“The Fleet and Family Support Center is just for service members.”
“Fleet and Family can help you find a job.”
“Can Fleet and Family get me a loan?”
There are many myths and facts about the Fleet and Family Support Center, but one truth is this – it’s a great resource for both service members and spouses alike! Think of the Fleet and Family Support Center as your hub of help – a one-stop shop to get your questions about military life answered and get connected with resources both on- and off base. Read on to learn more about the free programs and services you can find at your local FFSC!
Counseling & Life Skills Classes
Military life is challenging, and the Fleet and Family Support Center has licensed counselors that can help with anything from relationships to grief counseling to adjustment to the military lifestyle. Counselors are available to see both Sailors and dependents, including dependent children. FFSC counselors focus on short-term solution focused therapy, meaning the goal of counseling is to find efficient, workable solutions for problems to minimize time spent struggling or suffering.
With the exception of a few reportable topics, everything said in counseling is kept confidential. Also – for service members concerned about how seeking counseling will affect security clearances – counseling related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment, marital or family concerns (not related to violence by the service member), grief counseling, and counseling related to being a victim of sexual assault does NOT need to be reported for security clearances.
FFSC also offers life skills classes, focusing on areas of anger management, stress management, and communication skills. These one-hour classes offer practical tips and tools on managing anger, reducing the impact of stress, and improving interpersonal communication skills. They’re a great way to learn better coping skills for when times get tough.
Parenting Support
FFSC also offers several great programs for parents! The New Parent Support Home Visitation Program offers in-home visits to parents of children ages 0-3 – no need to pack up the kids and bring them into the office! The New Parent Home Visitors can provide information and resources related to infant and child safety, nutrition, development, and more. They also host classes for expecting and new parents. FFSC also offers parenting classes for parents of children ages 5-12 and teenagers that focus on discipline methods, communication, cooperation, and ways to build self-esteem in children.
Personal Finance
Your local FFSC also offers support for helping you manage your budget. Accredited financial counselors can help you develop a spending plan, manage credit, and provide personal financial management resources, including information on home buying and car buying. They offer both classes and individual appointments to meet the needs of service members and their families. However, they can’t offer any type of actual monetary assistance – for that, you’d have to visit your local Navy Marine Corps Relief Society office and ask about their quick assist loan.
Relocation Support
PCSing is a complicated process – but it doesn’t have to be! Your local FFSC has a relocation specialist who can walk you through every step of your move. Whether you’re moving across the country or overseas, the Relocation Specialist can help answer your questions and make sure your move goes smoothly.
Resume Help
Both Sailors and dependents can get help with writing the perfect resume at the Fleet and Family Support Center. The Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP) at FFSC can help with resume writing, job search strategies, and even mock interviews. While FFSC can’t actually give anyone a job, FERP can help spouses navigate the many military spouse employment partnership programs to help find jobs they are qualified for and interested in. Many FFSCs also host career fairs through FERP, where spouses and transitioning service members can find their next career, either on or off base.
SAPR and Family Advocacy
The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program is part of FFSC. This program focuses on both preventing sexual assault and increasing awareness and responding to victims of sexual assault with support and resources. They provide training to command representatives and civilian staff as well.
The Family Advocacy Program supports victims of domestic violence. The primary goals of the Family Advocacy Program are prevention, victim safety and support, rehabilitative interventions, command and offender accountability, and providing a consistent and coordinated community response. They can provide confidential resources and support to help victims choose the best course of action for their situation.
Both the SAPR and Family Advocacy Programs have 24/7 response numbers. That means that anyone can call their hotline number outside of business hours (including weekends and holidays) to make a report or receive services. Both programs also follow the idea of a “warm handoff” – if they’re not the appropriate resource for a client’s needs, they will make sure the client is connected with a resource that can help them.
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
Military families who have family members with special medical needs can connect with an Exceptional Family Member Program case liaison at the Fleet and Family Support Center. The case liaison can help with EFMP enrollment, answer questions about the program, and can help navigate referrals and resources. Many people think that having an EFMP family member can hurt a service member’s career – but that’s a myth! Aside from providing support, EFMP ensures that a service member is stationed in a location where their family member can receive appropriate medical care.
Deployment Support
Deployment can be one of the most challenging times for military families, and your local FFSC has programs and resources to help families address the challenges of deployments. The Deployment Support Specialist can help make sure families are prepared for deployments (Do you have your Powers of Attorney signed? Do spouses have necessary passwords and account information?) and help connect families with their command ombudsman. Many FFSCs also offer classes to help families ride the waves of emotions during deployments.
Transition Assistance Program
All service members who are transitioning out of the Navy have to take classes through the Transition Assistance Program, but did you know that many FFSCs have classes for spouses that focus on the transition from military life to civilian life? These classes can provide spouses with resources regarding planning their final military move, what to expect during the transition period, and other resources as well.
Hub of Help
No matter what your needs are, your local Fleet and Family Support Center is your hub of help! Many centers are staffed by veterans and spouses who understand the unique needs and challenges of the military lifestyle. Feel free to give your local FFSC a call and if they can’t address your needs at the center, they can connect you with another local or military resource. They are passionate about supporting service members and helping military families thrive!
Meet Sarah
Sarah is a proud Navy wife and works with the Fleet and Family Support Center at their duty station. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and listening to podcasts.
