Supporting Maryland Families During Times of War

The following resources provide information to help families and their children learn ways to stay safe, feel prepared and understand the events of the armed conflict in Iraq. The links listed below contain a variety of fact sheets, guides and resources to help Maryland families prepare and respond. For specific information and resources in your local area, contact your nearest Cooperative Extension office.

The USDA Cooperative Extension Service offers a comprehensive page with "Resources for Parents, Teachers and Family Support Professionals in Times of War" The page provides links to information about talking with children, dealing with stress, supports for military families, and other related topics.

Talking with children about the war

• A very comprehensive list of web resources from University Extension Services, other universities, military services and other national agencies, has been prepared by the National Council on Family Relations

• Maryland State Department of Education Special Report Parent/Educators crisis issues

• Fact Sheet: Helping Our Children Deal with War. National Mental Health Association

• US Dept. of Health and Human Services: Tips for Talking with Children in Times of crisis

• Maryland Department of Health and Mental Health (DHMH): Children's Mental Health and Terrorism
• includes information about the Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline: 1.800.422.0009.

Managing personal feelings of stress and anxiety

• Fact Sheet: Waiting for War: Dealing with feelings of stress and anxiety. National Mental Health Association

• American Psychological Association: Coping with terrorism

• SAMHSA's Mental Health Information Center Self-care tips for dealing with Stress
  • Mental Health Aspects of Terrorism

Being prepared to handle disaster

• Maryland Emergency Preparedness: Emergency Preparedness During High Alert Status
  • Maryland Emergency Management Agency 1-877-MEMA-USA
  • Maryland Hospital Association Disaster Readiness
  • Are you ready? A guide to disaster preparedness. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • North Carolina Extension Service - Disaster Information Center
• American Red Cross Disaster Services
  • American Red Cross of Central Maryland
• Washington Post - Personal Preparedness Guide - Sunday, March 16, 2003

prepared by Susan Walker, Ph.D., Family Life Specialist, Maryland Cooperative Extension

last update: March 20, 2003