1. Communicating with Families

2. Objectives of Communicating with Families Review FRG mission and activities Provide guidance on FRG mission essential activities involving communication: FRG meeting FRG newsletters FRG phone tree FRG e-mail FRG social media Discuss key issues

3. FRG Mission FRGs increase Family Readiness by: Providing official, accurate command information Offering mutual support Advocating use of available community resources Reducing stress by helping families become: more knowledgeable self reliant

4. FRG’s Communication Activities FRG leader and unit commander determine what activities FRG will provide and level of effort Type of activities will depend on: FRG Informal Funds Budget Unit Soldier and family needs Command interest and emphasis Number of FRG volunteers Geographical dispersion of family members Unit’s deployment and training schedule

5. Purpose of FRG Meetings Share important information Provide education on important topics or issues Identify family needs Foster connections and build camaraderie

6. Guidance on FRG Meetings Agenda Location, Date and Time Address issues of concern Schedule guest speakers to provide educational briefings and/or ask commander to speak Include social activity Steady State vs. Deployment

7. Purpose of FRG Newsletters Relay information from command Publicize FRG events Address issues of concern Highlight military and community resources Build camaraderie

8. Guidance on FRG Newsletters Unit/BN Commander determines frequency and approves newsletters Follow Newsletter SOP Steps to Producing Design Content Official/Unofficial Proofread and edit Authorized resources to publish Distribution

9. Purpose of Communication Tree Provide timely official information from command Disseminate information about FRG/Unit events Resource for families to help work issues Stay apprised of family issues and concerns Plan social functions

10. Guidance on Communication Tree An accurate unit family roster is essential to setting up and maintaining FRG phone tree A group of trained FRG volunteers serving as key callers is needed to perform this activity Timeliness and accuracy of information are critically important Monitoring issues key callers face ensures key callers are supported and families dealt with appropriately

11. Purpose of FRG E-Mail Relay information from command Publicize FRG events Disseminate FRG newsletter Serves as an alternative method of instant communication with Soldiers’ “family” members

12. Guidance on FRG E-Mail E-mail addresses required Need established procedures Timeliness and accuracy important Unit commander or RDC approves e-mails containing Unit information FRG leader approves e-mails about FRG meetings and social events

13. Social Media Purpose of use Easy connection to geographically dispersed families Provide basic and generic information Show pride and support of the unit Guidance for use Remember OPSEC Follow the Department of the Army Social media standards

14. Key Issues FRG volunteers will be challenged to support a diverse FRG and families by: Using a variety of communication methods Offering support in different ways Rumor Control Providing accurate information in timely manner to families is critical to minimizing rumors Official information comes from military leadership FRG informs RDC of families’ questions and issues RDC provides the FRG with the information to disseminate to families and/or will speak to families directly

15. Key Issues (Continued) Assisting families in crisis when they feel unable to cope with an issue A step-by-step process for assisting a family in crisis: Listen carefully and let the person speak Speak calmly and try to identify major issue of concern Refer the family to appropriate agency for assistance Record family contact Follow-up to ensure family received necessary assistance

16. Dealing with Stress Remember “self care” Maintain health and well-being Manage demands on you Take action “when stressed out” Find effective ways to relax

17. Things to Remember About FRG’s Role FRG serves as an extension of the unit FRG needs to maintain communication with families throughout deployment cycle By doing so, FRG can assist families with each phase and in transitioning from one phase to another FRG is responsible for providing referrals and educational information that help families solve their problems FRG is NOT responsible for solving families’ problems!

18. Questions?