Blog: Homefront Help: Military Kids Connect

Promoting the idea that "Kids Deploy Too!" when they see parents go to battle overseas, Military Kids Connect offers children of the armed forces an online forum to network with others in the same situation. Users can participate on message boards, take part in activities and games or watch videos of children who have experienced a parent's deployment. Monitored social networking features allow military dependents to share their struggles and experiences in a secure environment. Resources are divided by age groups: 6 to 8 years; 9 to 12 years; and 13 to 17 years. Developers of the site hope it eases the pain children go through during a deployment.

The website also includes sections for teachers and parents and for caregivers, offering information and guides. Parents can learn more about summaries of typical behaviors throughout the deployment cycle depending on age and receive some parenting tips. Military Kids Connect is an initiative of the U.S. Defense Department's National Center for Telehealth and Technology.

Homefront Help also has a Facebook page where visitors can gather and share information. If you know of a program that is helping service personnel, veterans or their families please submit that information to Rita Boland, SIGNAL's news editor.