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04 Jun 09 Here you will find information on programs that offer to help you with things you need to live like utilities and organizations that help you cope with your Soldiers deployment. Some of these programs are for anybody and others apply only to families with a deployed soldier so be sure to find out if you can participate in the program by calling the organization. ASK! 15 jun SGT Ryan E. Doltz Scholarship The SGT Ryan E. Doltz Memorial Foundation is conducting its second annual SGT Ryan E. Doltz Scholarship. This is open to all New Jersey National Guard members who plan to continue their education at a 2-year or 4-year college or trade school. Financial need is not a requirement. The application document can be found on our website under the newsletter section and then under “Helpful Programs.” The application says there is a deadline of 1 Jul but the director of the foundation has notified us that the deadline has been extended to 15 Jul. This is a great opportunity for one of our own Soldier’s to get a little help with furthering their education. Click on the attached PDF file for more information and the application.
15 jun Veterans Job Fair in Somerset County Revised Information Somerset County Human Services is holding a Veterans Job Fair and Information Day. This is a revised flyer we received from them.
20 jun Philadelphia VA Medical Center Welcome Home Event The Philadelphia VA Medical Center is inviting all veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and their families/significant others to attend a Welcome Home event on Saturday 20 June 2009. Activities include: Free lunch &Entertainment Children’s Activities Veterans Benefits Representatives Recreation Information Veterans Organizations Representatives Employment Information Door Prizes Safe Driving Information Health EducationResources The location is Philadelphia VA Medical Center 3900 Woodland Ave Philadelphia PA 19104 RSVP by 10 June to Lori Maas, OEF/OIF Program Manager at 215-823-5200 21 jul Post 9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits Briefing Attention all Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, and Dependents from all branches of the military. The McGuire Education office is holding a briefing about the new post 9/11 GI Bill. Come out and learn about this valuable benefit and how it affects you and your family. Learn also about how this interfaces with the current GI Bill if you are signed up for this version of your education benefits. The briefings will be held in the Timmerman Center at Ft Dix on 21 July 2009. The briefing times start at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, and 2:00 pm. Attend one of these meetings. The Education Office recommends you attend one of these meetings before signing up for the program so that you can learn about eligibility, transfer of benefits, and sign up procedures. I have been to the VA website and learned a little about this new program and it seems to be a great addition and expansion of the current GI Bill. But learn all about it at one of these briefings. 30 jul Workshop and Career Fair For OIF/OEF Soldiers and Spouses THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR Workshop / Career Fair for OIF/OEF Soldiers and Spouses at Ft. Dix, NJ on: 29 July 09 between 9:00 am – 6:00 pm 30 July 09 between 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Technical Workshop on the following topics: Veterans Benefits Resume lab/Counseling Tip of the Arrow Social Security Disability Benefits ACAP Military One Source Career Fair planned with over 60 Employers: Defense Contractors Private Sector Companies Global Options Inc Home Land Security Secret Service Internal Revenue Service Lockheed Martin CACI Federal Bureau of Investigation The Timmermann Center Building 5441 8TH Ave Fort Dix, NJ 08640 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT POC: SGM James Clark 301-674-9428 James.clarksr1@us.army.mil SFC Loranda Taylor 609-864-2565 or loranda.mitriece.taylor@us.army.mil 15 aug New Jersey Prevention Network (NJPN) Military Family Nights The New Jersey Prevention Network will be holding a Military Family Night. This program will help families learn how to cope with the unique stresses of being a member of the uniformed services and deployments whether in the past or upcoming. Learn how to keep your families health and strong before minor problems turn into mountains. NJPN is looking to start this up sometime in the September timeframe. The locations are yet to be determined and will be based on the interest of holding these meetings as indicated on the registration form. This program is open to children also between the ages of 6 and 14 to help them cope with family issues. Please see the flyer below to learn more about this valuable program and the next page for the registration form.
The registration form below will be used to indicate interest in this program at each Armory. With enough interest in a particular Armory a program will be set up at the Armory and a schedule of events published.
28 sep AMVETS – DeVry University Scholarships Scholarships for DeVry University has is being offered with a $1000 per semester tuition award and a $9000 total award. This is open to veterans of all branches of service, Reserve components, and Guard components. This offer is also extended to immediate family members (spouses, natural and adopted children). This scholarship is applicable for DeVry University and the Keller Graduate School of Management. Deadlines to submit scholarship Applications are: 8 June 2009 for the 2 July 2009 semester 28 Sept 2009 for the 26 October 2009 semester For more information concerning the application or the application process contact AMVETS toll free at 877-726-8387 or devryscholarships@amvets.org. No date Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) Name of Program: Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)
NOTE: This is NOT the same as the Department of Labor’s initial pilot CAA Program which is currently only available in California, North Carolina and Georgia.
