Military Resources

All local PTA units that have military families with children who attend their school are encouraged to learn about Military & Family Life Counseling (MFLC) available at many schools in our county.  The 2023-2024 list of counselors is below, if your school is not listed please use Hillsborough VTC.  

For those schools thinking about celebrating the Month of the Military Child in April, here is the link to the Military Child Education Coalition Toolkit. You can choose a day in April to honor military kids. https://www.militarychild.org/MOMC_Toolkit

There are many resources available to help your PTA/PTSA develop an age-appropriate program for Veterans Day.

https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/acts4vd.pdf

http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/veterans-day-activities-intro.html

Links from the Facebook Live MOMC Presentation 4/15/21

• PTA/School Book of the Month: “The Seasons of My Military Student”https://seasonsofmymilitarystudent.com/
• Join forums: the Seasons of My Military Student Facebook page for Teachers and Parents of kids K-12. https://www.facebook.com/groups/325147257999017/
• Enroll in Schoolquest. www.schoolquest.org. A digital portfolio site by MCEC that helps keep all important paperwork in one place
• Military Kid’s Clubs:  http://seasonsofmymilitarystudent.com/military-kids-club?fbclid=IwAR0RcF3GcX3ZQlk08vFlm6M3HSOZ8Isu8cENRJkZ_D8kHwL_TEYzWpcdkKE
• S2S Programs: https://www.militarychild.org/programs/student-2-student
• Attain Purple Star Designated Schools Award:  https://www.niche.com/blog/what-is-a-purple-star-school/ (HB 426 Rep Learned from D59 sponsored this bill) 
• National PTA Military Page:  www.pta.org/run-your-pta-/Diversity-Equity-Inclusion/supporting-multicultural-membership-growth/Children-in-Military-Families. 
• Florida PTA Military (more coming soon). www.floridapta.org
• HCC PTA/PTSA Military Resources, Links, Spirit Weeks, Booklist, etc. www.hccptaptsa/org/military-resources
• Military OneSource:  www.militaryonesource.com
• MCEC: Military Child Education Coalition: www.miltarychild.org.  Like them on Facebook. Professional Development programs are available on the website on many topics applying to all families. Webinars, Workshops, Podcasts.  There is now an MCEC en Espanol Facebook page. 
• The month of the Military Child Toolkit:  www.militarychild.org/MOMC_Toolkit/
• Military Interstate Compact or MIC3. www.mic3.net.  See Florida’s specific page. 
• Military Kids Connect: https://militarykidsconnect.health.mil/
• Bloom for Teens: https://www.bloommilitaryteens.org/
• https://www.militaryonesource.mil/data-research-and-statistics/military-community-demographics/?utm_campaign=mos-enews-jan2021&utm_content=html&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
• PTA/School Book of the Month: “The Seasons of My Military Student” https://seasonsofmymilitarystudent.com/
•  Join forums: the Seasons of My Military Student Facebook page for Teachers and Parents of kids K-12. https://www.facebook.com/groups/325147257999017/
• Enroll in Schoolquest. www.schoolquest.org. A digital portfolio site by MCEC that helps keep all important paperwork in one place
• Military Kid’s Clubs:  http://seasonsofmymilitarystudent.com/military-kids-club?fbclid=IwAR0RcF3GcX3ZQlk08vFlm6M3HSOZ8Isu8cENRJkZ_D8kHwL_TEYzWpcdkKE
• S2S Programs: https://www.militarychild.org/programs/student-2-student
• Attain Purple Star Designated Schools Award:  https://www.niche.com/blog/what-is-a-purple-star-school/ (HB 426 Rep Learned from D59 sponsored this bill) 
•  School of Excellence Award: https://www.pta.org/home/programs/National-PTA-School-of-Excellence

 

