Events focus on military family support

The North Dakota National Guard‘s Service Member and Family Support program will sponsor several workshops and programs for professionals who work with military families.

All of the programs are free, and food and materials are provided, so early registration is requested.

Supporting Children of the National Guard and Reserve Institute will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 23-24 at Canad Inns in Grand Forks. The course, which is provided by the Military Child Education Coalition, helps educators and professionals reach out in a support network to the children and families of National Guard and Reserve members. The training is open to guidance professionals, school administration and other caring adults interested in learning more about the military child. While the course is free, participants can earn 1.2 continuing education units for $25 or one hour of graduate credit from Texas A&M University – Central Texas for $175. The fees are payable at the end of training, and 95 percent of the course must be attended to receive credit.

For more information, contact Laura Wood at 254-953-1923 or laura.wood@MilitaryChild.org or Beth Sandeen, North Dakota National Guard Youth Services Program coordinator, at 701-451-6109 or beth.sandeen1@us.army.mil. To register, go to www.MilitaryChild.org and click on “Upcoming Trainings.”

Duty to Care II: Honoring the Healer is a one-day training designed to enhance self-care while providing the opportunity to brainstorm strategies for developing professional resilience. The program is provided by Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families and focuses on finding solutions to manage compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and burnout. It also explores ways to manage stress and improve professional well-being.

The training will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 9 at the Holiday Inn in Fargo. For more information, contact Secely Smith at 202-638-1144 or mprojects@zerotothree.org or Beth Sandeen, North Dakota National Guard Youth Services Program coordinator, at 701-451-6109 or beth.sandeen1@ us.army.mil. To register, go to http://main.zerotothree.org/site/Calendar/260576856?view=Detail&id=102821 by Feb. 17.

Living in the New Normal Institute: Helping Children Thrive Through Good and Challenging Times is a two-day workshop that addresses the educational needs of military-connected families by outlining specific community resources, deployment information and practical strategies for encouraging resilience in all children. The institute will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 19-20 at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Wahpeton, N.D., and is provided by the Military Child Education Coalition, a nonprofit organization that addresses the educational needs of military-connected families. The Coalition is accredited through the International Association for Continuing Education and Training and the National Board for Certified Counselors and Affiliates Inc., along with many state professional development agencies.

While the course is free, participants can earn 1.2 continuing education units for $25 or one hour of graduate credit from Texas A&M University – Central Texas for $175. The fees are payable at the end of training, and 95 percent of the course must be attended to receive credit.

For more information, contact Myriam Virellad at 254-953-1923 or myriam.virella@MilitaryChild.org or Beth Sandeen, North Dakota National Guard Youth Services Program coordinator, at 701-451-6109 or beth.sandeen1@us.army.mil. To register, go to www.MilitaryChild.org and click on “Upcoming Trainings.”

Living in the New Normal Institute: Helping Children Thrive Through Good and Challenging Times Practicum provides a practical application of techniques and strategies for Family Readiness Group leaders, first responders and other concerned adults in an effort to increase resilience in military-connected children. The daylong practicum will guide participants in acquiring a basic knowledge of resilience elements and how that applies to military children. It also will identify tools and resources that foster resilience in children and help participants identify and apply resilience-building skills to prepare children for good and challenging times.

For more information about the practicum, which will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 5 at the Sleep Inn and Suites in Minot, contact Myriam Virellad at 254-953-1923 or myriam.virella@MilitaryChild.org or Jessi Clark-Woinarowicz, North Dakota National Guard state youth coordinator, at 701-333-4822 or j.clarkwoinarowicz@us.army.mil. To register, go to www.MilitaryChild.org and click on “Upcoming Trainings.” The course is free, but participants can earn continuing education units and graduate credit for a fee. The fees are payable at the end of training, and 95 percent of the course must be attended to receive credit.

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