A certain amount of ambiguity surrounds the term autism and often suggests a stereotypical image, but autism affects individuals uniquely. Over the years, professional theories about autism and other childhood disorders shifted to try to better capture what is now known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Causes and treatments continue to be put forth to capture pieces of the mysterious puzzle. Though commonalities persist, each person with ASD experiences a unique level of impact on skills, intelligence, and capability and even the characteristics of siblings with ASD can vary widely. A few unique thinkers and accomplished artists that fall into this population are Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Emily Dickinson, Sir Isaac Newton, Beethoven, Mozart, de Vinci, Anthony Hopkins, and Jerry Seinfeld.

Early Warning Signs

Currently, one in forty-four children are diagnosed with ASD, with over 1 million reported to be in active-duty military families, according to 2021 CDC data (7) and Operation Autism (11). The American Autism Association offers some early signs and symptoms to be aware of for parents raising young children. (1):

Communication

• Delays in language development.
• Quirky repetitive language or sounds.
• Inability to initiate or maintain speech.
• Responds by repeating a question, rather than answering it.
• Difficulty communicating needs or desires.

Social Interactions

• Lack of appropriate verbal and nonverbal behavior.
• Lack of ability to develop peer friendships.
• Social and emotional exchange challenges, including maintaining eye contract.
• Minimal tolerance to being touched, held, or cuddled.
• Trouble perceiving or talking about feelings.
• Trouble sharing interests or successes with others (art, playthings).

Patterns of Behavior

• Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped behaviors.
• Difficulty in motor control
• Peculiar connection to objects.
• Distress with change in routine.
• Lining up toys.
• Head banging or rocking back and forth.

Looking Closer

Concerned parents are encouraged to speak to their child’s medical provider. Most communities offer free screenings to assess developmental progress and check for school readiness. The earlier an ASD screening occurs, the better, as this is the first step toward diagnoses which leads to important early interventions. Siblings of children with ASD screened, since ASD can present families. Military treatment facilities can assist through Educational and Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS). Once a screening determines risk factors and signs of ASD, a formal diagnostic evaluation is conducted to identify areas that may be addressed in treatment, such as challenges in social communication, behaviors, sensory issues, and the level of impact on daily functioning is assessed. (1)

Children on the autism disorder spectrum experience a unique combination of impacts on brain functions (i.e., thinking, memory) that may reflect some strong skills in one functioning area and low abilities in other areas. For example, a strong math aptitude may be coupled with a slow processing speed that appears as laziness to observers. Social issues may surface as peer conflict and loss of friends due to errors in interpreting social cues and sensory discomfort felt when looking others in the eye. A perceived lack of empathy may result from a child experiencing intense feelings of empathy, but not knowing how to identify or act on them, and then responding inappropriately. Inadequate verbal skills and meltdowns may occur when emotional or sensory stimulation floods the child, maxing their coping skills (as with loud noises or unexpected changes).

Easily knocked out of balance, these children struggle to identify and communicate their needs. Sensory sensitivity, such as the feel or fit of clothing fabric, food texture or taste, odors, certain sounds, temperature variations, and light levels can flood the brain at unbearable levels. Food refusals can make it difficult for them to receive adequate nutrition, complicating healthy development. Nearly half will run or wander off without warning and many struggle with physical tasks like writing or riding a bike. With 40% of ASD children lacking verbal skills, it can be stressful for both caregivers and child to understand each other despite access to communication assistance devices. (4)

Diving Deep

The five major types of disorders falling under the ASD umbrella are Asperger’s, Rett’s, Kanner’s syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. It is very common to see other disorders accompanying ASD like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, and Dysgraphia which can complicate the individual’s learning processes. Other concerns affecting this population in higher numbers are bullying, self-injurious behavior, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, various health issues and physical disabilities.

Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than girls. (7) Professional theories have asserted that girls may be more likely to compensate by masking their symptoms resulting in a missed diagnosis or being misdiagnosed. (11). Girls may have subtle symptoms or higher functioning and do not always exhibit characteristics according to traditional ASD testing markers.

