Monthly Archives: March 2011

In light of the military families who have had to evacuate Cairo and are now evacuating Japan, we should all be at least minimally prepared and should think through the steps we will need to take if we were ever evacuated.

Regardless of where you are stationed (CONUS or OCONUS) the possibility of evacuation from either natural  or man-made disasters is there. I’m not advocating living in fear, but just being plain prepared.

I found the following list on the Armed Forces Crossroads website. It was the most comprehensive list and ideas I came across.

EXCERPT:
SOURCE LINK

Evacuation Checklist

1. Find out which disasters are likely to occur in your area.
2. Ask how you would be warned of an emergency:
   On duty:
   Off duty:
3. Learn your community’s evacuation routes and your installation’s evacuation procedures.
4. Find where your local shelters are located.
5. Ask about assistance for elderly family members or family members with special needs.

PREPARE A DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT

1. Assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation.
2. Disaster Kit Prepared:
   Location of Kit: 
   • Water. One gallon per person per day. Store in sealed unbreakable containers and replace every six months. Store at least a three day supply of water.
   • Food. Store non-perishable foods that need little preparation or cooking. Include foods for family members with special diets. Store at least a three day supply of food.
   • First Aid Kit. Assemble a basic first aid kit with the following items:
     • Band-Aids in assorted sizes
     • Sterile gauze pads and rolls
     • Scissors, tweezers, and a needle
     • Antiseptic and cleansing agent
     • Thermometer and tongue blades
     • Sunscreen
     • Safety pins
     • Non-prescription Drugs, aspirin, laxative, antacid, anti-diarrhea
   • Tools and Supplies:
     • Eating utensils
     • Battery powered radio and extra batteries
     • Flashlight and extra batteries
     • Can opener, utility knife
     • Personal hygiene items
     • Toilet paper and towelettes
   • Clothing:
     • Sturdy shoes
     • Rain gear
     • One complete change of clothing per person
   • Special Items:
     • Cash or traveler’s checks and change
     • Items for infants, diapers, formula, medication, and bottles
     • Prescription drugs
     • Eyeglasses, contact lens supplies
     • Pet care items: food, shot records, a carrying case
   • Important Family Documents:
     (In a fire and water proof container) 
     • Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds stocks and bonds
     • Passports, social security cards, military ID cards, immunization record
     • Bank account numbers
     • Credit card numbers
     • Inventory of valuable household goods
     • Important telephone numbers
     • Family Records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
3. Depending on the amount of time you have and policies for the evacuation you may consider bringing:
   • Irreplaceable items, photos, heirlooms, etc.
   • Entertaining games and books
   • Blankets or sleeping bags

CREATE AN EMERGENCY PLAN
Meet with household members and discuss each disaster that could occur and how to respond:

1. Discuss evacuation warnings and procedures.
2. Make sure each family member knows where the disaster supplies kit is.
3. Learn how to turn off gas, electricity, and water in your home.
4. Know where to find emergency phone numbers and non-local contact phone numbers.
5. If children are alone, find a neighbor or friend they should go to.

STORE YOUR DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT

1. Store your kit in a convenient place known by all family members.
2. Store your kit in easy to carry container such as a duffel bag, backpack, or covered trash container.
3. Keep items that can get wet in airtight plastic bags.
4. Change your water and food supplies every six months.

KNOW HOW AND WHERE TO SHUT OFF UTILITIES
Write the location of each and instructions for shutting off:

1. Main water valve
2. Circuit Breaker
3. Gas Valve

CHOOSE PLACES TO MEET AND A NON-LOCAL CONTACT

Write down places to meet and a non-local contact in case your family is separated.

1. Within home meeting Place:
2. Outside home meeting Place:
3. Neighbor/friend if children are alone:

Non-local relative or friend for check-in
Name:
City:
Phone # Day
Phone # Evening:

IF YOU NEED TO EVACUATE

1. Listen to your radio for location and instructions to emergency shelters.
2. Follow instructions of local Disaster Preparedness officials/installation commander.
3. If you can go home before evacuating:
   • Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes
   • Take your disaster supplies kit
   • Lock your home
   • Use travel routes specified by local officials/installation commander
4. If you are sure you have time:
   • Shut off your utilities
   • Let others know when you left and where you are going
   • Make arrangements for pets
5. If you have problems at any time during an evacuation, call your Airman & Family Readiness Center or the Airman & Family Readiness Center at any military installations.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

This bill covers financial concerns and medical coverage, but the final sentence caught my eye. The wife of a wounded veteran says she needs respite. When I worked in mental health we noticed one huge factor for families — the difference for them between making it and not making it when they were caring for a child with serious mental health issues, and that was respite. A TBI vet is far different from a child with mental health issues, but the stress and strain on the caregiver is very similar. I hope one day we will see respite care covered for caregivers who are pouring themselves out daily for the Veteran they love. If the caregiver stays free of burnout then the one they are caring for will always have better care.

