For more information contact:

Eastern & Central Regions
Louetta Jones
Phone: 804-733-1880    E-mail: lojones@vt.edu

Northern & Western Regions
Bob Meadows
Phone: 540-808-3304    E-mail: bmeadows@vt.edu

Get Involved in Virginia OMK

Virginia's communities have joined forces to provide support to the children and youth of families impacted by deployment. This includes those served by military  installations and those children and youth who are geographically dispersed.  A special emphasis is placed on giving support to the children and youth of National Guard and Reserve Soldiers.

The Virginia OMK partners include Army Child, Youth & School Services, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia 4-H, U.S. Army Reserve, Virginia National Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Virginia Defense Force, Virginia Department of Education, Community Builders Network, American Legion, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and other community organizations and individuals.

In Virginia the major OMK initiatives include:

• Ready, Set, Go! (RSG) Training:  This training is designed to educate youth workers, educators, counselors and other community service agencies on the unique issues facing military youth and assists in creating State and local community support networks.
• HERO Packs:  Children of deployed National Guard and Reserve soldiers are given priority to receive Hero Packs.  Community groups assemble and donate items for Hero Packs.  These packs are not mailed to military youth.
• Link Military Youth: 4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs and other community youth resources are identified as sources of support for youth where they live. 
• Youth Advocates:  The Speak Out for Military KIDS Project enables military and non-military youth ages 13 and up to gain leadership, organizational, and technical skills.
• Camping Opportunities: Check the State website for a range of recreational, social, and educational programs for military youth.
• Mobile Technology Lab:  The lab is used to stay connected with deployed service members. It is composed of a suite of 15 laptop computers, DVD burners, digital, and video cameras.
• Support for Deployed Service Members: Care packages and letters from home are sent to deployed service members to thank them for the sacrifices they make.