Spouses who are currently participating in DoL’s CAA program may also participate in DoD’s new worldwide MyCAA Program. Program Sponsor: Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Program Description: The Department of Defense’s expanded Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program is now offering up to $6,000 to military spouses who are interested in pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials leading to careers in high growth, high demand portable career fields. What Does MyCAA Pay For? MyCAA financial assistance pays for expenses such as post-secondary education and training, tuition, licensing, and credentialing fees. This includes degree programs (e.g. associates, bachelors, masters, doctoral and post doctoral), continuing education classes (including those offered through professional associations at conferences), Bar, CPA and other similar exams, state certifications for teachers, medical professionals and similar licensed professionals, and services required to become employed in portable career fields (e.g. finger printing, security checks, drug tests, etc.). MyCAA does not pay for computers, school application fees, graduation fees, student activity cards, child care, parking, transportation, medical services or testing fees. NOTE: If the cost of a course includes books, supplies or other necessary equipment, MyCAA will cover that cost. Schools use MyCAA’s AI Portal to bill DoD electronically. Who Is Eligible? Spouses of active duty members and activated members of the National Guard and Reserve Components. The period of eligibility for spouses of Guard and Reserve members is from the date of the Alert or Warning Order for Military Recall or Mobilization, through activation and deployment until 180 days following De-Mobilization. Military spouses who are military members themselves are not eligible. Military members have education benefits provided through the Military Voluntary Education Tuition Assistance (TA) Program. How Does A Spouse Get Started? Eligible spouses who are ready to explore portable careers options and develop a career goal and plan should establish a MyCAA Account by visiting the MyCAA website ~ https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa. This is an easy, self-help process. Once spouse profile information is provided, DoD will verify MyCAA eligibility through DEERS. The spouse will be notified of his/her eligibility status through the MyCAA messaging system. Who Can Help Spouses Move Through the MyCAA Program? Spouses are encouraged to work with their School Academic Advisor or call a Military OneSource Career/Education Consultant at 1-800-342-9647 if they need help in:
For spouses who experience technical difficulties using the MyCAA website or have forgotten their password, please contact MyCAA@InvernessTechnologies.com. Who Can Help Schools Become A MyCAA Partner? For schools that need MyCAA program information or want to participate in the MyCAA AI Portal electronic billing process, please request assistance from MyCAASchools@MOSCenter.us. Is MyCAA Training Available for Program Participants? YES. Webinars are periodically scheduled to assist individuals in learning how to participate in the MyCAA program. Schedule information will be posted on the MyCAA AI Portal website (https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa) when it is available. No date DoD Number For Help Dealing With Emotional and Psychological Issues When warriors return home from the battlefield, they often struggle with emotional and psychological illness. Many have suffered brain injuries, and most face difficulties readjusting to civilian life. To help those servicemen help themselves, the U.S. Defense Department has opened a 24-hour telephone help line. The new outreach call center offers help around the clock, seven days a week. Call in your questions to the Outreach Center at 866-966-1020 toll-free or send an e-mail inquiry to resources@dcoeoutreach.org. The Center takes calls from doctors, nurses, researchers, teachers, chaplains and concerned citizens, moms and dads. It’s here for anyone who has a question, who wants to be part of the efforts, to support our loved ones, to support our men and women in uniform and their families. The outreach center links callers to the information, resources and treatments to help in making the transition from the battlefront to the homefront. Center reaches out to service members around the globe. Moving from the battlefield to civilian life is a challenging process that may take a long time. But with all its resources in place the outreach center will provide the knowledge and hope that military service members need to move ahead with their lives. No date Military OneSource Expands Counseling Sessions Military OneSource announced an increase in the number of nonmedical counseling sessions it will now offer to service members, Guard and Reserve members, and their families. As of April 1, 2009, eligible service members and their families may now receive 12 sessions per person, per issue, and per counselor within 120 days. The new 12-session limit applies to face-to-face, short-term solution-focused telephonic consultations, and online consultations. Previously Military OneSource allowed 6 sessions. For those who are currently enrolled, but began Military OneSource nonmedical counseling sessions prior to April 1st, your counselor must contact Military OneSource to request the additional 6 sessions. If you have finished the 6 sessions, you may contact Military OneSource to get reassessed for the additional 6 sessions. According to Military OneSource, additional sessions will be granted on a case-by-case basis by them. If you need counseling for a different issue, you must call Military OneSource and speak with a consultant to get another referral for a different counselor. You can only see a counselor for a maximum number of 12 sessions. no date Military Order of the Purple Heart Veterans Job Information The Military Order of the Purple Heart launched a new website at www.VetsJobs.net to assist Veterans in obtaining Federal employment. The VetsJobs website offers a video, "How to Get a Federal Job," that walks Veterans through the