Blog: Category: Thrive

All people, including children, have their own needs and preferences. As a family, you may have many shared interests or values, but, individually, each family member is a unique and special being. Depending on your child’s personality and whether their beliefs and values differ from yours, you may encounter challenges in your parenting journey. In addition, as an adult, you bring your past experiences—that you’ve had across your lifespan—into situations and into the relationship you have with your child, and this circumstance can impact the ways in which you interact with your child.

You may remember how you were as a child or how your parents responded to your behaviors and actions during your childhood. As you reflect on these experiences, you may realize that you either do, or don’t, respond in similar ways as your parents responded to you when you were a child. You may even decide that you want to avoid responding to your child’s behaviors and actions in certain ways that felt, or still feel, uncomfortable to you.

According to the Pew Research Center (2023), today’s parents, whether they’re raising their children similarly or differently from how they were raised, are encouraging their children’s autonomy and are letting them learn and grow from their mistakes. Offering this independence can give children the freedom to make their own choices and learn how to think for themselves. Furthermore, modern parents are, on average, more accepting of their child and who their child is and wants to be (Pew Research Center, 2023) and, therefore, are providing their child with the emotional support to help instill and sustain positive self-esteem.

Parents who embrace their child’s preferences or differences, accept their child for who they are, and encourage their child’s passions may be able to build a stronger emotional bond with their child. This acceptance and support can help create emotional strength in the parent-child relationship, that, in turn, may help foster the child’s ability to manage their own feelings and thoughts about themself and others (NIH, 2017) as they mature.

To understand more about your child and what makes them unique, take time to cultivate your relationship with your child, and understand who your child is. A few strategies that can help you get started with learning more about your child follow.

• Engage in honest and open communication with your child, and remain curious as you listen to their thoughts and feelings.
• Read to, or with, your child. Doing this can help stimulate conversation and activate your child’s imagination, which can create conversations and provide opportunities for future exploration!
• Plan for one-on-one time with your child to explore your child’s likes and dislikes together.

Based on what your parenting expectations were prior to welcoming your child into your family, parenting may look like what you envisioned, or it may look different. Regardless of where you are on the spectrum, as you parent your child, remember to slow down, step back, remain curious, and be present. Opening your mind so you can see your child for who they truly are can provide your child with a sense of security and allow them to develop a deeper connection with you and with themself.

Children learn how to incorporate healthy behaviors and habits by watching their parents and caregivers. Watch the video below to see how you could model behaviors that are healthy. These behaviors can include reducing screen time, establishing a sleep routine, choosing nutritious foods for your family, and being physically active. All of these behaviors, and many more, play an important role in the overall health and well-being for everyone!

To learn more, view the Promoting Healthy Behaviors in Families mini-booster module by Thrive below!

The universal Thrive parent-education programs (i.e., Take Root, Sprout, Grow, and Branch Out), supplemental modules, and mini-booster modules are available for all parents, at no cost, at thrive.psu.edu.

Summer break in the United States typically begins in late May or early June and ends in mid-August or early September. So, American children have about 8-9 weeks off from school. You might want take advantage of the less-structured time that summer may offer your family by participating in the 5210 Challenge – Summer Edition!

How Parents Can Help

Parents play an important role in shaping their children’s participation in healthy behaviors. Through support and behavioral modeling, parents can encourage their children to follow evidence-informed recommendations from groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. 5210 Healthy (Military) Children is a health promotion campaign that offers a simple message to help parents learn how they can aid in supporting their children’s health. We’ve compiled a list of activities that your family can do to incorporate 5210 practices into your family’s summer fun!

What is 5210?

Consume 5 or more servings of fruits or vegetables each day.

Engage in 2 or fewer hours of recreational screen time each day.

Participate in 1 or more hours of physical activity each day.

Consume 0 sweetened beverages each day.

5210 Challenge – Summer Edition

Summer can be an opportune time to go outside and try a new activity or sport! Consider incorporating the healthy-behavior components of 5210 as you engage in different activities. Download the 5210 challenge calendar, and use the list below for ideas to make this summer your healthiest (and most fun) summer yet!

