2011_04_08 THIS WEEK IN MCFP April 15, 2011 (1)

8/7/2019 2011_04_08 THIS WEEK IN MCFP April 15, 2011 (1)

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Providing policy, tools, and resources to further enhance the quality of life of service members and their families.

This Week in MC&FPApril 15, 2011____________________________________

Over the past few days, we joined the nation in celebration of our volunteers. Eachyear since 1974, one week in April is set aside to recognize and thank the wonderful people who providetheir time and talents in service of others. Many family programs that are now part of the fabric of ourmilitary community were once staffed only by volunteers. What would we have done without them?Its hard to imagine. Today, there are still countless programs that would not exist without thatcontinued spirit of generosity and willingness to serve. Do you know a volunteer? Very likely, they do

what they do without fanfare or the desire for any special recognition. Ask any volunteer and theyllprobably tell you they get so much more than they give. But a sincere, Thank you. goes a long wayand means a lot. To our thousands of volunteers, we say, Thank you forYOURservice!

Have a good week and take care.

Please note: Some hyperlinks in this text are lengthy, sometimes extending more than one line. For best results,

cut and paste the entire link into your Web browser.

From DoDEA

First Lady Announces Initiative for Military Families at Fountain-Fort Carson High SchoolDuring an April 14th event at Fountain-Fort Carson High School, Colorado, a public high school inthe Fountain-Fort Carson School District, the First Lady and Dr. Biden announced the nationalexpansion of an Initiative for Military Families to 32 high schools that serve students in militaryfamilies. Funding for this major expansion has been provided by corporations and foundations;including ExxonMobil, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and others;and matched by the DoD. DoDEA, in collaboration with the National Defense Education Program(under the auspices of the Director, Defense Research and Evaluation, will fund a $4.8M, three-yeargrant to the National Math and Science Initiative for 11 of the 32 high schools. The grant is aimed atincreasing student participation and performance in Advanced Placement courses in mathematics,

science and English. The National Math and Science Initiative for Military Families is a jointendeavor to expand a program that provides consistent, high-level coursework in high schoolsserving military.

Month of the Military Child Activities Continue Throughout DoDEAThe Department of Defense Education Activity joins all of DoD and military communities aroundthe world in honoring military children during April- The Month of the Military Child. Throughoutthe month, DoDEA will encourage schools to plan special events to honor military children and have


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administrators and principals incorporate the themes of this month into their daily duties andresponsibilities. These efforts and special events will stress the importance of providing childrenwith quality services and support to help them succeed in the mobile military lifestyle. See thehttp://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/2011_militaryChild/index.cfm To see current videos, go tohttp://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/2011_militaryChild/index.cfm?cId=videos##

Earth Day is April 22nd

Many DoDEA schools will be participating in Earth Day, April 22, 2011. The first Earth Day, April22, 1970, was attended by 20 million Americans nationwide, from college campuses to town halls,and giant teach-ins were organized in New York City and Philadelphia, the latter event turning into aseven-day event known as Earth Week. That event set a powerful precedent for the rest of theworld, eventually inspiring more than 140 nations all around the globe to have their own Earth Days.

From the Family Advocacy Program Office

Marine Corps Base Quantico Leadership and Family Programs Showcase PSA

The Marine Corps Base Quantico leadership and family program staff yesterday showcased a publicservice announcement/video to highlight Child Abuse Prevention Month. The video was developedand produced by staff in the installations Family Advocacy Program and Marine Corps CommunityService Marketing offices. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpZIkUJ43-M

From the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Office

CHEETAH Satellites boost morale in a big wayA recent DoD video clip shows that contacting home is not always easy for servicemembers,especially for the ones serving at small, remote combat outposts or Forward Operating Bases. AirForce Sgt. George Maddon takes us to the Operations Coordination Center - District Spin Boldak,

Afghanistan, to see a little dish that's boosting morale in a big way. To see the CHEETAHin action,go to http://www.dodvclips.mil/?pid=WhRowdGLrkB4cXu_IZmYkqF0Zfy0fcO

From the Office of Family Policy/Children and Youth

First Lady, Dr. Biden Kick Off Sesame, USO TourCalling out over thousands of screaming fans, Elmo introduced a few new friends to Sesame Streethere yesterday. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden,stepped onto the auditorium stage and into the arms of Elmo and friends as a crowd of local militaryand community families stood and cheered. Obama and Biden hosted a concert-style event hereyesterday to thank military families as well as to encourage community members to support and

honor them as part of their "Joining Forces" military family support initiative.

