MFRI Senior Research Associate Elaine Willerton appears on Indiana's weekly "Kids Count Radio Show" on Sunday, June 10.
The 30-minute public affairs program, hosted by Indiana Youth Institute President and CEO Bill Stanczykiewicz, discussed key parent issues in an effort to provide information and resources. The institute promotes the healthy wwwelopment of Indiana children and youth "by serving the people, institutions and communities that impact their well-being," its website says.
Stanczykiewicz invited Willerton to contribute on behalf of MFRI, because the program, mindful of the upcoming Father's Day (June 16), concentrated on military fathers.
The show can also be downloaded from the Indiana Youth Institute website.
The interview probed ways that Indiana communities can best support military families, most of whom serve in the National Guard and Reserves. Such families do not live within the sheltering and supportive atmosphere of a military base, where others may be experiencing the same deployment experiences. As a result, these families may want and need different kinds of support.
While some may acknowledge that they are having difficult times, others are may be more reserved. But there are always opportunities for communities to reach out and lend a hand. For example, school counselors might create support groups for children they learn are experiencing deployments. Community organizations can look for ways to hold events that meet the needs of the military families who live in their communities. Neighbors can offer to complete specific, detailed tasks that reduce a military family's stress and show them they are not alone.
"Look for those opportunities…and be aware of how we can be extra help for them," Willerton said.
"Kids Count" can be heard on the following stations at the following times (where provided).
WCSI 1010 AM Columbus (Sundays, 7 a.m.)
WOCC 1550 AM Corydon (Saturday, 9 a.m.)
WBYR 98.9 FM Fort Wayne
WFWI The Fort 92.3 FM
WKJG ESPN Radio 1380 AM
WMEE 97.3 FM
WQHK 105.1 FM
WIBC 93.1 FM Indianapolis (Sundays, 7 a.m.)
WNRL 105.9 FM Ligonier
WBRO 89.9 FM Marengo
WEEM 91.7 FM Pendleton (Sunday, 11:30 a.m.)