Below you will find a number of resources for military and veteran families. There are resources for children, parents, educators, and providers. These listings are not endorsements, but are provided for their informational value.
Books & More
For Veterans / Service Members (and adult family members):
- After the war zone: A practical guide for returning troops and their families. (2008). Lori Slone & Matthew Friedman, Da Capo Press.
- Back from the Front: Combat Trauma, Love, and the Family. (2007). Aphrodite
Matsakis, Sidran Press. - Courage After Fire: Coping Strategies for Returning Soldiers and Their Families (2006). Keith Armstrong, Suzanne Best, & Paula Domenici, Ulysses Press.
- Down Range: To Iraq and Back (2005). Bridget Cantrell &Chuck Dean, Pine Hill Graphics.
- Trust After Trauma: A Guide to Relationships for Survivors and Those Who Love Them. (1998) Aphrodite Matsakis, New Harbinger Publications.
- While They’re at War: The True Story of American Families on the Homefront (2006). Kristin Henderson, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publ.
- Post-Traumatic God—How the Church Cares for People Who Have Been to Hell and Back (2016). The Rev. David Peters. “After traumatic events, many (especially young people) turn away from the Church; Post-Traumatic God presents a path home, providing a way back to a God who can be trusted, loved, and worshipped.” Morehouse Publ.
For Kids
- Daddy, You’re My Hero! (2005). [for kids ages 4-8]. Michelle Ferguson-Cohen, Little Redhaired Girl Publ.
- A Very Long Time (2005). [for kids ages 4-8; picture book for children whose parent is deployed]. Geri Tirnperley, Nikki Arro, Igi Publ.
- My Red Balloon. (2005). Eve Bunting. [for kids ages 4-8; picture book focused on homecoming], Boyd Mills Publ.
- I Miss You: A Military Kid’s Book About Deployment. (2007). [for elementary school kids whose parent is deployed]. Beth Andrews, Prometheus Books.
- Uncle Sam’s Kids In When Duty Calls. (2003). [for kids ages 5-11]. Angela Sportelli-Rehak, Abidein me Books Publ.
- You and Your Military Hero: Building Positive Thinking Skills During Your Hero’s Deployment. (2009). [for kids ages 5-12 focusing on parental deployment]. Sara Jensen-Fritz, Paula Jones-Johnson & Thea L. Zitzow, Bookhouse Fulfillment Publ.
- Finding My Way: A Teen’s Guide to Living with a Parent Who has Experienced Trauma. (2005) [for kids ages 12-18]. Michelle D. Sherman, Ph.D., DeAnne M. Sherman. (available at www.seedsofhopebooks.com
Videos
- Young Children on the Homefront – by ZERO TO THREE. Military families share their unique deployment experiences. Professionals offer tips and strategies for dealing with difficult issues such as grief and loss from deployment and challenges that often arise upon reunification, (https://www.zerotothree.org/parentinq/military-and-yeteran-families-support
- Young Heroes: Military Deployment Through the Eyes of Youth. 18-minute video created by teens of the New Jersey Operation Military Kids’ Speak out for Military Kids Program explaining the deployment cycle, (https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/somk
- Treating the Invisible Wounds of War and /CARE: What Primary Care Providers Need to Know about Mental Health Issues Facing Returning Service Members and Their Families- by Citizen-Soldier Support Program (CSSP) at the University of North Carolina. Courses for providers to learn about working with returning troops. CE credits available, information available under ‘classes’ tab, (https://vvww.operationmilitarykids.org
Support Organizations
- Grief Recovery Institute. An internationally recognized authority on grief recovery , offers training programs, (www.griefrecoverymethod.com, 800-344-7606)
GriefNet. Internet community of persons dealing with grief, death, and major loss. www.Griefnet.org PO I3ox 3272, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-3272 www.griefnet.org - KinderMoum. In addition to serving the special needs of bereaved parents, this organization assists children grieving the death of a family member or friend. (www.kindermourn.org 704-376-2580)
- The Compassionate Friends. This support organization is designed to assist families in grief resolution following the death of a child. www.compassionatefriends.org 630-990-0010
- The Birdwell Foundation – The Birdwell Foundation’s volunteers and counselors can help those suffering from PTSD symptoms brought on by TBI. Their outreach is designed for families, veterans, and first responders. Multi-locations across the US. (PO Box 690748, Houston TX 77069, office phone 210-486-1639, IN CRISIS—CALL (830) 822-2563)
