1. SFA Roles and Responsibilities
Soldier & Family Assistance Branch
Stacey Boosinger, SFA, Houston Recruiting BN

2. Overview What is an SFA? BDE vs. BN SFA SFA Programs
Military & Community Partnerships

3. What is an SFA?
Each Brigade & Battalion in USAREC has a Soldier & Family Assistance Program Manager (SFA)
We are the equivalent to Army Community Services (ACS) staff and act as a mini ACS
Coordinate/carry out ACS programs/quality of life programs
Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator (BCAC) for TRICARE
SFA ≠ FRSA (Family Readiness Support Assistant)
Toll-free number for all SFAs: , plus Brigade number then select Battalion
Despite the Soldier having to in-process the SFA many of them are still unaware of what we do, which in turn means many spouses are unaware as well. (Share example of asking Soldiers what my acronym is and what the “S” stands for- favorite answer from a spouse-Superwoman).

4. BDE vs. BN SFA Duties
Acts in a non-supervisory role to BN SFAs to provide training and resources
Work through administrative red tape on access to programs and services identified by the BN SFAs
Conduit of information between USAREC and BN SFAs and vice versa
Program oversight for: budget, MFLC & PFC program, taskers, etc.
Educate Command teams on the roles and responsibilities of SFAs

5. SFA Programs
Certified Beneficiary Counseling Assistance Coordinator (BCAC) for TRICARE
Liaison between the Soldier/Family Member & TRICARE
Claims resolution
Enrollment assistance
Briefings for the Soldier/Family Member at in-processing and annually-usually ATC
Access to various systems: DEERS, TIP, MyTricare
Dental Program
Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP) for remote Soldiers

6. SFA Programs Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
Enrollment/disenrollment assistance
Liaison with ACS EFMP staff
EFMP Stabilization
Respite Care
Coordinate with USAREC EFMP Systems Navigators
EFMP System Navigators are available to provide referrals and resources, as well as advocate for your family.
1st & 2nd Brigades and MRB contact Mrs. Laura Voyles: or
3rd, 5th, & 6th Brigades contact Ms. Alexandra Billings: or

7. SFA Programs Relocation Assistance Financial Readiness
My Installation via Military OneSource
BN Newcomers Orientation
In/out processing
Sponsorship
Spouse employment
Financial Readiness
Emergency Assistance- AER/Red Cross
Referral to appropriate financial counselors
Army Family Team Building (AFTB)
Army Family Action Plan (AFAP)

8. SFA Programs Volunteer Program Family Advocacy
Volunteer Management Information System (VMIS)
Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator (AVCC)
Recognition
Training
Family Advocacy
Crisis Intervention
Linking Commanders and 1SGs
Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE)
AVCC-serves as the single point of contact for volunteerism, VMIS oversight/management-develop/input job descriptions, certify volunteer hours

9. SOCIAL MEDIA

10. SFA Programs Education Assistance Child Care Assistance
Scholarship information/resources
GI Bill assistance
Tutor.com
Child Care Assistance
Army Fee Assistance
Family Readiness Group (FRG)-Commander’s Program
SFAs provide training & guidance
Family Strong Resource Guide (There’s an APP for that!)
Information & Referral…
I have learned that my job is not so much making sure that everyone knows what the resources are but that they know who their SFA is.

11. Military & Community Partnerships
National Guard / Reserves
Joint Services & Support
MFLC & PFC
Army Community Services
Military OneSource
Unit Ministry Team
Strong Bonds
211 United Way
Operation HomeFront
Veteran Organizations
Spouse Employment & Scholarships
Child Care Programs
State Employment Services
Army OneSource
Community Support Coordinators

12. Military & Community Partnerships
National Guard/Reserves: Joint Services Support
Behavioral Health
Employment Readiness
Strong Bonds
Reintegration Training
Financial Assistance
Chaplain support

13. Military & Community Partnerships
Installation Community/Family Support Centers
Army Community Services
Airman & Family Readiness Centers
Fleet & Family Services
Relocation, spouse employment, EFMP, AFAP, Family Advocacy, Financial Readiness, AFTB, local events, School Liaison Officers

