School Liaison Officer (SLO)
Clainetta T. Jefferson

School Liaison Officer 

The School Liaison Officer (SLO) serves as the link between the base commander, military families, and local school districts.  The role of the SLO is defined by core seven core services:  1) Installation, Community, and School Communications, 2) Transition Services, 3) Special Needs Navigation, 4)  Homeschool Linkage, 5) Postsecondary Support, 6) Deployment Support, and 7) Partnerships in Education (volunteer coordination).    Educational services are offered to military families with school-age children by providing information and referral assistance in matters pertaining to student education in grades K - 12 whether in public schools, private schools, or homeschooled.   The Kings Bay Education Handbook, designed for newly-arriving families, is available on the SLO page of the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation  (MWR) website at www.navymwrkingsbay.com.  As the representative of the United States Navy Child and Youth Education Services (CYES), the SLO works with school districts located within a one-hour driving radius of the installation including Nassau County (Florida) and four other Georgia counties (Glynn, Charlton, Ware, and Brantley).   Education-related questions should be directed the School Liaison Officer by calling (912) 573-8986 or by Email Kings Bay slo

Connections Club

The Kings Bay Youth Sponsorship Program is available to elementary, middle school and high school students relocating to the Kings Bay area. Sponsorship allows military youth and teens a chance to 'meet' other military youth who are nearly the same age, possibly attend the same school, or share like interest.  Trained and  enthusiastic Connections Club Ambassadors work to welcome youth and teens to local schools and to make them feel "at home" long before they arrive.  By hosting "Welcome Aboard" activities, offering school tours, and providing information about local activities, the Connections Club Ambassadors connects military youth with others who understand the feelings and anxieties that often accompany military moves.   Ask about the Connections Clubs at YOUR child's school!  Moving can be hard. We CAN help! For more information about the Connections Club, contact the School Liaison Officer byEmail Kings Bay slo or calling (912) 573-8986.

Military and Family Life Counselor (MFLC)
Professional counselors known as Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLCs, pronounced "em-flecks") are Masters or Doctorate-level licensed counselors specializing in child and youth issues.  Offered at no cost to military families, these counselors offer short-term, non-medical, solution focused counseling support to all active duty families.  Services are private and confidential with the exception of 'duty-to-warn" situations in which hurt, harm, or violence is a potential.  No record of these encounters are ever reported to leadership at the school or the command.  In fact, MFLCs don't even take notes!  These counselors support military families by giving parents and students the tools they need to face school adjustments, deployment, separation, reunion, sibling and parent communication, fear, grief, loss, and so much more.  These counselors only "meet" with military children in casual and informal encounters in and around school.  Military students are invited to participate in "lunch bunches", take part in fun skill-building activities, and build relationships with other military students who can uniquely support them through the challenges of the military lifestyle.  There will be a consent form sent home with each military child to grant permission for the MFLC to work with your child.  Military parents are encouraged to send the consent form back to the MFLC because you never know when having another caring adult in your child's life could make all the difference!  There are MFLCs serving every school in Camden County.  Ask for the MFLC nearest you!

School-Age Care and Teen Programs

As part of the U.S. Navy's Child and Youth Programs, the School-age Care (SAC) program, offers a nationally accredited before- and after-school program for children in grades K - 5th grade.  The program is built on the curriculum from the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.  The Youth Center, where School-age Care is provided, is open from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm each day, excluding national holidays.  Transportation is limited to three elementary schools -- Sugarmill Elementary, Mary Lee Clark Elementary, and Matilda Harris Elementary. Additionally, transportation is now being offered to teens enrolled at St. Marys Middle School and Camden County High School on a space available basis.  While, there is no cost for the Teen Program (ages 13 - 18), the School-age Care program operates on a sliding scale based on a family's total gross income (LES and other proofs of income are required).  Drop-in care is available for a cost of $4/hour and is offered when space is available.  Families interested in accessing drop-in or full-time care must register for care in advance.  Both the SAC and Teen programs offer high-yield learning activities, curriculum based on students' current interest, fitness and health opportunities, character development, and fine arts programs to encourage creativity.  To learn more about these Child and Youth Programs, call (912) 573-2380 or visit the Kings Bay Teen Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mwrkingsbayteens.