High functioning autism, (Asperger’s, ‘Aspie’), is seen in individuals with high levels of intelligence in some areas and deficits in others. The terms ‘camouflaging’ or ‘masking’ refer to sophisticated compensation skills where one notices, studies, and mimics the social skills of others, to compensate for natural tendencies. This can trigger remarks about them being too outgoing to have autism and undermine their self-awareness and identity. (5) ‘The invisible edge’ coined by Autism specialist Tony Attwood, describes these persons as flying under the radar resulting in either a late diagnosis or a missed diagnosis. (2) Delays in confirming the diagnosis hinder crucial access to early services and lead to the child facing expectations outside their abilities.

Compassionate Responding

Caring for a child with ASD can be quite physically and emotionally exhausting. Finding support can make a big difference. When a parent is stressed, it can be hard to be their best self for their special needs child and the rest of the family. Self-care for the caregiver is a necessary survival skill. Military installations offer respite care to help the caregivers and some states will offer pay for respite caregivers.

Emotional outbursts are common for children with ASD and challenging for parents to handle. It is helpful if the caregiver remains calm and models good coping skills from which the child can then draw to self-soothe. Using a distraction or special interest of the child (reading or playing with cars) can help calm the child. Raising voices and increasing tension can inadvertently prolong periods of challenging behaviors. Attuning regularly to the nuances of the child offers a parent greater ability to notice and appropriately respond to symptom escalation.

The American Autism Association identifies common interventions to include speech and language therapy; occupational therapy to address motor skills, sensory issues, and functional living; play therapy and floor time to aid in emotional and cognitive development; and social skills/ communication therapy to assist with socialization and emotional management. (1) Building a team of professionals around the child supports growth. It is vital to keep in mind that individuals with ASD can be quite gifted in areas of aptitude, enjoy life, and lead productive careers.

Military Families

Military lifestyle challenges are already difficult for the average family but for the family dealing with autism, essential care can be complicated. The process of confirming an ASD diagnosis can take up to 18 months to complete due to long wait times for testing. For the military family, duties, and permanent changes of station (PCS) moves can not only complicate this timeline but also delay the feedback process from providers and teachers who may have less opportunity to consistently observe and work with a child. Additionally, remote installations may not be able to offer access to all the necessary services, making participation in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), a significant benefit to the military child, less feasible. Operation Autism offers an in-depth resource Guide for Military Families and an interactive geographical map of resources. (11)

Many ASD symptoms can be intensified by stress and frequent changes that come with the military lifestyle as these children benefit most from a predictable routine and steady environment. Frequent relocations, changing homes, schools/ teachers, and making new friends, are especially difficult for children on the spectrum. With social skills already elusive, the ASD child may find these changes unbearable. Frequent social rejections and bullying can further frustrate attempts at making even a single real friend. Higher stress can lead to more health issues with these children who do not read their body cues well and even a loss of previously gained skills.

Magellan Federal Solutions

Magellan Federal provides counselors for many programs like the Military Family Life Counseling Program (MFLC) located on many installations within the US and overseas. The MFLC program is available to service members and their families for non-medical support. Although the medical nature of the ASD diagnosis causes the child to be out of scope for direct MFLC services, family members can be supported with counseling, resources, and referrals. The MFLC program offers a variety of including Healthy Steps Specialists working with parents of children 0-3 in pediatric clinics; Child and Youth Behavior Counselors working in the Child and Youth Program in CDCs/ school age services, and schools; and Adult MFLCs located in the family readiness centers. Other resources an MFLC might make referral to are Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), New Parent Support Program (NPSP), Tricare, and Military OneSource. Each of these assist parents with specific concerns related to their children.

EFMP is an installation-based program (offered by the Magellan Federal family in some locations) serving the military family with special needs members and is the best first stop for the family with a child newly diagnosed; offering support, resources, and information on assistance like respite care for parents. NPSP, also provided by Magellan Federal family at some locations, offers military families in home support to assist families with children under age five with visits by a nurse or social worker.

Regardless of when in the journey an ASD diagnosis is received, the military family does not have to travel the road alone. Magellan Federal is committed to providing support and guidance along the way.

This article was originally published on MFed Inform.

