News from New York State Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance

For more information contact: Michael Hayes or Anthony Farmer, 518-474-9516

Media Advisory: State Funding Aims to Ease Stress on Military Families

Addressing Impact of Multiple Deployments at Fort Drum

ALBANY, NY (07/14/2008; 1444)(readMedia)-- Commissioner David A. Hansell, of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), will visit Jefferson County Tuesday, July 15, to tour programs the State has funded, through the Jefferson County Department of Social Services, to provide mental health services for military personnel at Fort Drum and their families.

The media is invited to join Commissioner Hansell and Jefferson County officials at one or both of the following locations:

1 p.m., at the Mental Health Association, 724 State Street, Watertown

Family Connections-Family Retreats

This program provides a supportive, therapeutic setting for services to support soldiers and their families as they cope with reintegration issues after a deployment. Family counseling sessions address family bonding and communication skills, and increase self awareness with regard to alcohol and substance abuse. The program is delivered during family-centered weekend retreats. A family that is benefiting from this program will be present to discuss their experience.

4 p.m., at Camp Wabasso, Redwood, NY

Defiant Gardens

This program is administered by Cornell Cooperative Extension. The goal is to connect military families and their communities, and to help maintain the connection between military youth and their deployed parents, in an effort to ease the burden to these families caused by the deployment cycle. One aspect of this project would involve military youth, their parents, retired soldiers and other volunteer community members, as they plant community gardens at American Legions, VFW Posts and schools.

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