- Lone Survivor Foundation — Lone Survivor Foundation restores, empowers, and renews hope for wounded service members, veterans and their families through health, wellness, and therapeutic support. It is our mission to guide veterans and their families towards a path of healing from combat trauma through a series of no-cost Post-Traumatic Growth Programs. A copy of DD214 and referral from a physician or mental health provider are required to begin the application process. (1414 11th St., Huntsville TX 77340, 936-755-6075, info@lonesurvivorfoundation.org
- The Mighty Oaks Foundation —The Mighty Oaks Foundation provides faith-based peer-based discipleship through a series of programs, outpost meetings, and speaking events. The Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs hosts such Men, Women, and Marriage Advance Programs at multiple locations nationwide. The Warriors who attend are fully sponsored for training, meals, and lodging needs to en sure that upon arrival to the ranch, each Warrior is focused solely on his or her recovery and identifying purpose moving forward. (29910 Murietta Hot Springs Rd., Ste. G530, Murietta, CA 92563, info@mightyoaksprograms.org
- The Semper Fi Fund — provides urgently needed resources and support for combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families from in jury th rough recovery. Assistance is provided to help wounded veterans assimilate back into their communities. Integrative wellness programs provide holistic health therapies to service members. www.semperfifund.org 760-725-3680
- Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) — empowers veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. In 2007, 1stLt Travis Manion (USMC) was killed in Iraq while saving his wounded teammates. Today, Travis’ legacy lives on in the words he spoke before leaving for his final deployment, “If Not Me, Then Who…” Guided by this mantra, veterans continue their service, develop strong relationships with their communities, and thrive in their post‑military lives. As a result, communities prosper and the character of our nation’s heroes live on in the next generation. Multiple locations across the US. (TMF Headquarters, P.O. Box 1485, Doylestown, PA 18901, 215.348.9080)
Websites
Emotional Health
- National Centerfor PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), www.ptsd.ya.gov
- Mental Health America: National Mental Health Association, (www.nmha.org ) with special program Operation Healthy Reunions (www.n mhaseunions )
- S.A.F.E. Program, Support and Family Education: Mental Health Facts for Families. An 18-session curriculum for people who care about someone who has a mental illness / PTSD. www.ouhsc.edu/safeprogram
- Mental Health Self-Assessment Program: Dept. of Defense sponsored mental health / alcohol screening and referral program offered to families and service members affected by deployment, (www.militarymentalhealth.orq)
For Parents and Educators
- Welcome Back Parenting: A Guide for Reconnecting Families after Military Deployment, http://www.welcomebackparent.org
- Military Child Education Coalition, https://www.militarychild.org
- Military Child Care Options and Programs,https://www.childcareaware.org
- Military Children and Youth Resource Page – by National Child Traumatic Stress Network, https://www.nctsn.org
Deployment
- After Deployment, https://www.mqh@pact.org
- Coming Home: What to Expect, How to Deal When you Return from Combat. S. Jacobson & E. Colon (2008). Comic booklet available from Military OneSource.
- Surviving Deployment: Resources for Military Families,http://www.scdeployment.com
- Picking up the Pieces after TBI: A Guide for Family Members. A. Sander (2002), https://www.laping.com/bloci/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/TIRR-Picking-u p-the-pieces.pdf
- Post-Deployment Stress: What Families Should Know, What Families Can Do , Rand Corp.,(https://www.ran d.orq/con ten t/dam/ran d/pu bs/corp orate pubs/2008/RAND CP53 4-2008-03.pdf).
- Post-Deployment Stress: What You Should Know, What You Can Do , Rand Corp, www.rand.org
General Support and Resources
- Military One Source (toll free 1-800-342-9647, https://www.militaryonesource.mil/national-guard/joint-services-support-program)
- Benefits Facts Sheets, US Department of Veterans Affairs, (https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets.asp)
- Returning Service Members (OEF/OIF), https://www.oefoif.va.ciov/
- Vet Centers information Vet Centers by state: (https://www.veteran own edbu siness.com/state-vet-cen ter-I ist.ph p ), Vet Center staff are available toll free and around the clock at 877-WAR-VETS (927-8337).
- National Resource Directory: Online tool for wounded, ill and injured troops/veterans & theirfamilies, providing access to more than 11,000 services and resources at the national, state and local levels. www.nrd.org