In order to provide the best possible care for all military service members’ families, Family Programs has been given additional funding in FY 08 to provide several new initiatives.

New staff members available to assist military members and their families are a Military Family Life Consultant, a Child and Youth Consultant, a Military OneSource Consultant, a Youth Program Specialist and a Red Cross Liaison. These individuals collectively make up the Joint Family Support Assistance Program. The Military Family Life Consultant and Child and Youth Consultant are both licensed counselors available to provide counseling to individuals, couples, families and groups. The counseling is non-medical; short term; situational; and based on problem solving and issue resolution. The Military OneSource Consultant will catalog services and build partnerships in Oregon as well as provide informational briefings to military members and their families.

Operation: Military Kids is a program run through OSU Extension 4-H for military children and youth. The program consists of: Ready, Set, Go! training; Mobile Tech Lab; Hero Packs; Speak Out for Military Kids training; Babysitter training and other specially designed programs