west point army community service family readiness …
TRANSCRIPT
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!”
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
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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Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
BACKGROUND
Family Readiness Liaison
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.
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
BACKGROUND
Family Readiness Liaison
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.
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
Family Readiness Liaison (FRLs) Defined
Family Readiness Liaison
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
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
KEY PERSONNEL- UNIT COMMUNITY
Family Readiness Liaison
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
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
KEY PERSONNEL- UNIT COMMUNITY (CONT)
Family Readiness Liaison
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
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
FRL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Family Readiness Liaison
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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Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
FRL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Family Readiness Liaison
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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Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
FRL TRAINING RECOMMENDATIONS
Family Readiness Liaison
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.
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
FRL TRAINING RECOMMENDATIONS
Family Readiness Liaison
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.
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
FRL TRAINING LOCATIONS
Family Readiness Liaison
Click “Online Training”
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
MYARMYONESOURCE TRAININGS
Family Readiness Liaison
Complete these training courses
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
FRL DUTIES
Family Readiness Liaison
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.
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
FRL DUTIES (cont)
Family Readiness Liaison
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
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
RECOMMENDATIONS
Family Readiness Liaison
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
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
UNIT EVENTS
Family Readiness Liaison
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
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
RECAP
Family Readiness Liaison
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
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
REFERENCES AND RESOURCES
Family Readiness Liaison
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)
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
REFERENCES AND RESOURCES (cont)
Family Readiness Liaison
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
Michelle Bradley, IMML-MWA, 845-938-4621, [email protected]
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.
Family Readiness Liaison