Resources and Bibliography

1. American Autism Association: myautism.org, https://www.myautism.org/information-kits https://www.myautism.org/informational-kits/general-therapies-for-individuals-with-autism
2. Attwood, Tony. Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals. Jessica Kinglsey Publishers 1998.
3. Autism Society: https://autismsociety.org/
4. Autism Speaks: autismspeaks.org
5. Abilities Workshop: https://special.abilitiesworkshop.com/autism-resources?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiPj53OG9_QIVGXxvBB3CQg1tEAAYASAAEgJgTPD_BwE
6. Bargiela, S., Steward, R. and Mandy, W. (2016) ‘The Experiences of Late-diagnosed Women with Autism Spectrum Conditions: An Investigation of the Female Autism Phenotype. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 46, 3281-3294
7. Center for Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html
8. Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), an installation-based program offered by the Magellan Federal family in some locations, serving the military family with special needs children, including autism and is the best first stop for the family with a child newly diagnosed with ASD; offering support, resources, and information on assistance opportunities like respite care for parents.
9. Military OneSource offers a special needs consultant at 888-342-9647, articles and information. militaryonesource.mil
10. National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder. (NPDC). https://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/national-professional-development-center-autism-spectrumdisorder. Develops free professional resources for teachers, therapists, and technical assistance Focused Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM), a series of free online modules.
11. Operation Autism website offers a resource Guide for Military Families including an interactive geographic guide to local resources at https://operationautism.org/autism-101/causes-and-prevalence-rates/. https://operationautism.org/resources/bases-map/.
12. Organization for Autism Research (OAR). https://researchautism.org/ Non-profit organization responsible for creating Operation Autism and guide and offers free resources either as a digital download or hard copy.
13. Tricare offers special needs liaisons and autism specific resources and information including providers and programs like Echo and Autism Care Demonstration.
14. Extended Health Care Option (ECHO) supplemental benefit for Active Military families with special needs. More information provided through Tricare.org
15. Autism Care Demonstration. https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/SpecialPrograms/ACD

“Oh my! It’s raining cats and dogs out there!” A second-grade girl remarked as she stared out of a classroom window. Another child, wide-eyed and twirling her braid, turned and stared in shock and disbelief at the raindrop scattered windowpane. “What do you mean, those poor puppies!?” she cried. “Nooooo….” scoffed another classmate, “There are NO ANIMALS. She means it’s raining REALLY HARD.” The concerned child saddened about the well-being of the possible tumbling animals outside, slumped down in her chair, trying to avoid the gaze of everyone. Her eyes welled with tears, and she remained silent throughout the rest of the class. She continued to twirl her hair with more vigor. Soon the sun began to shine via the droplets on the windowpane, and she stopped twirling her hair to stare at the beautiful array of light. “This is a prism, a spectrum of light.” She whispered to herself.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders have their own unique struggle. Like the spectrum of light, Autism diagnosis defines a broad range of conditions that demonstrate marked struggles with language (expressive/receptive), repetitive/restrictive behaviors, social skills, and nonverbal communication. This vignette of an interaction between three 8-year-old children provides an example of a receptive language issue. For this little girl, she struggled to understand an idiom likening the raindrops to “cats and dogs falling from the sky.” Dr. Stephen Shore stated, “If you met one person with Autism, you have met one person with Autism.” He is an author, a professor of Education, and a member of the board of Autism Speaks, an organization created to educate and advocate for those affected by Autism throughout their lifespan. His quote incites awareness that while a child may be diagnosed with autism, their presentation and needs will be unique. (APA, 2013)

Autism Speaks shares statistics and trends that have shown a steady increase in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Diagnosis has become more comprehensive in recent years. Awareness and early detection have been associated with an increase in the frequency of diagnosis. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported in 2021 that 1 in 44 children was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States. Autism affects children across all socioeconomic statuses and minority groups. Minority groups are diagnosed at a later age and at a lesser frequency than other demographic groups. Families face multiple challenges after diagnosis. These include parents having difficulty maintaining ‘out of the home’ employment while becoming full-time advocates for their children. The additional cost of providing treatment and care per child with ASD is approximately $60,000 per year (Autism Speaks, 2017).

Risk Factors of Military Children with Autism

While 1 in 44 children in the general population is reported to be diagnosed with Autism, the statistics are not entirely clear for military children. In 2020, TRICARE reported that across all branches of service, 34,361 military children were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, with about 60% being children of active-duty Service members. It is suspected that these numbers are underreported (Klin et al., 2015). Military children with Autism and their families face unique stressors and struggles compared to their civilian counterparts. Military families must secure a treatment provider and participate in testing, diagnosis, treatment, and educational support while remaining mission-focused.  Stress is escalated with uncertainties about deployment, war, and geographic separation from their support systems in permanent changes of duty station (PCS) (OAR, 2019).

