Free Guide Helps Deployed Families

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2004 -- A new, free guide being offered by the National Fatherhood Initiative is designed to help service members maintain their important role in their children's lives during military deployments.

"The Deployed Fathers and Families Guide," released in January, offers tips to help families cope with the practical as well as emotional aspects of family separations caused by deployments, explained Vincent DiCaro of the National Fatherhood Initiative.

The guide expands upon the institute's popular brochure, "10 Ways to Stay Involved With Your Children During Deployment."

DiCaro said the new guide builds on tips in the brochure to help family members prepare to handle the many day-to-day issues within households typically handled by the service member who is about to deploy. The guide also addresses the emotional challenges families face during deployments, particularly those to dangerous regions of the world.

"Fathers play a unique and irreplaceable role within the family," said DiCaro. "Our goal is to help them stay as connected as possible when they are gone."

For a free copy of the guide or brochure, fill out the electronic request form on the institute's Web site. The site also allows military children to post an online message to their deployed fathers.

The brochure and guide also are available by calling (301) 948-0599 or writing to National Fatherhood Institute, 101 Lake Forest Blvd., Gaithersburg, MD 20877.