Army National Guard (ARNG) Child & Youth Services (CYS)

OUR MISSION

The mission of Army National Guard (ARNG) Child & Youth Services (CYS) is to promote and sustain the quality of life and resilience of Army National Guard dependent children and youth by providing secure, timely, flexible, high-quality support services and enrichment programs.

NATIONAL GOALS

Education: Provide developmentally-appropriate life skills education to National Guard youth
Access: Provide information on access to Federal and State/Territory benefits that support National Guard children and Families, including: counseling, education, child care, and other resources needed to foster a healthy, stable and secure family environment
Opportunity: Create partnerships for opportunities to participate in programs, events, and activities geared toward the behavioral and physical health and welfare of children and youth that are available across the spectrum of Government, community, and private sector
Communication: Build a sense of belonging to the Army National Guard Community by creating secure opportunities to network with other youth, parents/legal guardians, and ARNG CYS Coordinators in one’s community, state/territory, and across the nation
Resilience: Infuse resiliency and leadership skills and techniques into all Army National Guard child and youth programming
Outreach: Build and sustain contact with parents/legal guardians, and children of the National Guard to create awareness of available support services and programs, while being mindful of age, location, military and civilian mindsets.

ELIGIBILITY

Our service/programs/events are for ILARNG dependents aged 6-18 years old. Parent/Legal Guardian must have current membership with the ILARNG to participate unless the event is specified as a “Purple Event”. Purple Events are open to all ages, ranks, services, branches, prior service, friends, and family.

ANNUAL REPORTS

RESOURCES FROM ARNG CYS WEBSITE

ARNG CYS Monthly Newsletters

Tutor.com Resources and Information

Programs and Resources for Military Families (Our Military Kids, Child Care Aware, Tutor.com and more!)

ARNG CYS Tough Topics (Suicide, Grief, alcohol drug abuse and more)

ARNG CYS At-Home Activity & Resource Guide

Resources, Activities & Information for Military Families

CONTACT US:

EMAIL Child and Youth Program

OFFICE: 217-761-3395

CONTACT US TO:

Request a StReam Lock-in at your facility! This lock in will be at an armory and be chaperones with parents/service members and Child and Youth Program Staff. Child and Youth Program Staff are all federally background check with specific inquiries to work with children. All Child and Youth Program staff are Pediatric & Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Certified. Drop off is at 7pm, and activities include a round robin of stations. Each station will have an activity based around science, technology, engineering, art, math and resiliency. We end the night with a movie and popcorn. Pick up is at 9am the next day.
Get on our monthly newsletter mailing
Request child and youth programming for your Yellow Ribbon Event
Request Child and Youth Programming for a StReam toolkit so you can host it on your own.
Request a Yellow Ribbon Mail Home Kit. This kit is for 6-18 years old and includes a Solider Doll, Hero Bear, a Project Linus Blanket, books, activity sheets, resource folder, letter writing kit and a journal (all dependent on the availability of supplies).
Request an Education Outreach Presentation. If you’re a school professional and would like to know more about having a ILARNG military youth in your classroom, contact us and we will provide a brief overview of the unique challenges military kids face. We will also provide contacts and resources to help navigate their journey as their parent/legal guardian goes through deployment. We try to bridge the gap between school and parents to help the military child feel more connected and supported in their community.