Military families assisted by FRG Centers

Many military families (active, Guard, Reserves, retired) are unaware of the vast number of resources available to them. The job of our Family Assistance Centers (FAC), therefore, is to help these families become aware of and familiar with these resources. These Centers are located across the United States, seven of which are located in Idaho, including one right here in Post Falls. The FAC offices operate under the umbrella of the National Guard Family Programs in each state and are available to ALL of our military families regardless of location, unit, or branch of service. Services provided by the Centers are similar to that of the Navigators affiliated with the Health and Welfare offices, directed at connecting our military families to services, benefits and resources (both military & civilian).

FACs provide assistance to military families on the following areas: Pay & Finance Issues including that of emergency situations; coordinate military & civilian resources to assist military families, including referrals to outside organizations for community & organization donations; put military families in contact with a local family readiness group (FRG) in their area regardless of where their family member serves; provide information to the family readiness groups; use & update local directory of resources; family related issues and counseling services; medical benefits; legal issues; GI Bill and scholarship information; youth programs; ID cards & DEERS enrollment

ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard & Reserves); and locating employment. One of the valuable resources available to our military families is the FRG (Family Readiness Group). The FRG operates similar to that of a support group enabling our local military families to be in touch with other local military families going through, or who have previously been through the same type of situation. FRG members include: Service members (all branches), spouses, parents, other family members, retired military, employers, friends, and anyone who supports our military personnel. The goal of an FRG is to reassure our military families (regardless of location or unit affiliation or branch of service) that they are not the only ones going through a situation alone. They are also a link in the communication chain with the National Guard Bureau, Idaho Family Programs, FAC offices, the local military command & others to our FRG families.

The "R" in FRG stands for Readiness, and it is imperative that our military families understand the need to be ready for what ever comes our way. We need to be ready if our loved ones get activated not only for Iraq, Afghanistan, or the Mexican border but more often than that will they be called to action for local & national disasters (fires, floods, hurricanes, etc). Families and employers too need to realize that many times these solders may have less than 48-72 hours to report for duty. Do to privacy issues the FAC or FRGs are not notified by the military that a military family lives in their area, they must wait until the service member or family initiates contact with them. There are many military families in each county that we simply do not "know" about but we (FAC & FRG) want to know them. Some families may not currently "see" the need, but at some point they will and we want to make sure they know the FAC & FRG are here waiting for them. If anyone has questions or would like to get more information about the resources available or would like to be include in the FRG newsletter mailing to please contact Cassandra Vig, Family Assistance Coordinator - Post Falls region (Benewah to Boundary County) at 208-272-7532 or email to cassandra.vig@id.ngb.army.mil.