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Army Community Services Serving Our Military in Hard Times
Kimberly Bottema Army Community Services Information, Referral and Follow-up Manager
Objectives
Educate Information & Referral specialists on services available to Military Personnel and their Families Discuss client eligibility/non-eligibility Detailed information on the Army Community Service Programs
Army Community Services - Mission
Assist commanders in maintaining readiness of individuals, Families, and communities within America’s Army by developing, coordinating, and delivering services which promote self-reliance, resiliency, and stability during war and peace.
Client Eligibility
(Army Regulation 608-1)
All Active Duty and Retired military personnel and their family members Members of U.S. Army National Guard and Reserve when on active duty and their family members Appropriate fund and non appropriated fund employees and their family members (Dept of Defense Civilian Employees) Surviving Family members of military personnel who died while on active duty Family members of prisoners of war or personnel missing in action (POW/MIA)
Not Eligible
Veterans and their Families This is a Soldier that was in the military for a short amount of time but didn’t complete 20 years of Service Disabled Veterans and their Families National Guard and Reserve Soldiers (Title 32) Retired National Guard and Reserve Soldiers if they’re not age 60 and have a Retired ID card.
ACS Programs
Army Family Team Building Army Family Action Plan Army Volunteer Corps Employment Readiness Program Exceptional Family Member Program Family Advocacy Program Financial Readiness Program Mobilization & Deployment Information and Referral & Outreach Relocation Readiness Survivor Outreach Service Soldier and Family Assistance Center
Army Family Team Building
AFTB Levels I, II, and III Instructor Training Master Trainer Course Drill Sgt Spouse Seminar FREE online training available at: www.myarmyonesource.com
Anyone can take them but you must register with the site – select N/A for military affiliation and you will get in.
Army Family Action Plan
Annual issue resolution process addressing military quality of life Issues from installation conferences are forwarded for higher level resolution Has resulted in: SGLI increase to $400,000; transfer of Montgomery GI Bill to dependents; paternity leave for military fathers; and hundreds of other legislative changes
Army Volunteer Corps
Recruitment, training and placement of volunteers Recognition of volunteers Liaison between Command Group and installation volunteers
Employment Readiness
Career Counseling & Job Search Assistance Workshops/Seminars resume writing -starting and running a small business -interviewing techniques -work-from-home opportunities -career exploration -computer classes Information on Federal & Private Sector Employment Information on Educational & Volunteer Opportunities Internet Access, Job Bank & Resource Library Semi-Annual Job Fairs Client assigned an individual career development coach
Exceptional Family Member Program
EFMP Services
Information & Referral to installation and local community services Assistance with special accommodations with housing Support Group/Recreational and cultural activities Childcare placement (Special Needs Accommodation Process) Respite Care Relocation Assistance Training Advocacy Networking (Facebook, twitter, email distribution, newsletters)
Family Advocacy
Prevention Education Prevention of Spouse & Child Abuse classes; Stress & Anger Management Classes; Fatherhood Program New/Sole Parent Support Home Visitation Services, Baby Care workshops, Parenting Classes, & free baby bundles to new parents Victim Advocacy Program Empowering victims of Domestic Violence to make quality of life decisions.
Fatherhood Initiative Promotes, supports and recognizes responsible fatherhood through community events and recognition ceremonies .
Financial Readiness
Financial Counseling
Free & confidential counseling on personal finances and assistance with debt liquidation
Seminars on Financial & Consumer Subjects
Money management, financial planning, credit, retirement planning, TSP, insurance, consumer rights & responsibilities, car buying, home buying, etc
Consumer Advocacy/Assistance with Complaint Resolution
Emergency Financial Assistance
Army Emergency Relief (AER) Emergency Food Checks
Army Emergency Relief (AER)
Private Non Profit Corporation incorporated in 1942 by the Secretary of War & the Army Chief of Staff.
Receives contributions from active and retired Soldiers (14.2%), repayment of AER interest-free loans (65.1%), investment income (20.3%), and unsolicited contributions (0.4%).
Primary mission is to provide
emergency financial assistance
to Soldiers (active and retired) and their Families.
