1. http://www.health.mil/blog/10-06-24/Family_Resiliency_Webinar.aspx.
This Week in MC&FP
August 27, 2010
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School doors are opening, the days are getting shorter, and fall colors are
beginning to emerge. Military families have a one more week to enjoy the Blue Star Museum program.
It seems like a wink of the eye – where has our summer gone?! We‟ll soon celebrate Labor Day and the
official end of our „100 days of summer.‟ As the season of summer outdoor activities, picnics and the
like wind down, we need to keep our guard up. Remember just a few safety reminders: don‟t drink and
drive, wear sunscreen, wear your seatbelt, wear helmets when riding a motorcycle. Think safety.
If you need a visual reminder of why this is important, take a look at the 76th Army Band‟s “Play it Safe
This Summer” at http://armylive.dodlive.mil/index.php/2010/05/play-it-safe-this-summer/
Have a good week, stay safe and take care.
Your MC&FP Team
Please note: Some hyperlinks in this text are lengthy, sometimes extending more than one line. For best results,
cut and past the entire link into your Web browser.
MC&FP Official Spokesperson Promoted
Ms. Vee Penrod, acting principal director, and MC&FP staff joined family and friends at the promotion
ceremony of now Lt. Col. April Cunningham. Cunningham is the official voice for MC&FP with
national and international print, wire and broadcast media outlets. Congratulations,
Lt. Col Cunningham!
Save the Date! DoD/USDA 2011 Family Resilience Conference “Forging the Partnership”
Mark your calendar now to be in Chicago on April 26 - 29, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency. The
interagency conference, Forging the Partnership, will bring together professionals from DoD
and USDA and will build connections, competency and the capacity of our agencies and
programs.
The conference will feature keynote speakers, current youth and family research presenters, interactive
workshops and computer labs. The call for proposals will be published in early fall and registration will
open sometime in January. We‟ll keep you posted. For more information, see
http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/service/conferenceandworkshops/fy2011
Providing policy, tools, and resources to further enhance the quality of life of service members and their families.

2. This Week in MC&FP August 27, 2010
Recreation Kits Support Children and Youth Programming during Deployment Events
We are pleased to announce that the final three recreation kits are being shipped to National Guard State
Family Program Directors/Joint Family Support Assistance Programs in each state and territory; and to
Reserve Family Programs, as they requested. MC&FP funded the development of a total of six
recreation kits in response to a need identified during a 2009 Guard and Reserve task force Meeting.
Meeting attendees, representatives from Guard and Reserve Family Programs and Yellow Ribbon
Reintegration Programs, agreed that a major issue was the lack of age-appropriate programming and
materials for children and youth during deployment and family program events.
Final three kits currently being shipped –
“Recreation in a Box” – games and sports equipment in a 150 gallon cooler;
"Theater in a Box” – a screen, projector, outdoor speakers and an assortment of movies, and
"Electronic Games Kit" – a television, X-Box 360 console, and a selection of video games.
Kits distributed kits summer 2009 –
Age appropriate books, puzzles, and games for:
Infant-toddlers
Pre-school-toddler
Six-twelve-year olds
The kits are distributed to each state/territory in varying numbers based on National Guard and Reserve
population, respective ages of children and youth, and geographic dispersion.
DoDEA students Complete Summer Work at MIT’s Research Science Institute
Three DoDEA students participated in the 2010 Research Science Institute this past summer at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass. Kevin Burdge, a student attending
Heidelberg High School, Heidelberg, Germany, worked in MIT‟s Theoretical Physics Department;
Tristan Fitch, a student from Brussels American High School, Brussels, Belgium, worked at Kingsbury
Lab at Boston College; and Yukino Nagai, attending Kadena High School, Okinawa, Japan, worked at
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. All three students cited the incredible impact this learning
experience had on their education and personal growth as they embark on a future in sciences. For more
information on the program, see:
http://www.dodea.edu/pressroom/releasesDisplay.cfm?prId=20100823_2
Senate Youth Program Seeks Delegates from DoDEA
The United States Senate Youth Program for 2010-11 will be held in Washington, D.C. March 5-12,
2011. This program provides eligible juniors and seniors in DoDEA high schools the opportunity to
participate in activities centered on the function of the United States government. Two students from
each state, the District of Columbia, and DoDEA receive a $5,000 scholarship and are awarded a week-
long trip to Washington, D.C. to see how the government operates. Students are required to be elected
student government or class officers/representatives to qualify for the program. Eligible students need
to complete an application available from their school principal. Two finalists will be selected by
DoDEA from the district nominees to be delegates in Washington, D.C. DoDEA will notify the two
delegates in November 2010.
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3. This Week in MC&FP August 27, 2010
School Doors to Open in Cuba, Virginia, Europe and the Pacific
The 2010-2011 school year will be full swing following these openings:
Cuba, August 30th
Europe and Pacific schools, August 30
Dahlgren, Va., September 1st
Support for Marines and Navy personnel headed to Pakistan
Roughly 4,000 sailors and Marines with the Norfolk-based Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group left
Friday, August 27 for Pakistan, where they'll provide desperately needed relief for flood victims. The
sailors and Marines onboard will be receiving monthly shipments of Playaways and paperback book kits
via the Army‟s MWR Library program with funding supplied by OSD. The Playaways and paperback
book kits will provide much needed relief when the sailors and Marines have „down-time‟ from their
strenuous mission.
Playaways are self-playing audio books about half the size of a deck of cards. They come with a
headset and an extra battery. Playaways are extremely popular with troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Select Playaways are also available through the DoD MWR On-Line Library at
http://www.militaryonesource.com.
Armed Forces Sports
Congratulations to the Army women and Air Force men for winning the Armed Forces Basketball
Championships held August 16-22 at Joint Base Fort Myer/Henderson Hall. The Army women defeated
the Navy team in a nail-biter by a score of 56-53 while the Air Force men defeated the Army team by a
score of 81-75. Players from all Services were evaluated during play for a spot on the Armed Forces
Basketball teams which will participate in the 50th World Military Basketball Championship to be held
in Seoul, South Korea September 8-18.
Are you up to a challenge?
“Leap into Fall” and join the DoD Fall Fitness Challenge. The DoD- sponsored event is designed to
increase the level of physical activity throughout the DoD workforce. DoD is looking to register
1,500,000 hours of physical activity August 16 through October 31st. You can help DoD meet this lofty
goal. All you need to do is register to be part of the challenge either individually or as part of a group.
Once registered, you log on to the Web site and record your daily activity.
Challenge yourself to improve your physical health and meet your fitness goals. For complete
registration information, use the following link:
http://www.cpms.osd.mil/wellness/wellness_index.aspx
Blue Star Museum Program to End Labor Day, September 6th
Blue Star Museums – the partnership among Blue Star Families, the National Endowment for the Arts,
and more than 950 museums across the country – offer free admission to military personnel and their
families from Memorial Day, May 31, 2010, through Labor Day, September 6, 2010.
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4. This Week in MC&FP August 27, 2010
The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card, a
DD Form 1173 ID card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty military, National
Guard and Reserve members and up to five immediate family members. For a list of participating
museums, see http://www.arts.endow.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/index.php
DeCA Delivers
DeCA is delivering the benefit at the follow guard and reserve locations:
September 2-3 Camp Parks, Calif.
In the News
From DoDLive blog – Family Focus: Stolen Credit Card, Fraudulent Charge – What Should You
Do?
If your credit card has been stolen the first step you need to take is to call the police. If you also
suspect that someone has illegally used your account number, send a letter to the card issuer that
includes your name, account numbers and the challenged charges to the “billing error address” on
your monthly statement. See http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2010/08/family-focus-stolen-
credit-card-or-fraudulent-charge-what-should-you-do/
From Army YouTube – Sesame Street‟s Elmo and Friends Visit Fort Bliss
This summer, the Sesame Street Experience for Military Families is a 40-base tour across the
country. Children are able to see how one of the characters deals with the absence of a parent and
as you‟ll see, sing, dance and enjoy the company of their Sesame Street friends.
http://www.youtube.com/soldiersmediacenter#p/u/1/-ZF-LaRyYbg
From American Forces Press Service – Mullen Asks Communities to Reach Out to Veterans
not only for the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments, but also for the communities where
they settle after leaving the military, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here yesterday.