The event also helped to kick off the fifth installment of the Sesame Street and USO Experience forMilitary Families, a free traveling tour exclusively for military families. For the April through Junetour schedule, see http://www.uso.org/sesame-2011-tour-schedule/. Planners are currently workingon the remainder of summer schedule; check the site for updated information. To find out moreabout the event, see http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=63571 .
http://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/2011_militaryChild/index.cfmhttp://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/2011_militaryChild/index.cfmhttp://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/2011_militaryChild/index.cfm?cId=videoshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpZIkUJ43-Mhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpZIkUJ43-Mhttp://www.uso.org/sesame-2011-tour-schedule/http://www.uso.org/sesame-2011-tour-schedule/http://www.uso.org/sesame-2011-tour-schedule/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpZIkUJ43-Mhttp://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/2011_militaryChild/index.cfm?cId=videoshttp://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/2011_militaryChild/index.cfm


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Free Camp Opportunity in the Poconos for Air Force YouthIsland Lake Camp Offers Free Spaces to Military Youth: Island Lake Camp, located in the PoconoMountains, Pennsylvania, will provide free summer camp spaces for youth 8-13 years old during theweeks of Aug. 2-15, 2011. Youth receive interest-based instruction to help develop poise andmastery of skills in a variety of areas. Interested Air Force youth must submit a scholarship form

which includes a letter that describes, "The reasons why I should be selected to go to Island LakeCamp." The form is available at Air Force Youth Programs or by downloading from thisCommunity of Practice link,https://afkm.wpafb.af.mil/DocView.asp?DocID=10857703 .

Military OneSource WebinarsApril Sessions AnnouncedWebinars are Web-based training sessions using teleconference audio and the internet to deliver aninteractive seminar. All posted times are listed in Eastern Daylight Savings Time. For moreinformation, seehttp://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/OnlineCommunity/Webinars.aspx

iCan AchieveTeen weight management Program overview, Tuesday, April 19, at 11 a.m.iCanAchieve is a 12-month program for teens ages 13 to 18 that will support their weight

management efforts. The program focuses on helping teens make behavioral changes that willallow them to set and achieve their goals. The program, based on scientifically proven methods,includes telephonic health coaching, a health assessment, online tools, and educationalinformation. Come hear about how this valuable program can benefit your teenager.

Digital Literacy for Kids,Monday, April 25, 2011, 10 a.m.Get AD-ucated! Help kids improve their digital literacytalk to them about staying safe online,being good digital citizens, and thinking critically about the advertisements all around them.

SleepStrategies for Infants and Children, Friday, April 29, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.Getting infants and young children to sleepand stay asleepcan be a tremendous source of

stress for parents. This webinar is designed to help parents learn about childrens sleep patternsat different stages of development and explore effective ways of helping their children fall asleepand sleep through the night. Participants will be able to learn about childrens sleep patterns atdifferent stages of development, explore specific sleep problems, identify conditions that disruptsleep for young children, and learn strategies for establishing a nighttime routine.

For more information on these and other upcoming Webinars, seehttp://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/OnlineCommunity/Webinars.aspx

Forging thePartnership Registration is still open, but the clock is ticking.

The windy city of Chicago provides a beautiful urban backdrop to the 2011 DoD/USDA

Family Resilience Conference. Each day of the conference will offer a wide range of highquality workshops, computer labs, program showcases, keynote addresses, researchpresentations, research posters and interacts. Gather your colleagues and collaborators, and

plan to experience this professional development opportunity! Plan to attend two town hallmeetingsone with the Services senior enlisted advisors and the second with Service spiritualadvisors. We look forward to seeing you at the Hyatt Regency April 27- 29. Seehttp://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/FRC2011 .
https://afkm.wpafb.af.mil/DocView.asp?DocID=10857703https://afkm.wpafb.af.mil/DocView.asp?DocID=10857703https://afkm.wpafb.af.mil/DocView.asp?DocID=10857703http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/OnlineCommunity/Webinars.aspxhttp://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/OnlineCommunity/Webinars.aspxhttp://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/OnlineCommunity/Webinars.aspxhttp://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/OnlineCommunity/Webinars.aspxhttp://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/FRC2011http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/FRC2011http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/FRC2011http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/OnlineCommunity/Webinars.aspxhttp://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/OnlineCommunity/Webinars.aspxhttps://afkm.wpafb.af.mil/DocView.asp?DocID=10857703


