Month of the military child Published April 4, 2013 By Health Net Federal Services DOVER AIR FORCE BASE,Del. -- April is the Month of the Military Child and Health Net Federal Services, Limited Liability Company, the TRICARE contractor for the TRICARE North Region, celebrates the 1.8 million children of U.S. military families around the world. Did you know these kids move an average of six to nine times between kindergarten and 12th-grade, according to the non-profit Military Child Education Coalition? More than 900,000 of them have had a parent deploy multiple times and there are nearly 45,000 children who are living with a parent's wound, injury, illness or death, according to the MCEC. Health Net is proud to highlight resources and organizations dedicated to the well-being of military children and the unique challenges they face. Online Resources Health Net kids' journal series - In an effort to support our nation's military children, these journals have been created to help kids navigate the unique challenges military families face (deployment, frequent moves, loss of a loved one who served). These are available at https://www.hnfs.com/content/hnfs/home/tn/bene/res/symbolic_links/kids_journals.html to review and print at no cost. Health Net's Military Children, Deployment and Behavioral Health Care Page (https://www.hnfs.com/content/hnfs/home/tn/prov/bh/children_deploymentandbehavioralhealthcare.html) - A helpful resource for military parents who see a behavioral change in their children. Military Child Education Coalition (www.militarychild.org) - A support center for military children and their families affected by mobility, family separation and transition. Militarykidsconnect.org -A safe online community for military children ages six-17 providing access to age-appropriate resources to support military children from pre-deployment to reunion. Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (taps.org) - Offers regional and national Good Grief Camps to military children and teens. Camps provide a safe and supportive atmosphere to learn coping skills, establish and identify support systems, and connect with others who've lost a loved one. Books for Military Children "Love, Lizzie: Letters to a Military Mom" by Lisa Tucker McElroy - Lizzie's mom is deployed overseas. The story is told through a series of letters Lizzie writes her mom from the time she deploys until she returns home, navigating all the difficult questions military children with a deployed parent want to ask. For grades kindergarten through third- grade. "My Story: Blogs by Four Military Teens" by Michelle Sherman - With raw emotion, fictitious teens describe the stress of coping with a parent away at war and the everyday challenges of school dances, sports and report cards. This book suggests coping skills such as exercising, recognizing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and reconnecting after a parent returns. Additional Internet resources are included. For ages 13-17. "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn - Chester Raccoon doesn't want to be separated from his mom, but his mom's special ritual of kissing the palm of his hand keeps her close to him while they're separated. Books for Military Parents "Deployment - Strategies for Working with Kids in Military Families" by Karen Petty, PhD - This comprehensive handbook is for civilians and military personnel who work with or care for children who experience separation through deployment, death or divorce. Theory-based, practice-driven strategies for handling separation and helping young through elementary-age children move forward and live full lives. "Heroes at Home: Help & Hope for America's Military Families" by Ellie Kay - Written by the wife of an Air Force pilot in encouraging language and from a spiritual perspective, this book offers helpful ideas for saving money, surviving frequent moves, keeping in touch during deployment, and other aspects of military life.