FAMILY MATTERS

"We ask a lot of those who wear our uniform. We ask them to leave their loved ones, to travel great distances, to risk injury, even to be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. They are dedicated, they are honorable; they represent the best of our country. And we are grateful."
- Presidential Address to the Nation, October 7, 2001.

How do I find out where my deployed relative is?

	Deployment Guide: For Families of Deploying Soldiers This guide, for you and your Family, includes forms and checklists, Family readiness resources and separation and reunion handbooks. Family Deployment Checklist | Your Finances | Handling Emergencies | Home Security Family Readiness Groups | Separation | Reunion			A Closer Look for Current Conditions: A Fresh Glance at the Emotional Cycle Military Families have experienced the emotional trauma of deployment on an unprecedented scale since the end of the Gulf War.
	National Guard Family Program The mission of the program is to enhance quality of life for National Guard members, their families, and the communities in which they live. With the ever changing face and duties of the National Guard, it is imperative to look to the future of Family Programs while remaining flexible in the present. Their goal is to support you along your journey, as a family member of the national Guard in any and every way. Without you, the family member, standing by your National Guard member, a successful National Guard does not exist.			Community Covenant The Community Covenant program is designed to foster and sustain effective state and community partnerships with the Army to improve the quality of life for Soldiers and their Families, both at their current duty stations and as they transfer to other states. It is a formal commitment of support by state and local communities to Soldiers and Families of the Army - Active, Guard and Reserve. While Community Covenant is an Army program, it extends to the other Military Services as well, recognizing that many community efforts support all Service Members and their Families regardless of the uniform they wear.
	Tips for Parents Supporting the Child Whose Military Parent is Deploying Read about the ten tips a supporting parent can do.			Military OneSource Gives Around the Clock Human Touch Now you get questions answered about the Army. It's a 24/7 toll free telephone number for information and referral service for Soldiers, deployed civilians and their Families.
	Return and Reunion Tip Sheets: Service Members (pdf)   (MS Word) Spouses (pdf)   (MS Word) Family & Friends (pdf)   (MS Word)			Spouses Handbook This handbook is designed as a guide to assist spouses, as they become part of the Army team and offers a wealth of information and resources.
	U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) An Army initiative that provides its severely disabled Soldiers and their Families with a system of advocacy and follow-up with personal support to assist them as they transition from military service to the civilian community.			Courage to Care The latest in the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences' (USU) "Courage to Care" fact sheet series is about health care for the Families of deployed military personnel. Give a copy to your Family doctor and pediatrician, whether they're civilian or military.
	U. S. Army Family Assistance Hotline. The U.S. Army has established a toll-free Family Assistance Hotline for Operation Iraqi Freedom at (800) 833-6622.			New Program Offers Subsidized Child Care to Guard, Reserve The Defense Department has joined forces with national agencies to help Guard and Reserve Families in finding and affording child care while Mom or Dad is deployed in support of the global war on terrorism.
	Bereavement Resources The death of a loved one is never easy to deal with -- but help is available. Here are some resources that may help those left behind cope with the loss.			A Summary of VA Benefits for National Guard and Reserve Personnel (pdf - 110KB)
	The Army Community Service Website ACS's mission is to assist commanders in maintaining readiness of individuals, Families, and communities within America's Army by developing, coordinating, and delivering...			Operation: Military Kids, a collaborative effort between the Army and America's communities, has launched to help children and teens of military servicemembers cope with the stresses and changes a parent's deployment brings into their lives. The program is open to all military connected children but is geared toward those children of the 150,000 deployed National Guard and Reserve members. For more information, go to www.operationmilitarykids.org.
	The American Legion's Family Support Network is ready to provide immediate assistance to service personnel and Families whose lives have been directly affected by Operation Iraqi Freedom and America's war on terror. Calls are received at a nationwide toll-free number - 1-800-504-4098 - and referred to local American Legion posts for action. Temporary financial assistance as well as help with child care, yard work, and other routine jobs is available. Visit the web site or download the brochure.