Family Resource Program
Worklife Division
Health, Safety and Worklife Department
Base Portsmouth

Vacant at this time
Family Resource Specialist
757-686-4023

Ms. Kelly Beck
Family Resource Specialist
757-686-4025

The WorkLife Family Support Programs are partnerships with commands that strengthen mission readiness and retention by empowering members and families through prevention intervention, education, resources and networking.

Military Family Resource Center - http://mfrc.calib.com

SPECIAL NEEDS

Family Resource Specialists (FRSs) are responsible for the administration and case management of special need(s) cases in their areas of responsibility.  All Special Needs cases are reviewed and assigned a "Level", determined by the FRSs and the Family Advocacy Specialist (FAS), utilizing a team concept.  Cases are reviewed semi-annually, or as situations warrant.  FRSs provide humanitarian reassignment consultations with Service Members and Detailers.  Every attempt is made to assign a service member to an area where his family member's special needs may be met.

Special Needs Links -

Special Needs Autism Awareness Seminar
Autism Fellowship - Cub Scout Pack 3
Autism Fellowship and Kangaroo Jac's
Advocacy and Special Education
Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI)
U.S. Department of Education
Federal Resource Center for Special Education
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004

CHILD CARE

Family Child Care (FCC) Program, including certification of in-home day care, child care subsidy program, referrals to state certified child care centers and state licensed child care homes.  Coast Guard in-home FCC providers are able to offer quality care through attending required training, monitoring of the home by the FRS and maintaining standards set forth in COMMANDANT Instruction M1754.6 (Series).  Spouses interested in this program may contact the FRS for further information.

CG/GSA Child Care Program - There is a newly  established Toll-Free telephone number for CG/GSA Child Care Program.  Anyone who needs assistance may call 1-866-508-0371.

Child Care Subsidy Hotline - The National Association of Child Care Resources is a federally funded agency that provides helpful information about assistance in a client's local area.  They can help the parent find options for child care payment assistance programs.  There are two programs that provide help for military personnel - deployed active duty personnel, activated or mobilized National Guardsmen and Reservists, and for active duty personnel stateside - for child care arranged off base.  Their phone number is 800-424-2246 and is actually the Child Care Aware resource; military child care programs are under Option 3 on that phone line.

Child Care Links -

Child Care Lounge
National Parent Information Network
National Fathers Network
ChildCare - Education and Training
ChildCare - Courses

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

Scholarship information and referral.  Available at the WorkLife office are a number of listings and resources for scholarships, grants, and loan information for post secondary education.  These include the "Need a Lift College Financial Aid Handbook", and information on the Arnold Sobel Scholarship.  In addition to these listings you may also contact the Financial Aid office at the college or university that you plan to attend.

ACT/SAT preparation for free - NFL players are paying for families of active duty to get ACT/SAT preparation for free (deal goes through July 2009).  The program normally costs $199.00, but military just pay shipping and handling.

Scholarship Links -

George Snow Scholarship Fund

ADOPTION REIMBURSEMENT

All Coast Guard active duty and reservists on active duty for at least 180 consecutive days, who finalize adoption proceedings on or after December 5, 1991, are eligible to receive a reimbursement of adoption expenses.  The amount of the reimbursement expenses payable to a Coast Guard member is up to $2,000 per child (with a maximum reimbursement to one member of $5,000 in any calendar year.)  The adoption must be arranged by a state or local government that has responsibility under local law for placement, or a voluntary, nonprofit adoption agency authorized by the state or local law to place children for adoption.  Commandant Instruction 1754.9 (Series) contains the specifics of the program.  Applications are available by contacting your FRS at (757) 686-4023.

Adoption Resource Links - http://www.adoption.org

ELDER CARE INFORMATION AND REFERRALS

Resource information for your elderly parents or loved ones may be obtained b calling your FRS.  Handouts on Elder Care, "Home Health Care The Easy Way" are available from your FRS.  Some of the elder care topics of interest include: Nursing Homes - Skilled and Assisted Living; Meals on Wheels; Area Agencies on Again; Medicare and Medicaid; and Transportation.

Elder Care Links -

Elder Law and Aging
USDH Administration on Aging
Medicare

Family Resource Specialists Areas of Responsibility

Vacant at this time

Kelly Beck