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From the Resale and NAF Policy Office

Commissary On-Site Sale EventsThe Guard/Reserve On-site Sales Program provides the commissary benefit to deservingGuard/Reserve members and their families who live in areas that arent close to an existing

commissary store. These sales are not only for the Guard and Reservethey're for any authorizedshopper. Currently, there are no on-site sales for online ordering. For more information, visithttp://www.commissaries.com/guard_reserve_sales.cfm

In the next few weeks, DeCA will deliver the benefit:

April 19-20 Guard and Reserve San Nicola Island, Port Mugu, Calif.April 21-22 Air National Guard Tulsa, Okla.April 27-30 U.S. Southern Command Doral, FloridaApril 30 186

thEngineers Caribou, Maine

April 30 Reserves Camp Joseph T. Robinson

North Little Rock, Okla.In the News

From the American Forces Press ServiceVoluntary Departure Authorization From Japan Ends

The Defense Department's voluntary authorized departures for service members' eligible familymembers to leave Japan in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake effectively ended today. "TheDefense Department concurs with the State Department's determination that the situation in Japandoes not pose significant risk to U.S. citizens," a Pentagon spokeswoman said. "We will continue toensure the safety of our families is at the forefront of every decision we make."

The DoD termination follows the State Department's lifting of the voluntary departure order forDoD eligible family members to depart from Honshu, Japan. More than 7,800 family membersstationed at U.S. military bases throughout Japan were flown to various U.S. locations followingthe magnitude 9.0 earthquake, the tsunami it caused, and subsequent problems with several ofJapan's nuclear reactors. Seehttp://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=63583

From the American Forces Press ServiceNew Consumer Protection OfficeSeeks InputTreasury Department officials met here today with service members and their families to betterunderstand financial challenges in the military community. Holly Petraeus, head of the Office ofServicemember Affairs in the Treasury Department's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, hasbeen traveling to military posts throughout the country and leading dialogues with troops and theirfamilies since January. See http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=63547

From the American Forces Press ServiceOrganization Honors Service Members ChildrenOur Military Kids, a national nonprofit organization, honored four children and a militaryfamily here yesterday in an award ceremony at the Navy Memorial. During the organizationsOur Military Kids of the Year event, retired Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace16th chairman ofthe Joint Chiefs of Staff and Our Military Kids advisory board memberspoke on the importanceof the families service members leave behind when they deploy, especially the children of those
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families. Our military families serve as well as anyone who has ever worn a uniform, Pace said.And these military children have demonstrated amazing talent, resilience and strength.Seehttp://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=63570

From the American Forces Press ServiceDepartment Program Works to Prevent Child Abuse

Child abuse and neglect can affect all levels of society, but for military families, help and support areat their fingertips. The militarys strong sense of community gives servicemembers and their

families an advantage in preventing abuse and neglect, said Tib Campise, a senior program analyst

for the Defense Departments family advocacy program.See http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=63546

From American Forces Press ServiceFirst Lady, Dr. Biden to Shine Light on Military FamiliesFirst Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden said they have spoken with countless militaryfamilies in their travels and have heard some "breathtaking" stories of service and sacrifice.They've talked to wives dealing with fourth and fifth deployments, to children stepping up to carefor their families, and to caregivers who walked away from jobs and homes to care for a wounded

loved one. It's now time, they said, for the rest of the nation to hear these stories.Seehttp://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=63533From DoDEAs Press RoomDoDEA Celebrates the Month of the Military Child

Children of military families represent our country in ways that makes any American proud. Theyare ambassadors who build bonds and make lasting connections and contributions to our nation andworld. They are adventurers; often leading mom and dad to the local museums, tourist sites, shopsand eateries. They are linguists; learning languages through immersion and foreign languageinstruction classes and building bridges between cultures with just a simple smile or a friendly wave.Seehttp://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/2011_militaryChild/index.cfm?cId=vi

From DoDEAs Press Room TheChat Roomfeatures Bart Epstein from Tutor.comChat Room guest, Bart Epstein from tutor.com, talks about this valuable DoD resource for militarystudents. Are you a military student who needs immediate help with your homework?Join us in this edition of the Chat Room to discover a free help program for DoD students.Seehttp://www.dodea.edu/pressroom/video.cfm .

