R 161400Z OCT 12

ALCOAST 457/12
COMDTNOTE 1754
SUBJ: NATIONAL WORK AND FAMILY MONTH
1. The Senate of the United States has designated October as
"National Work and Family Month."  This designation urges public
officials, employers, employees, and the general public to work
together to achieve more balance between work and family life.
Work-life balance refers to specific organizational practices,
policies, and programs that are guided by a philosophy of active
support for the efforts of employees to achieve success within and
outside the workplace, such as caring for dependents, health and
wellness, paid and unpaid time off, financial support, community
involvement, and workplace culture.
2. The Coast Guard acknowledges the contributions and sacrifices that
our active duty, civilian, reserve, and auxiliary personnel make to
sustain Coast Guard missions, and the important role that work-life
programs play in supporting our workforce.  While achieving a healthy
balance between competing family and work demands is challenging, it
is critically important to the success and well-being of the Coast
Guard, our members, and our families.
3. The Coast Guard is a leader in programs and policies that support
our workforce and their families.  Our commands and members have at
their disposal some of the most comprehensive work-life programs and
services within the federal government.
4. Commanding officers and officers-in-charge are strongly encouraged
to take time in the next few weeks to review and promote work-life
programs with unit personnel and their families.  Providing each
member of their staff and their spouse with a copy of this message
will help ensure that they have information on these programs and
their accessibility.  Primary areas of emphasis should include:
     A. Increasing awareness of the programs and services available
and how to access them,
     B. Reinforcing the fact that asking for help is both a sign of
strength and the first step in resolving issues that they may be
facing, and
     C. Communicating command commitment to support the use of these
programs.
5. The CG SUPRT program is available to assist CG personnel and their
families with juggling work and personal life.  CG SUPRT provides
confidential professional counseling, education, and referral
services on a myriad of issues such as personal financial management,
health coaching, education and career development, relationships, and
legal matters.  Please visit www.CGSUPRT.com or call 1-855-CG SUPRT
(1-855-247-8778) for more information.
6. To access additional information on CG work-life programs, please
visit http://www.uscg.mil/worklife.  Descriptions of work-life
programs and how to access them are available at this website.
7. For additional information, please contact the Office of Work-Life
Family Support Services Specialist, Ms. Mitchia (Shay) D. Tull-Cook,
at HQS-SMB-FamilySupportServices(AT)USCG.MIL.  Alternatively, you may
contact CDR Jerry Mahlau-Heinert at the Health, Safety, and Work-Life
Service Center by calling 757-628-4795.
8. CAPT Joel L. Rebholz, Acting Director of Health, Safety, and
Work-Life, sends.
9. Internet release authorized.