Being the child of an Army National Guard Soldier is a unique experience. It presents both benefits and challenges that are exclusive to Guard Family children. Things that are commonplace for Guard Families, like living with National Guard deployments, mobilizations and trainings, are completely foreign to civilian families, and somewhat different from the experience of active duty Families. To support Guard children as they grow and mature in an environment that is wholly different from that of both civilian and active duty youth, the National Guard Child & Youth Services (CYS) program offers a range of positive activities designed to promote resiliency and healthy development in Guard children.
Across the country, 104 Child and Youth Program Coordinators (CYPC) plan, develop and execute the CYS program at the State level. Using the national program goals of education, access, opportunity, communication and outreach, CYPCs diligently work to mitigate risky behaviors, enhance resilience, develop positive coping strategies and assist National Guard youth as they grow to become the next generation of leaders.
CYS programs span four delivery areas:
- Art, Recreation & Leisure
- Sports, Fitness & Health
- Life Skills, Citizenship, Character Development & Leadership
- Academic Support, Career Development, Mentoring & Intervention
CYS is open to Guard children ages six to 18, and events are tailored with activities that speak directly to the particular needs of each age group. For example, programs designed for younger children offer activities that encourage healthy social behaviors and intellectual development. Meanwhile, programs for older children and teenagers focus on personal development by teaching life skills and resiliency, and promoting the importance of leadership and civic responsibility.
Programs include:
- Educational and youth development programs – including teen panels, youth symposiums and Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program support – are focused on citizenship, character building, public speaking, leadership and resiliency.
- Instructional programs cover a wide range of subject matters including photography, woodworking, science and technology, gardening and health and safety.
- Recreation programs are geared toward individual activities such as golf, bowling and adventure camps. These programs are offered through a variety of Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities, such as golf courses, bowling centers and youth centers.
- Recreation sports programs – typically offered at an installation youth center – provide year-round team sports that physically challenge youth while teaching them concepts like good sportsmanship and teamwork.
To learn about upcoming State-level CYS events, activities and resources, contact a local CYPC at a Family Assistance Center located at the nearest Joint Force Headquarters. Contact information for Family Assistance Centers nationwide can be found at www.JointServicesSupport.org/SPN.
For information about National-level CYP events and programs, including the Guard Teen Panel and the National Youth Symposium, contact the Child & Youth Services Program Manager at 703-607-5409.
Though child-care services are not offered directly through CYS, the program does offer assistance resources. For information on child-care assistance, or for verification of eligibility, contact Child Care Aware of America at 1-800-424-2246 or ProviderServiceAdmin@naccrra.org.
By Staff Writer Liam Griffin