process of applying for federal employment. The site also includes links to USAJOBS, the official website for federal jobs, the Department of Labor and the Office of Personnel Management. no date VA Launches Site for Returning Vets VA Welcoming Vets Home with New Web Site, Blog WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched its new “Returning Veterans” Web site -- www.oefoif.va.gov -- to welcome home Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts with a social, Veteran-centric Web site focusing on their needs and questions. “VA is entering the world of Web 2.0, because that’s where this generation of Veterans is already communicating,” said Dr. Gerald M. Cross, VA’s Principal Deputy Undersecretary for Health. “We’re opening our doors to them virtually to let them know what they can expect when they step through our doors in reality.” The Web site will feature videos, Veteran stories, and a blog where Veterans are encouraged to post feedback. The site also will restructure the traditional index-of-benefits format found on other VA pages into question-based, categorized, and easily navigated links by topic. This will allow Veterans to find benefits of interest easily and discover related benefits as they explore. “We hope our returning Veterans find this site easy and helpful, but also engaging,” Dr. Cross said. “As the site grows, we will be linking to Veterans’ blogs and highlighting more of their own stories from their own views. We are their VA, so we are eager to provide a forum for Veterans to discuss their lives.” No date CSC Offering Employment Assistance For Military Spouses CSC offers recruiting and employment opportunities for military spouses of ALL branches of service. Visit their website to search for jobs, submit resumes, and receive job alerts automatically. CSC is providing this in conjunction with the Army Spouse Employment Partnership. Visit careers.csc.com/asep for more information or contact Andrea Hall 703-876-1206 for more information. No date Military Family Life Consultants (MFLC) Are Available Are you, the kids, or other family members having a tough time dealing with getting ready for deployment of a loved one? Are you having a tough time dealing with things during the deployment? Are you having a tough time dealing with things after the deployment? MFLC Counselors can help you and your family problem solve with issues resulting from deployment, reunions, reintegration and other times of change including:
Soldiers and families are entitled to six prepaid, face-to-face counseling sessions. New Jersey has two MFLC on our staff in the State Family Programs Office. Contact them at: Jeff at: 609-530-6886 or cell: 609-694-7020 or jeffrey.p.hoerger@healthnet.com Jill at: 609-530-6835 or cell: 732-284-8220 or jill.c.barrett@mhn.com No date Military Spouse Career Advancement Account Program With Congressional authorization in Public Law 110-417, the Department of Defense is implementing the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account Program, providing resources and assistance to spouses of active duty services members, Guard and Reserve with a spouse on orders for one year, supporting their pursuit of a successful, long-term, portable career. This centralized, virtual program, accessed through Military OneSource, will provide counseling and funding, up to $6,000, to assist with licensure, certification or education opportunities leading to portable employment opportunities.
This Department of Defense funded program will be available April 2009. Program specifics are available for your review at www.militaryonesource.com. The DoD point of contact is Mr. Mike Tevnan, 703.908.1237, mike.tevnan@moscenter.us No date Financial Information Countdown to April 15th. If you are Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve, or a family member you are eligible for free tax assistance and e-filing from Military OneSource. Log on now or call 1-800-730-3802 (7a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT) to talk with a tax consultant about your personal tax-related questions. Financial Readiness Campaign Events. Financial Readiness Campaigns bring local, state and Federal financial experts to Service and family members at their installation. Over 20 events have been conducted within the past 5 months providing information on an extensive range of financial planning topics. To find an event in your area, visit www.MilitaryHOMEFRONT.com for dates and locations. Uniformed Service Compensation Fact Sheet. The Uniform Services Compensation Fact sheet provides detailed information on benefits and entitlements including pay, retirement, and leave; special and incentive pay; allowances; travel entitlements for PCS moves; survivor benefits; and education benefits. It also provides direct links to official resources for further details. This comprehensive document is a great resource and easily accessible through www.MilitaryHOMEFRONT.com. No date Computer Literacy Training The mission of OLT is to, provide education and resources to our war wounded caregivers and military spouses. Increase awareness of the long term needs of these families and support the caregiver and military spouse as they re-enter the civilian sector. Visit http://lifetransformed.org for more information. Jump start your career by learning on-line, at your own pace, and in your own home. Courses are taught in English & Spanish. Scholarships are completely free, [no hidden cost] and provided by Military to Medicine and Operation Life Transformed. This is our way of supporting our military families and the community. Course Outline Approximately 70 hours, self-paced and online: Unit 1-Hardware Unit 2- Operating Systems Unit 3-Network Unit 4-The Internet Unit 5-Desktop Publishing Unit 6-Spreadsheets Unit 7-Databases Unit 8-Presentations Unit 9-Web Design All you have to do is fill out our application, submit the proper documents and you will be contacted by our Student Liaison. No date Economic Recovery Payment of $250 A one-time Economic Recovery Payment of $250 will be made in 2009. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FILE A TAX RETURN TO GET YOUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY PAYMENT.
Contact the agency that pays your benefit for more information. More information can be found at www.irs.gov Internal Revenue Service Publication 4751 No date Army Personnel Eligible for Home Copy of Microsoft Office Date: 2/26/2009 5:48:33 AM Announcement: All Army Soldiers and civilian personnel are eligible to purchase a licensed copy of Microsoft Office desktop applications for the cost of packaging, shipping, and program administration. This package includes Office for Windows and Mac, Visio, Project and OneNote. The cost is approximately $20.00, as opposed to the hundreds of dollars it would cost to purchase otherwise. You must have an AKO "full" account (email only accounts are not acceptable) to be eligible. The following link will take you to the article explaining this: http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/01/31/1603-army-personnel-eligible-for-home-copy-of-Microsoft-office/ The article will supply the link to the Army Small Computer Program Website, which is where you will need your AKO account information for accessibility. No date National Guard Child Care Use Survey The National Guard Family Program Division is pleased to announce the National Guard: Child Care Use During Deployment Survey. Information collected in this survey will be used to research perceptions and child care needs of military members. This information will assist in the formulation and improvement of policies for programs that benefit military families. Reports will be provided to the National Guard Family Programs Division. Findings may be used in reports and testimony provided to Congress and other Government Agencies. Some findings may be published in professional journals, or presented at conferences, symposia, and scientific meetings. In no case will individual identifiable survey responses be reported. Please assist the National Guard Child Care Program by distributing this survey link to National Guard members and their families. Survey Link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228AQH9A7LQ. Target Audience: National Guard families with children who are currently preparing for deployment, in a deployment phase, or recently returned from deployment (up to 2 months after return). Providing information on this survey is voluntary. Most people take 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. No date Guard Family Portal Community NGB would like to extend this invitation to join the online Guard Family Portal community! Our goal is to make this website your "one-stop shop" for everything Guard! Here is the link to join: 1. Visit http://www.guardfamily.org 2. Click the Join link on the top right 3. Complete the form and click Submit! The website will provide up-to-date, relevant and state-specific content, including * announcements * news * events * discussion forums * documents * surveys and * reports In addition, you can learn about Family Readiness, Program Services and Plans & Operations. Family Readiness takes a look at the six-step Family Program model that keeps you informed and involved about your benefits as a serving family. Program Services provides an overview of the various programs that the Family Program covers; Family, Youth and Community Outreach initiatives. Plans and Operations will provide you access to national-level calendar events and provides some administrative documents that you might find useful in working within the Family Program. We're still working every day to improve the Guard Family Portal, so your inputs, comments and suggestions are very welcome. We hope you'll like Guard Family Portal! And, it's only going to get better. No date Safeguard Against Identity Theft Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes and periodic reminders about it helps keep it in your memory. Here is an article about military ID cards and some items about how to avoid becoming a victim. Identity theft is a threat to all Americans, and with the military’s ubiquitous use of Social Security Numbers (SSN), military members are especially vulnerable. Currently, SSNs are displayed on military ID cards, but now the Department of Defense (DoD) is moving towards displaying only the last four of the SSN on new cards. By 2010, all Service members and their families who carry military ID cards will have only the last four digits of their SSN displayed on the card. Read the article for tips on how to protect your identity at http://www.militarymoney.com/money/1227042501. Along the same lines as protecting your SSN don’t be fooled by TV and radio ads touting free credit reports. They require you to sign up and pay for service. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion—are required to provide a free copy of your credit report through the Fair Credit Reporting Act once a year. The only website that offers the free credit report is http://www.annualcreditreport.com. Annualcreditreport.com will never send you an email solicitation for your free credit report, use pop-up ads or call you to ask for personal information. To learn more on how to obtain your free credit report please visit http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt156.shtm Order a copy from one of the companies in January, another company in May and the last company in September. By the time January comes around you’re ready to order your next yearly credit report from the first company. This helps you keep an eye on your credit reports 3 times a year. No date Military Scholarships Available Through Grantham University Grantham University has established scholarships for Service members. The scholarship covers tuition remaining after Military Tuition Assistance (TA) and includes a textbook and technology grant. For more information visit http://www.grantham.edu/admissions/scholarships.php. On the web site you can find information about spouse programs. No date Active Duty Assistance Program (ADAP) for Burlington County Residents ADAP provides information and referrals for families of the National Guard and Reservists living in Burlington County who are now activated. Agencies throughout the county are ready to provide services in many areas such as: Childcare Payment Assistance Adult Counseling Emergency Services (utilities, rent, etc) Youth Services The Soldier MUST be activated (Title 10) and reside in Burlington County (Armory assignment is irrelevant). This program works in conjunction with the Army Community Services (ACS) and McGuire AFB Family Support Center and Family Readiness Center. Evelyn