A new kind of deployment is on the march in the North Country - one involving psychologists helping students and families whose lives have been jarred by war.

Since troops at Fort Drum in Jefferson County are among the most actively deployed in the country, it is little wonder teachers in that area contacted NYSUT with concerns about the impact of this war on their students.

In response, the statewide union started working with its affiliate, New York State Psychological Association, with a plan to set up free visits to psychologists in the area for students and families. Many students in this rural area have parents, friends, neighbors or relatives in the service.

Some have lost loved ones in the war in Iraq. In October, the secretary of defense paid a visit to Fort Drum because there have been so many deaths and injuries, said June Feder, director of NYSPA's Disaster Response Network.

"NYSUT members are dealing with the war in Iraq because when a parent is sent there for a tour of duty in the war zone, the stress at home is then felt in the classroom," said Mark Chaykin, NYSUT director of field operations. "Students recognize that their parent is in harm's way and it affects their classroom behavior."

For many older students, a parent's deployment means taking on additional responsibilities, he pointed out.

The association hopes the effort inspires others. President Ruth Ochroch, a psychologist who worked with Vietnam vets, said, "Our goal is to make this a national movement in each state that has a military base."

The NYSPA unit set up free psychological care for trauma victims after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, after last year's devastation from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and after the deadly summer flooding in the Southern Tier.

Its Fort Drum mission will begin with the training of about 10 psychologists from around the sprawling Army base located just northeast of Watertown.

Situated on more than 100,000 acres used for mobilization and training, Fort Drum is home to the 10th Mountain Division.

The disaster response team is working with the base's Operation Ready, a support program for families of active military personnel. The military is also providing financial support for the upcoming training.

"When there's a mass event, it stretches their resources to such a degree that it raises concerns about whether they can give people who need help what they need," Feder said.

Among the major casualties involving Fort Drum troops, a May helicopter crash in Afghanistan killed 10 soldiers.

The psychologists who will be trained already have response expertise in post-traumatic stress disorder and crises, Feder said, "but we will train them to learn more about military families and military lifestyle."

The two-day training in February will include testimony from injured soldiers and families who have lost someone.

"This is a great collaboration among NYSUT's health care professionals," said Kathleen Donahue, vice president of the statewide union.

Feder said NYSPA is now recruiting psychologists for the training, which will also include the development of manuals. For details, contact Feder at jfeder@uft.org.

- Liza Frenette