ACS Family Readiness Center
4/10/2006 2:02:22 PM
Army Community Services
Mobilization/Deployment Section
Fort Riley, KS 66442
(785)239-9435 DSN-856-9435
Family Readiness is the cornerstone of the Mob/Deployment Section of the Army Community Service at Fort Riley. The Family Readiness Center located at Army Community Services has a Toll Free number – 1-877-541-4027 and also an e-mail site that will answer questions pertaining to relocation or deployments. The e-mail address is RILE_ACSSite2665@conus.army.mil.
We will be partnering with "D" Co 101st FSB to provide assistance throughout training and during the deployment of the teams. During the deployment, we will establish a vFRG coordinating this with "D" Co 101st FSB. We, also, participate in the Soldier Readiness Program (SRP) and will forward information to your nearest installation if you are not accompanying your Soldier to Fort Riley.
We have plans to establish "Waiting Family Groups" for all family members located in Fort Riley and the surrounding areas.
Please contact us if you have any questions or need assistance.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Ten Ways to Stay Involved with Your Children During Deployment
Ten Ways to Stay Involved with Your Children During Deployment
Most of us do not want to think about deployment. After all, it means time away from those we love! The fact is that military families do separate, and deployment can be tough when not prepared for it. Here are 10 great tips that can help you and your family to make it through deployment.
1. Be Creative
Today's military offers many ways to stay connected: video and cassette tapes, video conferencing, phone calls, postcards, letters, e-mail and Web sites, just to name a few. Use the ones that work best for you, and use them often!
2. Put a "Message in a Bottle"
Before you leave, write as many short messages to your children as possible and put them in a large jar, can, or box. Tell your child to pull out one message a day while you are gone.
3. Draw Pictures for Your Children
Your kids will love to receive your drawings. Everyone can draw. The best part is that your kids will love your artwork, even if you do not. So, take a pencil, some paper, and spend 5 minutes drawing a simple picture of you and your child. Then give it to them. You will make their day.
4. Record Helpful Phone Numbers
The parent who stays home will need to know who to call in a crisis. Even when it is not a crisis, it is easier to have a phone list handy to avoid fumbling for it while the kids are screaming. Make the list before you are deployed. If you are already deployed, encourage the other parent that stays home to do it.
5. Get Your House in Order
Take care of financial, medical, and legal needs before you leave. Create a deployment spending plan for the family and decide which parent will pay the monthly bills during deployment. It might make sense to have two checking accounts, one for the parent who stays home and one for the deployed parent. Make sure your family knows how to use its medical insurance and to get legal aid from the military. Create a Family Care Plan, offered by the military. It describes how your family will want financial, medical, and legal affairs handled during deployment.
6. Prepare for Changes in Your Children
The biggest complaint many military fathers have about deployment is the changes that they will miss in their children. They might miss their first steps, first words, or first birthday. One way to accept the changes is to stay connected as much as possible during deployment so the changes will not overwhelm you when you return.
7. Learn the Basics of Child Development
Even though your children will change while you are away, they will do so in regular and predictable ways. Take the time to learn the basics of child development. If you know what your children will be able to do and not do when you return, you will know what to expect. Suppose you return to a 6-month-old daughter and expect that she can eat with a spoon. You might be disappointed when she grabs a handful of mashed carrots with her fist instead. Armed with knowledge about how children develop, you will know that it will take another 6 months before your princess' table manners improve.
8. Allow Your Children to Ask Questions and Express Fears
The world can be a scary place. It is your job to keep your kids safe. Kids these days not only have to deal with the boogey man and monsters in the closet, they worry about things they see on the evening news, in the paper, and in real life. War, crime, and disease seem to be the main topics these days. Deployment also can scare and worry kids. Before and after you leave, talk with your children calmly and reassure them that everything is okay. Allow them to ask questions and express fears about anything. This will comfort your children.
9. Get Help if You Need It
If you need help during deployment, it is available. There are all kinds of help for all kinds of problems. You are not alone. Do you have the blues or feel depressed? Do you need a baby-sitter because you are up to your neck in kids? Are you in a deep crisis and need spiritual guidance? Regardless of your need, there are people who can help. Check your local phone book for counselors, parenting classes, spiritual leaders, recreational outlets, swimming pools, suicide hotlines, social organizations, gyms, libraries, and more. The military has many activities for families, from outdoor events to basketball leagues to private counseling. It is all at your fingertips. If nothing else, call a relative or an old friend. Reach out for help…for your children's sake.
10. Remember Your Sacrifice for Country and Family
It is no surprise: Parents give up a lot for their children. Military parents give up more than most. They give up personal time, family time, and stable home lives. Who benefits from your sacrifice? Your family, your neighbors, and all Americans! Talk with your kids about the meaning of this sacrifice. It will make it easier for them to handle being away from you.
National Fatherhood Initiative. (2002). 10 ways to stay involved with your children during deployment [On-line]. Available: http://www.fatherhood.org/deployeddads.asp.
