Families in the uniformed services often face unique challenges such as frequent moves and deployments. This page provides pediatricians, both military and civilian, as well as other care providers with tools to address these needs.
Military Families and Deployment Overview
Children in US military families share common experiences and unique challenges, including parental deployment and frequent relocation. Although some of the stressors of military life have been associated with higher rates of mental health disorders and increased health care use among family members, there are various factors and interventions that have been found to promote resilience. Military children often live on or near military installations, where they may attend Department of Defense–sponsored child care programs and schools and receive medical care through military treatment facilities. However, many families live in remote communities without access to these services. Because of this wide geographic distribution, military children are cared for in both military and civilian medical practices.
AAP Recommendations
Health and Mental Health Needs of US Military Families
This clinical report provides a background to military culture and offers practical guidance to assist civilian and military pediatricians caring for military children.
NICU discharge preparation and transition planning
The guidelines and recommendations are divided into the following sections: Basic Information, Anticipatory Guidance, Family and Home Needs Assessment, Transfer and Coordination of Care, and Other Important Considerations, including specific considerations for military-connected families.
Professional Tools and Resources
Children who are military connected have unique needs and experiences compared with peers of the same age. Below, you can find the information and resources you need to provide optimal care of military families.
Videos
Military Youth Coping With Separation DVD (focused on teenagers)
This video program is designed specifically for older children and adolescents as they face military deployment in their family.
Mr. Poe and Friends
A video to help with deployment separation stress in healthy and positive ways focused on younger children.
Exceptional Family Member Program
The goal of the Exceptional Family Member Program is to help your military family with special needs thrive in military life.
Get Involved
Section on Uniformed Services
The Section on Uniformed Services organizes pediatricians and pediatric care providers who focus on the health of infants, children, adolescents and young adults while serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Public Health Service.
Section on Uniformed Services (Members Only)
Includes many resources for members of the AAP Section on Uniformed Services. Join here if you are a member of the AAP and are active duty or retired uniformed services.
Uniformed Services Chapter East
AAP Chapter for any military pediatric physician, nurse practitioner, resident, medical student or affiliate in the United States east of the Mississippi River or stationed in Europe.
Uniformed Services Chapter West
Facebook group for those members of the Uniformed Services West Chapter of the AAP.
A Guide to Military Pediatric Residencies
Promotes interest in and awareness of the diverse education and training opportunities available to students participating in the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program, students attending the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and any other parties with special interests in pediatrics in the uniformed services.
Last Updated
06/15/2022
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics