What are the issues?
The American Psychological Association reports that “3 out of 5 service members have family responsibilities that include a legal spouse or children.” The toll of multiple deployments is felt by the family members at home as well. Some military families have support systems, while others may be isolated in civilian communities.
While service members are deployed for the Global War on Terror, their families at home need support and services from the American public. As service members leave their uniforms behind, their spouses or parents may become more involved advocates and caregivers in their care. The challenges of being the spouse, parent, child, or loved one of a combat veteran all too often go unseen and unnoticed by the civilian population. Multiple deployments are challenging for both the military member and their loved ones at home.
The responsibility of family members are not alleviated upon separation from the military; and in fact, the burden of care intensifies after the commitment to the military is complete. Given that the wait for health care and disability benefits can be long, even if received in the near term, families are ultimately responsible for the care of their veteran.
What the CIAV is doing:
Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) provides educational, recreational, social and religious programs and services for military personnel and their families.
California National Guard Family Program offers services focused on encouraging the well-being of the family, including: State Advocacy Program, Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), Emergency Placement Care, Family Member Employee Assistance Program, Relocation Assistance Program, Emergency Financial Assistance, Food Locker, Family Referral and Out Reach, and Consumer Affairs and Financial Assistance. Visit http://www.guardfamily.org/Public/Application/Welcome.aspx for more information.
Coming Home Project offers many free services such as psychological counseling, workshops and retreats, training for care providers, and community forums which address the mental, emotional, spiritual, and relationship challenges faced by veterans and their families. Click here to see a calendar of upcoming retreats and forums in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond: http://www.cominghomeproject.net/calendarch/
Fisher House Foundation donates “comfort homes” built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. Housing for families while the military members recuperate is a healing and integral part of recovery.
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund has a Handbook for Families of a Deceased Servicemember to assist survivors by providing a brief summary of the resources available from the military and other government and private institutions, and a discussion of certain issues surviving family members are likely to confront.
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation provides financial assistance in the form of scholarships to children of current or former Marines in their pursuit of higher education. Find out more about eligibility requirements and deadlines here.
National Military Family Association (NMFA) provides a voice for military families. Their programs include fun activities for kids as well as practical services for spouses. Community members can also nominate military families to recognize their commitment and sacrifice.
Our Military Kids provides grants for enrichment activities and tutoring to foster and sustain development during parent deployment. Find out more about grant offerings and how to apply at www.ourmilitarykids.org/
Salvation Army’s Liberty Program in Los Angeles helps OIF/OEF active duty, veterans, Guard, Reserve, and their families by providing: individual, group & family counseling and a variety of services for children.
Scholarships for Military Children Program was created to celebrate the role of the commissary in the military family community. Dependent unmarried children under age 21 (23 if enrolled as a full time student) of active duty personnel, reserve/guard and retired military members, or survivors of deceased members, may apply for a scholarship. You must be planning to attend a college or university on a full-time basis.
Sesame Street Workshop offers free bilingual (English and Spanish) multimedia kits designed to support military families with children between the ages of two and five who are experiencing deployment, multiple deployments, or a parent’s return home changed due to a combat-related injury. To download a free kit, visit Military OneSource.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation’s Unmet Needs Program seeks to alleviate the stress on the family while a spouse is deployed through mortgage assistance, home repair, transportation assistance, help with medical expenses, etc.
Operation Uplink is a program of Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation which provides free prepaid phone cards to active-duty military personnel and hospitalized veterans.
United Through Reading Military Program allows deployed servicemembers to read to any child in his/her life (e.g. son or daughter, younger sibling, younger niece or nephew, grandchild) through video. To view their current list of available program site locations, visit their website at http://www.unitedthroughreading.org/united.htm.
Zero to Three’s Military Projects provide a wealth of resources to strengthen the resilience of young children and their families who are experiencing separation or grief during deployment or loss.
