Top Military Resources for Your Family

It’s important for military families to be educated about the amazing military resources available to us. I hope you find this blog informational and that it provides you with something you might have needed. I covered my favorite resources used throughout the years of being an military spouse. I’ve used them all and they are wonderful!

1. Armed Services YMCA

At its 200 service centers across 18 states, the ASYMCA offers unique essential programs, such as child care, hospital assistance, spouse support services, food services, deployment support, emergency support, computer training classes, counseling, wounded warrior support, wounded family support, health and wellness services, and holiday programs that are tailored to the specific needs of the military community on the local level. In addition to these locations, the ASYMCA and its programs are implemented by partners at 11 affiliated community YMCAs, as well as seven Department of Defense affiliates worldwide, that have large military communities and are able to benefit from ASYMCA programming.

While we were stationed at Fort Campbell, I met my very first friends at a play group at the ASYMCA. They provided play groups for families, science project days, and even ice cream socials. This place was fun! They knew how to help families. I think this was one of the best kept secrets of Fort Campbell. It was a gem. Now, they don’t have a building at each installation, but if you find yourself stationed at one with an ASYMCA, then check it out!

2. Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront assists military families during difficult financial times by providing food assistance, auto and home repair, vision care, travel and transportation, moving assistance, essential home items, and financial assistance. Wounded Warriors are a specific concern for Operation Homefront, spurring them to establish Operation Homefront Village. In order to support caregivers, they formed Hearts of Valor. Operation Homefront supports every military family member. They host a gala each year that recognizes an extraordinary military child and also host multiple homefront celebrations each year to show their appreciation to military spouses.

My heart pours out for this organization; the amount they give and the love they share is beyond amazing. I’m always telling my friends, family, and non-military people to give to this organization because they give to our community so much.

They provide backpacks full of school supplies to military children, helping parents each and every year.

My second pregnancy was crazy, and I didn’t know if I would have a baby shower or not. They laid down the red carpet for this mama and other soon-to-be mamas. It was amazing to feel pampered and loved and feel the joy and excitement this new baby would bring.

They also provide furnished apartments for wounded warriors to stay in free of charge during their treatments.

3. Military OneSource

Military OneSource is a confidential Department of Defense-funded program, providing comprehensive information on every aspect of military life at no cost to service members and their families, across all branches of service, regardless of active-duty, National Guard, or Reserve status. They provide information regarding deployment, reunion, relationships, grief, spouse employment and education, parenting and childhood services, and more related to military life. It is a virtual extension to installation services.

Did you know they provide free counseling? It is face-to-face through either Military OneSource or the Military Family Life Consultant program. You can see a licensed counselor or therapist in your local community. Visit the Military OneSource website or call 800-342-9647 for more information. Sometimes you just need to talk it out, and what a great resource to help you.

Do you need some tips on moving? They’ve got it! Need some deployment resources? They’ve got it! Have some questions about your child’s development? It’s on there.

This online resource is a mighty tool packed with information.

4. National Military Family Association

The National Military Family Association is the leading non-profit organization focusing on issues important to military families. They believe that all military families deserve comprehensive child care, accessible health care, spouse employment options, great schools, caring communities, a secure retirement, and support for widows and widowers.

Ever wonder who is fighting for military families in Washington, D.C.? Who’s got our back when Washington wants to cut military family programs? This is the organization that fights for us and sticks up for us. Through their continued advocacy on behalf of military families, they anticipate, listen, and react to the needs of military families. They’ve awarded millions in scholarships to military spouses, sent tens of thousands of children to free summer camp while a parent is deployed, organized retreats for families dealing with war injuries or reintegration, and conducted research to assess the effects of military life on families.

They also have the link to one of my favorite resources, the Army Spouse Guide. This is a complete guide for Army spouses that I recommend printing out or downloading to your desktop.

5. Child, Youth, and School Services

Whenever you need it and wherever you are, CYS is prepared to make life better for military families. Programs include daycare at your garrison and in your local community, school age services, and online tutoring programs. CYS also hosts teen programs, in-home childcare, youth sports, activities, and more.

This is one of my first stops when we land at a new installation. I don’t even know what my children will be participating in, but I register them anyway. This allows for easy signup when you do want to participate in a CYS activity. My children have done dance, T-ball, gymnastics, and even went to daycare on post.

6. Army OneSource

Similar to Military OneSource, Army OneSource compiles important, credible, and up-to-date Army information in a single location for all soldiers and family members to access at any time of day, no matter where they’re stationed.

This is another great tool to look up information. If you want to volunteer on post and not sure where to start, they have a volunteer section of positions available on your installation. If you volunteer, you will also use this website to log your hours.

7. Army Community Service (or your branch equivalent)

Army Community Service offers a variety of assistance to Army families:

• Army Emergency Relief: AER is the Army’s own emergency financial assistance organization and is dedicated to “Helping the Army take care of its own.” AER funds are made available to provide emergency financial assistance to soldiers, both active and retired, and their dependents when there is a valid need. AER funds are not limited and are constrained only by the requirement of valid need. The AER assistance program is conducted by major commanders and their installation/organization commanders through AER sections and other related organizations.
• Army Family Team Building: AFTB empowers individuals, maximizing their personal growth and professional development through specialized training, to create a stronger more resilient community. AFTB is a series of training modules taught through your local ACS that cover topics such as basic information about the Army, personal growth skills, and leadership skills. AFTB helps you to not just cope with but enjoy the military lifestyle. Many of the courses can be applied toward resume and career building, self-development, and leadership skills. The training is available to soldiers, family members, Department of Defense civilians, and volunteers. I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this program. It taught me everything I need to know and everything I didn’t want to know but glad I learned.
• Family Advocacy Program: The Family Advocacy Program is dedicated to the prevention, education, prompt reporting, investigation, intervention, and treatment of spouse and child abuse. The program provides a variety of services to soldiers and families to enhance their relationship skills and improve their quality of life. They offer working groups, seminars, workshops, and counseling and intervention services. I had some great times with these programs. I took classes, from Scream-Free Parenting to The Five Love Languages. I loved them all.
• New Parent Support Program: If you’ve recently had a baby or have young children, this is a helpful resource to remember. The program helps soldiers and family members who are expecting a child or have a child or children up to 3 years of age, to build strong, healthy military families. Through a variety of supportive services including home visits, support groups, and parenting classes, the NPSP helps soldiers and families learn to cope with stress, isolation, post-deployment reunions, and the everyday demands of parenthood. What is great about this program is the home visits! I was 19, pregnant with my first child, and had no idea what to do or how to do it. I wasn’t near home and needed someone to help me. My nurse was amazing and answered any questions I had. She even showed me some tricks to calm down my newborn. It felt so great to have someone on my side supporting me.

8. Army Wife Network

We don’t meant to toot our own horn, but we have connections to a variety of resources to support anyone who loves a service member. You don’t have to be a wife or in the Army for us to support you! We stand for all branches of service, those married and unmarried, parents of service members, and anyone looking to support military families.

 

Feel free to leave comments of other great resources you know of. These resources are in no special order.