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ACS Green Press
Army Community Service (ACS) Fort Drum, April 2012
Mandatory ACS Program-
ming Need To Know -
from your USC
2
Regarding Resilience : Tips, tools and techniques for practicing resiliency everyday
3
ACS Friends and Neighbors Fort Drum Kids
4
Military Kids in the
Community
5
Military Kids in the
Community
6
Monthly Feature: Family Advocacy Program (FAP)
8,9
Child Youth Behavior
Consultants
10
Military Kids on the Move 11
On the Payroll
Advantage Kids After
School Program
12
ACS Events and Classes 13,14
ACS Contacts 15
Inside this issue:
~A tree free newsletter
Direct questions / feedback To: Sarah Lynch : 772-5374 sarah.l.lynch@us.army.mil
In 1986 Defense Secretary
Caspar Weinberger designated
April as Month of the Military
Child. Since then, every April
our nation honors and recog-
nizes military children as the
young heroes they are.
This month’s newsletter fea-
tures children of Fort Drum
who are part of the nearly 1.7
million children in military
Families of which approxi-
mately 900,000 have had one
or both parents deploy multiple
times. Every day military chil-
dren face, with strength to en-
dure, challenges that are
specific to their lifestyles and
with pride for their parent or
parents who serve our nation
in various military branches. As
Family Members, Teachers,
Civilian Employees, and Vol-
unteers, or anyone who works
Honoring the Military Child with military children, we
have an opportunity to rec-
ognize the sacrifices these
special children make be-
cause of the honorable ser-
vice of their Soldier . Mili-
tary children endure frequent
moves, loss of friendships
and family separation as well
as many other stressors that
stem from the service of their
parent or parents.
Army Community Service
(ACS) offers programs and
services for the entire Family
including programming spe-
cifically designed for chil-
dren. Programs such as the
Exceptional Family Member
Program, New Parent Sup-
port and
Family Advocacy Program are focused on the well be-ing of the Military Child not only in April, but every
month of the year.
The Army Community
Service Family Advocacy
Program is partnering with
CYSS to hold their Child
Safety and ID day at the
Child, Youth and School
Services (CYSS) Youth
Center in honor of Month
of the Military Child on
Saturday April 21 from 1-
4pm. Come on out and
learn about safety, get free
identification kits and take
advantage of the give-
aways. While you’re there,
attend the CYSS Month of
the Military Child Carni-
val. There will be games,
prizes, food and fun for
your child and the child in
you.
ACS salutes Fort Drum’s
Military Children!
EFMP DRAMA CLINIC
For children ages 8-18 on the Autism Spectrum to build
social skills
Adult Training 10:00-12:00
Actor Workshop 12:00-2:30
March 24 and 31, May 26 and June 2
ACS Ball Room
This is a free event
Page 2 ACS Green Press Apr i l 2012
What You Might Need To Know
from your ACS Unit Service Coordinator (USC)
Army Commu-
nity Service
utilizes a Unit
Service Coordinator (USC) to reach out
to command teams to find out the type
of information and referral needed to
best support their Soldiers and Fami-
lies. The USC goes directly to the unit
and completes a desk side needs assess-
ment to determine unit specific needs.
The USC sits down with command
teams to determine which training is
appropriate to offer based on the De-
ployment Cycle Support Training Ma-
trix, mandatory unit trainings and indi-
vidual needs the command teams iden-
tify based on the overall needs of their
Soldiers at that specific time.
Many of the ACS classes and trainings
are required for commands to pass in-
spections. In fact, AR 608.18 mandates
that all new commanders have a Family
Advocacy Program overview brief within
45 days of assumption of command. AR
608.18 also mandates that troops receive
Domestic Violence Awareness Training
for a minimum of 1 hour as well as Child
Abuse Detection and Awareness Training
for a minimum of 1 hour annually.
The Required Financial Readiness Pro-
gram (FRP) trainings as per AR 608-14-
39 are the Financial Readiness for 1st
Termers (8 hours), Checkbook/Money
Management (Command-referred 1.5
hours) PCS Financial Planning (1.5
hours) and Army Emergency Relief Com-
mand Referral Training (AR 930-4, 1
hour)
Other trainings required include Mobili-
zation and Deployment (Mob/Dep) Pre-
deployment and Reunion Briefings (AR
600-20 5-10, 1-2 hours) and the Reloca-
tion Readiness Program’s (RELO)
Overseas Orientation Brief (AR 608-14-
22, 1.5 hour).
Over the next few weeks The USC will
be contacting their assigned Command
Teams to arrange meetings and to
discuss your readiness needs.
If you are part of your unit command team and would like a visit
from your Unit Service Coordinator,
please contact Sarah Lynch at
772-5374
21st Annual
International Festival of Food
Volunteer Support Fund
Friday, April 20, 2012
4:30-8:00 PM at The Commons
Pick up at will call the night of the event!