1. Conduct a taste test of new fruits or vegetables.
2. Go for a spin! Ride on a bike, scooter, or roller blades. Don’t forget to wear a safety helmet!
3. Visit a park. Do you have a favorite in your area? Are you ready to try out a new one? Parks can be a free way to get in some outdoor fun!
4. Go screen free all day! Check out Screen-Free Saturdays for some suggestions to get started.
5. Do you have a green thumb? Plant some seeds, and track your plant’s progress by measuring its growth each week, or build a terrarium, and add ornamental items.
6. Throw a dance party! Take turns selecting your favorite songs, and make up silly dance moves.
7. Prepare a new healthy snack.
8. Get crafty! Free classes may be available from hardware stores or craft stores in your area, or try this low-cost rock-painting activity.
9. Go for a hike. In addition to getting fresh air and taking in nature, you could introduce your family to geocaching! Check out gov to find an outdoor space near you.
10. Visit the local library. Many libraries offer a weekly story time or special events. Use a library finder to locate a library near you.
11. Try out some water play! Go for a swim, turn on the sprinkler, or have a water balloon fight. Be sure to put on sunscreen if you’re participating during the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., which is when the sun’s ultraviolet rays are the strongest. Check out more sun-safety tips from Org
12. Go on a night walk with flashlights or glow sticks.
13. Play a board game. Pick one that you’ve never played before!
14. Go on a picnic. A park, backyard, or even your front porch can serve as picnic locations. Check to see if your family is located near a free summer lunch site.
15. Relax in on a comfy outdoor couch or chair, and read in the sun. Get outside, away from screens, and don’t forget the sunscreen!
16. Challenge siblings or friends to a race. You can run, skip, hop, or even walk backward!
17. Rethink your Drink! Challenge your family to drink only water or unsweetened beverages for a whole day, week, or month, and track your progress.
18. Hold a Bike Rodeo. Invite family members, friends, and neighbors to join you.
19. Go on a 5-senses walk. Notice what you see, hear, smell, feel, and taste!
20. Challenge your family to a device-free
21. Visit a u-pick farm or farmers market to gather fresh fruit. Use the USDA Local Food Directory to find a farmers market near you.
22. Create an obstacle course. Challenge family members or friends to see who can get through the course the fastest.
23. Go bowling! Kids can bowl for free this summer at select sites.
24. Rainy Day? Try these quick physical-activity breaks
25. Challenge each other to burn 100 calories in 10, 15, 20, or 30 minutes of exercise! We’ve put together a list of activities to get you started.
26. Let’s play ball! Play a game that requires a ball (e.g., soccer, tennis, basketball, baseball).
27. Chalk it up! Create art and play games like hopscotch, using sidewalk chalk. Remember to get permission first!
28. Try some mindfulness strategies like deep breathing or yoga. Check out Breath to Thrive for some ideas.
29. Let the kids cook! Parents take it easy while the children create a menu, set the table, prepare the food, and clean up. Cooking to Thrive offers many healthy suggestions.
30. Create a scavenger hunt. Hunts can take place inside your house, in your neighborhood, or throughout your community!

Share your healthy behaviors challenge experience with us! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Use the hashtags #5210challenge and #5210summer to share photos of your activities, creations, and family fun.

Stress is part of everyday life, and our bodies can have mental and physical reactions to the stress we feel. When we encounter an event or situation that our body deems as challenging or stressful, our brain responds by perceiving a threat. This response, in turn, initiates several hormonal and physiological changes, such as increased heart rate, feelings of nausea, or sweating.

Stress can appear in routine challenges such as when you are running late for a doctor’s appointment or are worrying about missing a deadline at work. Our relationships with others can also be a source of stress, such as when you have a disagreement with a loved one or feel guarded when meeting a new manager. Experiencing small amounts of manageable stress can be beneficial for an individual. Coping with manageable stress can help us deal with situations in a positive way and can help us build resiliency. However, when we encounter situations or events that make us feel very stressed or we experience several stressful situations at once, our responses can become counterproductive. Some examples of the negative impact of the stress response can include increased anxiety, verbal and motor skill challenges, and extreme emotional reactivity (Avero & Calvo, 1999).

Being a parent is, perhaps, the most important role we encounter in life; however, it can also be one of the most stress-producing roles. Getting the family ready to start the day on time, mediating sibling arguments, caring for restless infants, and encountering many other daily events and challenges can lead to parental stress. The various types of parental stress you experience can have an impact on your behavior and can, in turn, influence your child’s behavior and well-being (Neece et al., 2012; Neece, 2014; Pinquart, 2018). In fact, when children, even infants, recognize stress in their parents, they often have a response that can lead to behavioral challenges (Neece et al., 2012).

