WASHINGTON (Jan. 27, 2010) -- Resilience assessment and training is now available online for family members of Soldiers.
The <a href="http://www.army.mil/csf" target=Aca,!A?_blank">Comprehensive Soldier Fitness</a> program has been available to Soldiers already for several months. Now their family members can participate, as well, at <a href="http://www.army.mil/csf/family.html"target=_blank>www.army.mil/csf/family.html</a>, beginning with a specially designed assessment tool.
"The CSF program will build our family members up as the Army is currently providing very similar training to Soldiers," said Dana Whitis, family programs specialist for <a href="http://www.army.mil/csf" target=Aca,!A?_blank">Comprehensive Soldier Fitness</a>. "This training will empower them to face life challenges with their Soldier - as a team."
Family members are asked to first complete the Global Assessment Tool, or GAT -- a private, online assessment designed to measure strength in four dimensions of fitness.
<a href="http://www.army.mil/csf" target=Aca,!A?_blank">Comprehensive Soldier Fitness</a> aims to improve people's overall strength in five dimensions: social, emotional, spiritual, family and physical.
The GAT was launched for Soldiers Oct. 1 and all are supposed to complete it by May 31. Now the survey has been redesigned to meet the needs of family members so that they, too, can identify their baseline in each dimension and immediately begin training based on their assessment to enhance their resilience.
This online training comes in the form of Comprehensive Resilience Modules. These modules were created with the intent to provide people with tools and skills needed to immediately begin enhancing their coping and communication skills, among others needed to more effectively communicate with their spouse or deal with adversity.
"[By participating in the CSF program I've learned] that the use of good questions and knowledge of personal strengths can change perspective," said Danielle Corenchuk, Army family member, "and lead to positive outcomes and effective communications."
As the program continues to evolve, so will the tools available to family members. Currently four Comprehensive Resilience Modules are available to family members, but many more are currently in development, officials said.
Soldiers who have already benefited from the program, like Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Holden, recognize how the training can be implemented at home.
"The most valuable take-away I received thus far is the re-energized feeling of hope," Holden said. "This [training] couldn't have come at a better time for me and my family. I can't wait to get home and use these tools in my family. It's like a light bulb has been turned on in my head."
Related Links:
STAND TO! - Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program Extended to Family Members
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