1. JOINING COMMUNITY FORCES
Maintaining an All Volunteer Force
Lt Col Susanne Hiscock, NGB-J1-FP
25 February 2014

2. What is Joining Community Forces (JCF)?
A communication initiative that focuses on grassroots solutions in support of Veterans, Military members, and Families
Expands on First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady, Dr. Jill Biden’s national-level “Joining Forces” campaign
Implemented at the Community Level
Volunteers in Service to America (VISTAs) available to assist in the identification of resources or resource providers
GOALS
Strengthen state Inter-Service Family Assistance Committees (ISFACs)
Foster a sustainable network of local support
Facilitate governmental/non-governmental, non-profit, corporate partners and local citizen collaboration
Fill service and information gaps

3. History & Background
2010: Presidential Study Directive 9 highlights challenges faced by veterans, Military members, and their families
2011: Presidential Report titled “Strengthening Our Military Families” is released, identifying community-level support as an evidence-based solution
CJCS-IPT for Family/Community Strategic Communication is created, assigning NGB to take the lead on community-level engagement
Joining Community Forces created/launched to educate, leverage, and promote existing local best practices to build community capacity
PSD-9 called for the creation of an integrated, sustainable governmental outreach system for coordinating non-profit, commercial, and public efforts the effects of which would motivate shared responsibility, inspire activism, and improve the quality of military family support services collaboration.
The Presidential Report outlines the success of community-level support networks in supplying military families the support needed to maintain resilience and mission readiness
The IPT put NGB at the helm of the communications piece given its operational structure in all states/territories as well as its relationships with collective resources through the DoD, VA, DoL, etc.
Joining Community Forces (JCF) is a communications initiative that expands on First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Biden’s national-level “Joining Forces” campaign by focusing attention on community-level action in support of Service members, military Families and Veterans.
An information conduit and marketing vehicle, fueled by a robust strategic partnership network of national-level organizations working to facilitate community-level collaboration. (segue into next slide)

4. Substance Abuse Treatment
Optimizing the Aggregate Impact of Military/Family/Veteran Support Services at Community Level
The goal of JCF is to create and maintain a service provider network within each focus area.
A service provider, whether governmental or non-governmental, will be able to enter the network in each of the areas in which they provide services.
JCF’s “No Wrong Door” model allows a veteran, Military member, or family member to enter the JCF network at any time, from any location, and through any point.
WHAT
Behavioral Health
Tricare
Substance Abuse Treatment
Community Behavioral Health
NGO Provider VA
Education
Employment
Across Mission Communities
Within Mission Communities
Financial/ Legal
Homelessness
Family
Optimize Network Providers through Cross-Referrals:
“No Wrong Door”

5. Execution/Service Delivery
Support Services
Policy/Leadership
Force Multiplier
Execution/Service Delivery
JCF Collaboration Workgroup
Joining Forces
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)
Federal Veterans Affairs
National Public, Private, and Non-Profits
Inter-Service Family Assistance Committee (ISFAC)
State Intergovernmental Committees
CNCS State Offices
State Veterans Affairs
State Public, Private, and Non-Profits
Community Blueprint
Community Action Teams
VA Centers
Local Non-Profits
Community Leaders
Volunteers
No Wrong Door
FEDERAL
STATE
LOCAL

6. JCF Statistics – Where We Are
13 States have started a JCF initiative more than 1 year ago
26 States have started a JCF initiative within the last year
14 States have an ISFAC only
26 States have or are in the process of obtaining VISTAs
13 States would like NGB to assist with finding a 3rd Party sponsor for VISTAs
*Statistics extracted from JCF Engagement Strategy Survey of all State Family Program Directors.