All proceeds benefit Fort Drum Community Volunteers
by paying for childcare!
Pre-Sale tickets available
March 7-April 4th
Through Unit Representatives, ACS, Off the Beatin
Path, or
American Red Cross Window at Clark Hall
Tickets: $10 age 12 and older ($15 at the door)
$5 for kids 3-11
Think ACS First!
Page 3 ACS Green Press Apr i l 2012
Regarding Resilience: Tips, tools and techniques for practicing
resilience everyday!
By Jenn Eichner, MRT 772-2848
Hope you had a wonderful February –
filled with hopeful, optimistic
thoughts! Have you been noticing
yourself recognizing Activating
Events? Have you identified any
Thinking Traps or Iceberg Beliefs that
may need closer attention in order to
maintain productivity? Remember,
resilience is a practice not an overall
body of knowledge. Practice makes
perfect!
Today we are going to talk about
Energy Management. What do you
do to relax and alleviate stress in your
life? Are you a runner? Do you knit
or play an instrument? Or are you one
of many that have not yet found that
outlet? Energy Management is a
critical resilience competency as it
helps to build self-regulation. The goal
of Energy Management is to develop
strategies that lower the intensity of
emotions so that you can think and
respond more clearly and with greater
control. The challenge is that no one
can tell you exactly what strategies will
work for you. You may need to take
the time and try a few and see which
you find to be relaxing and calming.
Research has found that in a pinch,
breathing techniques and mental
games may be the best place to start.
These are good strategies that can be
kicked into action as soon as an Activat-
ing Event happens.
Principles for designing mental games
include the following: Must require your
full attention, should be hard and fun and
must be games you can do within a few
minutes. A few examples include: Math
games: Count back from 1,000 by 7s.
Alphabet games: Work your way through
the alphabet, naming someone for each
pair of initials. Categories games: Name
all the sports figures, war heroes, etc. you
can in two minutes. Lyrics: Recite upbeat
song lyrics.
Controlled Breathing techniques for En-
ergy Management include the following:
Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Medita-
tion and Positive Imagery. Give it a try:
Do controlled breathing for two min-
utes
As you breathe in, make fists and
tense your hands and lower arms
Keep your muscles tight for the count
of fifteen
As you exhale, relax the muscles
quickly and concentrate on the feeling
of relaxation
Do twice; take a minute break and
Energy Management then move on to the next muscle
group
For each group tense the muscles
for fifteen seconds, then relax them
for thirty seconds
After each muscle group, take a
minute break before continuing to
the next muscle group
Energy Management is a crucial part of
maintaining a happy, healthy self. Take
the time to find ways to reduce your
stress in a way that works for you. If
you are finding it difficult to do this,
you may want to search your mind for
a Thinking Trap and/or an Iceberg
Belief that may be inhibiting you. For
example, the Me, Me, Me Thinking
Trap may find you feeling as if taking
care of self is not a priority. Or if one
of your Iceberg Beliefs is, “I should be
able to handle it all”, you may find En-
ergy Management a sign of weakness.
In either case, your Thinking Trap
and/or Iceberg Belief would be harm-
ful thinking and should be reevaluated.
Remember the old but very true saying
– you can’t fully take care of others
until you take care of yourself.
Have a great month – good luck and
good thoughts!
Upcoming MRT Dates
April 9 Module 2 9:30am-2:30 pm
May 21 Module 3 9:30am-2:30 pm
June 11 Module 4 9:30am-2:30 pm
August 13 Module 5 9:30am-2:3
All Modules will be held at ACS Times include 1 hour lunch break
refrigerators available for use
Page 4 ACS Green Press Apr i l 2012
ACS Friends and Neighbors-Promoting Community
Since April is The Month of the Mili-
tary Child, Instead of Spouse in the
Spotlight, ACS wanted to introduce our
readers to some of the kids that are part
of our community.
Rashaun Vinson in 11 years old and
in the 5th grade at Carthage Middle
School. His favorite subject at school
is Science. Rashaun’s favorite color is
red; he is extremely sociable, which is
an important trait for any military
child when it comes to making new
friends. Someday, you might see
Rashaun speeding away in a red race
car because, as a small child, Rashaun
dreamed of being a race car driver;
right now he is keeping his options
open.
Rashaun enjoys building with Legos
and putting together model cars.
Rashaun also loves eating, in fact if
you asked what one of the best things
about being in the military is, he
would respond all the activities on
post, especially ones with FOOD!
Rashaun is frequently found on
Tuesdays at the Winners Circle for
Family Night at the Commons.
Tiffany Allen is the middle child and
only girl of the bunch. Tiffany is a 3rd
grader at Carthage Elementary. Tif-
fany doesn’t have a favorite subject at
school, she loves everything about
school and learning. Tiffany’s favorite
colors are pink and purple and is usu-
ally up for anything from riding her
bike to reading, playing video games
and doing arts and crafts. Tiffany
plans to become a fashion when she
grows up. She also hopes to go to
college when she is 13. This may be
attainable because when she was in
Virginia her school skipped her from
the 1st to 3rd grade; she was part of the
Gifted and Talented Program and was
student of the month during the 2009-
10 school year.
Tiffany and her friend started an envi-
ronmental club called, Save the Planet.
They meet once a week and decide
what small projects they can do
around the neighborhood, like pick up
cans and bottles or plant flowers.
Tiffany is a very positive, cheerful
young lady but when asked what she
likes about the military, she states that
she doesn’t like all the moving and
having to make new friends.
Fort Drum Kids in the Spotlight
Rahman White is the youngest of
three children. He attends the
Strong Beginnings Program
through CYSS. Rahman loves any
sport with a ball, playing with Bay-
blades, drawing and playing his
Nintendo DS.
Another thing Rahman absolutely
loves to do is EAT! His favorites
line up with anything his Dad likes.
In fact in the picture above, he is
wearing his Dad’s hat!
When Rahman grows up, he wants
to be in the military just like his
father. Rahman’s mother will tell
you that he is a very happy kid,
who is always singing and saying
hello to the people he meets but
most of all he loves his mama!
Rashaun, Tiffany and Rahman are
the children of Christina and Rah-
man White. Christina is prior mili-
tary and is now a stay at home mom
looking for a job. Rahman has
been in the military for 24 years.
ACS Green Press Apr i l 2012 Page 5
Military Kids in the Community: Making Lasting Impressions
Fort Drum Kids Name the Zoo’s Latest Baby! contest, the children from Chapel An-
nex Drive came up with a long list that
included names like Sponge bob, fluffy,
or even the same name as the child who
suggested the name. For instance, Susie
thought the Kitten should be named-
you guessed it- Susie! The list was nar-
rowed down to the ten most popular
names submitted by the kids and the
name Ninja was suggested by five dif-
ferent kids from Chapel Drive Annex.
The five kids who suggested the name
were, Elias Chavez, Nicolette Austin,
Alonzo Alvarez, Richard Barker and
Nora Bernat had no idea what would
happen next.
The Staff at the zoo narrowed the list
further to five names which included
Linus, Sorky, Climby, Tsavaorite, and
The story began
in September of
2011 when the
Watertown Zoo
received infor-
mation about an
abandoned male
mountain lion
cub being held by the Montana Fish,
Wildlife and Parks Department. Ap-
parently, the cub was found by utility
workers after either being abandoned
or separated from his mother.
Fortunately for the Watertown Zoo,
as well as many young fans, the kitten
came to live in upstate NY.
In January 2012 the zoo had a compe-
tition to name the kitten. After being
prompted by their teacher to enter the
and you what? Ninja was one of the five
names chosen to be voted on by the
public.
Too make a long story short, the five
kids who suggested Ninja as a good
name for the kitten were not the only
people to think that. When Northern
NY cast their votes Ninja was the
winner!
The military kids at Chaple Drive Annex
have enjoyed their moment of fame with
a television news piece as well as a visit
from the zoo staff who brought them
stuffed baby Ninja animals! The Chapel
Drive Center is planning a field trip to
visit Ninja this Spring.
The whole gang with the teacher who
gave them the idea, Ms. Amy Thomas.
“It’s cool and awesome and a perfect name for a lion.” Alonzo Alvarez
“The baby lion lost his mama and he lives at the zoo and he’s cute….we named him Ninja!” Nicolette Austin
“Mountain lions are pretty and
Ninja has blue eyes like mine!”
Nora Bernat
“Ninja is a good name they run
fast and battle and climb big rocks
just like a Ninja.” Elias Chavez
“They can climb to the tippy
top of a tree like a Ninja.”
Richard Baker
Page 6 ACS Green Press Apr i l 2012
Military Kids in the Community: Making Lasting Impressions
bany, two of the four kids that com-
peted were from military families.
Gabriel Smith whose father is sta-
tioned at Fort Drum, took a gold
medal in both gi and no gi categories
while JJ Comely, after only training in
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for three months,
took a bronze in both the gi and no gi
categories.”
I asked Marc to tell me about the ser-
vice he provides to Fort Drum. He
responded, “We work hand in hand
with military kids to help them deal
with the added pressures of having
parents who are deployed and serving
their country.”
Marc’s desire to reach out to the mili-
tary children motivates him to offer
significant military and family dis-
counts. Jiu Jitsu currently offers both
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and boxing for kids.
Both classes teach kids discipline, self
confidence, self-control and provide
an outlet for energy, frustration and
aggression. Children of military fami-
lies have to deal with mom and or dad
being away from home on the front
lines during war. Marc understands
and empathizes with how difficult
dealing with these feelings can be.
“As children they have a hard time
expression how they feel while deal-
ing with these issues. We at Jiu Jitsu
give them a positive, structured ave-
nue to do so, while at the same time
serving as a positive role model.”
Marc also noted that Jiu Jitsu Nation
has a number of active duty Soldiers
who are also instructors at Jiu Jitsu
Nation. “Curtis Mosely holds the
rank of purple belt in Brazilian Jiu
Jitsu and teaches our fundamentals
classes. Our kids boxing program is
taught by SFC Marques Daniels who
is one of our professional fighters as
well as the 2010 All Army Combat-
ive Champion.”
I asked Marc to explain what the
kids gain from his classes and he
said, “Over time spent with these
kids we notice a number of changes.
Most often it has to do with respect
and confidence. They must maintain
good grades as well as keeping a bal-
anced home life which is great to see
in today’s youth.” “Kids who train
in Jiu Jitsu aren’t out getting into
trouble on the streets!” Marc
exclaimed.
While we try to teach our children all
about life,
Our children teach us what life is all
about
~Angela Schwindt
Jiu Jitsu Nation of Watertown: Proudly Serving Military Families
Pictured from left to right with Marc
Stevens: Gabriel Smith, Matt Simmons, JJ
Comley, Carter Comley, Nick Rogers
Jiu-Jitsu Nation located on Arsenal Street in
Watertown, provides beginner and ad-
vanced martial arts classes for ages 4 and up
and accommodates all skill levels.
Owner, trainer and competitor, Marc
Stevens and his instructors exhibit a real
passion for mixed martial arts and for the
students they teach. I recently spoke with
Marc about the military kids in his program
and he had this to say:
“Here at Jiu Jitsu Nation our kids program
currently has about 50 “little ninjas,” as I
like to call them, of which about half are
military kids. In fact, this past weekend at
the North American Grapplers Association
(NAGA) NY State Championships in Al-
It’s not what you think
you are that holds your
back, it’s what you think
you are not.”
Denis Waitley
Page 7 ACS Green Press Apr i l 2012
The Family Advocacy Program is a
strength based military community
agency that provides a variety of holistic
and educational programs to Soldiers
and their Families. The program serves
to assist in the development of strong
Army Families as well as aid in the pre-
vention and treatment of Family vio-
lence.
The Family Advocacy Team is dedicated
to preventing spouse and child abuse
through awareness, education, prompt
reporting, intervention and treatment.
The overall mission is to provide ser-
vices to support readiness of Soldiers
and their Families to promote self-
reliance, resilience and stability in order
to enhance relationships and improve
quality of life.
Here at Fort Drum, we offer a number of
exceptional educational programs to help
support Families in all stages. The New
Parent Support Program consists of a
team of professional nurses and social
workers who provide supportive and car-
ing services to military Families with chil-
dren from birth to three years of age. Ser-
vices offered include: home visits, infant
massage, and Parent’s Alone Support
Group.
The Family Advocacy Parent Educators
offer parenting classes designed to give
parents the knowledge they need to estab-
lish healthy routines, positive disciplines,
communication skills, and nutrition for
healthy growth and development. Classes
offered include: Baby Boot Camp,
Terrific Toddlers (Birth to four),
Middle Years (Four-Twelve), Scream
Free Parenting, and For Fathers
Only.
Don’t Stress! Family Advocacy also
offers skill enhancing classes to help
build resilience and coping skills for
everyday situations. Services of-
fered include: Resilience Classes,
Stress Management, Conflict Resolu-
tions, Reintegration Classes, Anger
Management, and Couples Commu-
nication.
Monthly Feature: Army Community Center Family Advocacy Program
Providing a Framework for Success through Parenting Workshops Dani Reed Family Advocacy
I often hear parents say they wish chil-
dren were born with manuals; to make
raising them easier. Here at the Family
Advocacy Program we don’t necessary
have the manual; however we do have
workshops and classes to give parents
the tools to become better parents.
The military community includes ap-
proximately 1.8 million children and
youths under the age of 18 nationwide.
Raising a happy, healthy child is one of
the most challenging jobs a parent can
have-- and also one of the most reward-
ing. Good parenting helps foster empa-
thy, honesty, self-reliance, self-control,
kindness, cooperation, and cheerfulness,
while allowing the natural consequences
of a child's behavior to do the teaching.
Our programs include:
For Fathers Only, this 8 hour work-
shop is designed to give fathers tools on
positive discipline and building self es-
teem in a stimulating environment.
Through lecture, workshop exercises,
small group activities and one-on-one
coaching, Fathers will be challenged,
prodded and encouraged to redesign
their approach to their parenting skills.
They will become a more effective par-
ent and more deeply connected to the
most important people in their lives,
their Family.
Terrific Toddlers is for parents with
children birth to 4 years old. During
this 6 hour workshop we’ll talk about
discipline (teach and protect) and man-
aging the array of new emotions includ-
ing temper tantrums. And we'll discuss
predictable sleep challenges, talk about
nursing and weaning toddlers, explore
the possibility of another baby and re-
view community resources for toddlers
and their parents.