Case Study/Expertise

Although there have been many systemic improvements in services for military children, there are still barriers that exist due to the high mobility nature of military life. Most military families move every 2-4 years, requiring parents to establish new care providers for their children once they arrive at their new location. For children who require specialized care, it is even more daunting. After months of treatment in their current duty station, they are required to “go back to the end of the line” once they locate a new service provider. High frustration levels were also reported due to a lack of satisfaction with the quality of the care their child receives at their new provider. Families not only geographically isolated from their previous providers, but military parents with children with autism reported higher stress levels and social isolation across qualitative research after relocation and during separation (Klin, et al, 2015).

Deployment cycles lead to increased behavioral and emotional issues for military children. Parents have reported that once their child’s problematic behaviors have stabilized after their parent has deployed, their behaviors may increase once again once the parent returns from deployment. Children exhibit increased emotional withdrawal and repetitive behaviors when their Service member parent is deployed. It has been reported that the parent left behind to manage the care of the entire household can experience feelings of guilt and worry about providing adequate parenting alone (Davis and Finke, 2015).

Permanent Change in Duty Station (PCS) also takes a unique toll on the military child with autism. Friendship and social interaction are protective factors and good for overall mental health. Military children move frequently and must make new friends in their new hometown and school. Autistic children innately struggle with making social connections, making it harder to establish new positive social connections with peers. Autistic children were reported to be lonelier and more withdrawn after relocating to their new location (Davis and Finke, 2015).

Magellan Federal Best Practices

As mission partners, Magellan Federal Military & Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) can become the help multiplier for these special families. MFLCs may serve as referral linkages, connecting families to the life-changing services locally or at their next duty station before moving. MFLCs may create an Autism Resource Connect (ARC)—a smooth connection to autism resources for military families from one base to the next. This proposed program component can partner with base resources to maintain an updated roster of local providers to ensure that before, during, and after the process of permanent changes of duty station (PCS), families can ensure a comprehensive and smooth transition to local support. Utilizing the current Military Family Life Counseling network of counselors, resource lists can be maintained locally and can be shared with their counterparts at other installations.

Although MFLCs do not provide direct support for the child diagnosed with autism, their families may benefit from the non-medical counseling support. MFLCs can provide support through individual, marriage, and family counseling. MFLCs can also connect with local Exceptional Family Members Programs (EFMPs) to provide MFLC briefings/presentations to families currently within the program advising of support that can be provided to the family unit. Although the child with exceptional needs is out of the MFLC program scope, the parents and siblings are not.

Another gap that appears to exist in care for these military families is the support of the siblings of children with autism. School MFLCs have particularly great advantages in identifying and serving these unique children. Siblings of children with autism, particularly older siblings, tend to externalize stress and frustration through negative behaviors. MFLCs situated in middle schools and high schools may be instrumental in providing support for these children. These siblings empirically have shown higher tendencies to experience loneliness, academic struggle, and aggression (Walton & Ingersoll, 2015).  MFLCs can create spaces of peer support in the groups.

In April, we celebrate the Month of the Military Child. We wear purple in support and solidarity-creating awareness of the unique challenges of the military child. Military children and families affected by autism experience these challenges compounded by navigating life’s daily routine challenges. While awareness is wonderful, awareness is the first step. Magellan Federal supports children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and their families by bridging gaps in support and care. Specifically, MFLCs provide briefings and psychoeducation regarding available services to supportive base programs. Autism is a life-long disability. With support, every individual can reach their potential. The outcomes for children are exponentially better with early diagnosis and intervention. MFLCs can make a difference. One Team. One Mission.

Resources

OAR. A Guide for Military Families(2019) https://operationautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/A_Guide_for_Military_Families.pdf

Autism Speaks www.autismspeaks.org

Exceptional Family Member Program https://www.militaryonesource.mil/special-needs/efmp/

References

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.

Autism Speaks(2019). Autism and Health Report https://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/2018-09/autism-and-health-report.pdfb

Davis, J., & Finke, E. (2015). The Experience of Military Families with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders During Relocation and Separation. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(7), 2019-2034.