Rosado is the Program Coordinator and she can be reached at 609-265-5222 for more information. No date NJHelps.org Information What NJHelps can do: NJHelps is a free and easy guide for you to determine what programs and assistance for which you and your family may be eligible. NJHelps will tell you where to go for help and what to bring with you, after you have answered a few basic questions. NJHelps can also provide you with contact information and links to valuable resources available throughout the State. What NJHelps CANNOT do: NJHelps cannot guarantee that you qualify for these programs. You must still apply for help by contacting and filling out the required forms for each program. No date NJShares May Help Pay Utility Bills New Jersey SHARES helps households that have fallen behind on their utility bills due to a temporary financial crisis. A financial crisis can happen to anyone, regardless of age, income or family situation. A crisis is often due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a job loss or illness. We provide assistance to households that are not eligible for other types of public assistance. Applicants must demonstrate a temporary financial need and a history of good-faith payments to their energy provider. NJ SHARES is designed to help people who are going through short-term financial problems. Applicants must show a history of paying bills on time and that events have occurred that cause hardship in paying bills now. This program helps those that are not eligible for LIHEAP. Funding is limited and based on first come first served so visit the following websites to get more information. THIS IS A GRANT, NOT A LOAN so check it out to see if you may be eligible for this!! Call 211 and ask about NJSHARES or visit www.njshares.org No date Food Pantries Port Murray Armory 550 Route 57 Port Murray NJ Armory Number 908-689-1068 (press "0" to ring all phones and let the person answering know that you will be coming to use the food pantry, again, no personal information needs to be given.) Hours of Availability: Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm Additionally the pantry will be open during all FRG meetings and events held at the Armory Phillipsburg Armory 441 Heckman St (behind Rt.22) Phillipsburg NJ Hours of Availability: Tuesday and Friday, 11:00am to 6:00pm No date Portable Career Opportunities for Military Spouses The Military Spouse Career Advancement Initiative is a pilot program that provides assistance to military spouses seeking to advance their career. Career Advancement Accounts (CAA) cover the cost of training and education for military spouses to gain the skills and credentials necessary for their careers. CAA can pay up to $3,000 in fees for one year and can be renewed for a total of $6,000 over two years. CAA only apply to the following fields of study: health care, education, financial services, information technology, skilled trades, human resources, business management, hospitality, and homeland security. To determine your eligibility, or for more information about the program, please visit: http://www.military.com/spouse/cf/0,,cf_CAA_111407,00.html. No date Military One Source Offers Free Tax Preparation and Filing Military One Source is offering free preparation and filing of Both your Federal and State taxes. Just in time for tax season!! This is available for all DoD branches, Guard and Reserves and their families. To get started or find out more information on this valuable benefit, call 1-800-342-9647 or visit www.militaryonesource.com. Don’t let a tax preparer take even more of you money with tax preparation fees. Maximize your refund or minimize your tax bill by visiting Military One Source today! No date Business Loan Program For Low/Moderate Income Women Participant Guidelines
Loan Guidelines
If you are a woman who owns a business or has wanted to start her own business, visit www.njawbo.org for further information. No date Operation Hugs: Blankets/Quilts for Newborns with a Deployed Parent If you are or know a woman who has delivered a newborn baby while the spouse/father is deployed, you are eligible for a FREE handmade baby blanket or quilt. Each blanket/quilt has been handmade by an organization especially for newborns. Please contact your local Family Assistance Center or Amanda Balas for the one page form or for more information. No date Military.com Can Help Find Scholarships and Grants In this tight economy, it is difficult to find ways to attend college when so many other items take priority. There are many scholarships and grants available to you but difficult to find. Military.com has a scholarship/Grant finder that may help you find money that you didn’t know about. Visit http://aid.military.com/scholarship/search-for-scholarships.do to help find potential funding for school. No date Our Military Kids Offers Grants for activities This is a great resource for you to share with deploying National Guard and Reserve families. Our Military Kids offers grants up to $500.00 to each child for an extracurricular activity of their choice, to include sports, fine arts, or tutoring. Grants are also available to children of severely injured service members. You can visit their website at www.ourmilitarykids.org. No date Child Care $$$ Available This is for Title 10 and Title 32 Army National Guard Activated soldiers only. If spouses are employed, seeking employment (60 days) or going to school, you qualify for a $100.00 per month per child stipend for full time care (licensed Provider Required). Call the National Guard Child Care Program today to apply 1-888-642-2799 or ngccp@guardfamily.org No date YMCA Membership for Family Member Of Deployed Guard/Reserve The YMCA in conjunction with the DoD is offering free membership at select YMCA’s for the duration of the soldiers deployment. This is an opportunity for many of you who don’t live near a military base to utilize the gym and other amenities offered by the YMCA. Information on this program and eligibility requirements can be found on the YMCA website. Eligibility: Federal Active Duty Status only, are eligible for this benefit (Title 10). Spouse/children of Guard/Reserve personnel currently deployed for a minimum of 6 months or who will deploy in the next 3 months, for a minimum of 6 months. A copy of deployment orders and a military ID card must be presented at the participating YMCA when applying for membership. Guard/Reserve personnel will be authorized use for 3 months pre and post deployment. Family