The Financial Readiness Program (FRP)

Our purpose is to provide services that support commanders in maintaining unit financial readiness to sustain deployments and to counsel and educate Servicemembers and their Families on financial self-sufficiency.  This is accomplished through prevention education, one-on-one counseling sessions, and support services.  Learning new money management skill sets or improving upon existing money management techniques will enable Servicemembers to become financially independent, which is achieved by living within one’s means, having emergency savings set aside, setting and meeting personal financial goals, and planning for retirement through the use of the Thrift Saving Plan or other investment products.   
In addition to prevention education, FRP services include assistance with developing and sustaining a debt reduction plan, credit report review and repair, developing a monthly budget and spending plan, learning to recognize and prioritize spending, consumer advocacy, and assistance with handling consumer complaints to obtain an equitable resolution.  Financial education is taught through briefings and classes in the units, at FRG meetings, and special events.  Scheduled classes that emphasize the importance of managing personal financial affairs are also taught throughout the month. These classes include, but are not limited to:

1. Money management
2. Checking account principles and maintenance
3. Lending practices, including home loans, car loans, student loans, personal loans, and credit cards
4. Effects of bad credit versus good credit, credit reports and credit scores
5. Decreasing debt
6. Car and home buying
7. Budgeting and spending plans
8. Identity theft and consumer scams

Our FRP Specialists also provide specialized classroom instruction to Servicemembers who have been assigned to JBLM as their first duty station out of basic training or AIT.  Spouses are also welcomed and encouraged to attend these classes with their Sponsor.  Servicemembers and Families anticipating PCS relocation, deployment, marriage or divorce, or who are expecting to increase their family size could benefit from the various classes offered or making an appointment with one of the Certified Financial Counselors for an individualized financial counseling session.  
To find out more about our services or to make an appointment with one of the Financial Counselors, please call 253-967-1453.
Classes are also available online at:
http://www.myarmyonesource.com/FamilyProgramsandServices/FinancialReadiness/default.aspx
http://www.myarmyonesource.com/FamilyProgramsandServices/FinancialLiteracyGame/default.aspx
Supporting Soldiers and Families in the Current Housing Market Crisis
The following websites are provided to support Soldiers and their Families affected by the current increasing variable home interest rates, plummeting home market values, historic numbers of foreclosures, and an overall economic turndown causing the housing market crisis.
Military One Source:  www.militaryonesource.com
Army One Source: www.armyonesource.com
Military Homefront:  www.militaryhomefront.com
Army Housing One Stop:  https://onestop.army.mil\
Automated Housing Referral Network:  www.ahrn.com
Army JAG:  https://www.jagcnet.army.mil
Housing Assistance Program:  http://hap.usace.army.mil
VA Guaranteed Home Loans: http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/docs/foreclosure_avoidance_fact_sheet.pdf
HUD Housing Counselor: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/i_want_to/talk_to_a_housing_counselor

top