1. AR 600-20, Army Command Policy
Family Care Plans
SHOW SLIDE 1: FAMILY CARE PLANS
Individual Soldier and unit readiness is one of the most important responsibilities of a company command team. As part of this process, plans must be made to ensure your Soldiers’ Family members are properly and adequately cared for when a Soldier is deployed, on Temporary Duty (TDY), or otherwise not available due to military requirements. Although it is very likely a very small percentage of your assigned Soldiers, there will be some who will require a Family Care Plan (FCP) to establish formal Family member care requirements when the Soldier is unavailable.
The Family Care Plan is an essential document and another important administrative area that will require your personal involvement. Today we are going to discuss basic Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) Policy, commander’s responsibilities, who is required to provide a FCP and what documentation is required.
AR , Army Command Policy
July 2013

2. Terminal Learning Objective
ACTION: Examine Family Care Plans
CONDITION: In a classroom environment using facilitated group discussions, shared personal experiences, applicable Army administrative publications and forms, and access to AR , Army Command Policy.
STANDARD: Demonstrate basic knowledge and comprehension of policies, procedures, and command team responsibilities for Family Care Plans.
SHOW SLIDE 2: TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE
NOTE: Review TLO. 2

3. AR 600-20, Army Command Policy, Chapter 5
HQDA Policy on FCPs
AR , Army Command Policy, Chapter 5
As part of unit and individual Soldier readiness, FCPs must be made to ensure Family members are properly and adequately cared for when a Soldier is deployed, temporary duty (TDY), or otherwise not available due to military requirements.
It is the primary responsibility of the Soldier to implement the FCP.
The plan may be executed any time conditions warrant and Family care is necessary due to the required absence of the Soldier.
Soldiers must be able to perform their military duties without interference of Family responsibilities.
Soldiers must be available for duty when and where the needs of the Army dictate.
SHOW SLIDE 3: HQDA POLICY ON FCPs
The Army G–1 is responsible for policy on FCPs that assists the Soldier in providing for the care of his or her Family members when the absence of Soldier is required.
Plans must be made to ensure Family members are properly and adequately cared for when the Soldier is deployed, on TDY, or otherwise not available due to military requirements. Army National Guard (ARNG) and Reserve Component Soldiers are also subject to those policies and regulations, and will implement plans during any period of absence for Annual Training, regularly scheduled unit training assemblies, emergency mobilization and deployment, or other type of Active Duty (AD).
It is the primary responsibility of the Soldier to implement the FCP. The plan may be executed any time conditions warrant and Family care is necessary due to the required absence of the Soldier.
Soldiers must be able to perform their military duties without interference of Family responsibilities and must be available for duty when and where the needs of the Army dictate. 3

