ALCOAST 134/21 - APR 2021 APRIL IS THE MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD (MOMC)

R 022001Z APR 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 134/21
SSIC 1754
SUBJ: APRIL IS THE MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD (MOMC)
A. Coast Guard Child Development Services Manual, COMDTINST
M1754.15 (series)
1. Since 1986, Commands around the world have celebrated the
Month of the Military Child (MOMC) throughout the month of April.
Each day, military children experience unique challenges, which
they face with resilience and dignity beyond their years. 2021 marks
the 35th year that we celebrate the MOMC through the theme,
“Overcoming Challenges Adapting Today for a Stronger Tomorrow.”
We hereby join the Nation in recognizing the important
contributions and sacrifices our children make as we honor them
throughout the month of April. The theme recognizes that these
heroes have the ability to adapt to present and future changes.
It is essential to recognize that U.S. Coast Guard children
make a significant contribution to our Nation through
understanding and supporting their parents who often work long
hours with numerous separations from family. It is fitting to
recognize our children's contributions and celebrate their spirit.
2. The Child Development Centers (CDC) and Family Child Care
(FCC) providers will conduct MOMC activities in each room and
home:
    a. April 5-9 – children will be focusing on creating a
MOMC-themed story book;
    b. April 12-16 – children and staff are encouraged to
celebrate all military children by wearing purple on
April 15;
    c. April 19-23 – children will create additional story
book pages that highlight our youngest heroes;
    d. April 26-30 – children and staff are encouraged to
dress in Coast Guard colors, snap a room picture to add to
the story book, and celebrate with a MOMC-inspired snack.
3. In conjunction with the MOMC, we are happy to announce a
sponsorship between the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Mutual
Assistance (CGMA) for the “Young Lives, Big Stories”
Contest. The “Young Lives, Big Stories” Contest is open to
all Coast Guard Active Duty, Reserve, and Retiree
dependent children preschool through twelfth grade.
Youth participants will have the option of telling their
story on “What does it mean to be a Coast Guard child?”
for the chance to win prizes. The goal of this contest is
to tell the Coast Guard’s story through the eyes of our
children. Prizes will be given to one overall winner and
the top entries in each age category. Winners will be
announced on or about June 31, 2021. The contest begins
at 12:00 AM Eastern Time EST April 1, 2021, and
submissions must be received by email time stamped by
11:59 PM EST on April 30, 2021 (the "Contest Period").
All entries must be received within the Entry Period to
be eligible for prizes. The contest guide and application
can be found at http://www.cgsuprt.com/.
4. Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) provides programs
to widen the financial safety net for the Coast Guard
community. These programs include both grants and loans.
All CG Active Duty, Reserve, Civilian Employees, Retirees
and Auxiliarists are eligible for these programs. Here
are just a few programs that support our families:
Layette Program, PCS Child Care reimbursement, Breast
Milk Shipment Programs, Tutoring program provides no cost
academic support 24/7, Special Needs Grant and Respite
Care and Adoption Grants and Loans. More information about
the programs is available on the CGMA website at:
http://www.cgmahq.org/.
5. Questions about MOMC, the “Young Lives, Big Stories”
Contest and Child Care options should be directed to the
Child Development Services Specialists (CDSS) Maura Redy,
Maura.Redy@uscg.mil or 617-851-4759, Valanda Weston,
Valanda.M.Weston@uscg.mil or 609-898-6384, Renee Montandon,
Renee.Montandon@uscg.mil or 209-329-5626 and Kelly
Smitherman, Kelly.M.Smitherman@uscg.mil or 503-861-6242.
6. Child Development Services (CDS), Youth Programs,
Morale, Welfare and Recreation, Family Resource Specialists
and Ombudsmen should work with units to support
MOMC and ensure dissemination of marketing materials and
promotion of this contest.
7. The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) invites
military-connected children worldwide to participate in
the Call for the Arts (CFA) contest open from March 1 –
June 1, 2021. One winner from each age category will
receive a prize. Artwork may be selected for the MCEC
2022 Calendar, social media posts, and their On the
Move magazine. More information on the CFA go to:
https://www.militarychild.org/programs/the-call-for-the-arts.
8. The CDS point of contact is Renee L. Podolec,
Renee.L.Podolec@uscg.mil.
9. CDR Jeremy R. Denning, Acting Director, Director, Health,
Safety, and Work-Life (CG-11), sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.