Military life consultants start at two area schools

The Military Family Life Consulting program kicked off in the Carthage and Indian River central school districts this week.

The program puts consultants in schools to provide support to students whose family members and friends are deployed. Consultants also will reach out to teachers about working with students who come from military families, which is a first for Fort Drum, the post's School Liaison Officer Michele Carlton said.

"I work with superintendents and counselors but have never been able to get to the teacher level, to educate them about working with people who are from a military family," Ms. Carlton said.

When consultants talk with students, they will refer the student to a school counselor, a counselor at Fort Drum or a long-term counselor in Watertown or Syracuse, Ms. Carlton said. But the consultants won't be counseling students.

Some Indian River Board of Education members voiced concerns about the program at a recent meeting because of a requirement that consultants be transferred out of the region after three months. Program officials have said they don't want consultants to get involved in the politics of the school, but will stay open-minded and may make changes after the first term, Ms. Carlton said.

Despite concerns, Ms. Carlton said, she hopes this program ensures that students don't feel forgotten during a stressful time.

"This program will act as the eyes and ears at the local level," Ms. Carlton said, "so we make sure these schools are getting some attention from Fort Drum."

Schools are in the process of obtaining permission from parents for consultants to talk to students, Indian River Superintendent James Kettrick said. Letters should have gone out to parents last week, explaining the program and asking for permission for their child's participation. For more information, parents should contact their children's schools.