MI National Guard Child and Youth Programs

06/19/2026

Juneteenth celebrates freedom, resilience, and progress. Together, we honor the past and inspire the future.

06/18/2026

Strong Military Families (SMF) / Zero to Thrive: Developed by researchers at the University of Michigan, this specialized intervention program supports military families with young children (Julian et al., 2017). It features a multi-family group curriculum that provides an attachment-based framework to help parents understand child behavior through a trauma-informed lens, strengthening parent-child interactions during periods of stress or reintegration.

Creating solutions to the multi-generational effects of inequity, trauma, and adversity from pregnancy through early childhood.

06/17/2026

Parenting for Service Members and Veterans: A free, interactive online course sponsored by the VA (Ruff & Keim, 2014). It focuses on the unique challenges of re-entering family life after trauma, improving parent-child communication, and managing household stress without flooding the children.

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

06/16/2026

June’s Master Resilience Training (MRT) Skill of the Month is Problem Solving!

Life moves fast, and for military families, unexpected changes are just part of the routine. Whether it’s a sudden shift in schedule, a logistical hurdle, or navigating a transition, having a structured way to tackle challenges makes all the difference.

What is it?
Problem Solving isn’t just about fixing a temporary issue; it’s about identifying the true underlying cause of a problem rather than just reacting to the symptoms. By understanding the "why," we can find more effective, lasting solutions.

How it helps military families:

Interrupts Confirmation Bias: It helps us step back from our first assumptions so we don’t miss the bigger picture.

Builds Flexibility: When Plans A through D change, it gives families a clear, calm strategy to map out a new path forward.

Strengthens Connection: Working through challenges together builds teamwork and keeps the whole family on the same page.

When things don't go as planned, taking a breath and breaking down the problem can turn a stressful moment into a win for the whole team.

What’s your family’s go-to strategy when you need to pivot and solve a problem on the fly? Let us know in the comments! 👇

06/16/2026

📘 BOOK GIVEAWAY! 📘We are so excited to get an incredible resource directly into the hands of our military teens and families, completely free, shipped right to your front door!

📦✨We are giving away copies of the interactive book: "Finding My Way: A Teen’s Guide to Living with a Parent Who Has Experienced Trauma" by Dr. Michelle Sherman and DeAnne Sherman. What is the book about? Living in a household where a parent is dealing with the aftermath of trauma can sometimes feel confusing, overwhelming, or lonely for a teenager. This book is a gentle, honest, and practical guide written specifically for youth.
Using clear language, interactive activities, and spaces for self-expression, it helps teens:
✅ Understand what trauma symptoms look like (and realize it's not their fault).
✅ Learn healthy coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and big emotions.
✅ Discover how to balance supporting their family while fiercely protecting their own mental health and well-being.
It’s an incredible tool for building resilience, opening up family conversations, and reminding our teens that they are never alone on this journey.
💛How to claim your free copy: It’s simple! Just click the link below, fill out the quick sign-up form with your mailing details, and we will ship a copy straight to you.👇 Sign up for your free book here: 👇
https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/viRvvpScxu

06/15/2026

What a day! 🥷 Our MRT Teens absolutely crushed it. From mastering the Ninja course and dominating in basketball, volleyball, and Gaga ball to sinking putts at mini-golf, the energy was unmatched! Plus, we leveled up our skills in effective praise and active constructive responding. Pizza, goodie bags, and great vibes, couldn’t ask for a better crew! 🍕🏀✨

06/15/2026

Halfway through the year—and your feedback still matters! Whether it’s your first time connecting with CYS or your tenth event, we want your input. Your voice = better support for Guard Families nationwide https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ARNGCYS-Feedback-FY26

06/14/2026

On Flag Day, we celebrate the symbol of our nation’s freedom and unity. Proud to stand together under the red, white, and blue.

06/13/2026

Want a fun craft for Father's Day? Print and color their dad doing their favorite activities! Thank you, www.ahundredaffections.com, for the printables!

06/12/2026

Living with a family member who has PTSD can be stressful. PTSD Family Coach is an app similar to PTSD Coach. PTSD Family Coach provides support for concerned family members of those with PTSD.

The app can help you learn about PTSD, how to take care of yourself, and how to manage your relationship with your loved one or children. PTSD Family Coach also has information on how to help your loved one get the treatment they deserve.

Features include:

Information about PTSD and how it affects those who care about someone with PTSD.
Tips to help families better support a loved one with PTSD, and themselves. The app includes information on how to find counseling.
Facts about counseling for individuals or couples managing PTSD in a relationship.
Tools to help family members manage stress.
Self-created support network of people to connect with when in need

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.