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Strong Families Strong Forces: Supporting Military Families through Military-Related Separation & Transition LIMITED
Wednesday July 16, 2025 2:55pm - 4:55pm CDT
302A
Objectives:
  • Participants will be able to recognize challenges faced military families experiencing military-related separations and transitions 
  • Participants will be able to describe an overview of the Strong Families Strong Forces program.  
  • Participants will be able to describe best practices for working with military families going through military-related transitions, with implications for all families with children experiencing transition.  

Abstract:
For military families, the deployment cycle presents unique challenges at different points for all family members. For children, prolonged separations from caregivers can disrupt parent-child attachment and are related to emotional and behavioral difficulties (e.g., Mansfield, Kaufman, Engel, & Gaynes, 2011). Service members (Milliken, Auchterlonie, & Hoge, 2007) and homefront parents (Mansfiled, Kaufman, Marshall, Gaynes, Morrissey, & Engel, 2010) are also at an increased risk for distress and emotional difficulties, impaired parental functioning (e.g., Lester et al., 2010), childhood maltreatment (Gibbs, Martin, Kupper & Johnson, 2007) and intimate partner violence (McCarroll et al., 2010). Other stressful military-related transitions include permanent change of duty stations, frequent travel for military trainings, and transitioning out of military service. Strong Families Strong Forces is family-systems, culturally responsive, flexible prevention program that prevents adverse reactions and reduces stress associated with the deployment cycle.  The program supports families throughout the deployment cycle and through military related transitions. It utilizes family activities and focused discussions related to coparenting, communication, family rituals, and family relationships to bolster and maintain connection between family members. Presenters will discuss the impact of frequent separations and transitions on military families and provide audience members with key components of the Strong Families program, including best practices for working with military families. 
Speakers
avatar for Vanessa M. Jacoby, PhD, ABPP

Vanessa M. Jacoby, PhD, ABPP

Associate Professor, UT Health San Antonio
Dr. Vanessa M. Jacoby is an Associate Professor within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UT Health San Antonio, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and Board Certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology. Dr. Jacoby is the program director for the Strong Families... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 2:55pm - 4:55pm CDT
302A
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