Archive for the ‘Military Families’ Category
Domestic Violence Resources
Book suggestion: Managing Your Divorce: A Guide for Battered Women. Provided by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 1998. This book is available by calling, 800-527-3223 or by visiting the website: www.ncjfcj.org/content/blogcategory/256/302/
Information and resources related to domestic violence at: www.stopfamilyviolence.org
Find information specifically for managing your divorce after domestic violence: www.stopfamilyviolence.org/info/custody-abuse/case-prep/managing-your-divorce-a-guide-for-battered-women
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence: 800-537-2238
Resource Center on Domestic Violence: Child Protection and Custody 800-527-3223
Family Violence Prevention Fund, www.fvpf.org
Resources for Returning Veterans
Most of the providers are located in Portland but there are a couple in Tigard and Hillsboro.
Free Strong Bonds Marriage Conference for Army Couples
My husband and I have attended two of these conferences in the past two years because they are so fantastic! These conferences are especially beneficial for couples that are facing deployment or are dealing with reintegration. The conference includes a free hotel room, free meals, great speakers that give tips for improving your communication and relationship, as well as other advisers that are available to assist you in things such as financial planning. The locations of the conferences have been beautiful too. I find these conferences relaxing, rejuvenating and definitely well worth it.
I strongly encourage that you consider attending this conference. Find out about upcoming conferences and how to sign up:
http://www.strongbonds.org/skins/strongbonds/home.aspx
During recent years many families throughout the U.S. have faced the hardship of having a loved one deployed overseas. It is common to meet service men that have gone overseas 3 times during the recent wars and some even up to 5 times! Military families are needing as much help and support as ever. If you are a military family, I highly encourage you to look into Military OneSource and explore the variety of resources and support that they offer.
Here is a list of some of the resources that your family is likely eligible for: counseling (to help deal with deployment/return, adjusting to a new location, martial and couple issues, grief, combat stress, etc.), educational materials, an interactive website (locators for resources, financial calculators, webinars, audio podcasts, access to consultants, etc.), interpretation and translation resources and consultation and referrals to child care, employment, help with home repairs, tips for stress management, etc.
Check out the website: www.militaryonesource.com
Call: Stateside 1-800-342-9647, en espanol llame al 1-877-888-0727, Overseas: access code, *800-3429-6477
Military and Family Life Consultants (MFLCs) are another fantasitic option for families facing the stress of deployment, re-entry and military life. MFLCs are available to listen and help military family members. Some issues that MFLCs can help with include: daily life issues, grief and loss, depression, stress and anxiety, communication challenges, parenting, marriage and relationship issues and transitional issues related to deployment and reintegration issues. Call Military OneSource to find out who the MFLC is in your area.
Two current MFLCs in the Portland area are Terri L. Chapman, LPC terri.l.champman@healthnet.com and Alice Duffy, LCSW alice.r.duffy@healthnet.com
Also, check out the state websites about help available for military families. Military veterans are eligible for all sorts of benefits and discounts. Check out these sites to learn more and also, make sure that when you make purchases to ask if there are any military discounts available. (Lowe’s and Home Depot offer 10% off purchase, receive discounts when you go skiing, on your cell phone bill and when you go out to the movies at a Regal cinema. It is always worth asking.)
In Oregon:
In Washington:
http://www.dva.wa.gov/veterans_benefits.html
Important Financial Links for Active Duty Personnel, Veterans, and Their Families
This Department of Defense website enables you to determine what your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) will be using your rank and zip code that you will be living in:
http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/perdiem/perdiemrates.html
This link will help you learn about your eligibility and rules to qualify for a VA home loan: www.homeloans.va.gov
Armed Forces Legal Assistance Website. This website will provide you with information about your legal rights during your deployment. (For example, you may be eligible to terminate your car lease without any early termination fee if you are deployed for 180 days or longer.) http://legalassistance.law.af.mil/
This Department of Defense website explains the benefits and reasources that are available to military families: www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil
Click on this link and then search, “Savings Deposit Program.” You will learn about on a guaranteed interest of 10% on deposits up to $10,000 while you are deployed overseas. www.dfas.mil/militarypay.html
Lean about Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) that is available to you through the Departmentof Veteran’s Affairs. This is an incredibly low-cost life insurance that will cover an insured while one is in a war zone or even traveling overseas. You are only eligible for this while serving in the military. www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/default.htm
This official site of the Department of Defense helps with information regarding transition assistance. You can search job listings, learn about benefits information and compensation and resources for seriously injured veterans. www.turbotap.org
This site offers several great resources about ways to access free credit reports, tips on improving your credit score and suggestions on how to guard your personal information from identify theft. http://www.ftc.gov/credit
Federal Thrift Savings Plan has this official site to give you information about how to enroll in a 401K like retirement plan that military members are eligible for. You can learn how to enroll, about investment options and other financial information. www.tsp.gov
Books Related to Military Deployment & Relationships
Suggested books for families going through a military deployment:
1. Faith Deployed-Encouragement for Military Wives
2. Heros at Home, by Ellie Kay
3. New Direction 1/2, by Oliver North
4. On the Front Line, by Tom Neven
5. Man in the Mirror-Bullet Proof Faith Book, by Jeff Struecker
Couples Communication Links
BBC-Relationships-Couples, simple skills for improving your communication. Try these exercises: http://www.bbc.co.uk/relationships/
Love is a Decision: A Marriage Enrichment Handbook. Find field-tested exercises for married and engaged couples. www.decide2love.com
National Healthy Marriage Resource: www.healthymarriageinfo.org/curricula/married.cfm
Relationships and Family: http://www.helium.com/channels/16-Relationships-Family