Middle Years is designed for children 5
-12 years old. This 6 hour workshop is
designed to give parents strategies on
positive discipline, sibling rivalry, com-
munication skills, establishing family
rules and nutrition for healthy growth
and development.
Baby Boot Camp, is a 7 hour work-
shop designed to assist new parents that
have children ages 0-3 years old and ex-
pecting parents with information regard-
ing basics of infant care. Topics include:
infant massage, baby proofing the
home, breast feeding, good nutrition,
(Continued on page 8)
Page 8 ACS Green Press Apr i l 2012
and much, much more.
Scream Free Parenting is not just
about lowering your voice. It’s about
learning to calm your emotional reac-
tions and focus on your own behavior
more than your kids’ behavior. This 6
hour workshop gives parents tools for a
lifelong parenting process. It involves
the acquisition of new knowledge,
skills, abilities and attitudes towards the
learning process for parents.
Our parenting workshops are worth-
while for every parent, because they can
help you do the best job possible in
raising your children, building trust,
improving your confidence in your par-
enting ability, this is the most important
job you will ever have. Become in-
volved and contact FAP: 772-4244.
(Continued from page 7) We also participate special events like
the upcoming Child Identification and
Safety Day at CYSS, 21 April 1:00-4:00.
For most parents, nothing is more im-
portant than the safety of their children.
Keeping kids safe is everybody's re-
sponsibility, so whether you're a parent
or not we all need to be aware and do
all we can to protect children. So the
first step in the educational process is to
raise the awareness level of parents.
Participating vendors will be there to
offer information and answers ques-
tions. Children will have fun at the
Month of the Military Child Carnival
and the Special Teddy Bear Clinic for a
medical checkup where kids will receive
a certificate of good health. A great day
involving fun for parents and children,
no reservation is necessary, this event
will be enjoyed by the entire family.
Parenting Workshops Continued...
New Parent Support Program– A Helping Hand
The Family Advocacy Program
(FAP) New Parent Support Pro-
gram was developed to help mili-
tary families with young children to
adapt to parenthood and to thrive
as healthy families. The program
staff consists of Registered nurses and
social workers who offer home visits,
classes, playgroups and workshops for
new parents.
One of the more popular classes of-
fered by the New Parent Support
Program is the Infant Massage Class.
On a quarterly basis, New Parent
Support Home Visitors provides
an Infant Massage educational 4-
week Workshop series. It is made
available to parents with infants,
from 8 weeks to 8 months old.
Grandparents and expectant moth-
ers and fathers are welcome, as
well. The workshop is held at an
on-Post Community within the
housing areas. The most recent
workshop was held during the
month of March.
The benefits of infant massage in-
clude:
RELAXATION: The massage
releases tension, fussiness and irri-
tability. It can aid in the digestive
process and help reduce colic and
gas. Massage is a wonderful way to
lessen stress in both the infant and
the parents.
ENHANCES BONDING:
Massage conveys nurturing and
love, the essential ingredients for
emotional and physical growth and
well-being.
AIDS GROWTH AND DEVEL-
OPMENT: Studies have shown in-
creased weight and immune function.
Myelination of nerves is also in-
creased. All of these components, in
turn, are needed for brain and muscle
development.
PROMOTES HEALING: Massage
helps aid teething distress and im-
proves lung congestion for little ones,
with a cold.
PROMOTES COMMUNICA-
TION: Parents become more aware
of baby’s non-verbal cues. One-on-
one communication instills a message
of love and security.
IMPROVES BABY’S SLEEP: As
Whatever you vividly
imagine, ardently desire,
sincerely believe and
enthusiastically act
upon…
Must inevitably come to
pass
Paul J. Meyer
Recognized as Most
admired Man of the
Decade
Page 9 ACS Green Press Apr i l 2012
the infant learns to relax and release
stress, sounder and longer sleep is
often the result. Whether you are
interested in learning massage or
you would just like someone to talk
to about your successes and con-
cerns as a new parent. The New
Parent Support Team can fill in
when sometimes your sister, mom
or Grandma aren't able to be there.
(Continued from page 8) If you would like to learn more
about the program and what they
have to offer, give them a call.
Contact Ms. Terry Herzog for infor-
mation at (315) 772-0748.
New Parent Support Continued...
A new baby is like the
beginning of all thing,
hope, a dream of
possibilities.
`anonymous
ACS Welcomes baby Chase Aidan Brown! Born
February 22 2012. Chase and his mom, who is a
Soldier with 66 MP CID, came by to pick up their
baby bundle and give the ACS staff a chance to see
his beautiful face! More good news for mom– She
just found out she was promoted to Staff Sergeant!
Baby Bundles are a terrific
program for expecting
parents!
If you are an E-5 or below,
expecting a baby, register for
your free baby bundle full of
goodies for you and your
new baby!
