west point army community service family readiness …

Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]

WEST POINT

ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICE

FAMILY READINESS LIAISON

TRAINING “Keeping Families and Family Readiness Groups

Strong!”


OBJECTIVES

Family Readiness Liaison

Define who Family Readiness Liaison (FRLs) are? Define FRLs role and responsibility in the brigades

Identify unit community team

Define methods to select FRLs

Identify online training courses available and requirements to meet the mission

Define expectations for FRLs

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BACKGROUND


Family Readiness Unit Liaison. An official command-sponsored individual, who provides liaison between Service members and their Families and the command, promoting a culture of mutual support and communication.

Family Readiness. The state of being prepared to effectively navigate the challenges of daily living experienced in the unique context of military service. Ready individuals and Families are knowledgeable about the potential challenges they may face; equipped with the skills to competently function in the face of such challenges; aware of the supportive resources available to them; and make use of the skills and supports in managing such challenges. Includes mobility and financial readiness, mobilization and deployment readiness, and personal and family life readiness.

The Total Army Family Program includes those Family assistance services and related programs that support quality of life, readiness, and retention and meet the Army’s obligation to Soldiers, civilian employees, and their Families by ensuring the effective interface between Family assistance and Family support.


BACKGROUND


Family readiness service providers shall conduct regular outreach to command representatives, family readiness unit liaisons, Service Members and their families and civilian service providers. This ensures command is involved to share official program information and promote awareness and encourage proactive engagement with the Family Readiness Services.

FRLs have a close relationship with FRG Leader and unit leadership.


Family Readiness Liaison (FRLs) Defined


FRLs are military personnel that assist unit Family members in organizing and sustaining the unit’s (company, battalion, brigade, and division) Family Readiness Group (FRG) and Family Readiness Program. The FRG is under the umbrella of Family Readiness Program. A few duty examples are below:

Assists the commander and the FRG leader in maintaining an active and effective FRG and overall Family Readiness Program.

Refers family members with issues or concerns to the applicable community and or military resource.

To supply information to the unit’s Family Readiness Program.

Coordinates supplies and logistical support for the FRG from the unit to include commander approved use of government property and facilities


KEY PERSONNEL- UNIT COMMUNITY


Unit Commander/First Sergeant – Need support and buy-in from leadership. Appoints Family Readiness Liaison (FRL). Commanders at all levels are responsible for providing an effective Family Program and establishing a FRG

Senior FRG Advisers – Consult as part of leadership. FRG Advisers must have a volunteer job description

Division Family Program Managers – Experienced staff to assist with advising

FRG Leader – Part of FRG leadership and help work other volunteers and must a volunteer job description

FRL – Military staff to assist with Family Readiness and FRG. Must be an officer or non-commissioned officer

Chaplain – Advocate for Strong Bond, grief counseling and suicide prevention


KEY PERSONNEL- UNIT COMMUNITY (CONT)


Army Community Service (ACS). The program managers can help you get the assistance you need in Family Readiness and Family Support. Provides command briefings within 60 days of assuming command. Briefings/ Trainings for FRLs can be requested as needed.

Casualty Response (CARE) Team Captain – Advocate for Family support dealing with tragedy issues

Volunteers – This can be anyone who can offer assistance working for Family Readiness

Community leaders- Anyone that can assist in your Family Readiness mission

Unit Safety- Provide information on Resilient and R2C Campaign and Comprehensive Soldier Fitness and Family

Headquarters and Regional Family Program staff - Assist to resolve issues that cannot be resolved at local level


FRL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS


Points to remember: ACS may be unable to host all of your training class requirements. ACS can help you begin building cohesion and establish community relationships. ACS deliver services in four ways; in the center, by phone, website, or at the unit location. ACS is a education and training organization.

FRLs will complete online/classroom training (ACS is proponent): FRG Leader Training (Army One Source website or ACS)

Rear Detachment Commander (Army One Source website or ACS) Army Family Team Building (AFTB) Level K and G (Army One Source website or ACS) Mentor Training (Army One Source website) Volunteer Management Information (VMIS) training for OPOCs (Army One Source website) Military One Source website (review)

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FRL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS


FRLs need to receive Command-level briefings: Organizational Structure, Purpose, & Intent Assigned Duties

Coordinate with ACS for additional courses/overview: Casualty Response (CARE) Team Training FRG Organization

FRLs should be familiar with pertinent regulations and instructions: AR 608-1, Army Community Service, Chapters 4 & 5 and Appendices I & J AR 600-20, Chapter 4, paragraph 21, and Chapter 5, paragraph 10. DoDI 1342.22, July 3, 2012

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FRL TRAINING RECOMMENDATIONS


Coordinate with ACS for mandatory and quality of life training:

Family Advocacy Training (required for all Soldiers per AR 608-18). The Family Advocacy Program focuses on spouse & child abuse prevention through education & support programs, including: reporting/crisis intervention, victim advocate, spouse abuse, safety education, support groups and parenting education and education for professionals

Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness. Families are encouraged to take the Global Assessment Tool survey. This is mandatory for Soldiers.

Financial Readiness. Soldiers and DA civilians are required to maintain security clearances and financial stability is a part of the process.

Exceptional Family Member Program. Families who arrives at the unit and is currently enrolled in the program need to contact the closest Military installation ACS EFMP Coordinator.