Research consistently shows that parenting stress and poor behavior in children often occur in a cycle (Neece et al., 2012; Neece, 2014; Pinquart, 2018). In other words, when children act out, these actions can increase the parents’ levels of stress, the parents react to the stress, and their reactions, then, influence the child’s behavioral issues. For parents, their child’s behavior can be the source of their parenting stress. On the other hand, poor behavior can be the child’s stress reaction to a parent who is visibly stressed.

Developmental Delays and Parental Stress

Parents of children who have exceptional needs often face additional challenges and report higher levels of stress than other parents (Neece, 2014). In addition, children who have cognitive developmental challenges are more likely to exhibit poor behavior, which can lead to increased parental stress (Neece et al., 2012). All families with children who have exceptional needs can experience more problems at home and less parental satisfaction when compared to other families (Neece, 2014). Often, the stressors that come with raising children who experience developmental delays can increase at a faster rate and often reoccur more frequently (Neece, 2014). For example, as a child with developmental delays nears school age, their parents may have more and different decisions to consider, such needing to collaborate with school personnel to ensure the child’s needs are met and identify associated school-support staff. Other times, parents may experience stress when they compare their child’s development to other children of the same age.

How to Address Your Stress and Your Child’s Behavior at The Same Time

Because the stress of parenting impacts the behavior of children and vice versa, approaching both issues at once may be a good option. Several studies have shown that, when parents are able to reduce their levels of stress, their child’s behavior problems also decrease (Neece et al., 2012). Improving your relationship with your child is one way to tackle parenting stress and behavioral issues at the same time. Acts of charity and kindness are often associated with stress reduction and improved behavior so consider finding a volunteer opportunity that you and your child can participate in together. Let your child know how they are helping someone else and how this effort is positive. In another example, try talking to your child about stressful moments after they happen, so you and your child have a better understanding of the situation and you, as the parent, know that your child understands the situation. Research has shown that, for parents of children who have developmental delays, using mindfulness-based stress-reduction tools have a substantially positive impact on these families (Neece, 2014). Some examples of mindfulness-based stress-reduction tools that you can implement follow.

Ways to Alleviate Parenting Stress

• Use meditation, practice yoga, or write in a journal.
• Engage in social connections, especially through parenting groups.
• Ensure you allot enough time to complete daily tasks. Research indicates that time pressure is one of the leading causes of parental stress.
• Get adequate sleep. Rest is a critical part of stress management. Having children can hinder getting a good night’s rest; however, parents may want to be mindful of the amount of rest they get. For example, you may want to establish and maintain bedtime or limit caffeine use for 8 hours before bedtime.
• Exercise. Establish exercise routines, if possible, to enhance your probability of continuing regular exercise. Get your heart rate up in ways you enjoy. Research shows that regular exercise increases your well-being and helps reduce your body’s reactions to stress.

Ways to Improve Behavior in Children

• Enroll in parenting-education courses. Studies reveal that parenting courses offer stress-reduction discussions and trainings, which can help participants reduce parental stress and other negative feelings.
• Do not tolerate or ignore poor behavior. Ignoring poor or unhealthy behavior can lead to you exhibiting a more severe reaction.
• Help your children learn emotional regulation. Have intentional, in-depth discussions with your child about the times when they should try to remain calm and explain how they can manage their emotions when they become stressed.
• Try to anticipate your child’s triggers. Identify what types of situations provoke your child and help them understand what is happening during these times and how to cope with these circumstances and their feelings.

Parents make multiple daily decisions that impact themselves and their family members. As a parent, you will likely want to use sound judgment and consider relevant and up-to-date information as you make positive and meaningful decisions for your family. However, the amount of information that is available through websites and digital media platforms – on any topic – can be overwhelming. Furthermore, identifying credible information using technology and on the internet can be challenging. Remember, the information available on the internet may not be accurate or used in the way that it may have been intended. There are two different types of incorrect information that will be presented and discussed in this blog post: misinformation and disinformation.

Misinformation is the unintentional sharing of false, inaccurate, or incomplete information (Heiss, 2020). This may include not fully listing all important facts, unintentionally excluding voices or different perspectives that may change the endpoint view, and/or not using information that is current. Memes and satire can fall under this category.

Example: Sharing a picture with a quote that does not belong to the person being quoted. A popular example of this is a picture of President Abraham Lincoln, who died in 1865, being quoted as saying that not everything on the internet is true.

Disinformation is the intentional spread of false in formation. This information is usually shared in ways that align with political or commercial motives (Heiss, 2020). The source may want to sell something or bolster a connection that is beneficial to them by purposely excluding facts and other voices and viewpoints and/or using outdated information (even if it has been proved as false in the past).