Tips of the Week

Parenting Tip of the WeekSummer trips with kids can be fun!

As a parent, you may already be planning family trips for this summer. Let your children beinvolved with the planning process; whether theyre able to help create a packing list or can

research museums or other places they want to visit, let each family member participate withplanning for the trip. Take advantage of the Morale, Welfare, and Recreations Information,Tickets, and ToursITTprogram, which provides discounted tickets for local and regionalgroup tours and attractions, theme parks, and movie tickets. Contact your nearest MWR office tocheck on availability.

Additionally, this summer, the National Endowment for the Arts is continuing its initiative withmuseums across the country to offer servicemembers and their families free or reduced admission
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=63570http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=63570http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=63533http://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/2011_militaryChild/index.cfm?cId=vihttp://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/2011_militaryChild/index.cfm?cId=vihttp://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/2011_militaryChild/index.cfm?cId=vihttp://www.dodea.edu/pressroom/video.cfmhttp://www.dodea.edu/pressroom/video.cfmhttp://www.dodea.edu/pressroom/video.cfmhttp://www.dodea.edu/pressroom/video.cfmhttp://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/2011_militaryChild/index.cfm?cId=vihttp://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=63533http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=63570


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from Memorial Day, May 30th through Labor Day, September 5th. For a list of participatingmuseums, visithttp://www.arts.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/index2011.php .

Nutrition Tip of the WeekQuick Meals in 30 Minutes or Less

You are on the way home from work and need to grab something quick for dinner. Instead of hitting

a fast food restaurant try these quick, easy tips on how to make healthy choices. Keep some of thesefoods in stock at your house for 30-minutes-or-less dinners that are sure to please. With some simpletips and tools, its easy to make meals that are nutritious, quick and tasty.

Tips to make Healthy Food Choices

Choose this instead of this to save this

rotisserie chicken friedchicken

save 150 calories and get less fat per serving

quick brown rice french fries save 180 calories and get 3 grams fiber perserving

bake your own

french fries

french fries save 100 calories and get less fat

baked sweet

potato

french fries save 100 calories and get 4 grams fiber,potassium, and less fat per serving

whole wheat

dinner rolls

white dinnerrolls

get 3 grams of fiber per serving

For more information on making healthy and nutritious food choices, check out the Commissaryswebsite at http://www.commissaries.com/

Lets Move/Childhood Obesity Tip of the WeekHow Teens Can Stay FitAny type of regular, physical activity can improve your fitness and your health. The most

important thing is that you keep moving!

Exercise should be a regular part of your day, like brushing your teeth, eating, and sleeping. It canbe in gym class, joining a sports team, or working out on your own. Keep the following tips inmind:

Stay positive and have fun. A good mental attitude is important. Find an activity that you thinkis fun. You are more likely to keep with it if you choose something you like. A lot of peoplefind it's more fun to exercise with someone else, so see if you can find a friend or family memberto be active with you.

Take it one step at a time. Small changes can add up to better fitness. For example, walk or rideyour bike to school or to a friend's house instead of getting a ride. Get on or off the bus severalblocks away and walk the rest of the way. Use the stairs instead of taking the elevator orescalator.

Get your heart pumping. Whatever you choose, make sure it includes aerobic activity thatmakes you breathe harder and increases your heart rate. This is the best type of exercise becauseit increases your fitness level and makes your heart and lungs work better. It also burns off bodyfat. Examples of aerobic activities are basketball, running, or swimming.
http://www.arts.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/index2011.phphttp://www.arts.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/index2011.phphttp://www.arts.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/index2011.phphttp://www.commissaries.com/http://www.commissaries.com/http://www.commissaries.com/http://www.arts.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/index2011.php


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Don't forget to warm up with some easy exercises or mild stretching before you do any physicalactivity. This warms your muscles up and may help protect against injury. Stretching makesyour muscles and joints more flexible too. It is also important to stretch out after you exercise tocool down your muscles.

