MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, a time to honor the sacrifices made by military families worldwide, emphasizing on the experience of the children of military members serving at home and overseas.
April is also Child Abuse Prevention Month, promoting positive parenting, encouraging the use of helping resources and encouraging prompt reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect.
“The Family Advocacy Team here strives to provide targeted skills-building and preventative approaches to foster safe, stable and nurturing families in support of the Malmstrom Readiness Mission,” said Shannon Hines, 341st Medical Operations Squadron family advocacy outreach manager. “Family advocacy understands the demands of the military lifestyle and provides flexible one-on-one or group interactive methods tailored to promote success in the service member, family or intimate partner’s routine.”
Family advocacy currently offers the following classes and services:
DADS: The Basics – this course is designed to give new or expectant fathers the skills and confidence to care for their infant and toddler.
Active Parenting – parents learn how to communicate and discipline effectively and to gain respectful behavior. Keep an eye out for rotating Parent Seminars.
Anger Management – designed to teach participants to recognize the signals of anger, manage anger and to develop strategies to minimize the negative impact in their routine.
How to Avoid Falling in Love with a Jerk or Jerkette – provides five key areas to explore in a dating relationship.
Coping with Separation or Divorce – a seminar designed to support newly separated or divorced individuals with skills to improve future choices and relationships.
New Parent Support Program – a voluntary, free program offering monthly visits with a registered nurse to provide support and education for military families who are either expecting a child or have a child in the home under the age of three.
Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate – a trained professional who provides supportive, non-clinical emergent and urgent services to Air Force personnel, family members, or intimate partners who are victims of domestic abuse, whether physical or mental.
For questions or suggestions, contact Family Advocacy at 406-731-2161