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190th Wing Family Programs 190th Wing Family Programs

The Family Support office provides a range of services to contribute to readiness and retention in the Air National Guard and to enhance the quality of life for all guard members, their families, and the communities in which they live. 

Family Readiness Group

An FRG is an organization made up of family members, volunteers, service members, and civilian employees. The FRG belongs to a unit and provides a avenue of mutual support and serves as a network of communication among the family members, the chain of command, and community resources. The basic goal is to provide opportunities for members to meet and communicate in order to alleviate problems and better cope with common issues. 

The FRG Meets monthly on the Thursday prior to UTA at 1800.

Key Volunteer Program 

This program was designed as a communication tool for the unit and other members. It is a confidential program composed of spouses of the unit members who have volunteered to be a point of contact. There are some exciting things happening with these volunteers. If you would like to sign-up please contact the Family Support Office or the First Sergeant for your unit.

tabFamily Program Info 
The 190th Wing Family Readiness Program has been a part of the 190th long before it was there was an "official office." Its worth was proven during Operation Desert Shield/Storm when the unit deployed following the invasion of Kuwait.

 It's conversion into a fully funded program began in late 2001 with the hiring of a full time staff member, the Wing Family Program Coordinator. 

Family Readiness
Readiness for families encompasses more than just the preparation for their sponsor's deployment. It includes responsibility for preparing for natural disasters, evacuation of home incidental to disasters, and accounting for personal, financial and legal affairs of their sponsor in the event of an emergency or fatality. Through involvement in the program and self-learning via on-line resources such as www.guardfamily.org, the National Guard Bureau Family Program hopes to develop 21st century National Guard families into resilient and resourceful and prepared families. Examples of readiness agencies are: Family Readiness Office, Legal Office (JAG), Employer Support to Guard & