Military-Connected Youth
Who are Military-Connected Students?
Military-connected students are: children in TK-12 schools, and young adults in Trade Schools, or Institutions of Higher Education (2 or 4 year schools) that are official dependents of a Military Service member. A military-connected student has one degree of separation from their military sponsor; the connection may be biological, because of an adoption, through foster parenting, or with in loco parentis authorization.
Adapted from Military Child Education Coalition
Military-connected students face the following challenges:
Separations from a parent or caregiver due to deployments;
High mobility rates – active duty families move every two to three years (This is approximately three times more often than the civilian population. Students often experience six to nine moves during their TK-12 school education);
Academic and social challenges attributed to frequent school changes, deployment of a parent(s), return of a deployed parent, injury to or death of a parent, etc.;
Difficulties qualifying for, receiving, or continuing special needs services due to differences in regulation interpretations, testing required to enroll in or receive special needs services, and resource availability in school districts;
Understanding and interpreting new school regulations and policies;
Elevated stress – making new friends and finding a new peer group in a new school; adjustment to a new school, community, and home; At-risk for depression and anxiety due to relocation, deployment of a parent(s), etc.; and,
Adjusting to curriculum and instructional methods or school climate/culture that may differ from school to school.
Adapted from Military Child Education Coalition
Military Family Resources
Enrollment
SDUSD Military School Liaison Officer Contacts
Children and Youth in Transition Contacts
Academic Support and Tutoring
Before and After School Programs
Child Care Resources
Child Development Centers & State Preschools, San Diego Unified School District
Child Development Programs, San Diego Metro Fleet and Family Readiness
Children with Special Needs
General Resources
Courage to Call 24/7 Helpline (877) 698-7838
Fleet & Family Support Service: Information and resources for active duty, reserve, and retired Department of Defense service members and their families.
FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress)
Homefront San Diego non-profit organization providing a hand up to military families in their time of need.
Operation Bigs. Mentoring program for military families. Phone (619) 218-3335.
SAMHSA Webinars addressing the behavioral health needs of service members and their families
San Diego Military Family Collaborative has great resources, information and free events available to military families. Visit their calendar to view upcoming events.
SAY San Diego (Strengthening the whole child, whole family, whole community)
The Community Resource Guide is a directory of community services in the San Diego region that our district’s students and parents may need to access.
Women Infants and Children (WIC) For pregnant women and children under age 5
zero8hundred is an employment, education, and health support for military families who are leaving the service due to retirement or end of enlistment