Passport Toward Success: Description and Evaluation of a Program Designed to Help Children and Families Reconnect After a Military Deployment

This paper evaluates Passport Toward Success (PTS). PTS rotates children whose military parent has recently returned from deployment through three interactive stations, where they practice skills related to coping with stress, problem-solving, and discussing feelings along with similar-age peers. Pre- and post-program measures were gathered at 10 PTS events; researchers observed and rated program fidelity at eight events. Results revealed that many children were experiencing difficulties associated with their parentÕs deployment and reunion, children who reported the most difficulties evaluated PTS programming most favorably, and problems occurred with fidelity of program implementation for the youngest children. Discussion centers on implications of these findings for ÔÔPhase 2ÕÕ of PTS and for understanding how communication skills can promote resiliency for coping with repeated military deployments.