14. Military & Community Partnerships
Coordinate with IMCOM & HQ USAREC
Military &Family Life Consultant
Short-term solution focused, non-medical counseling
Personal Financial Counselor
Debt reduction, security clearance issues, car/home buying, college planning, retirement planning
Army Fee Assistance Child Care Program
Created to assist Army Sponsors with the cost of off-post child care, allowing Families to pay fees comparable to those charged at an installation.
Spouse needs to be working or in school full time
Relocation, spouse employment, EFMP, AFAP, Family Advocacy, Financial Readiness, AFTB, local events

15. Military & Community Partnerships
Unit Ministry Team
Strong Bonds Events:
Marriage Retreat-focuses on strengthening marital bonds and communication tools
Family Wellness Retreat-focuses on effective communication and listening skills for both parents and children
Single Soldier Retreat-focuses on the skills of building great relationships and personal development
Alpha- 4 hours Strong Bonds Curriculum-can conduct as requested at company trainings
Bravo- 8 hours Strong Bonds Curriculum (not typically conducted in USAREC due to geographical dispersement)
Charlie- 12 hours Strong Bonds Curriculum performed over a weekend (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) at an offsite location

16. Military & Community Partnerships
Military OneSource
Confidential Department of Defense-funded program providing comprehensive information on every aspect of military life at no cost to active duty, National Guard, and reserve members, and their families
Information includes, but is not limited to, deployment, reunion, relationships, grief, spouse employment and education, parenting and childhood services. It is a virtual extension to installation services
Counseling services: short-term solution focused, non-medical counseling with a provider in your area

17. Military & Community Partnerships
Army OneSource
Community Support Coordinators
Family Programs & Services:
Health Care
Soldier & Family Housing
Child Youth & School Services
Education & Careers
Recreation, Travel & BOSS
Communities & Marketplace
FRG
Volunteer Management
AFTB (online)
Etc.
CSC-focus on making connections in the community in the areas of: Behavioral Health, Faith Bases, Legal, Financial arenas.

18. Military & Community Partnerships
211 United Way
United Way has become synonymous with caring and helping children, families and individuals. They have a long tradition of helping people with basic needs – food, clothing, shelter and safety – and changing lives through strong, well-managed programs. United Way is also engaging the community to get to the heart of problems.
As of February 2014 all 50 states are covered plus Washington DC & Puerto Rico
There are specific pots of money for the Military
Available to everyone

19. Military & Community Partnerships
Spouse Employment
Employment Partnership of the Armed Forces
Military Spouse Employment Partnership
Military Spouse Corporate Career Network
SECO-Spouse Education & Career Opportunities
Milicruit
Hero to Hired
USA Jobs
Spouse Licensure Portability- USA4MilitaryFamilies
State Employment Services
Cover some child care costs
Provide education or training
Veterans employment assistance
Military Spouse unemployment benefits

20. Military & Community Partnerships
Spouse Scholarships:
National Military Family Association-Joanne Holbrook Military Spouse Scholarship
MyCAA
Army Emergency Relief (AER)
Fisher House Foundation
Career One Stop
Commissary Scholarship Program
Saban Military Spouse Educational Scholarship
Thanks USA
Pat Tillman Foundation
Military Officers Association of America
Army Scholarship Foundation

21. Military & Community Partnerships
Other:
Legal Support Office (LSO)
USO
Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE)
Red Cross
School Liaison Officer
Real Warriors
Operation HomeFront
Texas Veterans Commission
Boys & Girls Club
Veteran Organizations
Legal Support Office
USO
DCoE-improve the lives of our nation’s service members, families and veterans by advancing excellence in psychological health and traumatic brain injury prevention and care. (APPS: PTSD Coach
Red Cross
School Liaison Officer: identify barrier to academic success, promote parental involvement, educate local communities and schools regarding the needs of military children, develop partnerships in education, provide parents with tools to overcome obstacles to education that stem from the military lifestyle.
Real Warriors: PTSD, TBI, Suicide Prevention
Operation HomeFront: Financial, food assistance, repairs,
Texas Veterans Commission- POC for GI Bill information
Boys & Girls Club- offers a membership to those who don’t have access to a Military Youth Center
Blue Star Families: group of military spouses to create a platform where military family members can join with civilian communities and leaders to address the challenges of military life.

22. Military & Community Partnerships
QUESTIONS??