GFAFB schools to host national group Published Nov. 9, 2007 By 071110 GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The Grand Forks Air Force Base and Grand Forks school district has invited Mr. Keith Martin, Institute Program Manager for The Military Child Education Coalition, to speak at 4 p.m. in the Alerus Center Nov. 14. Education professionals, school board members and state and local officials from the Grand Cities and other local areas have been invited to attend. Mr. Martin will discuss the issues confronting military children and the latest research, analysis and techniques for helping military children develop strength and resilience in the face of stress, separation and anxiety in a climate of continuing and often multiple deployments. MCEC is a national non-profit organization formed in 1998 to develop programs and support systems to assist military children faced with issues of transition and mobility. Since the events of 9/11, MCEC's offerings have expanded to include programs designed to raise awareness, sensitivity and support among educators and community leaders to the needs of military children facing stress and anxiety because of the deployments of a parent(s). These programs are specific professional development curricula, accredited and certified for Graduate credit and Continuing Education Units. In January of 2006, MCEC, with strong support from the North Dakota National Guard and the State Department of Education conducted a two day training conference called 'Supporting Children of the National Guard and Reserve Institute' in Bismarck. This training was attended by 88 school administrators, guidance counselors, and school nurses from across the state. Since its inception, this Institute has been trained 44 times in 27 states and attended by nearly 1,800 education professionals, social service professionals and volunteers. In addition to Mr. Martin, Brig. Gen. Alan S. Dohrmann, Deputy Adjutant General and Land Component Commander; Maj. Grant Wilz, State Family Program Director and 1st Sergeant Richard Marschner, State Youth Coordinator, will be in attendance. All three are members of the North Dakota National Guard. Also confirmed to attend is Dr. Mark Sanford, representing North Dakota's Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Wayne Sanstead. For more information about MCEC, visit www.militarychild.org. For more information on the upcoming visit, call Mr. C.T. Marhula, Grand Forks AFB's community liaison officer, at 747-3543. Please direct any media queries to the base public affairs office at 747-5608 or e-mail pa@grandforks.af.mil.