4. Commander’s Responsibilities
AR , Chapter 5, Army Command Policy, provides detailed information on responsibilities.
Conduct FCP counseling. This can be delegated.
Approve FCPs. This cannot be delegated.
Ensure Soldiers know their responsibilities concerning FCPs.
Ensure FCPs are tested for validity and durability, and certified annually or sooner if events dictate (e.g., SRPs, alerts, field exercises, etc.)
Ensure Soldiers on OCONUS assignment instructions or deployment notification comply with FCP requirements.
Ensure Soldiers are screened during unit in-processing to determine if FCP requirements apply. Also, use a query from the S-1 for periodic identification.
Be thoroughly familiar with FCP requirements and procedures.
Set up a suspense system for testing, validation, and recertification.
Report Soldiers without a valid FCP as “non-available” during Unit Status Reporting (USR). Commanders may consider extenuating circumstances in approving a FCP, but must understand the Soldier is considered non-deployable until a FCP is validated and approved.
SHOW SLIDE 4: COMMANDER’S RESPONSIBILITIES
The unit commander—
May designate an authorized representative to conduct FCP counseling using DA Form 5304 (Family Care Plan Counseling Checklist) and to initial and sign the counseling form in the commander’s behalf.
Is the sole approving authority for DA Form This responsibility will not be delegated.
(3) Must ensure all required documents are in order, and must be satisfied that the FCP meets the requirements and appears to be workable and durable.
(5) Should disapprove DA Form 5305 if the required attachments are not present unless extenuating circumstances exist.
(6) May consider extenuating circumstances in approving DA Form 5305, but must understand that the Soldier is considered non-deployable until a FCP is validated and approved.
(7) Must adequately test the validity and durability of the FCP, to include contacting the designated guardian(s) prior to final approval or recertification.
(8) Must ensure Soldiers are screened during unit in-processing to determine if FCP requirements apply. Also, use your S-1 to help identify Soldiers who may require a FCP and set up a system for testing, validation, and recertification.
(9) Report Soldiers without a valid FCP as “non-available” during Unit Status Reporting (USR). Commanders may consider extenuating circumstances in approving a FCP, but must understand the Soldier is considered non-deployable until a FCP is validated and approved.
(10) Should take action to ensure they are aware of other situations that may create changes in the status of their Soldiers with regard to the Soldier’s responsibility to support Family members. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
Death or disability of spouse.
Legal separation when initial agreements have identified the Soldier as custodial parent or guardian of one or more family members.
Divorce proceedings awarding joint or full custody of family members to the Soldier.
Court decrees awarding visitation rights to the Soldier, for more than 30 consecutive days at a time, and the Soldier has not remarried.
Adoption.
Assumption of foster care responsibilities.
Guardianship agreement for children or adults incapable of self-care to temporarily or permanently reside with the Soldier.
Extended periods of absence by the spouse for schooling, hospitalization, etc.
Expiration of current power of attorney, change in guardianship due to PCS, change of temporary care provider, etc. 4

5. Family Care Plan - DA Form 5305
The DA Form 5305 is the means by which Soldiers provide for the care of their Family members when military duties prevent the Soldier from doing so.
It will include proof that guardians and escorts:
(1) Have been thoroughly briefed on responsibilities they are assuming.
(2) Know how to access military and civilian facilities and services on behalf of Family members.
(3) Agree to provide care and have been provided all necessary legal authority and a means to accomplish them.
RC Soldiers are subject to AR during periods of absences including:
Annual training
Unit training assemblies
Deployment and mobilization
Other types of active duty.
SHOW SLIDE 5: FAMILY CARE PLAN – DA FORM 5305
DA Form 5305-R (Family Care Plan) is the means by which Soldiers provide for the care of their Family members when military duties prevent them from doing so.
The FCP will include proof that guardians and escorts have been thoroughly briefed on the responsibilities they will assume for the Soldier and the procedures for accessing military and civilian facilities and services on behalf of the family members of the Soldier. It will attest that the guardian and escort agreed to provide care and have been provided all necessary legal authority and means to do so.
As discussed earlier, Reserve Component Soldiers are also subject to AR during periods of absences including:
(1) Annual training
(2) Unit training assemblies
(3) Deployment and mobilization
(4) Other types of active duty
As a minimum, proof will consist of the following attachments to DA Form 5305:
(1) DA Form 5840 (Certificate of Acceptance as Guardian or Escort).
(2) DA Form 5841 (Power of Attorney) or equivalent delegation of legal control (unsigned until deployment).
(3) DA Form 7666 (Parental Consent) (if applicable).
(4) DD Form (Application for Department of Defense Common Access Card DEERS Enrollment) for each Family member. AR (Identification Cards for Members of the Uniformed Services, Their Eligible Family Members, and Other Eligible Personnel) directs that ID cards will be issued for children under age 10 who reside with a single parent or dual military couple. NOTE: DD Form replaced DD Form 1172 (Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card DEERS Enrollment) which is obsolete.
(5) DD Form 2558 (Authorization to Start, Stop or Change an Allotment) (unsigned until deployment) or other proof of financial support arrangements.
A letter of instruction to the guardian/escort (see DA Form 5304 (Family Care Plan Counseling Checklist) for details.
NOTE: AR , paragraph 5-5a(3), defines items acceptable as proof.
Commanders must stress the Soldier’s obligation to both the military and to his/her Family members. Moreover, they must ensure Soldiers understand they will not receive special consideration in duty assignments or duty stations based on their responsibilities for Family members unless enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (see AR 608–75 for more information). They must also ensure that Soldiers are aware that the Family care plan is not a legal document that can change a court mandated custodial arrangement, nor can it interfere with a natural parent’s right to custody of his/her children. The main evidence that Soldiers have made adequate arrangements for the care of their dependent Family members will be the execution of DA Form 5305 with its attendant documents.
Commanders are encouraged to consult with their supporting Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) for any FCP situation that may require legal review or assistance.
As a minimum, proof will consist of the following attachments to DA Form 5305
DA Form 5840 – Certificate of Acceptance as Guardian or Escort
DA Form 5841 – Power of Attorney
DA Form 7666 – Parental Consent (if applicable)
DD Form Application for DOD Common Access Card-DEERS Enrollment
DD Form 2558 – Authorization to Stop, Start, or Change an Allotment
Letter of Instruction to the guardian/escort. 5

