Governor Rendell Says Pennsylvania Providing Education Services to Students and Families of Deployed PA Service Members

GOVERNOR RENDELL SAYS PENNSYLVANIA PROVIDING EDUCATION SERVICES TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES OF
DEPLOYED PA SERVICE MEMBERS

"Mission Homefront" Serves Nearly 12,000 Students

HARRISBURG — In an ongoing effort to provide assistance and support to the families and communities of Pennsylvania's deployed military and National Guard personnel, Governor Edward G. Rendell said the second "Mission Homefront" conference of 2006 began today to provide key training to professionals who work with students affected by the deployment of military personnel. The conference takes place through tomorrow in Malvern, Chester County.

"Mission Homefront," a joint effort of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Center for Schools and Communities and the Military Child Education Coalition, helps to serve the needs of the nearly 12,000 students statewide who have been impacted by the deployment of friends or family members. The seminars offer educators, administrators and counselors professional development opportunities to understand the impact of deployment on children, assists schools in identifying the number of students affected by deployment and reinforces the role of parents and educators in providing stability during the deployment period.

"We owe a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women of our military and National Guard who are serving abroad to protect our rights and freedoms," Governor Rendell said. "The stress families endure when faced with the deployment of a loved one can be difficult. Helping them relieve some of the stress by committing our efforts to preparing their children with the tools and resources that will assist them to achieve academically is one way to say, ‘Thank you.'

"Through ‘Mission Homefront' we can help our soldiers' children succeed educationally, socially and psychologically by helping them better understand why their moms or dads are not home and that it is okay to experience a wide array of emotions during these trying times."

"Mission Homefront," which was launched in May 2005, offers a one-day workshop and a two-day institute. Both training sessions offer guidance on several issues relating to deployment's effects on a child's academic status. This year's initial "Mission Homefront" conference took place in March in Latrobe, Westmoreland County.

"Mission Homefront gives us a sturdy platform on which we can work with children who deal with the unique aspects of growing up in a military family," Secretary of Education Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak said. "By providing this unique training to those who work directly with the students, we are helping to ensure that the children of military personnel have their emotional and psychological needs addressed while at the same time maintaining progress academically."

Pennsylvania has the highest number of troops deployed in the National Guard and the third largest number of all personnel serving in the military. More than 21,000 Pennsylvania service members have been deployed since Sept. 11, 2001.

http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=451384