SFA Roles and Responsibilities Soldier & Family Assistance Branch Stacey Boosinger, SFA, Houston Recruiting BN

Overview What is an SFA? BDE vs. BN SFA SFA Programs Military & Community Partnerships

What is an SFA? Each Brigade & Battalion in USAREC has a Soldier & Family Assistance Program Manager (SFA) We are the equivalent to Army Community Services (ACS) staff and act as a mini ACS Coordinate/carry out ACS programs/quality of life programs Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator (BCAC) for TRICARE SFA ≠ FRSA (Family Readiness Support Assistant) Toll-free number for all SFAs: 800-790-0963, plus Brigade number then select Battalion Despite the Soldier having to in-process the SFA many of them are still unaware of what we do, which in turn means many spouses are unaware as well. (Share example of asking Soldiers what my acronym is and what the “S” stands for- favorite answer from a spouse-Superwoman).

BDE vs. BN SFA Duties Acts in a non-supervisory role to BN SFAs to provide training and resources Work through administrative red tape on access to programs and services identified by the BN SFAs Conduit of information between USAREC and BN SFAs and vice versa Program oversight for: budget, MFLC & PFC program, taskers, etc. Educate Command teams on the roles and responsibilities of SFAs

SFA Programs Certified Beneficiary Counseling Assistance Coordinator (BCAC) for TRICARE Liaison between the Soldier/Family Member & TRICARE Claims resolution Enrollment assistance Briefings for the Soldier/Family Member at in-processing and annually-usually ATC Access to various systems: DEERS, TIP, MyTricare Dental Program Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP) for remote Soldiers

SFA Programs Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Enrollment/disenrollment assistance Liaison with ACS EFMP staff EFMP Stabilization Respite Care Coordinate with USAREC EFMP Systems Navigators EFMP System Navigators are available to provide referrals and resources, as well as advocate for your family. 1st & 2nd Brigades and MRB contact Mrs. Laura Voyles: laura.k.voyles.ctr@mail.mil or 502-626-1080 3rd, 5th, & 6th Brigades contact Ms. Alexandra Billings: alexandra.r.billings.ctr@mail.mil or 502-626-2015

SFA Programs Relocation Assistance Financial Readiness My Installation via Military OneSource BN Newcomers Orientation In/out processing Sponsorship Spouse employment Financial Readiness Emergency Assistance- AER/Red Cross Referral to appropriate financial counselors Army Family Team Building (AFTB) Army Family Action Plan (AFAP)

SFA Programs Volunteer Program Family Advocacy Volunteer Management Information System (VMIS) Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator (AVCC) Recognition Training Family Advocacy Crisis Intervention Linking Commanders and 1SGs Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) AVCC-serves as the single point of contact for volunteerism, VMIS oversight/management-develop/input job descriptions, certify volunteer hours

SOCIAL MEDIA

SFA Programs Education Assistance Child Care Assistance Scholarship information/resources GI Bill assistance Tutor.com Child Care Assistance Army Fee Assistance Family Readiness Group (FRG)-Commander’s Program SFAs provide training & guidance Family Strong Resource Guide (There’s an APP for that!) Information & Referral… I have learned that my job is not so much making sure that everyone knows what the resources are but that they know who their SFA is.

Military & Community Partnerships National Guard / Reserves Joint Services & Support MFLC & PFC Army Community Services Military OneSource Unit Ministry Team Strong Bonds 211 United Way Operation HomeFront Veteran Organizations Spouse Employment & Scholarships Child Care Programs State Employment Services Army OneSource Community Support Coordinators

Military & Community Partnerships National Guard/Reserves: Joint Services Support Behavioral Health Employment Readiness Strong Bonds Reintegration Training Financial Assistance Chaplain support

Military & Community Partnerships Installation Community/Family Support Centers Army Community Services Airman & Family Readiness Centers Fleet & Family Services Relocation, spouse employment, EFMP, AFAP, Family Advocacy, Financial Readiness, AFTB, local events, School Liaison Officers