Klin A, Wetherby AM, Woods J, Saulnier C, Stapel-Wax J, Klaiman C, Jones W, Rubin E, Scahill L, Call N, Bearss K, Gunter C, Courtemanche CJ, Lemieux A, Cox JC, Mandell DS, Van Decar JP, Miller RA, Shireman CL. Toward innovative, cost-effective, and systemic solutions to improve outcomes and well-being of military families affected by autism spectrum disorder. Yale J Biol Med. 2015 Mar 4;88(1):73-9. PMID: 25745376; PMCID: PMC4345541.

OAR. A Guide for Military Families(2019) https://operationautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/A_Guide_for_Military_Families.pdf

Walton, K.M &Ingersoll, B.R. (2015) Psychosocial Adjustment and Sibling Relationships in Siblings of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Risk and Protector Factors.

Those that raise their right hand to serve our country in the military, make a minimum of two huge transitions during their lifetime; the transition in by taking an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; and the transition out. Personally, I remember my transition into service being filled with a spectrum of emotions and above all, the feeling of being proud—proud to be able to make the commitment to my country; proud to say I was a member of the most elite military in the world; proud to become part of something bigger. Though each experience is unique, I believe feelings of pride are common with those that make the commitment to serve their country. Military members are immediately immersed in an unfamiliar world with new rules, language, friends, and many new opportunities. It is a time filled with excitement, change, growth, and fear of the unknown. Many military members look back on this time with fond memories—many with a yearning to go back, like the common wish to reunite with childhood. In contrast, the transition out of the military, also a huge transition point in one’s life, is not the same. I’d like to offer my unique personal experience of what I found most challenging and provide some excellent resources that are available to all veterans and family members through the Transition Assistance Program and Military and Family Life Counseling Program.

The Challenges of Transitioning Out of Service

For me, the “transition out time” was a period filled with excitement and opportunity for growth, but it was not at all easy to navigate. Although I had always had a plan in my head for what I would do once I was discharged, the guidance and resources were not as formulaic as the transition into military life. I was excited to become a civilian free to take any job I wanted, but it was overwhelming not to have concrete steps for how to get there.

It is widely known that the military has a way of building its members up to feel as though they can accomplish anything and believe that they have a step up when it comes to the civilian population. While this may be true, it can be harmful to solely rely on this expectation. It is better to be aware of the potential challenges in advance so you can arm yourself with available resources and tools to navigate a successful transition.

In my experience, these are the top three challenges when transitioning back into civilian life:

1. Unrealistic expectations

• It will be easy to get any job I want.
• I will get paid more as a civilian doing the same thing.
• Working 40 hours a week will be east compared to being on call 24 hours a day.
• My experience will be respected; everyone loves military members.

I will get paid enough retirement that I won’t need to work.

2. Loss of identity

• No longer a leader or looked up to by others daily
• Loss of purpose
• No one really understands what you did in the military
• Bored with the new job
• Loss of connection to your familiar support system
• Work no longer makes a difference on a large scale
• Communication style in the civilian world is not the same

3. Limited immediate support 

• Just a number to the VA
• No longer have a chain of command to help
• Waiting list to get support
• Navigating resources alone

Combat Veteran’s Careers states, “The military provides a sense of purpose, well-defined roles and hierarchy, camaraderie, honor and mission—things that can be hard to find or define in the civilian world.” In my experience, this could not be more true. Although I planned and prepped for my exit, I still fell victim to some of these common beliefs and challenges. So, if you have a plan—or even if you don’t—I encourage you to take advantage of the programs and resources available to you while you are still in service to get a jump start on your transition to a successful civilian career. Here are a few I found helpful, and that Magellan Federal assists in delivering.

Available Career Resources

Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
The Department of Defense TAP provides lots of information, tools, and training to share tips on everything from resume prep to financial planning. For example, I remember them bringing in models to our installation from a local suit store to help us prepare for business dress. TAP is available to all transitioning service members and has a wealth of eLearning guides, trainings, and workshops. Connect with your local Transition Assistance Office or view more information on the DoD TAP website.

Military and Family Life Counseling Program (MFLC)
Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) are on the ground at installations around the world providing confidential non-medical counseling to service members and their families to address issues such as improving relationships, stress, parenting, and grief. MFLCs are also armed with a plethora of training resources specific to making the transition from the military to civilian life. I highly suggest connecting with an MFLC at least a year out from your final separation date, even if it is just to help you organize your thoughts and help you more clearly define the path to your future. Contact your installation’s Military and Family Support Center to get started.