Veteran’s specific

• Dod latest graphics for Families, Total Force, and by Service at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/data-research-and-statistics/military-community-demographics/2019-demographics-profile/
• https://www.operationwearehere.com/ArtTherapy.html. 
• https://www.veteransflorida.org/. 
• https://www.veteransflorida.org/veteran-resources/. 
• https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/florida-state-veterans-benefits.html.
• https://www.hiringourheroes.org/
• https://www.militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/specialty-consultations/transitioning-veterans
• https://floridavets.org/
• https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/
• https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
• https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/veterans/
• www.legion.org
• www.amvets.org
• https://www.moaa.org/
• https://floridavets.org/our-veterans/gold-star-families/
• https://www.floridatrend.com/article/23810/military-bases-in-florida

• A Paper Hug:  by Stephanie Skolmoski
• Where do the Tears Go?:  by Doris Burd
• I am Red, White, and Blue… Are You Feeling it Too?:  by Deanna Lynn Cole
• Lily Hates Goodbyes:  by Jerilyn Marler
• When Your Dad Goes to War: Helping Children Cope with Deployment and Beyond:  by Maryann Makekau 
• But … What If?:  by Sandra Miller Linhart
• My Red Balloon:  by Eve Bunting
• I Like Where I Am:  by Jessica Harper
• Alexander Who’s Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move: by Judith Viorst

Great comprehensive list:

• http://www.operationwearehere.com/ChildrenBooks.html
• All Hands on Deck! Dad's Coming Home! Author: Julia Maki, Copyright @ 2012
• American Hero Books: My Daddy Is a Marine Author: Alia Reese, Copyright @ 2011 Ages infant-preschool
• www.heartstarpress.com
• A Paper Hug Author: Stephanie Skolmoski, Copyright @ 2006
• A Year Without Dad Author: Jodi Brunson, Copyright @ 2003 
• A Yellow Ribbon for Daddy Author: Anissa Mersiowsky, Copyright @ 2005 Ages 4-8
• Brave Like Me Author: Barbara Kerley, Copyright @2016 Ages 4-8
• But... What If? Author: Sandra Miller Linhart, Copyright @ 2010
• Coming Home Author: Greg Ruth, Copyright @ 2014 Ages 4-7
• Countdown 'til Daddy Gets HomeAuthor: Kristin Ayyar, Copyright @ 2013 Ages 3-8 
• Daddy Left with Mr. Army
• A child's view of military deployment Author: Chandelle Walker, Copyright @ 2018 Ages 5-6 
• Daddy is in the Military
• Free book to customize, save and print - www.myownstory.com
• Daddy's Boots Author: Sandra Miller Linhart, Copyright @ 2010
• Daddy's Deployed Author: Bridget Platt, Copyright @ 2012 Ages 0-10
• http://daddysdeployed.com
• Daddy's in Iraq, but I Want Him Back Author: Carmen R. Hoyt, Copyright @ 2005
• Daddy's Submarine Author: Bethany Patterson, Copyright @ 2019
• Dear Baby, I'm Watching Over You Author: Carol Casey, Copyright @ 2010 Ages 1 and up
• Deployment Author: Santina Rivera, Copyright @ 2010
• Deployment: One of Our Pieces is Missing Author: Julia Cook, Copyright @ 2018
• Don't Forget: God Bless our Troops Author: Dr. Jill Biden, Copyright @ 2012 Ages 5 and up
• Father Is Always With Me Author: Emmanuel Barbosa, Copyright @ 2016 Ages 1-6
•  Goodnight Marines Author: David Dixon, Copyright @ 2016 Ages 0-8
• A brilliantly illustrated children's book about the culture and traditions
• Heart of a Shepherd Author: Rosanne Parry, Copyright @ 2010 Ages 9-12
• Teacher discussion guide available (3rd - 5th grade, 6th - 8th grade)
• Hero Dad Author: Melinda Hardin, Copyright @ 2010 Ages 4-8
• Home Again (Board Book) Author: Dorinda Silver Williams, Copyright @ 2009 Ages 0-3
• Available for free at www.militaryonesource.mil
• Hug in the Wind Author: Tim Steiner, Copyright @ 2018
• I Am Red, White, & Blue...Are You Feeling it Too? Author: Deanna Lynn Cole, Copyright @ 2008
• If I Were Deployed Author: Nicole Burch, Copyright @ 2019
• I'll Lend You My Daddy Author: Becky King, Copyright @ 2019 Ages 4-8
•  I'm a Hero Too! (Daddy version) Author: Timothy P. Dunnigan, Copyright @ 2011
• www.imaherotoo.org
•  I'm Here for You Now (Board Book)

