Deployment Materials Gap Analysis

Prepared by:

The Arizona Center for Research and Outreach (AZ REACH)University of Arizona

October, 2010

Background

In July of 2008, the Department of Defense issued prescribed Guidance for all Service Branches to develop comprehensive deployment materials for Service members and families:

• H.R. 110-181 Sec.582, Directive-Type Memorandum (DTM) 08-029, “Implementation of the Yellow Ribbon Integration Program”

In January 2010, the Yellow Ribbon Integration Program Office developedInstruction to support DTM 08-029:

• DoD Instruction ‘Core Curriculum Event Specific’ (January 8, 2010)

Service Branches, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Land Grant Universities, and private sector organizations developed curricula, information sheets, videos, and other materials to help support Service members and their families transition smoothly through each stage of the deployment cycle.

The Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and

Family Policy, ODUSD (MC&FP), identified the benefit of developing a uniform

curriculum to be distributed across all branches of Service, including Guard and

Reserve, targeting Service members, spouses, and children.

Project Goals

1. Determine the extent to which curricula reported in surveys address key areas of information as prescribed in DoD Policy Guidance

2. Identify gaps of key information for further development or expansion

3. Provide recommendations of existing content appropriate for adaptation across all branches of Service

Methodology of Curriculum Review and Gap Analysis

In February, 2010, the ODUSD (MC&FP) developed and electronically administered a brief survey to all military Service Branches and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/ National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) 4-H Headquarters.

The survey identified the following:• Deployment curricula currently being utilized

• The audiences supported by the materials

• Potential gaps in mandated information

Methodology of Curriculum Review and Gap Analysis

The University of Arizona constructed and completed a review of deployment support curriculum and resources through a secondary data collection process.Materials were compiled as follows:1. Retrieved electronically attached with surveys 2. Retrieved online via web links embedded in

surveys3. Retrieved online through search by identified

curriculum name listed in surveys

Development of Review Process and Protocols

Materials Reviewed1. Curricula and resources developed for Service

member and spouse/family audiences regarding each stage of the deployment process

2. Curricula and resources developed to support children and youth during each stage of parent deployment

Service member and Family Curriculum Review Protocol

• Development of a matrix including all deployment curricula and resources collected from surveys and categories of DoD prescribed areas of training content

• Development of a scoring rubric based on DTM 08-029 and DoD Instruction ‘Core Curriculum Event Specific’ draft

• Assembly of a review team, trained to utilize the rubric and gain an understanding of the curriculum review and scoring process

• Each curriculum received three (3) independent blind rater reviews to ensure that all materials were carefully reviewed and evaluated per DoD Guidance

Service member and Family Curriculum Review Protocol

• Materials included training manuals, PowerPoint briefings, online modules, Service member handbooks, handouts, pamphlets, and web sites

• Deployment curriculum reviewed included materials from Army, Navy and Marine Corps. Air Force materials were not available

• In total, 10 curricula were reviewed during 3 independent rounds by a team of 11 reviewers. To evaluate the degree to which the curricula content met DoD Guidance (DTM 08-029) and DoD Instruction

Service member and Family Curriculum Review Protocol

Narrative reviews were conducted for an additional 18 resources developed by Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

Review Format:• Type of Resource• Target Population• Material Reviewed• Objectives• Recommended Use of Materials• Description and Assessment of Materials

All of the 18 reviewed curricula were recommended for consideration for applicable use across all Service Branches due to the universality of the topics covered.

Children and Youth Support Materials Review Protocol

Materials included video, graphic novel, training manuals, activity booklets, board game, and school curriculum.

Review Format:1. Targeted age range2. Settings for use of materials3. How materials are delivered or utilized with the

intended audience (e.g. group facilitation, self-guided)4. Recommended skills or experience required to

administer the materials

Service Member and Family Universal Curriculum Recommendations

Recommendation and Gap Identification Criteria

• Curriculum items that received a mean score of 2.5 or higher were recommended for adaptation across all Service Branches

• Curriculum items that received mean scores lower than 2.5, warrant further modifications or expansion to include more information

• Curriculum items identified as ‘gaps’ were those in which no information was located throughout all curricula available for review

Pre- Deployment Curriculum

Recommendations Table 1DOD Instruction Content Criteria Recommended Curricula

Medical, Dental, and Mental Health Benefits

TRICARE information is provided which explains how the system works for both new and existing members.

Army Family Team Building Level I Navy Deployment Program Handbook Navy Deployment Program Handbook: Appendix C Navy IA Handbook

TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) information is provided which explains the insurance program and the differences between civilian dental providers and those accepted by TDP.

Army Family Team Building Level I Navy Deployment Program Handbook

Mental Health resources and information regarding available services are provided.

Army OPReady Married Marine Pre-Deployment Brief

Operational Stress Control (OSC) is explained including OSC's methodology and the long-term understanding on how OSC affects Service members and their families.

Marine Corps Effects of Combat Operational Stress on Marines and Families

Marine Corps Operational Stress Training Marine Corps Combat OSC: Coping with Deployment Stress

Key Findings

• Many curriculum areas developed per DoD Guidance and Instruction were found to be very comprehensive and well-designed, and subsequently recommended for adaptation across all Service Branches

• Additional curricula were recommended for adaptation across all Service Branches. Topics include: Car Buying; Home and Personal Safety; and Leadership Skill Development

• Nearly all topic areas prescribed in DoD Guidance (DTM 08-029) are represented when viewed in the context of examining all Service Branch curricula collectively

Key Findings

• Children and youth materials mostly targeted toward 12-18 yr. age group

• Materials available for all ages include self-guided, parent/caregiver facilitated and professional facilitated

• Evaluation of children and youth resources recommended for future to determine scope of use and effectiveness in preparing and supporting youth through parent deployment

Prepared by:The Arizona Center for Research and Outreach (AZ REACH)

University of Arizona

For additional information, please contact:Lynne M. Borden, PI

Norton School of Family and Consumer SciencesUniversity of Arizona

bordenl@ag.arziona.edu520-621-1063

Acknowledgements

Co-Principal Investigators• Leslie Langbert• Lynne M. Borden

Project Lead Staff• Sandra Duque• Steve Garcia• Christine Bracamonte Wiggs