6. Who is Required to have a FCP?
Pregnant Soldiers who—
(a) Are single; divorced, widowed, separated or reside without her spouse.
(b) Are married to another Service member on active duty or RC of any service (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard).
Soldiers who are single, divorced, widowed, or separated, or reside without their spouse and one of the following applies:
(a) Has joint or full legal and physical custody of one or more Family members under the age of 19.
(b) Has adult, dependent, Family member(s) incapable of self-care regardless of age.
Dual-service couples (neither Soldier should be identified in the plan as temporary or long-term guardian) of active or RC and one of the following applies:
(a) One or both has joint or full legal and physical custody of one or more dependents under 19 years of age.
(b) Has adult, dependent, Family member(s) incapable of self-care, regardless of age.
Soldier is divorced and has liberal or extended visitation rights by court decree. Applies only if the dependent is placed in the Soldier’s care in excess of 30 consecutive days.
Soldier’s spouse is incapable of self-care or is physically, mentally, or emotionally disabled and requires special care or assistance.
SHOW SLIDE 6: WHO IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A FCP?
1. Pregnant Soldiers who—
(a) Are single; divorced, widowed, separated or reside without her spouse.
Are married to another Service member on active duty or RC of any service (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard).
2. Soldiers who are single, divorced, widowed, or separated, or reside without their spouse and one of the following applies:
(a) Has joint or full legal and physical custody of one or more Family members under the age of 19.
Has adult, dependent, Family member(s) incapable of self-care regardless of age.
3. Dual-service couples (neither Soldier should be identified in the plan as temporary or long-term guardian) of active or RC and one of the following applies:
(a) One or both has joint or full legal and physical custody of one or more dependents under 19 years of age.
(b) Has adult, dependent, Family member(s) incapable of self-care, regardless of age.
NOTE: FCPs should be signed by both members of a dual-military couple and, if possible, both commanders. The same FCP should be submitted by both members of the dual-military couple, and neither member should be identified in the plan as the temporary or long-term guardian.
Soldier is divorced and has liberal or extended visitation rights by court decree. Applies only if the dependent is placed in the Soldier’s care in excess of 30 consecutive days.
5. Soldier’s spouse is incapable of self-care or is physically, mentally, or emotionally disabled and requires special care or assistance. 6