Your goal should be to do some type of exercise every day. It is best to do some kind of aerobic

activity without stopping for at least 20 to 30 minutes each time. Do the activity as often as possible,but don't exercise to the point of pain. For more information see:http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/fitness/pages/How-Teens-Can-Stay-

Fit.aspx

Financial Tip of the WeekCredit Card Ripoffs to AvoidWhile waiting for the system to confirm a new credit card account, the customer servicerepresentative on the other end of the telephone line often rattles off a series of special offers likepayment protection plans, over-the-limit protection, buyer's clubs or identity-theft protection. If youhave special needs, the services can sometimes be useful. Anticipating that you'll never squeeze

maximum value from these add-on services, here are some offers that can turn even the best creditcards into a high-priced plastic nightmare:

Payment protection. If you can't work or you've lost your job, protection plans cover yourpayment.Warning: Fees for some plans can cost as much as 5 percent of your average monthlybalance. Read the fine print. Your bank may even hit you with high penalty annualpercentage rates (APR) after your insurance kicks in.

Over-limit protection. The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and DisclosureCARD Act of 2009 requires that consumers opt-in to allow over-limit purchases. Now,issuers of even the best credit cards are positioning over-limit protection as a valuable

premium service to help you avoid embarrassment at the checkout counter.Warning: According to a survey of major banks in 2010, you'll pay around $39 for eachincident. Opting in to over-limit protection may even negate federal regulations that cappenalties.

Frequent buyer clubs. For decades, marketing companies paid to have their catalogs arrive atconsumers' doorsteps along with credit card statements. Today, affinity buying clubs haveevolved to include members-only websites that promise deep discounts and bonus rewards forspecialized purchases.Warning: The fraud trackers warn that it's harder than ever to spot the difference between alegitimate buying club and a scammer that bought your name on a bank's mailing list. Withcoupons and price protection easy to find on the web, these clubs rarely save much money.

Discount travel clubs. Like frequent buyer clubs, large travel agencies often promisepreferential treatment and special perks to cardholders.Warning: Most likely airlines and hotels will cut you even better deals when you eliminatethe middleman and reserve travel on their own Web sites.

Identity theft protection. Credit reporting agencies have amped up consumer offerings toinclude near-real-time alerts when applications for new accounts or other signs of fraudappear.
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/fitness/pages/How-Teens-Can-Stay-Fit.aspxhttp://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/fitness/pages/How-Teens-Can-Stay-Fit.aspxhttp://www.cardratings.com/best-credit-cards.htmlhttp://www.cardratings.com/best-credit-cards.htmlhttp://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/fitness/pages/How-Teens-Can-Stay-Fit.aspxhttp://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/fitness/pages/How-Teens-Can-Stay-Fit.aspx


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Warning: Credit bureaus must offer you a free credit report at least once per year, which canbe easily obtained through the Web siteAnnualCreditReport.comathttps://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp . You can also visit your installationpersonal financial managers to receive your MyFICO score.

Separating service from signup. The technique of offering test drives and no-risk samples is onereason why these credit card add-ons have raised concern. Making it all the more complicated,you may not really know with whom you are dealing. Therefore, check your credit cardstatements regularly for charges you don't recognize. Remember, if you can't wait a day to makea decision, you probably don't need that service, anyway.

Military OneSource Tip of the WeekQuick Tips for Traveling with a Young Child

As summer approaches, you may be looking forward to a vacation or a PCS move. But if youre aparent, you may be anxious about traveling with a young child. Children dont always adjustquickly to new environments or changes to their routines. Fortunately, there are steps you can taketo make traveling with a young child easier.

Choose child-friendly destinations and places to stay. There are hotels and resorts that cater toyoung families. These places may offer accommodations, programs, or activities designedespecially for children. Also consider attractions that will appeal to your child, such as achildrens museum or an aquarium.Avoid over-scheduling. If you try to do too much, you are likely to end up with a cranky, over-stimulated child. Instead, limit the number and type of activities you do. Most young childrenwill do best with one big activity a day. Remember to make room for downtime, too.Be realistic about what you expect from your child. Though you may want to sightsee, visitmuseums, or catch up on your reading while lying on the beach, your child may not be interestedin any of these activities. This doesnt mean you have to plan your whole trip around your childs

interests, but if you strive for a balance between activities you enjoy and activities your childenjoys, you will both be happier.Try to stick to a routine as much as possible. Children find routines comforting, so try tomaintain your childs bedtime, naptime, and other routines as much as you can. This will alsohelp your child ease back into her routines once you get home.Be sure to pack some familiar things that will help your child feel secure . A favorite snack, abeloved book or stuffed animal, or a game or video that your child enjoys can help you getthrough any difficult time on your trip.