7. JCF Successes
South Carolina
In 2011 the unemployment rate was over 16% and in two years through cooperate networking pushed it down to 3.8% this year
Alaska
Developed a comprehensive list of all community partners by each program manager under the five alliances (Finance, Behavioral Health, Legal, Faith and Child/Youth). The goal is to establish a community support service baseline
Arkansas
The Governor of Arkansas has a State program called Arkansas for Veterans (ARVETS). ARVETS is a non-profit which the Adjutant General sits as a board member
North Dakota
“ND Cares” has hired 5 Veterans in their outreach efforts to have a 1 on 1 conversation with the 65K state based veterans to connect them to their entitlements. In 3 years these individuals have recorded nearly 20K successful cases
Arkansas
Develop Veterans Pre-Screening workshop to help Veterans organize their disability compensation paper work for submission to the State Veterans Services Officer.
Develop Spouse forum into a information sharing in supporting sponsor with potential “Resources to Needs”. Potential spouse and other elements of child and youth.
Develop workshop forum on Professional Development delivering Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) with community partners.

8. What is JCF Doing Now? JCF Social Media
Identifying state-level JCF events for engagement with the White House
The White House has committed to assisting NGB in our JCF strategic communication
Planning CNGB hosted NGB-wide JCF/Volunteer Conference July 2014
Member of multiple Joint Collaboration Groups
Working with the American Legion Auxiliary to become sponsor of JCF Volunteer In Service To America (VISTA) at state-level.
Developing an MOU with Dept of Agriculture’s Division of Youth and 4H and their Division of Family and Consumer Sciences
Access to local extension office training opportunities/research institutes
Access to 4H outreach resources
Holding monthly teleconferences with State Family Program Director
Best practice and community capacity building initiative sharing
JCF Social Media
Facebook / Website / Mobile Site

9. Contacts
Mr. Anthony Wickham, Director, Family Programs Lt Col Susanne Hiscock, Family Readiness Chief Ms. Darla Siegel, Outreach Program Manager

10. Joining Community Forces Blue Print Model for State/Community
JCF Network
Leadership/Pacesetters
Support Networks
Policy/Leadership
State Coalition – Inter-Service Family Assistance Committee (ISFAC)
Governor
JCF Stakeholders
CNCS
Volunteer Force
VISTA’s
AmeriCorps
VetCorps
National Guard
Volunteers
Council of
Governments
Foundations
Community
Blue Print
Services GAPS
Federal
& State
State
& Local
Coalition Partners
Governor Civic Outreach
Force Multiplier
Examples of JCF Stakeholders
State Board of Education
Association of Regional School Superintendents
Community College Board
Professional Psychology College Networks
Health & Disability Advocates
Joining Forces
Veterans Affairs (Federal and State)
Public, Private and Not for Profit Organizations
Veteran Service Organizations
Red Cross
Community
Government
State Government
Leaders
Governor’s
Veterans JTF
State
Legislature
No Wrong Door
Execution
JCF Service Delivery
Goal: “To mobilize more communities to meet the needs, address the challenges, and tap the potential of military families now, when our nation is at war, and throughout their lives.”
Four priority focus areas
Education
Military children, spouses and veterans (includes jobs)
Employment
Connecting veterans, military and spouses to 21st century career opportunities
Wellness
Health, wellness of military families & supporting at-risk veterans families
Public Engagement
Raising awareness and building enduring public will
Year-long campaign with aggressive time-line of events
FLOTUS and Dr. Biden will officially launch a Spring Campaign at National Event
Launch with WH event followed by 2-day campaign to 4-6 communities (2 Major – 2 Rural – 1 Veteran area – 1 military installation
Installation events will emphasize public-private partnerships & community involvement
Local leaders should be attendees (community leaders, mayors, non-profit heads, etc)
Each area features specific deliverables
Broken down into governmental & non-governmental
Both specified and implied tasks for DoD, NGB, National Non-profit leads (CNCS, POL and CCBP)
Local
Community
Community
Community and State Teams
City Leaders
County Leaders
Township Leaders
Support Services for Veterans, Military and Family Members: Employment, Education and Wellness