members of deployed Guard/Reserve are authorized a total of 18 months, contingent upon use (minimum family aggregate use of 8 times per month). No date Housing and Economic Recovery Act Preserving the American Dream for Our Nation’s Veterans. To assist returning soldiers avoid foreclosure, this bill lengthens the time a lender must wait before starting foreclosure from three months to nine months after a soldier returns from service and also provides returning soldiers with one year relief from increases in mortgage interest rates. In addition, the Department of Defense is required to establish a counseling program to ensure veterans and active service members can access assistance if facing financial difficulties. Also included is a provision that increases the VA loan guarantee amount, so that veterans have additional homeownership opportunities. The bill contains provisions to do the following: increase benefits paid to veterans with disabilities such as blindness for the purpose of adapting their housing; provide a moving benefit to servicemen and woman who are forced to move out of rental housing because the owner of the housing was foreclosed on; provide that veterans benefits received in a lump sum are treated the same for the purposes of eligibility for housing assistance as monthly benefits; and to allow the Veterans Administration to provide for improvements and structural alterations to homes of veterans with service-connected disabilities. For more information go to: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/sscra/l/blscra207.htm No date Tips for When Your “ HERO” is Away 1. Keep Your Normal Schedule When a loved one goes to war, it's easy to fall out of your normal routine and into a slump. Try as best as possible to keep up with the normal routine you follow. This puts a large amount of your day in the basis of comforting normality, something that may be upset or overturned once your loved one has been deployed. 2. Be Social It's easy to shrug off invitations for social outings and opt for the quiet comfort of your home and your mind. Unfortunately, this quiet time alone can eventually be a bad thing and leave you out of touch with reality. While there is no need to become a social butterfly if you never were one, stepping out with friends or family member, especially those going through the same thing you are, can be truly beneficial. 3. Join a Support Group Support groups are a great way to get social and they provide a bonding experience for parents and loved ones of soldiers. At these meetings you will encounter men and women who have experienced similar situations and you may find the information and experiences very helpful during your child's deployment. 4. Limit Your News Time When you're child is away you may be tempted to tape the news or sit online for hours researching the latest information about the particular area they are stationed in. While it is a good idea to stay in the "know," when it comes to current events and the war, too much can be a bad thing. Try to ignore the urge to watch every piece of footage or read every article about the war. Entertaining these urges can really take a toll on your sanity and make the whole experience worse. No date Updating Your DEERS Account Being a military dependent is a tough job but, the benefits are there for spouses and family members. However, to get those benefits, the military member must enroll their dependents in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System otherwise known as DEERS. And every time you move or have a baby you must update your information on DEERS. You can verify your DEERS information by contacting your regional TRICARE managed care support contractor, your local TRICARE service center or the nearest uniformed services personnel office (ID card facility). You can also update your D.E.E.R.S. online it is self-service at http://www.dmdc.osd.mil and click on DoD community, and personnel services. Read the full article on Military.com. No date Mortgage Assistance Mortgage Difficulties and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides a wide range of protections for servicemembers. It is intended to postpone or suspend certain civil obligations to allow servicemembers to devote full attention to duty and relieve stress on themselves and their families. Some of these protections could help servicemembers who face difficulties meeting their mortgage payments. Whether these protections are available generally depends on when the servicemember bought the property in question. That is, did the servicemember become obligated under the mortgage before or after entering active duty? Many SCRA protections only apply when active duty military service has had a “material effect” on the servicemembers’ ability to pay. “Material effect” generally means the servicemembers are less well off financially because of active duty. That could be because they make less money or have more expenses. Servicemembers who are having any financial difficulties with their mortgages—or are having any legal problems—are strongly encouraged to seek free legal assistance at a military installation right away. A locator service can be reached at this Web site: http://legalassistance.law.af.mil/content/locator.php No date DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD Form 214. One of the most important documents you’ll receive when you retire is your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty. The DD Form 214 enables you to participate in VA, state and federal programs. Once you receive your document, keep the original in a safe, fireproof location and get certified copies made that you can use to apply for benefits and jobs. Never submit your original to an agency or employer. Because of the recent increase in identity theft, it is recommended that you register your DD Form 214 with the county only if your county recorder or town hall can ensure, to your satisfaction, that the document is protected from unauthorized access. The DD 214 is the standard separation document of the United States Military. Previous to the DD 214 there were various other Separation Documents. They are all referred to now as DD 214. There are many versions of this document, but the general document can be examined in the copy of the DD 214 above. Do not confuse the Discharge Certificate with the DD 214, these are two separate documents. The Discharge Certificate is for hanging on your wall, it has no official status as a document