Most of us do not want to think about deployment. After all, it means time away from those we love! The fact is that military families do separate, and deployment can be tough when not prepared for it. Here are 10 great tips that can help you and your family to make it through deployment.
1. Be Creative
Today's military offers many ways to stay connected: video and cassette tapes, video conferencing, phone calls, postcards, letters, e-mail and Web sites, just to name a few. Use the ones that work best for you, and use them often!
2. Put a "Message in a Bottle"
Before you leave, write as many short messages to your children as possible and put them in a large jar, can, or box. Tell your child to pull out one message a day while you are gone.
3. Draw Pictures for Your Children
Your kids will love to receive your drawings. Everyone can draw. The best part is that your kids will love your artwork, even if you do not. So, take a pencil, some paper, and spend 5 minutes drawing a simple picture of you and your child. Then give it to them. You will make their day.
4. Record Helpful Phone Numbers
The parent who stays home will need to know who to call in a crisis. Even when it is not a crisis, it is easier to have a phone list handy to avoid fumbling for it while the kids are screaming. Make the list before you are deployed. If you are already deployed, encourage the other parent that stays home to do it.
5. Get Your House in Order
Take care of financial, medical, and legal needs before you leave. Create a deployment spending plan for the family and decide which parent will pay the monthly bills during deployment. It might make sense to have two checking accounts, one for the parent who stays home and one for the deployed parent. Make sure your family knows how to use its medical insurance and to get legal aid from the military. Create a Family Care Plan, offered by the military. It describes how your family will want financial, medical, and legal affairs handled during deployment.
6. Prepare for Changes in Your Children
The biggest complaint many military fathers have about deployment is the changes that they will miss in their children. They might miss their first steps, first words, or first birthday. One way to accept the changes is to stay connected as much as possible during deployment so the changes will not overwhelm you when you return.
7. Learn the Basics of Child Development
Even though your children will change while you are away, they will do so in regular and predictable ways. Take the time to learn the basics of child development. If you know what your children will be able to do and not do when you return, you will know what to expect. Suppose you return to a 6-month-old daughter and expect that she can eat with a spoon. You might be disappointed when she grabs a handful of mashed carrots with her fist instead. Armed with knowledge about how children develop, you will know that it will take another 6 months before your princess' table manners improve.
8. Allow Your Children to Ask Questions and Express Fears
The world can be a scary place. It is your job to keep your kids safe. Kids these days not only have to deal with the boogey man and monsters in the closet, they worry about things they see on the evening news, in the paper, and in real life. War, crime, and disease seem to be the main topics these days. Deployment also can scare and worry kids. Before and after you leave, talk with your children calmly and reassure them that everything is okay. Allow them to ask questions and express fears about anything. This will comfort your children.
9. Get Help if You Need It
If you need help during deployment, it is available. There are all kinds of help for all kinds of problems. You are not alone. Do you have the blues or feel depressed? Do you need a baby-sitter because you are up to your neck in kids? Are you in a deep crisis and need spiritual guidance? Regardless of your need, there are people who can help. Check your local phone book for counselors, parenting classes, spiritual leaders, recreational outlets, swimming pools, suicide hotlines, social organizations, gyms, libraries, and more. The military has many activities for families, from outdoor events to basketball leagues to private counseling. It is all at your fingertips. If nothing else, call a relative or an old friend. Reach out for help…for your children's sake.
10. Remember Your Sacrifice for Country and Family
It is no surprise: Parents give up a lot for their children. Military parents give up more than most. They give up personal time, family time, and stable home lives. Who benefits from your sacrifice? Your family, your neighbors, and all Americans! Talk with your kids about the meaning of this sacrifice. It will make it easier for them to handle being away from you.
National Fatherhood Initiative. (2002). 10 ways to stay involved with your children during deployment [On-line]. Available: http://www.fatherhood.org/deployeddads.asp.
Grace and Guts: Getting Through Separations and Deployments
This article is from the website, myarmylifetoo.com - a resource meant for the military member and their families.
By Kirsten Cukor for LIFELines
You married for the long term — until death do you part — but as a military spouse, you’ll probably be apart many times before then, when your spouse deploys. By marrying into the military, you’ve shown you are made of tougher stuff than the average spouse. With a little work, you and your marriage will prosper. You Have What It Takes Looking at some recommended qualities of a healthy marriage, you’ll find several you already possess and others you can develop. Attitude Separations can be hard on relationships, but they can also strengthen them. Discuss ahead of time how you can both work at drawing closer while you're apart. Learn all you can about your spouse's job and the service. Military programs for spouses, such as the Army's Community Services Programs, the Navy's COMPASS, the Air Force's Heart Links, and the Marine Corps' Lifestyle Insights, Networking, Knowledge and Skills (LINKS), can help. Communication Takes Work Learn to communicate and resolve conflict in positive ways. You can be direct about your feelings without being hurtful. Sometimes our natural impulses are not the most productive, and practicing our verbal skills can help, especially for long-distance relationships. Disagree and Still Succeed People in successful marriages don't always have to agree. A 2002 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report states that while most couples disagree about the same basic issues, couples in healthy marriages understand and accept inevitable disagreements and learn how to handle them. Strategic Retreats You can also take advantage of some of the marriage enrichment programs offered at your duty station. For instance, the Navy offers marriage retreat programs around the world. These programs are not just for marriages with problems; they can help you avoid problems before they arise. The offerings vary somewhat between military branches, so see your chaplain or family services office. LCDR Bob Vance, chaplain at the Naval Security Group Activity, Kunia, Hawaii, recommends the Prevention Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP), either right before a deployment or as soon as the service member comes home. "Communication is a big factor in a deployment. Not only the connection, but how and what you communicate," he said. Vance recommends both PREP and Chaplain's Religious Enrichment Development Operations (CREDO), to "give insights to better ways of keeping the marriage fresh, even though you might be 12 time zones away." Establish a Support System and Get Involved Meet others in similar situations at local churches, clubs, and military family/spouse groups. Unit activities, such as your Family Readiness Group, Key Volunteers, or Ombudsman program, provide opportunities to help others — and there's nothing better than serving others for healing yourself. Take Care of Yourself If you need additional support, talk to your health care provider or chaplain. There is no shame in getting help when you need it. Sometimes courage is simply accepting help when you need it. Vance suggests that personal counseling may be a good idea for those who are struggling. "Most of the chaplains have been there and realize how tough it can be," he said. The task ahead may feel a little overwhelming, but remember you are not alone. You now belong to a proud and supportive group, one that loves to mentor new members. You can do this, and with some determination and commitment, you can do it well.
By Kirsten Cukor for LIFELines
You married for the long term — until death do you part — but as a military spouse, you’ll probably be apart many times before then, when your spouse deploys. By marrying into the military, you’ve shown you are made of tougher stuff than the average spouse. With a little work, you and your marriage will prosper. You Have What It Takes Looking at some recommended qualities of a healthy marriage, you’ll find several you already possess and others you can develop. Attitude Separations can be hard on relationships, but they can also strengthen them. Discuss ahead of time how you can both work at drawing closer while you're apart. Learn all you can about your spouse's job and the service. Military programs for spouses, such as the Army's Community Services Programs, the Navy's COMPASS, the Air Force's Heart Links, and the Marine Corps' Lifestyle Insights, Networking, Knowledge and Skills (LINKS), can help. Communication Takes Work Learn to communicate and resolve conflict in positive ways. You can be direct about your feelings without being hurtful. Sometimes our natural impulses are not the most productive, and practicing our verbal skills can help, especially for long-distance relationships. Disagree and Still Succeed People in successful marriages don't always have to agree. A 2002 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report states that while most couples disagree about the same basic issues, couples in healthy marriages understand and accept inevitable disagreements and learn how to handle them. Strategic Retreats You can also take advantage of some of the marriage enrichment programs offered at your duty station. For instance, the Navy offers marriage retreat programs around the world. These programs are not just for marriages with problems; they can help you avoid problems before they arise. The offerings vary somewhat between military branches, so see your chaplain or family services office. LCDR Bob Vance, chaplain at the Naval Security Group Activity, Kunia, Hawaii, recommends the Prevention Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP), either right before a deployment or as soon as the service member comes home. "Communication is a big factor in a deployment. Not only the connection, but how and what you communicate," he said. Vance recommends both PREP and Chaplain's Religious Enrichment Development Operations (CREDO), to "give insights to better ways of keeping the marriage fresh, even though you might be 12 time zones away." Establish a Support System and Get Involved Meet others in similar situations at local churches, clubs, and military family/spouse groups. Unit activities, such as your Family Readiness Group, Key Volunteers, or Ombudsman program, provide opportunities to help others — and there's nothing better than serving others for healing yourself. Take Care of Yourself If you need additional support, talk to your health care provider or chaplain. There is no shame in getting help when you need it. Sometimes courage is simply accepting help when you need it. Vance suggests that personal counseling may be a good idea for those who are struggling. "Most of the chaplains have been there and realize how tough it can be," he said. The task ahead may feel a little overwhelming, but remember you are not alone. You now belong to a proud and supportive group, one that loves to mentor new members. You can do this, and with some determination and commitment, you can do it well.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Fort Riley Website
Dear MiTT family members:
Please take a look at the Fort Riley Website - they have provided a solid source of information regarding Frequently Asked Questions about Military Transition Teams.
You can click HERE to be taken directly to the page related specifically to MiTT teams.
Please take a look at the Fort Riley Website - they have provided a solid source of information regarding Frequently Asked Questions about Military Transition Teams.
You can click HERE to be taken directly to the page related specifically to MiTT teams.
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