U.S. Army National Guard Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS)

Overview

The National Guard Bureau Acquisition Office (NGB-AQ), Army National Guard Soldier and Family Services Division (NGB-ARNG-HRS) awarded a contract to Cognitive Professional Services Company to provide support to the National Guard Bureau Child and Youth Program.

Goal:

Cognitive's goal was to promote and sustain the quality of life and resilience of National Guard Children and youth by providing secure, timely, flexible, high-quality support services and age-appropriate development programs that support program goals.

Challenges:

Provide program staff to 47 states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, and the District of Columbia trained and capable of providing information, referral, and outreach to geographically-dispersed Soldiers and Families, including developing and executing school-age services and youth development opportunities for family members of Army National Guard Soldiers.

Description of Services Provided:

  • Coordinate with State Family Program Directors (SFPDs) evidence-based, developmental appropriate life skills and resilience-building education and youth development for school aged family members.
  • Coordinate with each individual state and territory for training and support of school-aged family members at pre-deployment, deployment and post-deployment events.
  • Market Department of Defense (DOD) child care fee assistance resources for eligible families, educating families of the requirements and application processes.
  • Market Child and Youth program opportunities and available resources via media (print, email, social media, etc.) within policy and resources.
  • Coordinate and provide briefings on State Child and Youth Program benefits and resources for Service members, Family members, and Youth.
  • Conduct and coordinate briefings to state military leadership and community partners on issues facing military children and youth
  • Assist in planning, liaison, developing and delivering services with DOD and civilian organizations.
  • Provide advice, guidance and program support to Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) , working closely with Family Readiness Support Assistants, FRGs and volunteers to assess and evaluate the needs of deployed personnel and their families.
  • Identify trends, coordinate and conduct briefings, orientations, workshops and networks to enhance local program delivery with outside agencies.