Military & Community Partnerships Coordinate with IMCOM & HQ USAREC Military &Family Life Consultant Short-term solution focused, non-medical counseling Personal Financial Counselor Debt reduction, security clearance issues, car/home buying, college planning, retirement planning Army Fee Assistance Child Care Program Created to assist Army Sponsors with the cost of off-post child care, allowing Families to pay fees comparable to those charged at an installation. Spouse needs to be working or in school full time Relocation, spouse employment, EFMP, AFAP, Family Advocacy, Financial Readiness, AFTB, local events

Military & Community Partnerships Unit Ministry Team Strong Bonds Events: Marriage Retreat-focuses on strengthening marital bonds and communication tools Family Wellness Retreat-focuses on effective communication and listening skills for both parents and children Single Soldier Retreat-focuses on the skills of building great relationships and personal development Alpha- 4 hours Strong Bonds Curriculum-can conduct as requested at company trainings Bravo- 8 hours Strong Bonds Curriculum (not typically conducted in USAREC due to geographical dispersement) Charlie- 12 hours Strong Bonds Curriculum performed over a weekend (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) at an offsite location

Military & Community Partnerships Military OneSource Confidential Department of Defense-funded program providing comprehensive information on every aspect of military life at no cost to active duty, National Guard, and reserve members, and their families Information includes, but is not limited to, deployment, reunion, relationships, grief, spouse employment and education, parenting and childhood services. It is a virtual extension to installation services Counseling services: short-term solution focused, non-medical counseling with a provider in your area

Military & Community Partnerships Army OneSource Community Support Coordinators Family Programs & Services: Health Care Soldier & Family Housing Child Youth & School Services Education & Careers Recreation, Travel & BOSS Communities & Marketplace FRG Volunteer Management AFTB (online) Etc. CSC-focus on making connections in the community in the areas of: Behavioral Health, Faith Bases, Legal, Financial arenas.

Military & Community Partnerships 211 United Way United Way has become synonymous with caring and helping children, families and individuals. They have a long tradition of helping people with basic needs – food, clothing, shelter and safety – and changing lives through strong, well-managed programs. United Way is also engaging the community to get to the heart of problems. As of February 2014 all 50 states are covered plus Washington DC & Puerto Rico There are specific pots of money for the Military Available to everyone

Military & Community Partnerships Spouse Employment Employment Partnership of the Armed Forces Military Spouse Employment Partnership Military Spouse Corporate Career Network SECO-Spouse Education & Career Opportunities Milicruit Hero to Hired USA Jobs Spouse Licensure Portability- USA4MilitaryFamilies State Employment Services Cover some child care costs Provide education or training Veterans employment assistance Military Spouse unemployment benefits

Military & Community Partnerships Spouse Scholarships: National Military Family Association-Joanne Holbrook Military Spouse Scholarship MyCAA Army Emergency Relief (AER) Fisher House Foundation Career One Stop Commissary Scholarship Program Saban Military Spouse Educational Scholarship Thanks USA Pat Tillman Foundation Military Officers Association of America Army Scholarship Foundation

Military & Community Partnerships Other: Legal Support Office (LSO) USO Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) Red Cross School Liaison Officer Real Warriors Operation HomeFront Texas Veterans Commission Boys & Girls Club Veteran Organizations Legal Support Office USO DCoE-improve the lives of our nation’s service members, families and veterans by advancing excellence in psychological health and traumatic brain injury prevention and care. (APPS: PTSD Coach Red Cross School Liaison Officer: identify barrier to academic success, promote parental involvement, educate local communities and schools regarding the needs of military children, develop partnerships in education, provide parents with tools to overcome obstacles to education that stem from the military lifestyle. Real Warriors: PTSD, TBI, Suicide Prevention Operation HomeFront: Financial, food assistance, repairs, Texas Veterans Commission- POC for GI Bill information Boys & Girls Club- offers a membership to those who don’t have access to a Military Youth Center Blue Star Families: group of military spouses to create a platform where military family members can join with civilian communities and leaders to address the challenges of military life.

Military & Community Partnerships QUESTIONS??