Education and Employment Initiative (E2I)
E2I is a Department of Defense program that assists wounded, ill, and injured Service members with education and career opportunities as part of their recovery and transition to civilian life. E2I’s Regional Coordinators work with Service members to identify skills and match those skills to a desired career path. Contact your Regional Coordinator to request an application, or visit the E2I website.

Tips for Successful Transition
While these programs and other resources will help you build a good foundation, it is ultimately up to you to put a detailed plan in place and complete the necessary steps to prepare for your civilian career.

1. Learn about careers—complete a self-assessment, compare occupations, and research industries
2. Find training—research basic adult education, apprenticeships, certifications, and scholarships
3. Network—connect with professionals in your career of choice to help with advice, job leads, and contacts; inform them of your skills and employment goals

It’s never too early to get a head start on preparing for a career that’s best for you and your family after service. I hope these tips will get you started planning today with confidence.

References
• CombatVeteranstoCareers.org, “5 Reasons Veterans Struggle to Transition to the Civilian Workforce,” view article
• Military OneSource

April is the Month of the Military Child, which celebrates and acknowledges the children of our service members. While living with a military family member can make children resilient and strong, this lifestyle can sometimes make them more susceptible to bullying in a school setting.

The Army’s Adolescent Support and Counseling Services (ASACS) program is a wonderful resource for military families looking for bullying awareness and prevention tactics. The ASACS program provides confidential counseling for adolescents and families to help them thrive while supporting a loved one stationed overseas.

Magellan Federal provides 23 ASACS counselors and four Clinical Supervisors at 22 Department of Defense schools worldwide and is intimately familiar with bullying issues that are prevalent within the military adolescent population. If you are a teacher, counselor, parent, or caregiver, here are some effective techniques our counselors have used to educate and help safeguard military children against bullying.

Educate with Games with Prizes

Create a bullying awareness event to open a discussion about what bullying looks like and how to take action. Have students write down what they would do if their friend was bullied on a sticky note wall and participants spun a wheel to answer questions about bullying scenarios to win a prize. This helps children understand how to identify bullying and actionable skills they can call upon to get help.

Encourage Role Play
We have also found success with conducting lessons on healthy communication through role play. Ask kids to create skits to demonstrate different communication styles. These will help participants identify assertive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and passive communication, body language, and appropriate social filters to promote healthy communication and dialogue.
Then discuss how other communication styles could be hurtful and why social filters help to improve relationships and decrease instances of bullying.

Organize a Kindness Event
Organizing a school-wide prevention activity can help promote kindness and gratitude on a greater scale. Encourage students to write notes to friends, students, teachers, and staff about what they appreciated about that person. One of our recent events had about 700 messages written!

Schedule Ongoing Discussions
Conduct mini lessons on topics such as bullying prevention and empathy building. Setting aside a scheduled time to chat about bullying-related topics will keep it top of mind and build trust. These talks can also be used as an alternative to detention.

Bullying is a serious issue for military children, who may be more vulnerable in school settings due to their unique lifestyle. As caregivers, educators, and advocates, we must collaborate to provide resources and support to create a safe and inclusive environment for all children. By implementing these effective techniques, such as educating through games, encouraging role play, organizing kindness events, and scheduling ongoing discussions, we can equip military children with the necessary skills to identify and stand up to bullying. Let’s continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our military children, not just in April — but every day.

As I entered the workforce, I was drawn to work for an organization supporting the military and their families. Magellan Federal’s founding history as a non-profit and mission focus on improving the lives of the military and their families inspired me and has kept me engaged as an employee for 22 years. Service is embedded in our culture—you are surrounded by people who are passionate about giving back to others, especially those who are connected to military service. I’m proud to be a part of an organization that attracts individuals searching for meaning and purpose in their careers, and I’d like to share how volunteering has helped me find even greater personal and professional satisfaction.

Connecting to a Cause

As a military family member myself, with personal experience in the challenges of military life, Magellan Federal was a natural fit for me. I began my career in Member Services, helping active duty, veterans, and family members understand the benefits they were entitled to. Over the years I became a military benefits expert providing guidance on topics ranging from health care, life insurance, dependent entitlements, and survivor benefits. The tragic events of 9/11 led me to my calling of working to support military survivors.

