Expo helps spouses prepare for deployments

By Michele Watson, Army Flier StaffFebruary 17, 2011

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- The Army Community Service held its inaugural Spouse Readiness Planning Expo Feb. 11 at The Landing.

Several organizations participated in the event to provide information to spouses as well as answer any questions they may have had.

"We want to make sure the spouses are aware of their benefits," said Deborrah Cisneros, Family Readiness Support Assistant. "They are tired of Power Point (slides), and we needed something different to help them interact with each other."

Spouses were divided into groups and given the opportunity to explore the services and benefits available and ask questions of the organizations.

Organizations participating in the expo were:

* Adjutant General Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System

This office helps Soldiers and spouses obtain military documents, such as military identification cards. It also educates the Soldier and Families on how to store valuable information in a safe file and to know where that file is when documents are needed.

For more information on services available through the AG DEERS, call 255-2700.

* Child, Youth and School Services

This office serves children from birth to 18 years old. CYSS offers childcare, before and after school programs, and summer camps. Youth services include several clubs to help educate children and get them involved in learning life skills.

"We have several activities that help students find different items that appeal to them, such as joining a cooking club or 4H," said Sasha LaForge, CYSS workforce preparation specialist HIRED program.

For more information on services available through CYSS, call 255-9638.

* Survivor Outreach Services

SOS helps the Army maintain its commitment to the Family of a fallen Soldier.

SOS answers the myth that when a Soldier dies, the surviving Family members are no longer linked to the Army Family. The truth is Families are part of the Army Family as long as they desire to be.

SOS also offers access to support, information and service through benefit coordinators, financial counselors and support coordinators.

For more information on services available through SOS, call 255-9637.

* Army Community Services

ACS serves as the installation's primary coordinating resources agency. It provides a multitude of community-based services that foster growth, development and readiness of Families assigned to the installation. ACS is about prevention and solution.

ACS is a clearinghouse for all kinds of assistance from financial counseling and investing to counseling for abuse.

For more information on services available through ACS, call 255-3817.

* Financial Readiness Program

The Financial Readiness Program educates Soldiers and Families on consumer education, consumer compliance assistance, individual financial counseling and debt reduction and liquidation.

For more information in the FRP, call 255-9631 or 255-2594.

* Family Readiness Group

The Family Readiness Group is designed to help Families solve problems by offering advocates. It provides education for the efficient use of available resources in the community.

For more information, call 255-0960.

* Military Family Life Consultants

Consultants work with Families, individuals, couples and children to provide non-medical problem identification and consultation services. They can meet with clients on or off the military installation. The services are confidential - unless the issue involves child abuse, domestic abuse and duty-to-warn situations, which must be reported.

For more information on services available through MFLC, call 405-0353.

* Staff Judge Advocate

The Staff Judge Advocate Office division provides legal assistance to Soldiers and Families.

"We offer assistance with accidents, adoptions, bankruptcy, bar to re-enlistment, casualty assistance, contracts, custody, debts, divorce, hardship cases, insurance, letters of reprimand, name changes, non-support, paternity, real property, report of survey, wills, etc.," said Sgt. 1st Class Roger Larson, SJA Chief Paralegal noncommissioned officer. "The most important factor we handle and strongly encourage is a power of attorney, which should benefit Soldiers and Families."

For a complete listing of SJA services, call 255-3482.

Several questions were addressed by military Family members, however, the main question spouses asked regarded making sure children are taken care if something should happen.

"I am very pleased with the information I received today," said Tracey Hinton, Family member. "The different forms of powers of attorney were addressed, and that is something, as a spouse, we should all know and take advantage of."

Kim Ball, who has been married to Col. Daniel Ball, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence chief of staff, for more than 20 years, also found the expo beneficial.

"I am very pleased this expo was available to all spouses," she said. "Soldiers and their spouses need to prepare for the worst, especially when it comes to the protection of their children. It is very important to choose someone you trust to help you care for your children. If you do not have a power of attorney, visit the correct office and make sure your children will be cared for."