Youth Program

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
is America's only nonprofit Veterans Service Organization chartered solely to assist the surviving families of military members who have died while serving our nation. A significant part of TAPS' mission is to minister to the mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children who are a part of the military family and have suffered the traumatic death of a parent.

TAPS accomplishes this mission by providing compassionate care, age-specific information, a range of resources, national networks for children, and counseling for all ages. The youth learn to rebuild their shattered lives, look to the future with hope, and remember the love of their family member. The TAPS program, including efforts for children, is known throughout the Department of Defense.

Surviving parents indicate the most critical need for their young surviving families is an organized program of assistance for the children. That is why the TAPS Children's Outreach Program is an essential component to our military survivor programs.

The TAPS Children's Outreach Program:

Currently, the TAPS Children's Outreach Program gives youngsters a solid foundation on which to build a healthy future following a tragic loss. The average American doesn't understand the immense sacrifices that military families make for America. Being a military family requires special people and dedication. When a parent in that family dies, the rest of that family deserves the very best care possible. These surviving youth learn coping skills and will learn the feelings they are experiencing are normal reactions to an abnormal event -- the untimely death of a parent.

Links:
Living with Grief, The Military Model for Children and Grief
By Bonnie Carroll and Major Judy Mathewson

Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors