1. MAJ Cheryl J. Harris-Paredes ARNG, YRRP OIC ARNG-HRS Kay Calton
SFC Rawle Munro
ARNG, YRRP NCOIC
ARNG-HRS
MAJ Cheryl J. Harris-Paredes
ARNG, YRRP OIC
ARNG-HRS
Kay Calton
SFPD, Missouri National Guard
NGMO-FWS-F

2. ARNG YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM History & Reported Attendance
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2008
established the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP)
assist National Guard and Reserve members as they transition between their military and civilian roles
providing deployment cycle information, resources, and programs
YRRP addresses the unique challenges facing the Guard and Reserve community
including geographic dispersion away from military support networks and fewer deployment resources than the Active Component
Yellow Ribbon Events/Attendees to Current
FY 10: 603/148, FY 11: 928/180,675 FY 12: 859/141,852
FY 13: 780/111, FY 14: 538/64, FY 15: 380/47,512
FY 16: 315/33,187
Note: #s includes SM/FM * Source (OSD Annual Report)

3. ARNG YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM DODI 1342.28 Requirements
National Guard and their families shall have access to programs, resources, referrals, and services during all phases of deployment (90 days or more; CONUS and OCONUS)
Events shall utilize local, State, and Federal organizations
To ensure the readiness/resiliency of Service/Family members…
Yellow Ribbon events are mandatory and should be conducted at an off-site location (i.e., hotel, convention center… at standard per-diem)
Service Members are in an IDT status
1 SM = 2 authorized Guests
Four Yellow Ribbon Events authorized for Overseas Cont. Ops (OCO) Funding:
Pre-Mob, During, Post 1 & Post 2 (NDAA 2016)

4. ARNG YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM DODI 1342.28 Requirements Con’t
Pre-deployment event shall focus on providing education and information that ensure the readiness of the unit, their families, employers, and the affected communities
Medical, Dental, and Mental Health Benefits
Suicide Prevention and Community Healing and Response
Financial and Employment Information
Community and Outreach

5. ARNG YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM DODI 1342.28 Requirements Con’t
Deployment events shall focus on supporting and enhancing resilience of the family while the Service member is deployed
Special or Spiritual Programs
Suicide Prevention
Chaplain
Substance Abuse

6. ARNG YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM DODI 1342.28 Requirements Con’t
Demobilization,Post-Deployment or Reconstitution Events
Post 1 (30-day) events shall be focused on topics that address and identify potentially adverse behaviors and the challenges related to transition and reintegration
Post 2 (60-day) events shall focus on addressing specific issues relating to reintegration or identified challenges

7. ARNG YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM Indiv Travel Orders (ITO) - Two Individuals
Family Members/Designated Individuals, as defined by Joint Travel Regulation (JTR), will be placed on Invitational Travel Authorizations (ITAs) (based on funds)
Up to two dependents/designated individuals per SM, 2:1
Mileage reimbursement: more than 50 miles one-way
Attendees outside the normal commuting distance of 150 miles one way are authorized an overnight stay

8. ARNG YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM Family Attendees
Family participation in YR Pre-deployment, Post-1 and Post-2 events is strongly encouraged
Is intended to develop resilience regarding the rigors of the military lifestyle and stressors caused by deployment and reintegration 
Ensure that DoD YRRP events are conducted in a timely manner, in geographically centric locations, and as often as possible to ensure maximum participation by their Families

9. ARNG YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM Child Care
Provided at all DoD YRRP events to National Guard Members and their Families Children (ages 6 weeks to 5 years) and youth (K-12)
States may contract for child care at Yellow Ribbon events in accordance with (IAW) the DoDI Child Development Program
Offers activities that promote and engage their social, emotional, cognitive and physical development in age- and developmentally- appropriate activities

10. ARNG YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM Youth Programming
Youth programs are supervised and facilitated curriculum-based activities for school-aged children (K-12)
Youth program activities provided at DoD YRRP events may be coordinated and facilitated by the State Youth Coordinator in cooperation with the State Family Program Director
States should make every effort to utilize the child and youth program resources available to them to reduce the cost of providing “babysitting-type” services to school-age children, K-12 (e.g., Operation Military Kids, 4-H cooperative extension programs, Girl Scouts, Project Y.E.S! etc.)

11. ARNG YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM AUTHORIZED AND NON-AUTHORIZED DoD YRRP EXPENSES
DoD YRRP AUTHORIZED YRRP EXPENSES
Contract Meals (Based on Per Diem)
Lodging (Based on Per Diem)
Mileage
Child Care
Supplies ($ 5 per person)
Audio / Visual (Limited $$ amount)
DoD YRRP EXPENSES REQUIRING ARNG EXCEPTION TO POLICY (ETP) APPROVAL
Air Travel
Speakers
Parking
DoD YRRP UNAUTHORIZED YRRP EXPENSES
Video Games
Website
Table Copier
Laptops
CD / DVD Burners

12. MAJ Cheryl J. Harris-Paredes Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW)
ARNG, YRRP OIC
ARNG-HRS
Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW)

13. Same objective, different focus
TAAs and VOWCs
Same objective, different focus
Department of Veteran Affairs
National Guard Bureau
Joint Force HQ
Department of Labor
Compliance
Reporting
TAA
(All Reserve Components)
VOWC
(ARNG Component)

14. VOW Timeline Pre-Mobilization (Pre YRRP) T-32 Mobilization/Deployment
Deployment/Demobilization
T-10
Home Station
T-32

15. VOW Syllabus

16. FAQs
Q: What are the requirements to conduct VOW/TAP training at home station?
A: For Soldiers to actively participate and receive maximum benefit from the instruction, internet access should be available and each Soldier should have a computer. Training location must provide instructors with a laptop, projection capability, and audio support. Ensure classroom space is available to support one instructor per 50 participants. Multiple events can be conducted in one or more locations to meet the unit’s geographic needs. All training materials will be provided by the counsel or delivering the training
Q: How is recommended PREMOB training funded?
A: FY15 YRRP funding guidance states in Annex A, Section 2.d.(4) that a second day can be requested via EventPlus for pre-deployment YRRP events if CRS activities are included. “All YRRP events will be conducted in one day. ARNG-HRS-D is the approval authority for exception to policy requests for two day events. Two day event requests will include Career Readiness Standards (CRS) activities.” No funding is required for instructors
Q: Are family members authorized to attend?
A: Spouses are encouraged to attend to receive information on benefits and opportunities for additional support and training while Soldiers are on T10 orders
Q: Can Transition Assistance Advisors (TAAs) deliver VOW/TAP training?
A: For tracking and compliance purposes, only SFL-TAP counselors are authorized to deliver training associated with VOW/TAP
Q: Can VOW/TAP training be completed online?
A: Yes. The ACAP Virtual Center offers all classes at However, this option is recommended for 15 pax or less. In-person delivery is preferred unless Soldiers are geographically dispersed and unable to schedule/attend in-person training. All of the VOW/TAP training components will be offered at DEMOB for Soldiers who have not yet completed the training 30 days prior to arrival at the DEMOB Site

17. SFPD, Missouri National Guard
Kay Calton
SFPD, Missouri National Guard
NGMO-FWS-F

18. Assigned Program Involvement
A few examples of how other programs can be involved at YR events:
FAS – invite JCF partners
FRSA – FRGs
CYSS – community partners for youth programming
CYSS conduct site visit at YR venue
FAS, FRSA and CYSS (Family Program) briefing
Youth recognition ceremony
*Make sure you coordinate with YR (schedule and venue space)

19. Questions MAJ Cheryl Harris-Paredes (OIC)
Commercial: / DSN:
SFC Rawle J. Munro (NCOIC)
Commercial: / DSN:
Kay Calton
Commercial: / DSN