7. FCP Administration How long does a Soldier have to complete a FCP?
AC Soldiers – 30 days (may be extended an additional 30 days for a total of 60 days)
RC Soldiers – 60 days (may be extended an additional 30 days for a total of 90 days)
Pregnant Soldiers – Not later than 60 days prior to the date of the birth of the child.
If the initial FCP submission is disapproved, commanders may allow the Soldier approximately 30 additional days to correct deficiencies.
SHOW SLIDE 7: FCP ADMINISTRATION
How long does a Soldier have to complete a FCP?
As discussed earlier, it is the primary responsibility of the Soldier to implement the FCP. General timelines for submission and approval of an FCP are:
1. AC Soldiers – 30 days (may be extended an additional 30 days for a total of 60 days)
2. RC Soldiers – 60 days (may be extended an additional 30 days for a total of 90 days)
3. Pregnant Soldiers – Not later than 60 days prior to the date of the birth of the child.
What happens if a Soldier is unable to complete a FCP?
If the initial FCP submission is disapproved, commanders may allow the Soldier a reasonable period of time (generally 30 additional days) to correct deficiencies. Commanders may consider extenuating circumstances in approving DA Form 5305, but must understand that the Soldier is considered non-deployable until a FCP is validated and approved. Commanders may also authorize leave per AR 600–8–10 (Leaves and Passes) for a deployed Soldier to return home when circumstances beyond the Soldier’s control preclude the designated guardian from exercising those responsibilities.
Commanders should consider initiating a Bar to Reenlistment against Soldiers who fail to properly manage personal, marital, or Family affairs, or who fail to provide or maintain adequate FCPs and should consider initiating involuntary separation proceedings against Soldiers who fail to provide and maintain adequate Family care plans.
Enlisted Soldiers will be counseled on voluntary and involuntary separation whenever parenthood interferes with military responsibilities (see DA Form 5305) under provision of—
(1) AR 635–200 (Active Duty Enlisted Administrative Separations) for active Army Soldiers.
(2) AR 135–178 (Enlisted Administrative Separations) for RC and ARNG Soldiers.
(3) AR 135–91 (Service Obligations, Methods of Fulfillment, Participation Requirements, and Enforcement Procedures ) for ARNG Soldiers.
Officers will be counseled on voluntary and involuntary separations whenever parenthood interferes with military responsibilities (see DA Form 5305) under provision of—
(1) AR 600–8–24 (Officer Transfers and Discharges) for active Army Soldiers and RC and officers serving on Active Duty (AD) or on Active Duty for Training (ADT) for a period in excess of 90 days.
(2) AR 135–175 (Separation of Officers) for ARNG and RC Soldiers, except for officers serving on AD or on ADT for a period in excess of 90 days.
(3) NGR 635–101 (Efficiency and Physical Fitness Boards) for ARNG Soldiers.
Pregnant Soldiers (who meet the criteria established in paragraph 5–5b(1)) will be counseled—
(1) In the AA, according to AR 600–8–24 for officers and AR 635–200 for enlisted Soldiers.
(2) In the ARNG and RC, according to AR 135–91.
(3) On costs of maternity care obtained from civilian sources and the limitations concerning maternity care in military medical facilities.
(4) Using DA Form 5304 as soon as pregnancy is identified but not later than 90 days prior to the expected date of birth of the child. Pregnant Soldiers should receive Family care plan counseling at the time of pregnancy counseling to ensure the Soldier is informed of the responsibilities if she chooses to remain on AD.
(5) That they must complete and have an approved DA Form 5305 showing their intentions for Family care not later than 60 days prior to the date of the birth of the child. DA Form 5840 and DA Form 5841 or other guardianship documents, DD Form 1172, and DD Form 2558, will be completed, and DA Form 5305 recertified not later than 45 days following the date of birth of the child.
What happens if a Soldier is unable to complete a FCP?
Non-deployable.
Commanders should consider a Bar to Reenlistment against Soldiers who fail to provide or maintain adequate FCPs.
Soldiers without or unable to sustain an adequate FCP should be considered for involuntary separation processing. 7

8. Terminal Learning Objective
ACTION: Examine Family Care Plans
CONDITION: In a classroom environment using facilitated group discussions, shared personal experiences, applicable Army administrative publications and forms, and access to internet resources.
STANDARD: Demonstrate basic knowledge and comprehension of policies, procedures, and command team responsibilities for Family Care Plans.
SHOW SLIDE 8: TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE
NOTE: Review TLO, summarize lesson and poll for questions.
It is important that we stress to our Soldiers the importance of a FCP and that Soldiers should use the utmost care and consideration in the designation of guardian to care for their Family members. Soldier should have no reservations entrusting the total welfare of their children or other Family members to the person(s) they have selected as guardians and that they are confident in their ability to exercise that responsibility over extended period of time, if necessary.
During this learning activity we have discussed:
FCP Policies
Commander’s Responsibilities
Preparing a FCP
Who is required to have a FCP
FCP Administration 8