My passion for volunteerism started early on in my career at Magellan Federal (at the time called Armed Forces Services Corporation). I was fortunate to work with leaders and mentors who volunteered often and put a high value on honoring the military community by giving back. This mentality encouraged me to incorporate volunteerism into my life as well. One influential leader was a Board Member at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and educated our team on their mission and volunteer opportunities. I connected to the TAPS organization immediately and their noble purpose of providing compassionate care to all those grieving the death of a military loved one. I began volunteering for TAPS in the early 2000s because their mission aligned with my desire to help military survivors.

At first, I was unsure if I could make a difference by volunteering, but I soon learned that non-profits like TAPS not only appreciate but rely on any time and help that their volunteers give—whether folding t-shirts, welcoming survivors to an event, writing correspondence, or running in a 5k to fundraise. According to the Nonprofit Leadership Center as of April 2022, the estimated value of each volunteer hour is $29.95. This is a good reminder that no matter what level of service you provide, the simple act of volunteering your time brings a huge value.

The Real Reward

Volunteering for organizations whose mission I care about has given me validation as a contributor but also, I have made lifelong friends. I recognized my professional skills translated well to lending my free time to help organize and implement improvements to non-profit programs. I have volunteered over the years for my daughter’s community recreation dance program and my son’s Little League team by managing their website and programs. I volunteer annually at the Virginia Scottish Games to connect with our family’s heritage. It is very rewarding to give time to these programs that get our community active and involved in the arts, recreation, and sports. While the tangible value of volunteering to me is using my creativity and innovation for the greater good, the feel-good factor is priceless.

I’ve also found that volunteering has benefited me socially in my career and personal life. I have expanded my sense of purpose and community, improved my social skills and self-esteem, learned new skills, and developed an overall happier outlook on life.

Where to Start

Having a formal volunteer program within your organization can be extremely valuable. At Magellan, we are lucky to have a robust volunteer program that is supported at every level of the organization. Not every company has that, and that’s OK. You can start small, connect with others, encourage involvement, and get more organized around your activities. I think you’ll find that volunteering is contagious and can help spread a culture of caring within your career as well as your community.

Through our Magellan Cares Foundation, qualified charity donations made by staff are eligible for matching funds. Full-time employees are also eligible for 8 hours of volunteer time off—paid leave for volunteer activities. We also have a central portal where our employees can record volunteer hours, connect with other givers, and search for or organize events. I love that Magellan makes it easy for employees to give back and encourages us to deepen our ties to the communities we serve.  As another great mentor once said, “working and leading with a servant’s heart will give you and your team fulfillment.”

I think we could all use a little more of that in our lives.

Article originally published on MFed Inform.

References

• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/what-are-benefits-of-volunteering
• https://nlctb.org/tips/value-of-volunteer-time/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjIzsyOOC-gIVA-TICh3b9gi1EAAYASAAEgK4o_D_BwE
• https://hbr.org/2021/01/volunteer-programs-that-employees-can-get-excited-about#:~:text=Many%20studies%20have%20shown%20that,they%20performed%20on%20work%20tasks.

Article originally published on MFed Inform.

Veterans, as a talent pool, are often overlooked as they transition to civilian employment. Employers may not understand how to translate their experience and skillsets into nonmilitary roles or how to offer support to our veterans as they experience that evolution in their careers.

Magellan Federal has a long legacy of empowering military personnel, their families, and veterans to live healthier, more productive lives. To deliver our important mission, we are privileged to hire talented veterans across multiple disciplines in a variety of roles as part of our team. Tapping into this unique pool of talent has been extremely successful in delivering professional services to the federal government. Our many years of experience attracting and retaining military talent allows us to offer expertise to other organizations looking to hire this mission-critical population.

First, promote a military-friendly culture

To establish your organization as being a good fit for veterans, you will need to first promote a culture of support. This will help veterans understand how they will be supported as an employee at your organization.

Magellan Federal’s support includes on-the-job training programs and managerial training programs for veterans; public workshops; live and on-demand trainings; and military paid leave programs.

Magellan Federal is honored that veterans made up 20% of all new hires in 2021, and that we have been designated a Military Friendly, Top 10 employer for 2022. Tracking and promoting your veteran demographics within your workforce will also help veteran candidates feel more at ease that there is a community within your organization.

