Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
CSTS | Department of Psychiatry | Uniformed Services University | 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 | www.CSTSonline.org

Community Support for Military Children andFamilies Throughout the Deployment Cycle
Military families are generally
military and veteran families
healthy and resilient. However, manyand their children. Within
Providers can better help families
families face unique challenges
the community, treatments ofby understanding the challenges
including combat deployment.
service members and veterans
faced at different times during theCombat deployment is oftenthat incorporate family-focused
associated with increased distressapproaches should be identified as
deployment cycle.
in family members, including
they are better suited to address thechildren. Combat deployment is notprofound impact that diagnoses
such as PTSD and TBI can have on families and children.
a single event, but rather a cycle that extends across predeployment, deployment, and post-deployment periods.
Challenges and Risks across Deployment Periods
Each of these periods is defined by specific characteristics
Pre-deployment Period
and challenges that may impact the family environment.
Maintaining a stable family environment throughout the■ Pre-deployment is a time of intense family preparation
deployment cycle supports the well-being of both service
for the soon to occur deployment. Parents and children
members and their families. One approach to enhancing
are likely to experience distress in anticipation of
the stability of military families is to increase healthseparation from the service member.
and community service providers’ understanding of the■ Pre-deployment is also a time of intense militarychallenges faced by families throughout the deployment
preparation, which may cause the service member tocycle so they are better prepared to help families mitigate
be less available to family members at a time when
the risks associated with deployment.
connection, communication, and planning is important.
In recognition of April as the Month of the Military■ Although many service families have experienced priorChild, our goal is to raise awareness among service
deployments, service families that are unfamiliar with
providers of the challenges associated with each period of
deployment challenges may experience greater distress.
the deployment cycle and related risks for children and■ Young enlisted families may face greater risk duefamilies. We also describe resources and recommendations
to their younger age, fewer financial resources, andfor how service providers can help address the changing
separation from their extended family.
needs of military families and children across thedeployment cycle.
Deployment Period
This can be achieved by providing information about
and ensuring access to basic needs, such as housing,■ Deployment creates de facto single-parent families,
education, health care, child care, and jobs throughout thewhere the absence of the service member parent
deployment cycle. In addition, services that support family
requires the at-home spouse and children to shoulderorganization, communication, coping, and resilience should
more responsibilities.
be promoted. Researchers recognize that military children’s■ Family separation during deployment can increase thehealthy response to stressful events, including deployment,risk of distress, anxiety, and depression for military
is related to the health and well-being of their parents
spouses and children.
(Lester et al., 2010).
■ These combined stresses may impair the at-home
Because many of the disorders for which veteransparent’s ability to meet their children’s physical andare treated can be chronic (e.g., PTSD, substance use,emotional needs during the deployment period.
depression, and TBI), particularly in the post-deployment■ Fewer adults within the home can decrease the at-home
phase, treatment and health maintenance programs thatparents’ ability to supervise their children as consistently
support veterans’ functioning and minimize relapses oras when their service member spouse is present.
complications strengthens the health and well-being ofContinued

Post-Deployment Period■ Although the post-deployment period includes joyful
reunification of family members, reintegration of
the service member into the family system following
deployment is a challenge for many militaryfamilies and has been associated with increased
miscommunication and interpersonal conflict.
■ Service members returning from combat are at riskfor post-deployment mental health problems which
may create additional barriers to communication andincreases in family conflict.
■ Family conflict and post-deployment mental healthproblems can increase risk for family violence during
the post-deployment period.
■ The increased prevalence of substance misuse incombat veterans may also increase risk for families in
the post-deployment period.
Resources and Recommendations for Strengthening
Military Child and Family Health
Pre-Deployment Period■ Help families identify deployment support assistanceservices, including financial planning, housekeeping,child care, housing assistance, and other respite services
for non-deployed spouses.
■ Assist in securing pediatric/primary care accesswithin military treatment facilities or from TRICARE
practitioners.
■ Encourage families to participate in educational
opportunities (classes, workshops, and seminars)
offered by the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) andother military support organizations that focus oncommunication, stress management, conflict resolution,and parenting skills.
■ Refer expecting couples and couples with infants to theFAP-administered New Parent Support Program, which
combines education, support, and home visitation
services in a strength-based model to support militaryfamilies with young children.
■ Refer high-risk families (e.g., those with mental healthor substance use problems, medical or developmental
disorders, or prior history of maltreatment or familyviolence) to mental health treatment and/or FAPsponsored parent counseling to minimize harmful
behaviors, manage anger, and develop positive andresponsible parenting practices.

Deployment Period■ Ensure awareness of support networks, such asaccessible health services or mentor contacts, including
extended family members, spouse’s peers, or senior
military spouses.
■ To help families address short-term problems, provide
information about non-medical counseling services,such as the DoD-funded Military & Family Life
Counseling (MFLC) program. Military OneSource(http://www.militaryonesource.mil) is another optionthat is available in person, over the phone, online, andvia secure video chat.
Post-Deployment Period■ Encourage and refer service members to mental healthproviders for reported or suspected combat-related
symptoms (i.e., PTSD, TBI, depression, or substancemisuse) impacting spouse or parent relationships.
■ Offer FAP or other community-based programs
to address reunification challenges, including
communication skills, stress management, conflict
resolution strategies, anger management, and positiveparenting techniques.
■ Help families identify and work through barriers to
help-seeking (such as stigma) for mental health orfamily difficulties.
■ Encourage use of the Families OverComing Under
Stress (FOCUS) prevention and family strengthening
intervention and/or MFLC program. These programs
target high needs individuals and families and can referto traditional clinical resources when required.
Providers should consider the timing of a militaryfamily’s service member’s deployment when providing
guidance to military parents. It is also helpful to stay
up-to-date on military family support resources. Internal
Behavioral Health personnel in Patient-Centered MedicalHome clinics (e.g., social workers, psychologists, nurse
case managers) can often assist providers and families
in addressing deployment issues as well as accessing
additional resources and services listed above.
Reference
Cozza, S.J., Whaley, G.L., Fisher, J.E., Zhou, J., Ortiz, C.D.,
McCarroll, J.E., Fullerton, C. S. & Ursano, R.J (2018).
Deployment Status and Child Neglect Types in the U.S.
Army. Child Maltreatment, 23(1):25–33.

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Department of Psychiatry
Uniformed Services University
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
www.CSTSonline.org