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=60620
• From the Family Matters blog – TAPS Program Supports Families of Fallen
In her latest blog, AFPS‟ Elaine Wilson writes about a peer mentor program that offers support to
military families with a fallen loved one.
http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=60558
Nutrition Tip of the Week Get your calcium-rich foods
Diets rich in milk and milk products help build and maintain bone mass throughout the lifecycle, which
can reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Make sure to get your three servings per day.
For more information on making healthy and nutritious food choices, check out the Commissary‟s Web
site at http://www.commissaries.com/
Parenting Tip of the Week
The Military Health System recognizes August as Immunization Awareness Month. Proper
immunization is an essential component of good, preventive health care because it can provide
continuous protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.
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5. This Week in MC&FP August 27, 2010
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends following a childhood immunization
schedule, recognizing that vaccines are most effective when given at specific ages. Because certain
vaccines require multiple, periodic doses, following a schedule is a convenient way to ensure you child
is getting all necessary immunizations. See the CDC childhood immunization schedule at
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm
Financial Tip of the Week Day Trading Ads: Cutting Through the "Bull."
Advertisements for some day trading systems or advisory services make investing look like a virtual
bonanza where everyone's a winner. Despite the picture of investing success painted by some day
trading companies' ads, far more day traders lose money than make it.
Read Between the Lines. Learning the language of day trading can help you separate fact from
fantasy when reading an ad or listening to a commercial.
If the ad promises... "The potential to make a six or seven figure annual income from trading is at
the ends of your fingertips." Remember that... It's dangerous to fall for extravagant profit claims.
Many are based on hypothetical performance, meaning that no trades were ever really made.
If the ad promises... "The absolute best trading system with a profit-to-loss ratio of 12-to-1 and an
average return better than 18 percent per trade..." Remember that... Even if the system really has
had such successes, past performance is no guarantee of future results and nobody.
If the ad promises... "Our software signals precisely when to buy and when to sell a particular
security, allowing you the opportunity to make money regardless of the market going up or
down..." Remember that... If there were, you can be sure that the software developers would be
making their money using their programs themselves, not promoting it to others!
If the ad promises... "Our recommendations returned an average annual return of 250 percent. If
you just follow our recommendations, you will make money." Remember that... High-yield
investments tend to involve high risk. Jumping on a "hot" investment tip is a good way to get
"burned."
If the ad promises... "Timothy Smith, who used our system, wrote to us, '... at night I work with
your trading system for a few hours and I am averaging more than $500 a day.' Remember that...
It's highly unlikely that the testimonial reflects the actual experiences of other people using the
system or advisory service - or the result you're hoping for.
Invest Carefully. If you decide to do business with a company offering day trading systems or
advisory services, it's important to check it out before putting your money on the line.
o If the trading system involves stocks, go to the North American Securities Administrators
Association's website at http://www.nasaa.org or to the National Association of Securities
Dealers-Regulation Public Disclosure Program at 1-800-289-9999, its Web site at
http://www.finra.org/Investors/ToolsCalculators/BrokerCheck .
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6. This Week in MC&FP August 27, 2010
o If the trading system involves commodity futures or options, call the National Futures
Association toll-free at 1-800-621-3570 or 1-800-676-4NFA (4632).
To File a Complaint. To file a complaint regarding a commodity futures or options investment,
contact the Commodity Futures Trading Commission at (866) 366-2382, complete an online
complaint form at http://www.cftc.gov, or write: Commodity Futures Trading Commission,
Division of Enforcement, Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20581.
