Since 1986, Commands around the world have celebrated the Month of the Military Child (MOMC) throughout the month of April.
Each day, military children experience unique challenges, which they face with resilience and dignity beyond their years. This year marks the 35th year that we celebrate the MOMC through the theme, “Overcoming Challenges Adapting Today for a Stronger Tomorrow.”
We hereby join the nation in recognizing the important contributions and sacrifices our children make as we honor them throughout the month of April. The theme recognizes that these heroes have the ability to adapt to present and future changes.
It is essential to recognize that U.S. Coast Guard children make a significant contribution to our nation through understanding and supporting their parents who often work long hours with numerous separations from family. It is fitting to recognize our children's contributions and celebrate their spirit.
The Child Development Centers (CDC) and Family Child Care (FCC) providers will conduct MOMC activities in each room and home:
During the week of April 5-9, children focused on creating a MOMC-themed story books;
During the week of April 12-16, children and staff are encouraged to celebrate all military children by wearing purple on April 15;
During the week of April 19-23, children will create additional story book pages that highlight our youngest heroes;
During April 26-30, children and staff are encouraged to dress in Coast Guard colors, snap a room picture to add to the story book, and celebrate with a MOMC-inspired snack.
In conjunction with the MOMC, we are happy to announce a sponsorship between the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) for the “Young Lives, Big Stories” contest. This contest is open to all Coast Guard active duty, reserve, and retiree dependent children preschool through 12th grade. Youth participants will have the option of telling their story on “What does it mean to be a Coast Guard child?” for the chance to win prizes. The goal of this contest is to tell the Coast Guard’s story through the eyes of our children. Prizes will be given to one overall winner and the top entries in each age category. Winners will be announced on or about June 31, 2021. The contest begins at 12:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time April 1, 2021, and submissions must be received by email time stamped by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time April 30, 2021 (the "Contest Period"). All entries must be received within the Entry Period to be eligible for prizes. The contest guide and application can be found at http://www.cgsuprt.com/.
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance provides programs to widen the financial safety net for the Coast Guard community. These programs include both grants and loans.
All Coast Guard active duty, reserve, civilian employees, retirees, and auxiliarists are eligible for these programs. Here are just a few programs that support our families:
Layette Program
PCS Child Care reimbursement
Breast Milk Shipment Programs
Tutoring program provides no cost academic support 24/7
Special Needs Grant and Respite Care and Adoption Grants and Loans
More information about the programs is available on the CGMA website at: http://www.cgmahq.org/.
Please direct all questions about MOMC, the “Young Lives, Big Stories” Contest and Child Care options to the Child Development Services Specialists (CDSS) Maura Redy, Maura.Redy@uscg.mil or 617-851-4759, Valanda Weston, Valanda.M.Weston@uscg.mil or 609-898-6384, Renee Montandon, Renee.Montandon@uscg.mil or 209-329-5626 and Kelly Smitherman, Kelly.M.Smitherman@uscg.mil or 503-861-6242.
Child Development Services (CDS), youth programs, morale, welfare and recreation, family resource specialists, and ombudsmen should work with units to support MOMC and ensure dissemination of marketing materials and promotion of this contest.
The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) invites military-connected children worldwide to participate in the Call for the Arts (CFA) contest open from March 1 – June 1, 2021. One winner from each age category will receive a prize. Artwork may be selected for the MCEC 2022 calendar, social media posts, and the On the Move magazine. More information on the CFA please visit their website. https://www.militarychild.org/programs/the-call-for-the-arts.
The CDS point of contact is Renee L. Podolec, Renee.L.Podolec@uscg.mil.