure activities they participated in and whether or not stressful events occurred. Thisinformation was then compared with data from a national sample of mothers whose children do not have disabilities.
Mothers of those with autism reported spending at least two hours more each day caregiving than mothers of children withoutdisabilities. On any given day these moms were also twice as likely to be tired and three times as likely to have experienced astressful event. What’s more, these moms were interrupted at work on one out of every four days compared to less than one in 10days for other moms.
Despite all of this, mothers of an individual with autism were just as likely to have positive experiences each day, volunteer or support their peers as those whose children have no developmental disability, researchers found. “On a day-to-day basis, the
mothers in our study experience more stressful events and have less time for themselves compared to the average Americanmother,” says Leann Smith, a developmental psychologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who worked on the studies. “Weneed to find more ways to be supportive of these families.” In particular, the researchers say that parents need better respiteoptions and flexibility from their employers. Further, they say, programs to help manage behavior problems can go a long waytoward improving the situation for mothers and their kids alike.
Autism News
Saturday, April 6, 2013 - Mission Bay Park,San Diego
http://acttodayformilitaryfamilies.kintera.org
April is Autism Awareness Month and the Month of the Military Child. Put a team together and help usraise autism awareness and make a difference inthe lives of military children with autism. Join us inhonoring our nation’s heroes.
Navy EFMP Southwest Region Newsletter: March-April 2013 Issue
My Healthy Family
Weight-Loss Secrets for ADHD Adults
T T h h e e s s e e w w e e i i g g h h t t - - l l o o s s s s s s t t r r a a t t e e g g i i e e s s a a r r e e s s p p e e c c i i f f i i c c a a l l l l y y t t a a i i l l o o r r e e d d t t o o h h e e l l p p AAD D H H D D a a d d u u l l t t s s f f o o l l l l o o w w t t h h r r o o u u g g h h o o n n e e x x e e r r c c i i s s e e
g g o o a a l l s s . . b b y y N N a a n n c c y y R R a a t t e e y y
Eager to get going on your weight-loss regimen? For many ADDers, the best approach is to start byfocusing solely on exercise. Don't worry: Once you start seeing results, you'll find it easier to change your eating habits, as well. Over the years, Boston-based ADD coach Nancy Ratey has helped dozens of clientsdevelop and stick with exercise programs. Here are six stick-to-it strategies that she finds particularlyhelpful.
1. Make exercise a "win-win" game. Many ADDers set exercise goals that are unrealistically high--and unwittingly set the stage for failure. For instance,
if you say that you’ll work out for 30 minutes but manage only 15, you may feel so discouraged that you skip your next workout session.
Here's a better idea: First, decide upon the absolute minimum amount of exercise that you find acceptable--for example, working out for 15 minutes twice a week. Then set an easy maximum workout goal--maybe 30 minutestwice a week. Chances are, you'll have no trouble reaching your minimum goal--and there's a pretty good chancethat you'll also exceed your maximum goal. Meeting your goals makes you feel good and encourages you to stickwith your workouts. Remember to increase your minimum and maximum goals periodically.
2. Hold yourself accountable. If you told yourself that you would exercise before the end of the day, don't allow yourself to bag it. Even if it's 11:30 p.m., you still have time.If it's impossible to go outside or make it to the gym, run in place or do some jumping jacks or pushups. Your goal is to end the day saying, "Idid what I said I would do!"
3. Track your workouts. Hang up a calendar, and mark an X on the days you exercise. Keep it simple--no need to mark workout time, reps, laps, heart rate, and soon. Once a month, review what you’ve accomplished to get a sense of your progress.
4. Write a letter. Many ADDers start an exercise program with tremendous enthusiasm, only to lose interest within a few weeks. If that sounds like you, writeyourself a letter of encouragement. Give it to a friend at the start of your exercise program, and ask her to "deliver" it back to you when your enthusiasm starts to flag.
5. Schedule "backup" workouts. Like most ADDers, you probably hate structure--especially when it comes to working out and doing other "chores." So feel free to add someflexibility to your structure by scheduling not one but several workouts during any given 24-hour period. For example, you might scheduleyour weekend workout for 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. Sunday. That’s six chances. Odds are, you'llmake one of them.
6. Ignore your "inner saboteur." It's hard to develop regular exercise habits if a voice inside you keeps saying, "Why not skip today's workout and do it tomorrow instead?"
And with ADDers, there's almost always such a voice. Don't listen to it. Tell it to get lost.
SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes (S4EA) is a sports program serving athletes with developmental disabilities ages 5 throughadult in San Diego. For more information, go to www.s4ea.org
UPCOMING EVENTSLMarch 2 Monique Henderson Invitational S4EA Track Meet - Sweetwater High School (9am-1pm)
March 9 Kiwanis Track Meet - West Hills High School, Santee (8:30am-3pm)
March 16 S4EA Basketball Tournament - Francis Parker School (9am-5pm)
April 12-14 S4EA SPORTS Camp #1 - Green Oak Ranch, Vista (Fri 2pm-Sun 4pm)
April 20 S4EA Pancake Breakfast/Athlete Council Elections - S4EA/North Shores Audit. (8-10am)
April 27-28 S4EA Ice Skating Meet - Ice Castle Int. Training Ctr, Lake Arrowhead (Sat 4pm-Sun 6pm)
May 17 S4EA Bunco Fundraiser - S4EA/North Shores Auditorium (6-8pm)
June 1 S4EA Spring Floor Hockey Tournament - SDSU Aztec Recreation Center (9am-5pm)
August 1 S4EA "A Taste 4 SPORTS" Gala Fundraiser - SD Hall of Champions, Balboa Park (6-9:30pm)
Navy EFMP Southwest Region Newsletter: March-April 2013 Issue
EFMP Resources & Classes
Tax Filing Resources for Military FamiliesMilitary families have several resources to help with filing state and federal taxes, but before you start:
Be sure to gather all of your important tax related documents before you start. Tax related documents may include any of the
following as it applies to your family’s situation:
W-2 (wage or salary from all employment from the previous year)
Disability income
Interest from checking accounts, saving accounts, bonds, CD, or brokerage account
State tax refund from 2011
Alimony income
Pension and/or IRA distribution (1099)
Unemployment
Other income such as gambling winnings, awards, and prizes
Education expenses (1098T)
Home mortgage payments (1098)
Real Estate Tax
Charitable contributions
Child/dependent care expenses
Estimated tax payments
All rental property information if claiming rental income
Old Tax Record (2011)
Any information you think will help properly prepare your tax return
For tax information specific to military families, check out the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Tax Information for Members of
the U.S. Armed Forces webpage. This IRS website contains online videos and short articles which highlight military specific
issues such as combat pay, filing deadline extensions for deployed service members, and tax laws that provide special benefits to
service members.
Free tax filing services are available through Military OneSource. The program provides free access to a customized version of
the basic H&R Block at Home® online tax filing product. This customized product allows for free federal filing and up to three
state returns. Military OneSource also provides tax counselors via telephone at 1.800.342.9647. The counselors cannot prepare
tax forms, but can help you make an informed decision about your tax situation.
Military installations offer Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) consultants to assist with free tax advice, tax preparation,
return filing, and much more. Some installations will set up a tax table at common locations, such as the Exchange or Library.
Other installation tax centers will extend their hours to help service members and families prepare their returns. Check your installation website or social media pages for announcements. Locate the closest VITA site using the Armed Forces Legal
To get started with the application process, please get in touch with one of our
partner organizations listed below.
NAVY
Naval Base San Diego Naval Base Coronado Naval Base Point Loma(619) 556-7404 (619) 545-6071 (619) 553-8306
Or visit: www.cnrsw.navy.mil/fsc/default.asp
MARINE
MCRD San Diego MCAS Miramar MCB Camp Pendleton(619) 524-8031 (858)-577-4668 (760) 725-5363
Or visit: http://www.usmc-mccs.org/efmp/
AIRFORCE ARMY COAST GUARD
(661) 227-0723 (760) 380-3698 (310) 521-6134
FFSC Workshops
Call our Centralized Scheduling Center to register:866-923-6478 or email us at [email protected]
EFMP Family Connection- child care provided please call
619-571-4781 to reserve.
March 6 & April 3: 6-8pm, San Diego Regional Center 4355
Ruffin Rd. San Diego, CA. 92123
EFMP Orientation- March 19 & April 16 1-2pm
NMCSD Bldg 2, 1st
Floor, Pediatric Conference Room
EFMP Command POC Training- 9-11 am
March 6 FFSC NBPL, Bldg 211 Classroom 2
April 4 FFSC NBSD, Bldg 263 Classroom 6
Bullying Awareness and Prevention: What Patterns
you need to know Apr 16, Tue, 10 - 11 am Murphy Canyon Chapel, 3200 Santo Rd, SD, CA 92124
Bullying and cyber bullying have become more prevalent inschools and with the advancement of technology in our homes.This workshop provides an overview of what bullying is and what itis not; why be concerned about bullying; what to do if your child isbeing bullied or if your child is the bully. This curriculum wasadapted from The Department of Education and The Departmentof Justice intervention program "Stop Bullying Now"www.stopbullying.gov
Healthy Kids and NutritionEstablishing healthier eating habits throughout children’s life cycle.Guidelines are developed by the United States Department of
This craft time will be limited for children from ages 3 - 6 andMUST be pre-registered to attend. FFSC will have a monthlytheme that will consist of interactions of adult and children for stories, songs and crafts. Kidz Craftz will run concurrent with ALeague of Extraordinary Spouses. Parents have the option of leaving their preschoolers with FFSC staff while attending thesupport group or join in on the fun of the days Kraft.