To file a complaint regarding a stock investment, contact the Securities and Exchange Commission
by phone at (202) 942-7040; online at http://www.sec.gov/invkhome.htm; or by writing: Securities
and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education, 450 5th Street NW, Washington, DC
20549-0213.
Spouse Tip of the Week Noncompetitive Appointment to Federal Service.
Military spouses of active duty members on a permanent change of station (PCS) orders (other than for
training) are eligible for noncompetitive appointment to a Federal Government position. This authority
was mandated by the President to increase employment opportunities for spouses of service members of
the armed forces while avoiding or reducing career interruptions due to the service member‟s change in
duty station. To qualify for the program, spouses of active duty members must meet certain conditions:
The spouse must be rated among the best qualified applicants for the position.
The spouse must be located in the same geographical area as the active duty member‟s permanent
duty station.
Relocation of duty station must be based on a regular Permanent Change of Station (PCS) and not
for separation or retirement.
The marriage between the spouse and the military active duty sponsor must have taken place
before the reporting date to the new duty station.
Military spouses must provide a copy of the PCS orders during the application process.
Individuals claiming preference must be spouses of active duty military members of the U.S.
Armed forces, including the U.S. Coast Guard.
Spouses can find out about federal job opportunities at http://www.usajobs.gov, or they may also
check the Web sites of specific agencies in which they may wish to work for position vacancies.
This hiring authority is not limited to specific positions or grade levels but spouses would have to
meet the same requirements as other applicants, (to include qualification requirements). It is the
responsibility of the spouse to request consideration for employment under this authority. The use
of this hiring authority will be discretionary with managers; it does not mean spouses will get a
hiring preference, nor does it create an entitlement to federal jobs over other qualified applicants.
Many Federal agencies are not aware of this authority. Detailed information is available on the
Office of Personnel Management Web site:
http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/qaspouse/index.aspx
Military OneSource Tip of the Week Quick Tips for Keeping a Positive Attitude
A positive attitude doesn't just make you feel better. It can also strengthen your relationships with
friends, family, and co-workers as well as make it easier to deal with everything from a bad day at work
to a major life change. Below are tips for creating and keeping a positive attitude.
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7. This Week in MC&FP August 27, 2010
• Turn negative thoughts into positive ones. Instead of thinking, "I'll never make it to the end of
my shift," say, "At the end of the day, I'm going to go for a long walk to reward myself for getting
through this crunch." When you have a problem, instead of saying, "This is terrible and there's
nothing I can do about it," tell yourself, "Things are going to get better."
• Try to be around other positive people as much as possible. Negative thinking spreads quickly,
especially at work. But if you make an effort to spend time with people who have a positive
outlook, you might find that you'll start thinking more positively, too.
• Remember that you can choose to be positive or you can choose to be negative. A positive
outlook isn't just something that you're born with – it's a skill that you can learn with practice.
• Keep learning and growing. Learning new things – whether it‟s how to fish or how to use a new
software program at work – gives you confidence. Make it a point to try something new whenever
you can, and avoid thoughts that begin with, "I'm too old to..." or "I don't have enough time to..."
• Make time for the things that make you happy. Whether it's spending time with friends, going
to the movies, or just playing with your kids, make the activities you love to do a priority.
• Maintain your sense of humor. A sense of humor can help you get through tough situations and
it's a great stress-buster. Spend time with funny people, share jokes or funny stories at work, or
watch funny movies at home.
• Have things to look forward to, whether it's a weekend get-together with family, going to the
gym at the end of a tough day at work, or calling a friend you haven't talked to in a long time.
Two U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls
Williams-Sonoma recalled baby bottle warmers due to a burn hazard. The bottle warmers can overheat
liquids and baby food, posing a burn hazard to adults and babies.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10323.html
Baby hammocks were recalled by MamaLittleHelper due to a suffocation hazard. The side-to-side
shifting or tilting of the hammock can cause the infant to roll and become entrapped or wedged against
the hammock's fabric and/or mattress pad, resulting in a suffocation hazard.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10324.html
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