Now, hire!

Helpful military veteran recruitment techniques:

• Partner with organizations dedicated to veteran employment, such as Vetjobs, Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), Veterans ASCEND, MilitaryHire.com, and Hiring Our Heroes to find veterans that will complement and enrich your workforce.
• Have your talent acquisition team participate in trainings and certification on how to uniquely identify talent within the veteran community.
• Participate in recruiting efforts within the military population, including virtual and in person hiring events.
• Consider participating in a Fellowship Program, such as with Hiring Our Heroes. The HOH Fellows Programs are workforce development programs that place highly skilled and educated transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses, and military caregivers with employers committed to hiring them.
• Celebrate the successes of the veterans that you hire within your organization to attract additional talent. As our veteran on the talent acquisition team attests, “I’ve worked at Magellan Federal more than five years and can tell you I’ve absolutely found my new “tribe.” I feel that I’m part of something bigger than myself and that I’m surrounded by dedicated professionals that wake up every day and strive to improve the lives of warriors and their families. In my humble opinion, there is no finer place of employment for veterans, military spouses, or anyone that’s passionate about supporting our nation’s warriors and their families.”
• Commend your dedication to hiring veterans and look to obtain designations that increase visibility as an employer for this special population such as a Military Friendly Employer. Magellan Federal is proud to have this designation and intend to maintain our status and continue to support the military community.

A Call to Action

Commit your organization to supporting a community that has spent years supporting the safety and wellbeing of our nation. Recognize their dedication and sacrifice for our freedom. Challenge yourself to look at their talents, skills, and experiences and how they can enhance your own employee population as a diverse and unique population. How can you help them transition to a civilian workforce? Offer to help them grow their networks—review a resume or introduce them to colleagues. These small steps are the foundations of a successful career.

With a rich history of providing service and support to Warriors, Veterans, and their families, Magellan Federal is fortunate to attract and employ talent who have served our country or who have family members who have served. Here’s why Magellan Federal is fully committed to hiring military spouses.

Employment Challenges for Military Spouses

Deployments and relocations often lead to gaps in resumes, leading recruiters to incorrectly conclude that these candidates don’t have what it takes to keep a job. But in the context of military spouses, nothing could be further from the truth. The challenges of military life require an underlying creativity, grit, and a commitment to persevere.

In our experience, resume gaps are sometimes reflections of great self-sacrifice and the application of hidden talents. Military spouses are incredibly resourceful at using their time to their advantage—seizing additional education opportunities and certifications, stepping up for important volunteer opportunities as “unsung heroes,” and continually expanding their professional networks and interests. Many times, these highly desirable talents stay locked within the realm of volunteer organizations as employers make false assumptions about the employability of military spouses and the benefits of hiring them. Smart organizations see the benefit of employing military spouses in flexible roles to ensure they can support their home life while delivering important work.

Employer Benefits—Service and Loyalty

Once an employer has whittled a candidate field down to those with the desired or required skill sets, it is time to look further at the quality of the candidate and potential for retention. Of note, less than 1% of eligible Americans commit to service in the Armed Forces.

It’s no surprise that those who choose to marry service members often share these values and desire to serve. Bringing military spouses onboard at your organization will not only boast diverse skills that complement and improve your capabilities, but these individuals also often have an unmatched dedication to service. Military spouses spend their lives supporting their partner’s career, ensuring their spouse can perform their job with the certainty that all is well on the home front. That level of effort and flexibility to adapt to the ever-changing demands to meet the daily and emergent situations that arise, makes them extremely self-sufficient, alert for challenges, and exceptionally skilled in multi-tasking and dealing with changing priorities. These “soft skills,” coupled with the fact that most are driven to make their own significant contributions make them an invaluable addition to any organization.

To read the full article, visit https://www.magellanfederal.com/whats-new/mfed-inform/

“Our obligation to act is not just medical—it’s moral.”
Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., M.B.A. Vice Admiral, U.S. Public Health Service, Surgeon General of the United States

To support the Surgeon General’s recent advisory related to protecting youth mental health issues exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Magellan Federal offers best practices for professionals specializing in behavioral issues to foster the wellbeing of our military families.

Magellan Federal directly supports the mental health and resiliency of military youth and families, serving over 4.5 million service members and families a year. Read more about risk factors and recommendations in our whitepaper here.