Families of Alabama’s Civilian Soldiers Face New Challenges

Extension System Discusses Ways to Help 

	
Auburn, April 22, 2004---More than 30 people gathered at the Capitol in Montgomery recently to discuss 
the needs of children and families of deployed National Guard and Reservists. 
	
Representatives from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama 4-H, various branches of the 
military, the State Board of Education, the attorney general’s office and other youth organizations met 
with youth and families to discuss their needs and how they can best respond to those needs. 
 	
Young people from various regions of the state talked about how much they missed their deployed 
parents and some of the challenges they faced at home and school.  Everything from helping with 
homework to paying bills to taking care of home and car maintenance were challenges mentioned. They 
also talked about their fears, feelings and other daily stressors. 
	
One teenage girl said she had had to take on more adult roles since her father was deployed. While she 
didn’t mind doing the work, she felt guilty wanting to “just be a kid again.”  
       
A wife and mother talked about some of the difficulties she faced in fulfilling the roles of both mom and 
dad, especially raising two boys.
	
Another child talked about how hard her dad’s deployment had been on her mother since her dad was a 
farmer. Her mother now not only had to take care of the family but also the farm.  
	
Alabama 4-H, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, 
Education and Extension Service and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, sponsored the forum.  
Key issues discussed were unique and pressing issues facing these youth and families; resources 
available to support them; and effective strategies, approaches and partnerships that can help families 
cope.   
	
“We can’t make all their dreams come true, but we can provide educational resources and other 
information that can make their lives better,” said Lamar Nichols, Extension assistant director, 4-H and 
Youth Development for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. 
	
The Extension System and 4-H already have some programs established for youth and families that may 
provide a foundation for dialogue and future programming for these particular groups.   
	
Source:  Chuck Hill, Alabama 4-H Military Liaison, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 
844-2276.