STATEHOUSE (Feb. 19, 2010) - State Sen. Johnny Nugent (R-Lawrenceburg) said the United Service Organizations (USO) now partners with United Through Reading to promote a new service aimed toward the children in military families.

“The United Through Reading Military Program allows active soldiers thousands of miles from home to read to their children at home,” Nugent said. “For a child, separation from a parent is one of the most traumatic and stressful experiences. Consequently, it affects their sense of security, their relationships and their ability to learn.” 

In 2009, more than two million children have been affected by military deployments. Reports showed a 57 percent increase in school absences from 2003 to 2008 for military children under 14, and the number of military children who sought outpatient mental health care doubled since the start of the Iraq war.

United Through Reading aims to relieve emotional stress in children who are separated from a parent, while instilling a love of reading.

For the military program, the staff at selective USO locations records the parent reading a story to the camera. Then the DVD and a copy of the book are sent to the child’s home. The total cost for the project averages about $15 per soldier.

“The service will help the child feel not so detached from their parent on duty,” Nugent said. “For a small cost, children can collaborate with the absent parent in an activity that will help them cope more easily with any psychological stress they may feel at this critical age.”

For more details, visit www.unitedthroughreading.org or www.uso.org.