to prove military service. Only the DD 214 or its replacement (Certificate of Service) is accepted by the Military, the Social Security Administration or the Veterans Administration to prove military service. The DD 214 is the document you need for verification of employment, VA loans etc. We can get any military DD214. The current separation form issued is the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty. Before January 1, 1950, several similar forms were used by the military services, including the WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD, and the NAVCG 553. No date The Uniformed And Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) Announcement Text: To allow the following U.S. citizens to vote absentee: • Members of the U.S. Uniformed Services (on active duty) and merchant marine • Their family members, and • U.S. citizens residing outside the U.S. Members of the U.S. Uniformed Services or merchant marine and their family members may vote absentee while away from their place of voting residence, wherever stationed, inside or outside the United States. U.S. citizens residing outside the United States and its territories may vote in the state or territory where they last resided immediately prior to departing the United States, even if many years have elapsed and the citizen maintains no residence in the state or territory and the intent to return to that state or territory may not be certain. 1. http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/onlinefpca.pdf 2. http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/vag.html#ch3 No date ID Card Appointment CALL 562-0681/0674 Proper identification and documentation are required for services to be provided. Anyone over the age of 18 must have TWO forms of ID in order to receive an ID card. The First form of ID must be a picture ID: - Sponsor Common Access Card. - Military Family ID Card. - State issued drivers license. - Photo ID issued by Federal, State or local government. - US Passport. Secondary form of acceptable ID: - Social Security Card. - Foreign Passport. - Permanent Resident Card. - Birth certificate. - School Photo ID or Report Card. - Voter’s Registration Card. - Canada Drivers License. Initial Issue Spouse: - Two forms of ID (see above), original marriage certificate and Social Security Card. Initial Issue Child: - Original birth certificate and Social Security Card. All identification must be valid and not expired. Civilian Contractors must be entered into the Contractor Verification System prior to receiving an ID card. No date U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) If you are ready to start your own business, grow or expand, SBA can help. The SBA offers many programs and services to help Veteran entrepreneurs succeed. For more information on how SBA can help you start, grow and build your business, contact: Frank Burke at 973-645-6049 or e-mail frank.burke@sba.gov. Visit the SBA New Jersey website at www.sba.gov/nj No date RED CROSS (Emergency Notification Process) Call 1-877-272-7337 in case of an emergency requiring your Soldier to return home or respond to you. Visit www.redcross.org for more information. When calling the Red Cross, they will ask you for the following information (Provide as much as you can for those items that pertain to your situation):
Patient/Deceased Name
The Red Cross will provide you with a Control or Case Number. Write it down somewhere safe for future phone calls related to this case. No date Military OneSource.com Listed below are the websites and what they offer. Please take the time to visit one or all of their sites. If you can’t use what they have to offer, you may know someone who can. This is a FREE source of information. www.militaryonesource.com - This website offers locaters for education, child care, elder care, financial calculators, education materials, on line access to consultants and much more to list. www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil - Quality of Life information and resources www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/moving - Organizational tools to make moves less disruptive for service members and their families. www.military.com/spouse - Provides information on military friendly employers, education and scholarship opportunities, licensing and certification. Spouses can search for employment and career opportunities. www.MilSpouse.org - Provides military spouses with resources and opportunities related to education, training, and employment within the US. www.TurboTap.org - Official transition assistance website for Service Members leaving the military and returning to the civilian community. TroopTube - TroopTube is the new video-sharing web site for troops and their families. TroopTube is sponsored by Military OneSource and is the only video sharing site for military families approved by the Department of Defense. Users can share videos privately with family members or publicly with the larger community. Access TroopTube through the link on the Military OneSource homepage. No date Prescription Savings Plan This program offers discounts on all generic prescription medications at your local pharmacy. You do not have to qualify and there is no cost to join. There is no income, residence, employment, age, citizenship or any other qualifications to meet. Not even an application to fill out. Our office has the group ID cards. Please call Marie Durling at 609-530-6884 and she will mail one to you. For more information check out www.mediservrx.com. No date Citizenship and Immigration Services Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program will assist service and family members to obtain:
