Friday, January 13, 2012

From El Brown - Nominee for Army Spouse of the Year 2012

Dear Fellow Military Spouses,

I am excited to announce that I am a top 5 finalist for Military Spouse Magazine’s Army Spouse of the Year. It is an honor to be recognized for my work in the military community and with military spouses and families. In addition to being a personal honor, this opportunity would provide a national platform to further the work that KinderJam is doing with military families with young children. KinderJam seeks to empower parents with the tools and resources needed to become their children’s first educator and greatest advocate. This skill set is especially important for military parents as we move frequently from duty station to duty station, with our children. These frequent moves require changes in pediatricians, teachers, counselors, therapists, and other service providers. Military parents would benefit greatly from additional training and access to training in the art of working with their young children at home and confidently articulating their children’s needs and progress while effective advocating for their children’s educationally and developmentally needs. A child’s time to learn is precious and should be maximized.

I have first hand experience on the importance of knowing a child’s needs and advocating effectively to ensure he has every opportunity for success. My precious son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I had to be skilled in keeping personal records and speaking confidently on my observations in order to quickly get my son the assistance he needed to maximize his personal potential. To God be the glory, he is flourishing!

Because I have been so open about my son’s diagnosis and the work my husband and I do with him, I have had tens of military parents reach out to me with concerns of their own about their children’s development. The concerns have ranged from ASD to separation anxieties. All the parents shared one common bond; they wanted to know how to best assist their child. I know with the utmost certainty based on the number of military parents who have reached out to me personally that there is a definite need for additional parent education in our community. The national platform of Military Spouse of the Year would further my reach as I continue to advocate for Early Childhood Education and Parent Education.

On Tuesday, voting will begin for the Army Spouse of the Year. If I receive the most votes from the public. I will move on the compete for Military Spouse of the Year. Anyone can vote and I need as many votes as possible. I will forward the link to vote, once it becomes available. I am asking for each of you to please pass on that link to your friends, family, and social network contacts.

I have found my passion and purpose in life. I will continue to advocate for Early Childhood Education, Early Intervention, and Parent Education in the Military community, with or without a title. However, I recognize the potential of good that could be done for families outside of my immediate reach with the title of Military Spouse of the Year. Please help me by campaigning for votes for El Brown starting Tuesday, January 17th.

2012 Military Spouse of the Year

Please note I will provide the link for voting once Mrs. Brown sends it to me. Good luck El!


I now have the link for voting!


Dear Friends and Family!!!

I am in the running for 2012 Military Spouse of the Year. Anyone can vote, military affiliation is not required. Your vote and the votes of the people in your networks would help me tremendously in this rewarding personal and professional endeavor.

Please, visit my profile at http://msoy.milspouse.com/ViewProfile.aspx?id=371 , click "Vote", and register as a user. After you have created an account, you can visit my profile and vote once every 60 minutes.

Thank you in advance for your support. Your help will allow me to expand my efforts in advocating Early Childhood Education, Early Intervention, and Parent Education in the military community.

My Campaign Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bypp-LMV2ss

With Gratitude,

El Brown, M.S.Ed., Chief Founding Mom
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phone | vm: 831.383.9818
email: elbrown@kinderjam.com
www.kinderjam.com

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