Support Services
Many of our Fleet and Family Support Programs are at their best when times are at their worst. From cases of family trauma, stress to our sailors during time of war, natural disasters and command need – when our sailors and those in command need us – our people and programs are there. FY06 was a year of unprecedented challenges for our Navy families. Operation Iraqi Freedom placed increased deployment requirements on both the active duty and reserve communities. There was an increased need for our Individual Augmentees (IAs) to head to points all over the world – including Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. The aftermath of the 2005 hurricanes still found many struggling to get back on their feet. These challenges came at a time of programmed funding and staffing austerities. Despite this, staff rose to the challenge to sustain FY05 service delivery levels, although FFSP headquarters and regional management recognizes that staff cannot sustain this over the long-term.
However, with these high profile demands came awareness in the fleet of what our programs could offer in a time of crisis. We are working toward CNIC’s goal to operationalize our programs and we are now more flexible and adaptable then ever before. Our people and programs are prepared to serve our Navy sailors and their families in times of planned changes, reunions and deployments and in times of personal and national crisis – whenever and wherever they may need us.
Some FFSC Program Initiatives
IA Support: Developed web based IA manuals targeted for commands, sailors and family members. These handbooks provide instructions, up to date information, checklists and target unique aspects of IA assignments.
Sexual Assault and Victim Advocate (SAVI) Program: Victim advocate training curriculum was developed and field tested by installation Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARC). This state of the art curriculum incorporated all new sexual assault requirements, using best adult learning practices.
Hurricanes: FFSP coordinated response involved deploying staff from other regions in support of those FFSC’s and areas in need. FFSC clinical counselors and personal financial management educators continued to augment FFSC staff in hurricane impacted areas to respond to ongoing personal and financial challenges for military families.
Partnerships with a wide variety of civilian agencies to maximize quality services offered to sailors and families. These collaborative relationships include the Better Business Bureau, American Red Cross and Chamber of Commerce.
Accredited Financial Counselor fellowships made available for Military Spouses through a partnership with the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE). In turn, some of these spouses are working in our FFSCs.
Personal Financial Management (PFM) Program certified 3,033 active duty personnel to assist their units as Command Financial Specialists. The Navy's PFM Program was recognized as the 2006 Financial Education Program of the Year by the Association of Financial Counseling, Planning, and Education (AFCPE). A 2006 study indicated that this proactive financial education for sailors increased financial fitness.
Ombudsman: A new instruction has been released, and a training curriculum developed, to enhance support of the IA process.