Example: Disinformation may come in the form of videos that use high-end technology to make it look and sound like a prominent figure is doing or saying something they did not say. Disinformation could include made up stories that intend to change public perception, or it may perpetuate conspiracy theories and/or rumors to sway the public to believe or buy something.

So, how do you find credible information that is accurate and current, so you can make sound decisions as you keep your family safe? Consider following the suggestions listed below.

Use Fact Checking Websites

One of the methods you can try to use is a fact-checking website. Examples of some fact-checking websites are listed below. Fact-checking websites compile information on popular topics that are being circulated, discussed, and/or reported and populate that information into articles. The articles state what is being said about a given topic – even when it needs to cover multiple perspectives – and fact check the information using relevant sources to produce a determination about the validity of the information (based on facts). Each article contains links to all of the identified sources, and users are encouraged to perform their own research. Website users are also invited to ask questions, electronically, about information they may have seen or heard.

Some credible fact checking websites to use are as follows:
www.factcheck.org – This website is a project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. They are working with Facebook.com to combat fake news and the spread of misinformation and disinformation in social media.

www.snopes.com – This is a website that is designed to fact check popular articles to show the validity of the information contained within the article. At the bottom of each article, a list of all of the resources that were used to fact check is presented. In addition, readers are encouraged to use additional resources to fact check (instead of just taking their word for it).

www.fullfact.org – This website is hosted by a charity organization based in London, England, and is comprised of people from different political backgrounds who fact check the information and supply their findings to site users.

A few websites that should be avoided due to misinformation or disinformation are as follows:

Wikipedia – This website can be edited by anyone. No fact checking is done, and no resources are usually listed.

Satire Websites (e.g., Buzzfeed, The Onion) – These websites often post inflammatory and intentionally false articles to entertain readers; however, the information in the articles could be mistaken as factual by some readers.

Research the Topic Further

Another method for fact checking is to further research your topic of interest using a search engine like Google (McManus, 2020). In the search bar, type in the basic idea of the article, and see what other information or articles come up. Are major news articles reporting on it? If not, the information may not be valid. If major new articles are reporting on the issue, you may be able to examine additional information on the topic or find missing facts that can increase your knowledge and guide your decisions.

Watch for common red flags that may indicate the article is not factual or may be trying to gain a specific reaction (McManus, 2020):

• Inflammatory language
• Name calling
• Broad generalizations
• Exclamation points
• WORDS ARE ALL IN CAPS

SMELL Test

An alternative fact-checking method is to use different tests, or questionnaires, to determine the accuracy of information. McManus (2020) offers the SMELL test, which was designed to help users critically look at information and sources. This test is outlined below, and the information is derived from the original chapter content in Detecting Bull: How to Identify Bias and Junk Journalism in Print, Broadcast and on the Wild Web (McManus, 2020).

Source

• Who or where is providing the information?
  • A traditional news outlet, a special interest group, a neighborhood blogger
• Are they credible?
  • Education sites
  • Government information
  • Research institutes
• Does the source have an agenda that would be furthered by sharing the information?
  • Who is funding the source?
  • Is the source receiving money for sharing this?

Motive

• Why is this source sharing this information?
• Does this information inform, entertain, or persuade you in a certain direction?
  • Entertainers are not bound by facts.
  • Persuasive wording can present information in a way that highlights topics that may direct your attention in a specific direction regardless of the facts.

Evidence

• Are there resources available?
• Did the website add links to sites and cite other sources?
• Do the sites offer information that supports their message?

Logic

• Is the evidence logical?
• Does this information agree with or support what you already know?
  • Information and research change; however, if the information is drastically different from what you know, you may want to do more investigating!

Left Out

• Is there missing information?
  • Is it intentional?
• Are there relevant facts or voices absent or marginalized?

CRAAP Test

Another test that could be used to determine the accuracy of information is the CRAAP test. California State University librarians developed this test to help determine if sources are credible since credibility is an important part of the information-literacy skill (George, 2022). The CRAAP Test, although created with academics in mind, can be used by anyone when they evaluate sources. By using the questions below, taken directly from the CRAAP test (California State University, 2010), you can evaluate resources and information to determine the validity of the information being shared.

Currency: the timeliness of the information.

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?
• Are the links functional?

Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs.

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your questions?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advances for your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
• Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?

Authority: the source of the information.

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• What are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations?
• Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?

Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content.

