Soldiers Can Get Family Life Consultant

Following the success of an Office of the Secretary of Defense pilot program in the United States Army Europe, a Department of the Army initiative that provides informal support to Soldiers and their family members began this month. The Soldier and Family Life Consultants initiative offers free, anonymous reunion and reintegration support to active-duty Soldiers, National Guardsmen, reservists and their families.

The U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center (armymwr.com) is responsible for administration and coordination of the program and Health Net Federal Services (healthnet.com) will serve as the contractor.

"The support will be in the form of individual and group training, consultation and referral services, and will augment existing Army services," said Jay Burcham, chief of Deployment Readiness for Family Programs at CFSC. "The reunion and reintegration period after an extended deployment is a critical time for a Soldier and families. The life consultants will provide the training and skills to make this period easier."

While life consultants are not members of the Army, they are experienced in family matters, relationships, raising children, substance abuse, goodbyes and homecomings. Services offered include workshops, group discussions, personal consultations, activities and organization tips.

SFLC will work with Army Community Service offices on installations as well as with local communities to provide services to individuals in need. Health Net will provide licensed social workers and psychologists who will offer informal support to assist units, rear detachment commanders, Soldiers and their families during pre-deployment and post-deployment phases.

"We need to make sure that we give our Soldiers and families all the support they need to make them successful, " said Delores Johnson, Director of Family Programs at CFSC.

Installations taking part in the initial phase of the program are Camp Shelby, Miss.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Dix, N.J.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico; Fort McCoy, Wis.; Fort Benning, Ga.; Fort Riley, Kan.; Korea and National Guard and Army Reserve units in Hawaii, Arkansas and Idaho.

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