New Great Lakes CYP director takes helm

Jenee Barnett's career working with children began in Guam where the family lived for eight years.
    The California native, now Naval Station Great Lakes Child and Youth Program (CYP) director since last month, is responsible for the center's school age care and teen programs, youth sports, and has oversight of child development centers at Great Lakes and Glenview.
    "I started out in the youth program in Guam as a volunteer and then became a substitute teacher through the Department of Defense for four years," Barnett said.
    She subsequently served as sports coordinator for adult and youth programs.
    The Barnetts, including husband Lt. Cmdr. Kevin  — currently Navy Region Midwest's flag secretary — and the couple's two boys, Austin, a student at College of Lake County and Tyler, a sophomore in high school, have made nine moves in their Navy life.
    "Being in Guam was easy," Barnett said. "For Navy families the whole world is the base, everything is within walking distance."
    While there, Barnett received her master's degree in elementary education. She planned to teach at a DOD school, but started filling in as CYP director. "Then I became permanent when the person never returned," she said.
    Working with children is very satisfying, Barnett noted. "I like to help those who are in transitions that military life brings or transitions that just occur in life experiences. Other children usually make friends and are with them throughout school; military kids don't have that.
    "Being a military spouse for so long helps me know what the parents and kids are going through," she explained. "You find ways to help families with the many different aspects of military life."
    Barnett has praise for youth center programs. "It's a nice facility. It gives the children some place to go and take part in activities," she added, explaining that the center is partnered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4H.
    The school age care program is available to youngsters from 6 to 8:30 a.m. daily and approximately 2:30 to 6 p.m, as well as during certain school  breaks. "We work with whatever the school hours are," the director said.
    The youth/teen program operates daily from 3 to 7 p.m., the first and third Friday  of the month from 3 to 10 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
    During the summer the center provides a teen hire program.
    Barnett also noted that, "Spouses come in looking for jobs through the CYP and MWR. No matter where they go there are these facilities," she explained. "It can become a career for them from base to base. Sometimes you have to be willing to take an entry-level job and then you move up. CNIC (Commander Navy Installations Command) has helped people qualify to get into the youth program. CYP has a larger scope than people realize."
    Barnett explained that she and Cathy Austin, Navy Region Midwest Child and Youth Program director, work together. "She handles all oversight of the Child and Youth programs for Navy Region Midwest and I handle all the day-to-day operations for the Youth Center and installation oversight for Great Lakes Child and Youth programs."