From Army Times Online:

TBI vet caregivers would be eligible for help

By Karen Jowers – Staff writer
Posted : Friday Mar 11, 2011 16:20:20 EST

Family caregivers of service members who have suffered traumatic brain injury would be eligible for more support under proposed regulations, Veterans Affairs Department officials clarified Friday.

A caregiver benefits program signed into law in May greatly expands support for caregivers of severely disabled veterans. The most generous new benefits — including living stipends and health care coverage for the caregiver — are provided to caregivers of disabled Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

“We’re very concerned to hear the interpretation that we wouldn’t be covering traumatic brain injury,” said Deborah Amdur, chief consultant for care management and social work for VA’s Veterans Health Administration.

“Without a doubt, it is our intention that those individuals would be included and eligible,” said Amdur, who testified Friday before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s health panel.
… snip …
VA’s proposed eligibility rules would cover only veterans who would require hospitalization, nursing home or other institutional care without caregiver support providing ongoing personal services at home.
… snip …
Under the current criteria, an estimated 750 to 1,000 caregivers of veterans would be eligible to apply, said Dr. Robert Petzel, VA’s under secretary of health.
… snip …
“Time is of the essence,” because families are frustrated and overwhelmed, said Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, R-N.Y., chairwoman of the health panel. “They need this now.”

“You have my absolute promise that by early summer we will be paying for caregivers,” Petzel said.
… snip …
The National Military Family Association contends another problem is a requirement that caregivers wait for benefits until after the veteran receives a military medical separation date. This “will prevent caregivers from being able to receive training and obtain benefits early enough in the recovery phase to make a difference,” said Barbara Cohoon, government relations deputy director.

After the hearing, Army wife Patty Horan said she is still unclear about whether she would qualify for benefits in caring for her husband, Capt. Pat Horan, who was wounded in Iraq in 2007.

“With Pat, I feel comfortable leaving him a couple of hours at home,” she said, but not for longer periods. After he was wounded, part of his brain was removed, and he has difficulty communicating, reading and understanding, she said. She must be with him when he leaves the house.

Since her husband is still on active duty, “I really don’t know what our financial situation will be,” she said.

What she really needs, she said, is the respite care that the law provides so caregivers can take a break from their considerable responsibilities.

“Respite is huge,” she said.

I will be posting a few summer camp options here over the next few days. Summer camp is a great way for kids to connect, let go of stress and just have some good old fashioned fun! I can’t think of a group of kids more deserving of a time like that than kids of military members!

The following is taken from the Military Child Education Coalition:

Space Camp Scholarship
Bernard Curtis Brown II Memorial NASA Space Camp Scholarship
Information on the Scholarship
About Space Camp

The Space Camp is a six-day program that shows young men and women firsthand what it takes to be an astronaut. Activities include simulated Space Shuttle missions, training simulators, rocket building and launches, scientific experiments, and lectures of the past, present, and future of space exploration.

Space Camp is offered in Huntsville, Alabama, and takes a unique, fun and hands-on approach to learning outside the classroom – and students leave with a greater appreciation for school and their studies. Each child learns about astronauts and space travel, but they also experience something even more important: developing bonds of friendship.

For more detailed information about Space Camp, visit their web site at www.spacecamp.com.

Scholarship Information

The Bernard Curtis Brown II Memorial Space Camp scholarship is funded by the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC). The scholarship covers full tuition to include:

• Round trip transportation (from student’s home base to Space Camp)
• Meals
• Lodging
• Program Materials

Eligibility Requirements

Student applicant must first meet the requirements below:

• The child of a Military Member on Active Duty or Mobilized Guard or Reserves; OR
• The child of a Military Member who died while serving on Active Duty or Mobilized Guard or Reserve Status; AND
• Enrolled in grades 6 through 9

To Apply

Each student applicant [who meets the eligibility requirements above] must:

• Submit a hand-written essay (written by the student) which includes: he or she should be selected, evidence of patriotism, future goals, community service, and “after camp” intentions;
• Submit two letters of recommendation with contact information (non-family memebers only); AND
• Complete and submit the official application, postmarked no later than the deadline MARCH 10*

*Please take note of the deadline.  The deadline is March 10 each year (when March 10 is on a weekend, the deadline is the following Monday after March 10).

About the Scholarship [pdf file]

Application

2010 – 2011 Space Camp Application [pdf file]