If youre traveling by air

Try to book flights during non-peak times. You can also try to schedule a flight that coincides

with your childs naptime, but dont count on your child sleeping during a flight. The excitementof a new environment may keep your child awake.Request an aisle seatso that you wont have to climb over people when you child needs to go the

bathroom or for a short walk.Be prepared for security checkpoints.All children, including babies, must be screened at securitycheckpoints. You will also need to send all of your baby equipment, such as car seats andstrollers, through the X-ray machine. Its a good idea to talk with older children about what toexpect at security checkpoints so they are not scared. For more information, visit the
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsphttps://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsphttps://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsphttps://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsphttps://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsphttp://www.cardratings.com/http://www.cardratings.com/https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsphttps://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp


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Transportation Security Administration Web site at http://www.tsa.gov/and read the section ontraveling with children.Consider skipping the pre-boarding option,because it may mean that your child has to sit stillfor a longer period of time.Always allow extra time and check with the airline before you leave home. Delays or

cancellations can be more difficult if youre traveling with young children.If youre traveling by car

Consider driving at night. Most children are comfortable sleeping in the car, so if yourecomfortable driving at night, this may be a good way to make car trips easier on everyone.Make sure your child is comfortable. Take pillows and blankets to make resting easier.Plan for frequent rest stops,and give your child a chance to let off steam during these breaks byplaying or visiting a playground if possible.Sing songs, read or listen to stories, or play simple games. Games like Peek-a-boo with infantsand toddlers, or I-spy with pre-schoolers will help keep your child from becoming bored.

Your Family Center can give you information and support on many issues that affectservicemembers and their families. And Military OneSource, a free 24/7 service from DoD,

available to all active-duty, Guard, and Reserve members and their families, provides information

and referrals plus face-to-face counseling. Call 1-800-342-9647 or access

http://www.MilitaryOneSource.com .

Spouse TipWhats Your Public Image on the Internet?Did you know that manypotential employers Google their perspective employees before they hirethem? Yes, they certainly do! They look at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Blogs, and ahost of other online sources of information. Todays social network makes it easy. Internet searchengines pull it all together and paint a detailed, minute-to-minute picture of who you are, what you

look like, where you live, how you behaveand what you are saying and doing.

Coupled with your job application and resume, this real-time snapshot is your first job interview,an interview you didnt even know you had. Without even talking to you, employers are comparing

you to others and deciding who gets an in-person job interview and job offer, and who doesnt.Smart military spouses know this and put their best foot forward beginning with their online publicimage!

So, be strategic. Think like a hiring authority. Every time you post personal information, videos,photos and comments online, remember that career and employment decision-makers are watchingand reading.

Here are some questions that will help you build an online-image that will put you on a path tocareer ladder success.

Have you been professional, respectful and considerate in your online postings?

Does your tone and language make others want to be around you or avoid you?

Do others see you as a good leader? A solid, loyal, hard-working team player? A dedicatedmilitary spouse and community volunteer?
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Do you inspire, help and encourage others to be the best they can be?What personal characteristics do you demonstrate that employers are looking for: honesty,trustworthiness, articulate communicator, responsible mature decision maker?

Does your career, employment and education history show you have clear goals and are movingforward with your life?

Are you involved in healthy, constructive issues and activities at the family, workplace,command and community levels?

Can an employer see that you could be part of his or her business solution not his or herproblem?

Its all up to you. Make a plan. Reach out for the resources you need. Work hard to achieve your

goals. And start painting that wonderful online picture of who you are still becoming. Take one stepat a time. Let Military OneSource Education, Career and Employment Counselors helpcall(800) 342-9647.

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2011_04_08 THIS WEEK IN MCFP April 15, 2011 (1)

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Transcript of 2011_04_08 THIS WEEK IN MCFP April 15, 2011 (1)