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
• Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

Purpose: the reason the information exists.

• What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?

Misinformation and disinformation can spread quickly through technology. Knowing how to evaluate and find accurate information, understanding the kinds of information you should be looking for, and realizing how you can validate that information are important skills that you can acquire and use to protect you and your family. Consider using one of the techniques, listed above, the next time you read an article about a topic that can affect your family. If you would like to learn more about finding information, misinformation, and/or fact checking, review the additional resources below.

Session II: Fostering Families’ Internal and Interpersonal Well-being

We are pleased to announce the presenters for Session II of the Thrive Initiative’s Educational Series for Professionals! Join us, on dates scheduled this coming summer and fall, for three online presentations on the topics of parental mental health, trauma-informed care, and anger management. You can earn one hour of continuing education credit from the American Psychological Association for participating in each virtual event. The presentation dates and details are below.

Register today!  https://bit.ly/register4thrivesession2

On the Friday before Mother’s Day, the United States recognizes military spouses for their sacrifices and contributions to the Armed Services and the nation. Sometimes, the day is commemorated with small celebrations hosted by service organizations or installation agencies. Often, warm sentiments of gratitude can be seen on social media and in news articles. For this year’s Military Spouse Appreciation Day, the Thrive team of research professionals and the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State would like to extend our thanks and share a few resources for military families that may help ease the challenges inherent in military life.

In February 2023, the Department of Defense released the results from the 2021 Active Duty Spouse Survey (ADSS). Administered biannually, the ADSS surveys spouses of active duty Service members to gather insight into their well-being and their experiences and attitudes toward military life. It also tracks trends and changes over time, which can help the government and support organizations understand how to best serve the needs of military families. The 2021 ADSS collected data on spouse employment, relocation, spouse education, financial health, food insecurity, child care, deployment, and satisfaction with military life. Topics that were a top concern for military spouses or that spouses indicated added to the challenge of military life included employment, child care, food insecurity, and overall family well-being. The resources outlined below may help military spouses and their families take actionable steps to address these concerns.

Employment

Military spouses face an unemployment rate of 21% for active duty spouses and 7% for Guard/Reserve spouses (U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy, 2021). This is significantly higher than the 3.5% national average unemployment rate in the United States (U.S. Department of Labor, 2023). Military spouses experience multiple challenges to finding and maintaining employment, including frequent moves, difficulty obtaining child care, and license transfer costs and requirements. In the 2021 ADSS, spouses who stated they were employed were more likely to be working in their area of training or education (Office of People Analytics, 2023). The following resources are available to help military spouses prepare for employment and discover educational and training opportunities.

Spouse Education and Career Opportunities

https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/

The Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program offers resources and tools related to career exploration, education, and employment readiness. Military spouses can also access free career coaching from certified SECO career coaches. Career coaches work one-on-one with military spouses to help them meet their career goals by providing assistance such as helping with a job search, reviewing a resume, identifying a school or program, and sharing information about how to start a business.

Installation Employment Support Program

Each Service branch offers employment support for military spouses on installations worldwide. Representatives from an employment-support program can share information about local job opportunities, education and training options, and licensing reimbursement support. They may also offer help with developing civilian and federal resumes, providing interview practice, and connecting military spouses to networking events and hiring fairs.

• To locate an employment support program on an installation, please visit: https://installations.militaryonesource.mil
  • In the dropdown menu, choose “I’m looking for a program or service.” Next, type in “Spouse Education, Training and Careers” in the “I’m choosing from” text field. Then, filter your selection by installation or zip code.

My Career Advancement Account

https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa/

The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance to eligible military spouses to help them earn or maintain a license, certification, or associate degree. Recent federal funding has temporarily expanded eligibility for the MyCAA scholarship.

Child Care

Most active duty military spouses have at least one child who is under age 18 (69%), and nearly half of those children (46%) are under the age of 6 (Office of People Analytics, 2023). The inability to secure child care was the top stated reason in 2021 for an active duty spouse to be out of the work force (Office of People Analytics, 2023). Some spouses also specified that cost was a limiting factor in finding child care that fits the needs of their family. The following resources can help military spouses find affordable child care in their area.

Child Care Aware of America

https://www.childcareaware.org/fee-assistancerespite/military-families/

Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA) works with a national network of child care resource and referral agencies and other partners and provides information to help families access quality, affordable child care. CCAoA also provides child care assistance for military families through fee assistance programs to help offset the cost between what their family would pay at an installation child care center and the fees charged at a child care center in their community.

