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A night together

| 19 Dec 2012 | 04:56
    Photos by Chris Wyman Activities and fun for the children included funny hats constructed of panty hose and balloons. There were also toys and games for the kids.
    Photos by Chris Wyman Activities and fun for the children included funny hats constructed of panty hose and balloons. There were also toys and games for the kids.
    Sgt. First Class Roland Tajalle, a native of Guam, was brought up as part of a U.S. military family, as is his own family. Here he is shown here with his wife Michele and 12-year-old son Romeo. Tajalle is about to be deployed for his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. His family was one of seven interested families that came out to learn more about the January program that will be held in Vernon.
    Sgt. First Class Roland Tajalle, a native of Guam, was brought up as part of a U.S. military family, as is his own family. Here he is shown here with his wife Michele and 12-year-old son Romeo. Tajalle is about to be deployed for his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. His family was one of seven interested families that came out to learn more about the January program that will be held in Vernon.
    Lifelong Vernon resident Sgt. Charlie Vanblarcom, 42, is shown with his daughter Chloe, 5 months. He has already served tours of duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
    Lifelong Vernon resident Sgt. Charlie Vanblarcom, 42, is shown with his daughter Chloe, 5 months. He has already served tours of duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

By Chris Wyman

VERNON — The Newton-based Center for Prevention and Counseling brought together area military families for a presentation of their “Military Family Night-Out” program last Thursday.

Held at Vernon’s Wallkill Valley Memorial Post 8441 VFW hall, an initial seven families came to enjoy a complimentary meal and to learn more about the free program, which offers military families the opportunity to have dinner out once a week while benefiting from an array of incentives offered through the program.

To keep the families’ children occupied, an assortment of games, toys and even balloon-filled panty hose “hats” were available. As the kids played, members of the center’s staff made their pitch to the adults and it appeared to be a successful one since each of the seven families made the decision to continue with the program when it goes into regular operation in January.

Being a member of a military family can be trying to say the least. When Dad or Mom goes off to “work” the rest of the family may not see them for a year or more. In the worst-case scenario, the family may never even see them again. The associated long term separation and fear of the unknown can take its toll. According to program materials, family communication and structure is strained with each deployment. The program is designed to help all family members to better cope with the demands on each family member.

Coordinator Annmarie Shafer was pleased about the way the evening unfolded and the number of people who attended. According to Shafer, the program is a “free evidence-based” family life skills series.

Although available to all military families in the area, the Military Family Program will be held in Vernon.

“(The program) will meet to increase family strengths, build upon protective factors, improve family relationships and parenting skills, as well as improve the social and life skills of youth attending,” Shafer said about the benefits of the program.

Veterans and active military families who sign up will meet weekly with trained educators from The Center for Prevention and Counseling where they will participate separately and together, gaining insight into optimal social and emotional health.

Interactive group sessions that are designed to improve overall family communication will be one of the learning tools. Incentives including gift cards that will be presented to families who complete the program including a $300 in gift cards to local business establishments.

Do you know a military family?

Anyone who knows an area military family that may not of heard of the program is encouraged to spread the word. The actual Vernon location for the upcoming meetings will be determined by the number of families that decide to join the program, and there is always room for more.

The Military Family Nights series is based on the Strengthening Families Program in which families practice communication skills, family meetings, effective discipline, therapeutic child play, reinforcing positive behaviors in each other and jointly planning family activities.

The program assists parents in effectively communicating with each other and in achieving desired behaviors in children by using attention and rewards, clear communication, effective discipline, substance use education, problem solving and limit setting. Children learn stress management, social skills, problem solving, resisting peer pressure, consequences of substance use, compliance with parental rules and to understand feelings and cope with anger. Children are the main focus of the program and special sessions are directed towards specific age groups.

To learn more or to register, contact Brie Meade or Natalie Yanoff-Smith at The Center for Prevention and Counseling by calling 973-383-4787 or by e-mail brie@centerforprevention.org or natalie@centerforprevention.org.