Military Family Support
Barbara Thompson, Director
DoD Office of Family Policy/Children and Youth
Family Support Responsibilities:
Military Community &Family Policy
• Develop Family Readiness policies
• Collaborate with the Military Services and other
partners to develop and monitor family programs
• Provide outreach programs to augment Services’
resources.
Military Services:
• Draft implementing policies
• Develop and monitor family programs at Military
installations worldwide:
– Family Centers
– Children Development Centers
– Morale Welfare & Recreation Facilities
Changes in Family Landscape
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High operational tempo
Large Guard and Reserve population deploying
Deployment extensions
Family isolation
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Single parent families
Loneliness
Financial issues
Increasing stress
DoD Support to Members and Families

Child Development Programs

Youth Programs

Commissaries & Exchanges

Defense State Liaison

Dependents’ Education

Morale, Welfare & Recreation
Domestic & Child Abuse
Prevention & Treatment

Military OneSource
•
Partnerships
•
Non-Medical Counseling
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Exceptional Family Member
Support
Casualty Assistance &
Wounded Warrior Support

Family Centers/Family Readiness

Employment Assistance

Personal Financial Management

Life Skills Education

Relocation Assistance

Joint Support

Emergency Family Assistance
Outreach to Military Families
• Through the Joint Family Support Assistance
Program
• Through the Defense State Liaison Office
• Through collaboration with federal and
community partners
Military HOMEFRONT
The official Department of Defense website for
reliable quality of life information designed to
help:
– Military members and their families
– Leaders
– Service providers
www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil
JFSAP State Family Program
Directors
www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/sp/jfsap/stateinformation
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Online Resources
• National Guard Family Programs
http://www.jointservicessupport.org/FP/
• National Guard Bureau Joint Services Support
http://www.jointservicessupport.org/
• Reserve Affairs Family Readiness
http://ra.defense.gov/html/familyreadiness.html
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Military OneSource
24/7 Resource for
Military Members,
Spouses and Families
www.militaryonesource.com
Volunteer Opportunity Examples
• Family Store Volunteer
• Holiday and Seasonal Assistance – Angel Tree
Gift Distribution
• Children’s Advocacy Center Clothes Closet
• Document Shredding and Food Drive
• Renovation/Horticulture Project Assistance
• Waiting Room Attendant
www.servicenation.org
www.allforgood.org
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Questions?
barbara.thompson@osd.mil