There is no rank restriction
if you are expecting multiple
births!
for more information call
772-4244
Child & Youth Behavioral Military
Family and Life Consultants (CYB-
MFLC) available to help you and your
children with situational, short-term,
problem solving support. All of the
CYB-MFLCs are Masters and Ph.D.
level counselors who can address the
following types of issues:
School Adjustments
Deployment and Separation
Reunion Adjustment
Sibling and Parent Communication
Behavioral Concerns
Fear, Grief and Loss
Daily Life issues
All of these services and more are
available to you, free of charge with
complete confidentiality. The CYB-
MFLCs does not keep files or report
findings with the exception of duty-to-
warn situations. They are simply here
to help make the Military child’s path
manageable and enjoyable, which will
serve to be a great support to parents
as well. Because of their expertise,
ACS Mobilization and Deployment
has also paired with the CYB MFLCs
to provide pre and post-deployment
trainings for children ages 6 through
18 years of age.
If you feel you could benefit from the
CYB MFLC program, please contact
them at 315-523-3141for more
program information.
ACS Green Press Apr i l 2012 Page 10
The Military child is often regarded as
being extremely resilient. They adapt and
overcome many unique challenges, such
as, multiple moves, deployments and
changing schools to just name a few.
Many studies show that the Military child
becomes a very well adjusted adult, but
the path is not always easy for the chil-
dren or the parents. Did you know that
support is readily available to you?
Do you have a child or young adult who
you feel could benefit from discussing
their challenges with a counselor who
specializes in child and youth behavior?
Did you know that you may not need to
look any further than our on-post Child,
Youth and School Age Services (CYSS)?
Currently, Fort Drum CYSS as four (4)
Child Youth Behavior Military Family Life Consultants: Here to Support the Military Child
Spring Clean Your Closet
Annual ACS Spring Clothing Drive
Donation Drop Times and Locations:
Community Centers-April 2-23, Mon-Fri 8-5 pm
ACS - April 9-23, Mon-Fri 7:30-4:30 pm
Giveaway:
27 April from 1:00-4:00 or until everything is gone
For More information: Call Sarah Lynch 772-5374
our donations are appreciated!
Page 11 ACS Green Press Apr i l 2012
Moving is an accepted part of being
in the military. To adults who antici-
pate, expect and sometimes want to
move, moving can be both an adven-
ture and a trying experience. If moving
is an adventure for the adult, what does
moving mean to a child?
For some children, moving can also be
viewed as an adventure; however some
children can experience a range of
emotions from worry to excitement,
sadness, curiosity, stress and hope. It
can also mean leaving friends, going to
a new school, and feelings of fear.
Preparation and careful planning in all
areas can help make moving a positive
experience for all.
The best thing you can do is visit your
Relocation Readiness office! They can
give you information on your next duty
station and help educate and guide you
through the moving process. The less
anxious you are the less anxious your
children will be. Remain optimistic and
positive about the moving experience.
Do your homework so you can “sell”
the new community to your child. Use
www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil to get
more information about the new loca-
tion. This web page will link you to
everything you need including informa-
tion on schools, housing, employment
and the local community.
When registering your children in their
new schools have copies of their tests,
writing samples and their school re-
cords. If your children are young, in-
clude samples of their artwork and
printing. It is also a good idea to copy
the front, back and cover page of their
textbooks. This helps your new school
place students in the right classes. The
web page www.schoolquest.org is a
secure storage site for students’ educa-
tional, extra-curricular, award, volun-
teer and work information. Please
note, though, this NOT a replacement
for a school transcript. It can be
viewed as a safe, centralized virtual
"file drawer" where a student (or par-
ent) can keep track of all the details
that not only difficult to organize, but
so necessary when students move or
apply for college, jobs or military ser-
vice.
Above all TALK to your kids!! Have
frank discussions BEFORE, DUR-
ING, and AFTER the move. Fear of
the unknown exists before and after
you get to your new location. It’s im-
portant to keep the lines of communi-
cation open. Share your thoughts and
let your child know that you’ll work
through things together.
For more information on moving con-
tact the Relocation Program at 772-
6566
or.drum.mwracsrelo@conus.army.mil.
Military Kids on the Move! A Relocation Guide for Parents
Every year millions of teens work in
part time or summer jobs. Summer
employment provides a great opportu-
nities to develop skills, enhance re-
sponsibility, and learn the value of
money. The Employment Readiness
Program (ERP), in conjunction with
the CYSS Hired program, works to
teach skills such as resume writing, job
searching, and interviewing to the
teens participating in the program.
ERP can also meet one on one with
teens to assist with their personal job
search regardless of participation in
the Hired! Program. Some of the
workshops and classes offered by
ERP could benefit teens and enhance
their marketability both now and in
the future.
Computers for the Workforce is a
free career development series offer-
ing classes in Internet, Word and
Excel. Some basics skills in Word
and Excel can benefit a teen whose
summer job is in an office setting.
