FORT McPHERSOn, Ga. - Families often feel their lifeline to military support and services is found only through their Soldier, so what happens when the Soldier dies'
That's when the Survivor Outreach Services program takes over.
SOS is a joint effort program shared by the Installation Management Command; the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command; the Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operation Center; the Army National Guard and the Army Reserves.
The program delivers on the Army's Family Covenant commitment to help the Families of fallen servicemembers. A Soldier's death leaves a Family in turmoil.
With emotions extremely high and a sense of confusion as to where to turn and what to do, SOS provides a holistic, multi-agency approach through garrisons and local communities to ensure those Families are teamed with benefits coordinators, financial counselors, support coordinators and others who deliver individual support and attention to the Family. SOS team members ensure surviving Family members' concerns are addressed quickly and completely.
SOS is designed to: Ensure the Army fulfills its covenant with survivors through a comprehensive program that improves Soldier and Family preparedness in the event of a catastrophic loss.
Define roles and responsibilities for all agencies and components involved in survivor assistance.
Improve responsiveness and streamline the assistance process for Families. Maximize cooperative efforts within the Army casualty and Family programs.
Extend support to Families both before and after a crisis by maximizing cooperation between government and non-government agencies.
Ensure survivors receive all the benefits they are entitled. Encourage survivors to remain an integral part of the Army Family for as long as they desire.
A tenant of the SOS program is to enhance the support Casualty Assistance Center personnel can provide.
One way is to ensure CACs receive improved resources to ensure those individuals who work with survivors are well trained and knowledgeable about the benefits available to survivors.
Another is to ensure CACs have the training in specialized areas to help casualty assistance officers support survivors and the staffing to assist survivors not only now, but over time.
In addition, SOS support coordinators are available in each garrison to provide long-term support throughout the grief process, coordinate support groups, provide information and referral services and offer other services, as required. Examples of benefits available to survivor Family members include: childcare through Child, Youth and School Services; Veterans Affairs benefits, updates and compensation; financial services and counseling; employment services; ID card and DEERS information; healthcare information and children's education benefits.
The SOS program launched at Fort McPherson in December 2008.
More than 250 surviving Families are currently being serviced by the Fort McPherson SOS team.
The team is responsible for survivors in 45 counties, including Georgia and parts of Tennessee.
While the focus tends to be on the Families of Soldiers who have died since 2001, Families with deceased servicemembers who served as far back as WWII are also eligible for services. Children of fallen servicemembers may also receive benefits. In addition to on-the-spot assistance, the SOS team here sponsors quarterly support group meetings for surviving Families.
For more information on the SOS program, call Ledell Simpson, the SOS support coordinator for Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem, or visit MyARMYOneSource.com and click on the "Family Programs and Services" link.
When our Soldiers pay the ultimate price, it's up to us to embrace their Families and assure them they are still a vital link to the Army Family. Fallen warriors will not be forgotten, and neither will their Families.
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