New Jersey National Guard Family Programs

Family Assistance Centers

Linking Families with Information & Referral
“One call does it all”, Family Assistance Centers are located around the nation to serve the needs of Servicemembers and their families by providing Six Essential Services. Whether pre-, during or post-deployment, these centers offer information and referral services to all service member and their families regardless of their branch of service or duty status.

Family Assistance Centers are located in different geographic locations around the state. Each Family Assistance Center serves the Servicemembers and their families that live in that area. Not being located near a military installation or facility is no longer a roadblock to getting services and support. Family Assistance Centers can provide assistance and service that you need where you live.

You also have the option of using the Family Assistance Center Specialist located within the armory where you drill. All Family Assistance Centers are all connected to provide you the services and support you need.
Each Family Assistance Center is required to provide the following “Six Essential Services”:

Help with Legal Matters

Maintain a list of community resources to include child care referral, civilian agencies, groups, private organizations, and/or clergy to solve or assist with resolving problems. Assist with finding a local Family Readiness Group (FRG) to assist with family readiness and to support the family during the deployments.

Financial Assistance

Understanding Military Pay, how to read a Leave & Earnings Statement (LES), assistance with financial assistance and loan applications through the American Red Cross and other outside agencies and providing referrals for budgeting classes.

Information and Referral

Local and National Emergencies

Coordination with Rear Detachments of Deployments

Problem Solving

Crisis Resolution

Referral and coordination for crisis counseling assistance through Chaplains, Military Family Life Consultants (MFLCs), and appropriate state and local human service agencies. Crisis may be personal, social, financial, emotional, or medical in nature.

Rumor Control

Legal Assistance

Referral and coordination with the Judge Advocate General (JAG) office to assist with Power of Attorney, wills, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), and other legal matters pertaining to deployment.

TRICARE

Provide general information on insurance benefits, assist with TRICARE Medical and Dental applications, assist with finding local providers, and assist with challenging claim denials.

ID Cards/DEERS

Information and assistance for eligible family members to obtain identification (ID) cards and enroll in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).