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K-State Today

May 2, 2012

Nationally renowned coalition on campus to guide community leaders in development of plans to help military children in Kansas

Submitted by Communications and Marketing

Since 2001, nearly 2 million children in the United States have been affected by military deployments. To meet some of the challenges that these children face, a national coalition chose Kansas State University as the site for its 22nd public engagement activity — the first ever at a university.

The Military Child Education Coalition, LINN.MilitaryChild.org, is having a public engagement program today at the K-State Alumni Center. The event includes 85 community leaders from diverse areas like business, education and health care. Their goal is to develop action plans in support of military-connected children in communities across Kansas.  

Leading at K-State is the Institute for the Health and Security of Military Families, headed by Briana Nelson Goff, professor of family studies and human services. The institute will be the repository for the action plans developed at the public engagement.

The event is one of the ways that the university engages in programs that are inclusive to members of the military and their families. This inclusiveness was what drew the Military Child Education Coalition to have the event at K-State, Goff said.

"This is the first time the Military Child Education Coalition has partnered with a university for its public engagement events, which are being held across the country in every state," Goff said. "The action plans that result from this event will include partnerships with key stakeholders to build and sustain support for Kansas' military children and youth."