Free from Military OneSource

• I Miss You! Author: Beth Andrews, Copyright @ 2007 Ages 4-8 

Another list:

• https://confidentcounselors.com/2017/04/03/9-books-help-military-children/ 
• For teachers, parents, and other professionals who support military child education: “Seasons of My Military Student”: http://elvaresa.com/book/seasons-military-student/

13 Amazing books to support military children: 

• https://mrsnavymama.com/13-amazing-books-supporting-military-children/ 

Preparing for PCS:

• https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org/2019/05/09/childrens-books-help-prepare-military-children-for-pcs/ 
• https://unitedthroughreading.org

Download the app and start reading today.

• Free books for military families:
• https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.military.com/paycheck-chronicles/2011/08/02/free-books-for-military-families/amp

Must-have books for Mil kids:

• https://www.military.com/spousebuzz/blog/2016/11/11-books-military-children.html/amp
• Worry Says What by Allison Edwards
• Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods that Make My Day: By Jamie Lee Curtis
• My Many Colored Days:  by Eric Carle
• One of our Pieces is Missing:  by Julia Cook
• The Color Monster, a popup book of feelings by: Anna Llenas
• When I'm Feeling Angry: by Trace Moroney
• In my Heart- A book of feelings:  by Jo Witek 
• The Mixed-Up Chameleon: Eric Carle
• Leonardo the Terrible Monster: by Mo Willems
• Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons: by Eric Litwin
• Have You Filled Your Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids: by Carol McCloud
• The Brand New Kid: by Katie Couric
• Military Family Books: https://militaryfamilybooks.com/
• MCEC Tell Me a Story Event Book List.  Check www.militarychild.org for more info on bringing a Tell Me a Story to your organization: 

 
MCEC NTS 2019 reading list:

• The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath
• How Schools Work by Arne Duncan
• Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. By Anne Duckworth
• The Leader’s Bookshelf by Adm. Stravridis, USN, ret. and R. Manning Ancell
• The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers. By Maxwell King
• Parks by: Peter L. Benson
• More MCEC Recommended reference books:
• Mindset:  by Carol S. Dweck
• Special Needs Families in the Military:  by Janelle Hill and Don Philpott
• Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Kids Roots and Wings:  ...by Kenneth R. Ginsburg, MD, MS Ed, FAAP with Martha M Jablow. 1st and 2nd Editions
• Serving Military Families, 2nd ed., by Karen Rose Blaisure, Tara Saatholf-Wells, Angela Pereira, Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, Amy Laura Dombro.
• Raising Kids To Thrive: by Kenneth R Ginsburg, Ilana Ginsburg, and Talia Ginsburg
• The Student Leadership Challenge: Five Practices for Becoming an Exemplary Leader: by James Kouzes and Barry Posner
• The Five Love Languages of Children: By Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell, M.D.
• Again… the Seasons of My Military Student (website shared above):  by authors Amanda Trimillos and Stacy Allsbrook Huisman (also a member of the Randall Middle School PTSA and Military Spouse)

 Tip for schools/PTA’s: Host a book club. You can start with: The Seasons of My Military Student. It can help both parents/educators build support strategies. It comes in an ebook or hard copy on Amazon. You can share this list with all families on Edsby.