FRL TRAINING RECOMMENDATIONS


Coordinate with ACS for mandatory and quality of life training (cont):

Master Resiliency Training. Soldier and Family Resiliency are cornerstones to successful work and family lives. West Point ACS has certified MRT trainers available to train family members, DA Civilians, and assist with unit Resiliency Training.

Family Readiness Support Assistant (FRSA). The FRSA plays a key role in assisting the efforts of Commanders and Family Readiness Group (FRG) volunteer leaders in their support of Soldiers and their Families.

Army Family Action Plan (AFAP). AFAP issues can be submitted online and it important to have close coordination with ACS for detailed information.

AFTB Level L module “Lead” Others, communication skills for leaders, building cohesive teams, managing group conflict, Family Readiness Group leadership, etc.


FRL TRAINING LOCATIONS


Click “Online Training”


MYARMYONESOURCE TRAININGS


Complete these training courses


FRL DUTIES


Attendance required: Commander FRG meetings

Brigade & Battalion FRG Steering Committee meetings

Installation FRSA meetings, if possible

Assigned duty: Have oversight of Unit (Battalion & Brigade) Family Readiness Program

Provide logistic and administrative support: Plan, set up, and execute Family Day events per AR 600-20

Compile newsletter articles with Public Affairs Office

Coordinate with fellow Brigade FRLs

Track FRG issues

Connect via VTC on conferences or meetings

Engage with other Family Readiness Programs such as Family Advocacy, AFAP,

Financial, etc.


FRL DUTIES (cont)


Provide logistic and administrative support: Ensure volunteers have a space to work as outlined in AR 608-1, Army Community

Service

Assist with immediate needs that may arise relating with Soldiers, Family

members, and FRGs

Attend community and FRSA meetings to obtain ideas

Ensure FRG rosters are kept updated and volunteers hours are registered in VMIS

monthly


RECOMMENDATIONS


If possible, select a person for FRL duties with Family Readiness experience and familiar working with volunteers Seek Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) legal review for requested fundraising activities & follow the local Garrison SOPs for Fundraising

Obtain command support on all Family Readiness initiatives

Set up a mechanism to receive and disburse email traffic for Unit Family Readiness, FRG leader and FRG Senior Adviser in a timely manner Have close coordination with various agencies such as American Red Cross, United Service Office, ACS, Child Development Center, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, Army Air Force Exchange Service, Commissary, medical, Public Affairs Office, etc for information

Stay resilient and valiant


UNIT EVENTS


Assist in the execution of unit Family Days. Commanders can conduct Family Days up to 8 hours per year, IAW AR 600-20, Army Command Policy Conduct activities for children

Conduct meaningful activities for adults (set up briefings for civilian and military community resources, command structures, FRG, chaplain, I.D. card issuances, DEERS, pre- and post-deployment, Master Resiliency Training for Spouses).

Provide Families handouts to take home with contact information.

Coordinate with ACS to conduct FRG training sessions

Ensure mandatory training sessions are being conducted


RECAP


Family Readiness is a commander’s program.

FRLs are a resource needed to assist Unit (Company, Battalion, Brigade, Division) Family Readiness Programs and FRGs. Selecting the right FRL for this job is important. It is also advised to involve FRG leaders and senior FRG advisers in the selection process. FRLs are appointed, in writing, by the commander.

FRLs should provide support in recognition of volunteers. The Army recognizes volunteer accomplishments annually, usually in April; however, commanders can elect to provide additional recognition at any time. Recruiting and maintaining volunteers to supplement the unit Family Readiness program is crucial.

FRLs need to ensure that fundraising activities are requested using the Garrison and appropriate unit SOPs on fundraising for FRGs.

Coordination between the units (company, battalion, brigade, division) is critical to the success of the program and mission


REFERENCES AND RESOURCES


Military One Source, www.militaryonesource.com (24/7 hour services with a live person), 1-800-342-9647

Army One Source, www.myarmyonesource.com (network of services on-line)

West Point Army Community Service, http://www.westpointmwr.com/acs/index.html

AR 608-1, Army Community Service (services available on the Military installation)

AR 600-20, Army Command Policy

AR 608-18, Family Advocacy Program (command desk side briefing within 45 days of assuming command and annual troop education) (ACS Staff can provide more in-depth training/explanations of local services.)

AR 608-75, Exceptional Family Member Program (services available on Military installations; ACS and Army Hospital)

http://www.militaryonesource.com/

http://www.myarmyonesource.com/

http://www.westpointmwr.com/acs/index.html


REFERENCES AND RESOURCES (cont)


Army Family Reserve, www.arfp.org; Fort Family Outreach and Support Center, 1-866-345-8248

National Guard Regulation 600-12/Air National Guard Instruction 36-3009; National Guard Family Program, www.ngbpdc.ngb.army.mil

The Official Army Benefits Website; www.myarmybenefits.us.army.mil; Your one stop for up-to-date benefits information

http://www.arfp.org/

http://www.ngbpdc.ngb.army.mil/

http://www.myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/


Once you’ve finished with this Overview, you can register/log onto My Army One Source (www.myarmyonesource.com)

and continue your training online, or you can send an email to [email protected] for further guidance/assistance

with fulfilling your other training requirements.


http://www.myarmyonesource.com/

mailto:[email protected]

west point army community service family readiness …

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