The Build Your Own Business
Workshop is great for a teen who is
interested in opening a landscaping
business, or who might be the next
Mark Zuckerberg with an idea like
Facebook.
Annually, ERP hosts a career fair just
for teens. In fact, the Teen Career
Fair will be held on 4 April at the
ACS from 10 am -2 pm. The Teen
Career Fair has local business repre-
sentatives who have summer posi-
tions to recruit for. Often the teens
are hired directly from this Career
Fair.
If you would like more information
or to schedule an appointment,
please contact ERP at 772-9611 or
772-1090.
Think ACS First!
Did You Know the ACS Employment Readiness
Program Serves Teens?
Page 12 ACS Green Press Apr i l 2012
Congratulations to the following Employment Readiness clients who have re-cently landed a job!
Alyssa Evans stream Joanna Brown Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes Molly Manning USO Kristen Crabtree Fairfield Inn and Suites Sharon Grillett Pier 1 Crystal Smith Hilton Garden Inn If you are one of our clients who has recently become employed, we want to hear about it! Give us a call so we can highlight your accomplishment and inspire others!
Look Who’s on the Payroll: Employment Readiness Success Stories!
Advantage After School Program -Where Education and Fun Come Together
Nearly 300 local youths are finding safe, educational, and fun after school activities “right in their own school-yard” at the Indian River School Ad-vantage After School Program. Designed by the Army in an effort to reduce military deployment stress, the program targets schools and communi-ties with populations of military chil-dren. The goal is to reduce the conflict soldiers encounter between mission workforce requirements and parental responsibilities. It allows Army Families to feel secure knowing their children are in a safe environment learning valuable skills under the supervision of well-trained staff and professional edu-cators.
However, Army dependents are not the
only beneficiaries of the program.
Funded jointly through the New York
State Office of Children and Family
Services, and the US Army Child and
Youth Services Army Youth Programs
in Your Neighborhood (AYPYN) ini-
tiative, any child enrolled at Indian
River Middle School may participate at
no cost.
The Indian River School District and
the Children’s Home of Jefferson County, contracted to oversee the pro-gram, have teamed up to create diverse, fun, and exciting activities that meet the needs and interests of sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. It helps them achieve social, emotional, physi-cal, and academic success while devel-oping healthy lifestyles and behaviors. Research has shown without super-vised, structured activities during the after school hours, youth are at greater risk of being victims of crime or be-coming a participant in juvenile crime and risky behavior including alcohol and drug use. AYPYN is designed to provide students with dynamic activi-ties which stimulate them intellectually and increase self reliance - all while having a great time with their peers. A wide variety of activities span the range of nearly every child’s interests. Creative Wear enables youth to design, create, and sew clothing. Two culinary arts sessions focus on preparing foods from different regions and working with chocolate. Ballroom Dancing is an amazing opportunity for kids to learn to dance to various styles and rhythms. National Treasures exposes them to the lifelong hobby of coin collecting and
the tools to help them find the rare coins that may pass through their hands. A healthy snack is served while stu-dents enjoy positive interaction with their classmates. They are also given time to complete homework assign-ments. Tutoring with certified teachers for any student needing extra help is also available. Kids can register for up to four tutoring sessions per week. Special interest clubs engage the chil-dren in specific activities and events targeted to individual interests. Some of the programs offered include Life Skills Development Club which focuses on responsibility, respect, and building healthy relationship skills. Community Service Club identifies and organizes projects which allow the students to serve their school and community as well as The Speakers Forum The Youth Council and others. Advantage After School runs Monday through Friday from 2:15 to 5:15 PM. Program regis-tration forms are available in the Indian River Middle School office. For more information call Paul Passino, Program Director, at (315)778-6252.
