7 Ways a Strong Support System Impacts a Military Spouse's Mental Health
June 30, 2022
The role of a military spouse comes with many duties and responsibilities. The burden of carrying the load of two people at times can be overwhelming and exhausting for a military spouse. This often leads to frequent burnout, high levels of stress and an overall negative impact on a…...
Master Resilience Training: What It Is & How It Helps Improve Mental Health
June 28, 2022
Military life can be difficult, not just for the service member but for the entire family. Service Members and their families face unique challenges that put them at risk for various mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, to name a few. The National…...
Understanding PTSD: 5 Ways to Teach a Military Child About Mental Health
June 24, 2022
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is arguably one of the most difficult challenges for veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that anywhere from 11-30% of veterans will experience PTSD in their lifetime. While in the throes of understanding PTSD themselves, many military parents with PTSD may also struggle…...
Transitioning From Military to Civilian Life & The Effects of PTSD
June 17, 2022
Many people know an active-duty service member or a veteran. They may have heard their stories and know about their struggles, especially regarding the challenges associated with transitioning from military to civilian life. And often, PTSD in veterans is brought to the forefront of conversations about returning to civilian…...
June marks the kickoff to summer break for many families, but did you also know it’s the month to celebrate our female veterans? June 12 is Women Veterans Day. While we take time to honor them on that day specifically, there are many ways we can and should support…...
Military life is gratifying, but it's not for the faint of heart. New military families have to quickly learn how to get comfortable with the unpredictability of the lifestyle, and a PCS move is one of the most common (and sometimes unpredictable) changes a family can undergo. Most military…...
Military Teens: 5 Signs of Mental Health Struggles & Resources
April 27, 2022
Military life can be hard on the entire family unit. But it can be especially difficult for military teens who understand the complexities of moving and really feel the stress of constant changes in cities, schools, and social life. Military teens worry — a lot. While it’s already challenging…...
Operation Hero is a free military after-school program for kids in grades 2-8, designed to help students cope and adjust to the unique challenges they face. Nicole, a military spouse and teacher for Operation Hero in Ft. Bragg, shares four ways the program helps kids and their parents. A Military After-School Program Provides Stability for Kids…...
The Effects of Military Life on Child Development and Mental Health
March 4, 2022
Children who grow up in military families have unique experiences compared to their civilian peers. They move frequently, spend extended periods of time away from their parents during deployment and training periods, and get indirect exposure to war, conflict and violence, often at a young age. So what does…...
It is fairly common knowledge that military families relocate more often than most other families. But how often do military families move? According to the U.S. Department of War, military families move about every two to four years — sometimes even more frequently. What is rarely talked about is…...
When Maya accepted her placement in the Early Childhood Education Fellowship, she thought she was simply stepping into a professional development program. What she didn’t realize yet was that she was beginning a transformative journey—one that would shape not only her career, building portable skills and opening doors to new opportunities, but also the lives of countless young children and families.
On her first day, Maya entered a brightly lit child development center filled with small tables, colorful books, and the joyful hum of children discovering the world. But the fellowship quickly proved to be more than classroom exposure. It was a structured, immersive experience that combined hands-on teaching, mentorship, coursework, and leadership development.
Each week, Maya worked side-by-side with a lead teacher who guided her through the complexities of child development, how to recognize emerging language skills, how to support emotional regulation, and how to design learning experiences that spark curiosity. In the afternoons, she experienced and explored topics with her cohort like equity in early childhood education, trauma-informed teaching, and family engagement. These experiences didn’t just build knowledge — they challenged assumptions and inspired purpose.
Midway through the fellowship, Maya began to see the impact of her growth. She noticed how a child who once struggled to communicate now eagerly shared stories, or how a small adjustment in her teaching approach created a more inclusive environment for a child with sensory needs. These were not just successes; they were life-changing moments.
Equally powerful was the community. The fellowship created a network of passionate peers who shared ideas, challenges, and encouragement. Through collaborative projects and reflective discussions, Maya developed both confidence and a sense of belonging in the profession.
By the end of the program, Maya had not only developed and refined her teaching practice but also discovered her voice as an advocate for early childhood education. She left the fellowship ready to contribute to systemic improvements in the field.
You’re Leaving ASYMCA Now
You are about to be taken to the militarychild care.com site to start the enrollment process.
Thank you for supporting deployed service members and their families
SUCCESS!
Your entry has been submitted.
You are all set! Please remember that only one entry per person is eligible. Additional entries will be disqualified as indicated in the sweepstakes rules.
SUCCESS!
We appreciate you taking the time to connect with us.
Your request has been submitted and you are all set! If you have indicated you want us to contact you, a staff member will be in touch with you within the next few days.