In
2011
AER provided
$77.5 MILLION
to more than
64,000
Soldiers and their Families.
AER assists 10.5% of Active Force each year with 92% of assistance going to SSG and below
Who does AER help?
Active and Retired Soldiers and their dependents U. S. Army National Guard and Reserve Soldiers on continuous active duty for more than 30 days (Title 10) and their dependents Surviving spouses and orphans of Soldiers who died while on active duty or after they retired
Authorized Categories (Army Reg 930-4)
Emergency Needs
Food Utilities Rent/Mortgage POV repairs Emergency Transportation Funeral Expenses Medical/Dental expenses Personal needs when pay is delayed or stolen Child Care Undergraduate-level education Scholarships for children & spouses of Soldiers (active & retired)
Where to go for help?
1.
Army Community Services 2.
Unit Commander/1SG 3.
Local AER section 4.
If no AER section nearby then through: - American Red Cross (877-272-7337) - Air Force Aid Society - Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society - Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
Information & Referral Outreach
Information & Referral Assistance
Key source of integrated information that brings Soldiers and services together every day with ease, compassion, and quality to meet vital needs of all Soldiers, DA Civilians, retirees and their families.
Outreach
Program designed to develop a stronger sense of self-reliance and belonging in the military community, focusing on education/prevention, direct services, and organizing support networks to encourage self help and cultivate a sense of ownership within the military community.
Facebook: facebook.com/FTJACKSON.ACS.OUTREACH
Twitter: FtJacksonACS
Mobilization and Deployment
Pre & Post Deployment Briefings - Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) - Information & Referral Assistance Classes/Training Offered: - Family Readiness Group (FRG) - Rear Detachment (RD) - Welcome Home/Reunion Family Assistance Center (FAC) Repatriated Family Assistance
Relocation Readiness
Relocation Assistance Counseling Electronic Welcome Packets/Children Games/Maps, etc.
Sponsorship Training English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes/Resources Foreign Born Spouse Support Group Citizenship and Immigration Services In/Out Processing of Soldiers Newcomer’s Orientation Lending Closet Phase II Levy/Stateside Briefings Hearts Apart Support Group
Soldier Family Assistance Center
Services provided to Warriors in Transition
Human Resource Services / Training Educational Services / Workshops Information / Social Service Referrals Social Security Disability Application Legal Assistance / Pastoral Care (Call Forward) ACAP Services
Survivor Outreach Services
Serve as advocate for Survivors of Active Duty Fallen Soldiers.
Information and Referral service, linking Family members to on and off-post programs and organizations.
Assistance with financial planning, advice, money management, education and advocacy.
Committed to the Families of Our Fallen Warriors
Sister Services
ARMY – Army Community Services NAVY – Navy Fleet and Family Services AIR FORCE – Airmen and Family Readiness Center MARINES – Marine and Family Programs COAST GUARD – Office of Work-Life Programs
Military One Source
800-342-9647 Everyday Issues Relationships Relocation Financial Matters Family Support Education and Schooling
Military One Source
www.militaryonesource.com
Deployment Health and Wellness
Army One Source
www.myarmyonesource.com
Words of Wisdom
“ No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care” - Theodore Roosevelt
Additional Resources
American Red Cross – www.redcross.org
- 877-272-7337 Armed Forces Foundation www.armedforcesfoundation.org
Army Emergency Relief – – 202-547-4713 www.aerhq.org
– 866-878-6378 Army One Source – Hire Heroes USA – www.myarmyonesource.com
www.Hireheroesusa.org
– 866-915-4376 Military One Source – www.militaryonesource.com
Operation Homefront – – 800-342-9647 www.operationhomefront.net
United Way www.unitedway.org
211 www.211.org
Unmet Needs – 866-892-9211 www.vfw.org/NMS - 866-789-6333 USA Cares – www.usacares.org
Veterans Affairs – www.va.gov
– 800-773-0387 – 800-273-8255, press 1
QUESTIONS / COMMENTS / CONCERNS? Army Community Services Fort Jackson, South Carolina Kimberly Bottema 803-751-5256