Children and Youth Action Plan
What is this program, and why do we have it?
The Children & Youth program emphasizes protecting, caring for and supporting children and youth, particularly those of veterans and military families. Children & Youth and the 2014-2019 ALA Centennial Strategic Plan: By protecting, caring for, and supporting children and youth, particularly those of veterans and military families, ALA members fulfill our brand promise (Goal 5) of being community leaders and responsible American citizens while caring for military families. In doing so, we are building a future membership base (Goal 1) among our target demographic, military families.
What can you do to Support the Children and Youth in your Community?
Reward Positive Action
Youth Hero Award/Good Deed Awards: Recognize and reward the positive actions of our children and youth, the Auxiliary bestows two special national awards to youth nominated by local units. The Youth Hero Award recognizes someone under 18 years of age who performs a heroic act of physical bravery. The Good Deed Award is for youths under 18 years of age who have contributed in a special way to society through community service. /Awards/Youth-Hero-Good-Deed-Awards/ and ((pdf) /WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=1328
Building Future Leaders
Star Spangle Kids: An initiative to educate children and youth in the history of the United States from the aspect of patriotism, Americanism, and the U.S. Constitution. Auxiliary members can partner with the American Legion Family, team with their Education chairman, and bring veterans or active duty military into the classrooms to talk about what their service means to defend the Constitution.
1. Print mini Constitutions that can be handed out to the students you visit with. 2. Celebrate U.S. Constitution Day on September 17th.
3. Create a Unit Citizenship Award for Children and Youth 4. Promote student participation in the American Legion Oratorical Contest.
Children’s Emotional and Physical Needs
Heroes 2 (KDH2): Kids of Deployed are Heroes 2 (KDH2) is an initiative honoring Military children who may be experiencing a separation from one or both parents, whether deployed to a war zone, having a short tour or an extended temporary duty assignment. Recognition buttons or stickers with “I’m a Hero 2” can be distributed to these kids to recognize their sacrifices.
File for KDH2 with instructions /WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=2640 Parents/Grandparent button form /WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id-2613
1. Host an event and recognize military children. 2. Coordinate with Family Readiness Groups for button distribution during family days. 3. Wear purple on April 15 (Military Kids Day) in honor of Purple Up!
4. Provide and distribute American Legion pamphlets, coloring books, comic books
5. Teach “Military Child’s Table Setting Ceremony” 6. Collaborate with local schools and social services by providing books, food, and other supplies.
Recognize Military Kids at your local events
1. Invite active duty military from a local base or National Guard to your local events.
Child Welfare Foundation: Include the Child Welfare Foundation project and the amount of the unit’s donation in the End of the Year Narrative. Send your C.W.F. donation to the Child Welfare Foundation in the C.W.F. envelope provided by the C.W.F. Liaison.
Trophy and Awards:
Alice Norfleet Memorial Children and Youth Traveling Trophy
1. Report must be for the outstanding year’s activities with Children and Youth that
contains any/all activities including the child/children of any Veteran or Active/Non
Active Military Personal.
2. Report must be at least 650 words
3. Cover pages with the date, name, address, and unit number of the chairman,
department chairman, and department president.
4. Must include the ALA National Cover Sheet.
5. It must include one National Program Action Plan as announced by the National
Chairman. These include Star Spangled Kids, Recognize Kids of Active Military, Child
Welfare Foundation, and Youth Hero/Good Deeds Awards.
Award for Best and Most Complete Children and Youth Program 1. Include specific examples of how your unit worked the Children and Youth program including support military children and the Star Spangled Kids program by asking yourself: How did we promote educating children and youth about the Constitution? Did we promote the Youth Hero/Good Deed Award? What success stories do I have supporting military or homeless veterans’ children? Narrative not to exceed 1,000 words; May include pictures, news articles, news releases, etc.; Must include ALA National Cover Sheet; Department monetary award is given for first place, second place, and third place in the up to 50 membership group, 51-125 membership group, and over 126 membership group.
Youth Hero Award
The award is presented to a youth under 18 years of age who have performed heroic acts of physical valor. Complete the Youth Hero and Good Deed Award Nomination Form and mail to your department secretary. Membership in the American Legion Family is not required for the Youth Hero Award.
Good Deed Award
The award is presented to a youth under 18 years of age who have performed specific good deeds and are great examples of community service in action.
Complete the Youth Hero and Good Deed Award Nomination Form and mail to your department secretary. Membership in the American Legion Family is not required for the Good Deed Award.
All units are to submit a brief summary of their unit activities no later than December 15th. (Mid Year Report)
End-Year Narrative no later than April 30, 2018
For more information visit the Children and Youth page on the national website,
Thank you for all that you do for our veterans and family!
Department Children and Youth Chairman
Child Welfare Foundation Liaison:
Linda Johnson
4 Independence Dr.
Gillette, Wyoming 82716
307-660-1651