For more information and appointments call Amada Espinoza at 1-800-877-2380 or 609-562-2767 No date Deployment Stress By Jim Kendall, LCSW Thousands of loved ones are being called to serve their country. With a war now as a reality, the men and women called to duty as well as their families are subject to anxiety and "deployment stress". Sixty-nine Vanderbilt faculty and staff members are known to be active reservists. As of 3/7/2003, 14 had received the call to report for duty. Fifty-five others were awaiting the word. There isn't a count of the Vanderbilt families (spouses, partners, children, parents, siblings or in-laws) who are affected by deployment, but each of them is significantly impacted. Uncertainty, ambiguity, anticipation and an "indefinite duration" are terms that emphasize the plight of those deployed. Research shows that lack of control, lack of predictability, and lack of outlets for frustration are major critical factors in determining stress. Stress is the response to a stressor, which in this case includes a major life change of the soldier who is deployed and the family and loved ones left behind. Life as it was known could be on hold regardless of where you are in a budding career, schooling or family relationships. There is a fear of the unknown and potential of facing death, injury or disability. The real possibility of chemical agents and biological warfare adds an extra set of unknowns. In contrast, there can also the exhilaration and adrenaline rush of deployment and patriotism of defending one's country. The stress of war can leave us with unanticipated symptoms. Sleep disturbance, an inability to concentrate, preoccupation with the news, rapid heart beat, a sense of dread, anxiety and other powerful emotions. Talking about your fears and stress can often be helpful. Exercise, involvement in activities and talking control of the things you can (limiting the time you focus on the news) can be useful techniques to manage your stress. For those left behind, changes in family roles have been forced upon them. This is stressful! For some, this will represent a trigger factor for the development of a clinical depression. For others who were impacted by the Gulf War deployment in 1990-91, there can be thoughts and feelings that are triggered by the 2003 events. There are practical things that have been effective for those who are dealing with the stress and anxiety of having a loved one called to arms. Paul Ragan, MD, psychiatrist and former Gulf War participant give the following suggestions: 1. It is important to talk about your feelings, fears and concerns. Talking about the way the deployment impacts you as a family member doesn't make you less patriotic or less strong. 2. Get with others who are in a similar situation. People who share experiences together feel a bond and can often be a source of support. People who are the most isolated are the most at risk for developing persistent anxiety or stress disorders. 3. Writing letters, poems, or journaling can be helpful. 4. Massages, meditation or yoga may help you relax. An active person may need to be out running, dancing or climbing rocks. 5. Trying to do something you think is constructive-such as giving blood, can also give purpose. While the return of our men and woman will be filled with excitement and anticipation, our soldiers will also experience another source of stress. During the deployment, work and other activities were covered by those left behind. Upon re-entry, the deployed soldier expects to resume life as it was prior to deployment. In the workplace duties will have shifted and in the home roles and responsibilities may have been reassigned. Psychologically, it will be important to recognize these stresses and work through them on the front-end before the stress gives rise to depression or anger. No date Morris County Program to Serve Military Personnel and Their Families Family Service of Morris County in partnership with the Family Programs, New Jersey would like to announce its Military Families Outreach Program. Based on a community effort, the Military Families Outreach Program strives to support Morris County military personnel and their families, including extended families, pre-deployment, during deployment and post-deployment. We understand and realize the pressures and problems that may occur when a family member is called to duty, and we want to assist with any services that you may need to ensure quality of life. Social services, support services and mental health services are some of the resources that will be available to Morris County residents. All services offered in this Program are free of charge to you and your family, and are bound by the highest consideration for complete confidentiality. For more information about the Military Services Outreach Program, please contact. You can also contact Tammy Rosenthal, Director of Child and Adolescent Services at trosenthal@fsmc.org or 973-538-5260. We are privileged to work with you who have given so much for your country! No date Grants for Military Kids McLean, VA -- Our Military Kids, a program that provides grants to children of deployed and severely injured Reserve and National Guard military, has expanded its program eligibility in two ways. The program which had been open to children in grades K – 12, will now be offered to 3- and 4-year-olds. Additionally, children may be eligible for a second grant award if their parent is deployed for 365 days or more. Linda Davidson, Executive Director of Our Military Kids, stated “We are excited about being able to expand the program to preschoolers and to second grantees. We have had many requests from parents of preschoolers asking that we consider offering grants to this age group. We are pleased that funding from our very generous donors has allowed us to take this next step in the growth of the program.” Our Military Kids grants cover six months of an activity to a maximum award of $500.00. Children who have a parent deployed for 365 days or more will now be eligible for a second grant award provided the parent has 60 days remaining on the deployment orders and 6 months has elapsed since the first grant award. Our Military Kids provides grants for sports, fine arts and tutoring so that children may start or continue participation in an activity while the parent is away or recovering from serious injury. To date, over 3000 children have received awards from Our Military Kids. To find more information on the program or to download applications go to www.ourmilitarykids.org No date N.J. State Family Readiness Council offers Family Grants Program The New Jersey National Guard State Family Readiness Council has increased the amounts of family and business grants up to $5,000 and $10,000, respectively. Both are what are known as TIER I grants. TIER II family grants are also available to New Jersey Army and Air National Guard non-deployed service members who were on State Active Duty or State Missions (e.g., hurricanes, floods, border missions) for more than 20 consecutive days. Service members meeting these criteria are eligible to apply for a financial hardship grant up to $1,500. Applications are available at all New Jersey Army and Air National Guard Family Assistance Centers.
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