1. 1 of 12 Soldier Family Action Plan Family Programs

2. 2 of 12 Background: Department of Defense Instruction 1342.22 (Family Centers) requires triennial assessment of family centers Accreditation is an external, objective review that provides an analysis of strengths, weaknesses and a framework for improvement. FMWRC developed accreditation standards, with field input, in FY 98 and piloted in FY 99 Process: FMWRC: Develops accreditation policy and procedures Conducts training to increase inter-rater reliability Resolves systemic issues IMCOM Regions: Schedule and conduct site visits Installations: Conduct self-study Participate in site visit briefings and interviews Conduct 1/3 of accreditation visits annually Accredit centers for three-year period Benefits: Provides objective assessment of program compliance Ensures consistency across the Army Meets Department of Defense Instruction 1342.22 (Family Centers) requirement for triennial assessment of family centers Accreditation

3. 3 of 12 Resources for Building Soldier and Family Readiness  ACS/Family Programs resources and training program designed to prepare Soldiers and Families for the personal and Family demands of the deployment cycle.  Currently being revised to include Global War on Terrorism lessons learned and requirements.  Incorporated into the Army’s Deployment Contingency Support (DCS) plan as required training modules.  Separate resources developed for -  Soldiers and Families  Unit Leadership  ACS/Family Programs Staff FRG Leader Handbook Rear Detachment Commander Trauma in the Unit Families Readiness Support Assistants Children and Deployment Family Assistance Center (in development) Reunion and Reintegration (in development) Soldier and Family Deployment Survival Guide COMING – New OP READY! Operation READY (OP READY)

4. 4 of 12 Mission: – Augments Existing Services – Enhances community Family support services by offering licensed clinical social workers and psychologists to address various issues that Soldiers and Families face before and after deployment – MFLCs will surge to locations based on pre-deployment and redeployment schedules – MFLCs can also provide financial counseling Assist in reducing stress through informal support (e.g., workshops, classes, focus groups, and liaison with local community) Work directly with Army Community Service and Reserve Component State and Regional Readiness Staff to provide reunion and reintegration support http://www.MyArmyLifeToo.com Military Family Life Consultants (MFLC) (MDEP QVFRA)

5. 5 of 12 Victim Advocates – central contract provides victim advocates for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault victims Sexual Assault – central contract provides Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and training New Parent Support Program – Support services that meet the DoD qualifying criteria of 300 live births; provides play groups, home visitors Fatality Review Board – conduct post review of all child and spouse abuse fatalities as part of program improvement Transitional Compensation – provides monetary compensation and benefits for dependents of military personnel on active duty who are separated or sentenced to total forfeiture of pay and allowances for a dependent-abuse offense Army Family Advocacy Program

6. 6 of 12 Radio Interviews & Blogs – Identify an appropriate Army senior leader and spouse to conduct two radio interviews discussing AFAP and family programs and initiatives. The first interview will air on a New York based local American Legion Radio program (WVOX, 1460 AM), and the second on an online VFW radio show called “The National Defense” – Identify an appropriate Army senior leader spouse to participate in an online chat with Spouse Buzz – a popular online forum for the discussion of military spouse and family issues Messaging Opportunities – Use relevant Army events and platforms in August to push messages praising General Wickham and the AFAP 25th anniversary. Targets include: AUSA Symposium – October 6-8, 2008/Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC Army Family Action Plan Meeting in January 2009 – Highlight 25th Anniversary during national conference in Alexandria, VA Celebration of AFAP 25th Anniversary

7. 7 of 12 Survivor Outreach Services Concept Execute a phased strategy to centralize casualty operations and decentralize sustained support as a multi-agency, integrated approach (IAW NDAA). Delineate roles and responsibilities with adequate resources improved responsiveness, decreased benefit related queries, and streamlined assistance process. Improve personal preparation via standardized training and enable CNO/CAO to tailor support to surviving Families. Use Army Integrated Family Support Network (AIFSN) to integrate accessible services across all components, closest to where Families reside, and with the available network of providers. Use on-site support coordinators and benefit specialists to be locally available to survivors. Include a centralized quality assurance process to ensure efficiencies and effectiveness.

8. 8 of 12 Counseling Services Within the Army Definitions Counseling: Beneficial activity conducted by a trained person that focuses on personal, family, situational or occupational problems in order to bring about positive resolution, improve individual or family functioning  Life Skills Education: activities which facilitate the realization of self potential  Supportive Counseling: psycho-social and interpersonal education; guidance and support  Treatment/Therapy: long term intervention with a clinical provider aimed at remediation. Goal: Create common language to demystify and integrate various counseling activities

9. 9 of 12 Army Spectrum of Counseling Life Skill Education Treatment Supportive Counseling Army Community Service Army Family Team Building Military OneSource Chaplains Behavioral Health Psychiatry Social Work Psychology Psychiatric Nursing Military Treatment Facility for Family Advocacy Clinical Army Substance Abuse Program TRICARE Chaplains Army Center for Substance Abuse Program -Prevention and Education Deployment Cycle Support Care Managers Marriage and Family Therapists OPREADY (Resources for Educating About Deployment and You) Financial Readiness Unit and Rear Detachment Commander Training Virtual Family Readiness Groups Family Readiness Groups Waiting Families Youth Leadership Forums Operation: Military Kids/Operation: Proud Partners/ Operation: Child Care Youth Workforce Preparation: 4-H Citizenship, Teen Supreme-Job Ready, Career Launch, and Promise Passport School Transition/ Youth Education and Sponsorship Support Spouse Employment Sports, Fitness and Recreational Activities Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers Volunteer Coordination Relocation Readiness Army Teen Panel Parent Support and Education Exceptional Family Member Program Libraries Character Counts! Triple Play Military Family Life Consultants Victim Advocacy ACS V eteran Affairs Chapel Religious Education Strong Bonds Suicide Prevention Training Housing Army Education Center ACAP Mar 08 New Parent Support Home Visitation New Parent Support Home Visitation Army Family Action Plan Family Life Chaplains Chapel Youth Groups Adolescent Substance Abuse Counselors

10. 10 of 12  FRSAs are a value added resource for Army units  FRSAs provide administrative and logistical support to commanders, RDCs and FRG leaders  Staffing: Authorized in active Army down to battalion level (721) ARNG: FRSAs Assigned Joint Forces Headquarters; generally one at Battalion/Brigade Headquarters (181) USAR: Functional and Operational Commands; one per 1500-2000 Soldiers (127) 844/1029 Positions Filled  Army Command Meeting June 08 to develop oversight strategy  FRSA Execution Order currently being staffed Family Readiness Support Assistants (FRSAs)

11. 11 of 12 Soldier Family Action Plan Discussion