Local Business Shout Out:
ACS Classes and Events for the First Two Weeks in April DATE Class Time Location/Details
Monday April 2: Newcomers Orientation 0900-1130 ACS
Survivor Outreach Family Night 1800-2000 ACS
DEADLINE FOR AER SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Tuesday April 3: Drum Family Welcome Tour 0930-1400 Departs ACS
Stress Management 1330-1530 ACS
Wednesday April 4: 1st Term Financial Readiness 0830-1600 Call for location
Teen Job Fair 1000-1300 ACS
Thursday April 5: Mother’s To Be Breakfast 0900-0900 ACS
Employment 101` 0930-1130 ACS
CONUS PCS Brief 1530-1600 Clark Hall A2-A6
An Evening at the Spa Gold Star Wives 1600-2100 The Spa Fort Drum
Friday April 6: In her Shoes: 0930-1130 ACS
Living with Domestic Violence
Hearts Apart Support Group 0930-1200 ACS
Monday April 9: Master Resilience Module 2 0930-1430 ACS
Stalking Awareness 1330-1530 ACS
Tuesday April 10: ESOL Class 0900-1200 ACS
Drum Family Welcome Tour 0930-1400 Departs ACS
VMIS 101 0900-1000 Ed Center rm 104
Build Your Business Workshop 0930-1130 ACS
For Fathers Only Workshop 100-1300 ACS
Scream Free Parenting 1230-1300 CYSS
CONUS PCS Brief 1530-1600 Clark Hall A2-86
Thrift Savings Plan 1400-1530 ACS
Wednesday April 11: 1st Term Financial Readiness 0830-1600 Call for location
Career Fair Prep Career Dev Seminar 0930-1130 ACS
Key Caller 100-1130 ACS
Key Caller 1400-1530 ACS
Thursday April 12: ESOL Class 0900-1200 ACS
For Fathers Only Parenting Class 1100-1300 ACS
CONUS PCS Brief 1530-1600 Clark Hall A2-86
Friday April 13: Insurance Workshop 0900-1300 ACS
Page 13 ACS Green Press Apr i l 2012
Page 14 ACS Green Press Apr i l 2012
ACS Classes and Events for the Last Two Weeks in April DATE Class Time Location/Details
Monday April 16: AFTB Spring Marathon 0900-1600 ACS
Resume Writing Computer Lab 0930-1030 ACS
Tuesday April 17: ESOL Class 0930-1200 ACS
Anger Management 1330-1530 ACS
AFTB Spring Marathon 0900-1600 ACS
DRUM Family Welcome Tour 0930-1400 ACS
EFMP Support Group 1130-1300 ACS
CONUS PCS Brief 1530-1600 Clark Hall, A2-86
Wednesday April 18: 1st Term Financial Readiness 0830-1600 Call for Location
AFTB Spring Marathon 0900-1600 ACS
Positive Discipline 1030-1130 CYSS
Positive Discipline 1230-1330 CYSS
Thursday April 19: ESOL class 0900-1200 ACS
AFTB Spring Marathon 0900-1600 ACS
Overseas PCS Brief 0930-1100 ACS
Volunteer of the Month 1030-1130 ACS
Volunteer of the Year Ceremony 1700-2000 Commons
CONUS PCS Brief 1530-1600 Clark Hall A2-86
Friday April 20: AFTB Spring Marathon 0900-1600 ACS
Autism Support Group 0900-1100 ACS
International Spouses Group 0930-1200 ACS
Monday April 23: Budget Management 0900-1200 ACS
Advanced Key Caller 1300-1430 ACS
Tuesday April 24: ESOL Class 0900-1200 ACS
Computer Basics for Job Seekers 09301130 ACS
Introduction to Word
In her Shoes: Living w/Dom Viol 1400-1600 ACS
CONUS PCS Brief 1530-1600 Clark Hall A2-86
Wednesday April 25: 1st Term Financial Readiness 0830-1600 Call For Location
Car Buying Course 1400-1500 ACS
Thursday April 26: ESOL class 0900-1200 ACS
Federal Employment Class 0930-1130 ACS
Family Wellness Support Group 1000-1100 ACS
For Fathers Only Parenting Class 1100-1300 ACS
Computer Basics Excel 1300-1500 ACS
CONUS PCS Brief 1530-1600 Clark Hall A2-86
Family Wellness Support Group 1800-1900 ACS
Friday April 27: In Her Shoes: Living w/Dom Viol 0930-1130 ACS
Monday April 30: Child Abuse Training 0900-1030 CYSS
OPSEC For Families 1030-1200 ACS
Event Planning 1300-1430 ACS
Army Community Service
P4330 Conway Road
Fort Drum, New York
13602
Army Emergency Relief 772-6560, 772-8873 or 772-2855
Army Family Team Building http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000122037720
772-6710, 772-9229
Army Volunteer Program Coordinator http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Drum-Army-volunteer-Corps/13651504365912
772-2899
Exceptional Family Member Program http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Drum-FMWR-Exceptional-Family-Member-Program /104951319542718
772-5488, 772-0819
Employment Readiness Program http://www.facebook.com/#!/fortdrumemployment
772-9611, 772-2737
Family Advocacy Program (New Parent Support Program) SAPRP
772-4244, 772-6929, 772-2279
772-0596, 772-4070, 772-0748
772-5605, 772-5914
Financial Readiness Program http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Drum-financial-Readiness-ACS/1956662120473
772-0050, 772-5196, 772-8526
Information and Referral 772-6556, 772-6557
Military & Family Life Consultants 212-6919
Mobilization and Deployment http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Drum-Mobiliztion-and-Deployment/178420512193448?ref=ts&v=wall
772-2848, 772-0470, 772-2919
Outreach http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Drum-ACS-Outreach/180373271991692
772-5374
Relocation Readiness http:// www.facebook.com/pages/Fort -Drum -Relocation -Readiness Program/171335822906429
772-5475, 772-6553, 772-6902
772-6566
Soldier Family Assistance Center http://www.facebook.com/Fort.Drum.FMWR/SFAC
772-7781
Survivor Outreach Services http://www.facebook.com/fortdrumsurvivoroutreachservices
772-6357