Family Child Care Providers

www.MilitaryChildCare.com

In addition to care provided at installation child-development centers, military spouses may find more flexible options with family child care programs. These programs are operated by certified child care professionals, known as Family Child Care (FCC) providers, who offer care for children up to age 12 in their homes. They are located on or off an installation. FCC providers typically offer flexible schedules, such as full-day, part-day, and school-year care and summer care. In some instances, 24/7 and extended care may be provided.

Food Insecurity

According to the 2021 ADSS, one in four active duty military spouses experienced low or very low food security (Office of People Analytics, 2023). The survey used the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau financial well-being scale abbreviated questionnaire to measure the financial well-being of military spouses. The results showed that military spouses who had a low-financial well-being score had a high likelihood of experiencing food insecurity. To combat food insecurity, military spouses may be able to qualify for government-funded food programs, access food banks for immediate needs, and seek the support of a financial counselor to maximize their family’s income. These resources are outlined below.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

Participants in this program receive monthly checks or vouchers to purchase identified foods to supplement their diets with specific nutrients. Foods include infant cereal, adult cereal, fruit or vegetable juice, eggs, milk, cheese, peanut butter, dried and canned beans/peas, canned fish, soy-based beverages, tofu, fruits, vegetables, baby foods, and whole-wheat bread. In addition, the foods listed in the program may include infant formula.

• Eligibility Requirements: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-eligibility-requirements
• Program Contacts: https://www.fns.usda.gov/program-contacts/wic

Military OneSource Community Resource Finder

• Use the Community Resource Finder tool to find food banks and community food resources organized by state.

Free Financial Counseling

Each military Service branch offers free and confidential financial support to Service members and their families. Support is available through classes on topics such as saving and investing, debt reduction, and understanding your credit score. Certified financial counselors may also be available to meet with military spouses one-on-one to assist them with establishing or reviewing budgets, analyzing spending habits, and setting financial goals.

• To find financial counseling support on an installation, please search here: https://installations.militaryonesource.mil
  • In the dropdown menu, choose “I’m looking for a program or service.” Then, type in “Personal Financial Management Services” in the “I’m choosing from” text field. Next, filter by installation or zip code.
• Contact Military OneSource to locate a financial counselor who may be able to provide virtual support by calling 800-342-9647.

USDA Meals for Kids Site Finder (Summer Site Finder)

https://www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids

The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides free summer meals for children up to age 18 in communities across the United States. The site-finder website will update in May 2023 and will list summer meal sites, directions, hours of operation, and contact information.

Family Well-being

The 2021 ADSS found that most military spouses were satisfied with their marriage (81%); however, support for their Service member to stay on active duty has waned from previous years (Office of People Analytics, 2023). The survey also found that more military spouses sought counseling services than in previous years. Counseling may help families cope with the challenges of military life. The programs listed below can help military spouses improve their family’s overall well-being and prepare for their family’s life after they leave the military.

Military Spouse Transition Program

https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/mystep

The Military Spouse Transition Program (MySTeP) is designed to support and encourage military spouses throughout their Service member’s time in the military. The information, tools, and programs highlighted in MySTeP connect military spouses with resources to help them navigate military life at every stage of their Service member’s career and prepare their family for life after transitioning out of the military.

Thrive Universal Parent Education Programs

https://thrive.psu.edu/

Thrive programs offer developmentally age-appropriate, universal, parent-education programs in a web-based format. These programs are designed to empower parents and caregivers as they nurture children from the prenatal period until 18 years of age. Each self-paced parent-education program delivers knowledge, skills, and strategies that intend to bolster positive parenting practices, enhance stress management, and promote child physical health and well-being. Thrive parent-education programs are available online to military and civilian parents and caregivers at no cost.

Military and Family Life Counseling Program

The Military and Family Life Counseling Program (MFLC) offers free, short-term, confidential, non-medical counseling to Service members and their families. Licensed MFLC counselors are available for one-on-one, couple, or group sessions to help military families cope with issues such as stress, challenges related to moving, dealing with deployments and separation, relationship matters, and grief. Counselors are available by appointment, and sometimes on a walk-in basis, at select installation Military and Family Support Centers.

• To locate an MFLC, call or visit an installation Military and Family Support Center. Centers can be found by doing a geographical search at: https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/
  • In the dropdown menu, choose “I’m looking for a program or service.” Then, type in “Family Center” in the “I’m choosing from” text field. Next, filter by installation or zip code.