MFLC Joint Family Support Assistance Program (JFSAP)
The Joint Family Support Assistance Program (JFSAP) embodies the DoD's vision to provide mobile, high-quality family services to augment current family programs' ability to meet the needs of Active Duty, Guard and Reserve family members. The primary focus of the JFSAP is to bring these high-quality family services to families who are geographically dispersed from a military installation and who might otherwise be unable to access much needed support.
The DoD's goals for the JFSAP include:
- Creating a "high-tech, high touch" web-enabled community to connect military families with each other and with supportive resources 24/7
- Increasing availability of resources for family members
- Increasing awareness of active/Guard/Reserve members and families of existing services
- Informing leadership and service providers about the range of available programs and services, and how they may be accessed
- Providing Child Development resources and referral services
- Sponsoring volunteers and family support professionals
- Assessing the need for enhanced support
- Integrating services and programs into a comprehensive delivery system that responds to members and families at all stages of the deployment cycle
In 2007, the DoD expanded MHNGS' MFLC contract to include providing services at geographically dispersed locations through the JFSAP initiative. Through the JFSAP, MFLCs bring the behavioral health support services provided through the MFLC program to geographically dispersed Active Duty, Guard and Reserve family members who might otherwise be unable to access such support. MFLCs provide "walk-around coaching" (a kind of casual, spontaneous outreach opportunity to discuss issues that service members and their families are experiencing) and delivery of psycho-educational presentations on topics that address deployment stress, reintegration, coping skills and skills to build resiliency. MFLCs also attend Family Readiness Group (FRG) meetings, support mobilization and reintegration activities, assist in reducing stress through informal support, teach workshops and classes and lead focus groups. Additionally, MFLCs engage in one-on-one individual support, act as a liaison with local community, offer personal financial counseling services for Guard families and finally, work directly with National Guard Family Support Programs and Staff to augment reunion and reintegration support.
