Benefits of the Oklahoma OMK Program
A Delphi Study
Hillary SiegfriedOMK Graduate StudentOklahoma State University
Purpose of the Study
Determine the parents’ perception of the overall benefits of the Oklahoma OMK Program
The Delphi technique is designed as a group communication process….”two heads are better than one” (Dalkey, 1969)
What?
• Panel of experts included twenty-five Oklahoma military parents who had a child or children involved in OMK activities.
• All branches of services were represented.
• Three rounds of questionnaires, based upon an open ended question: “how has the Oklahoma OMK program been beneficial to your child/children?”
So What?Gave them something fun to do while their
loved one was far away
76.2% reported that the father was the family member deployed
So What?Made new friends who understood
what they were going though
“gave my child a chance to meet other kids in the same situation”
So What?
Gained self-confidence
“They have made Great strides in
self-confidence…I can’t thank OMK enough”
So What?Met other military kids going through similar
experiences
“has broadened their exposureto the outside”
So What?• Not alone in the deployment process.
• Became more independent.
• Something fun to do while loved one was far away.
• Made new friends understood what they were going through.
• Gained self-confidence.
• Met other military kids going through similar experience.
Now What?The work continues…..
Improve leadership skillsMore exposure to the real life worldHelp them cope during deploymentImprove communication skillsHelp them express themselvesReceive support from peers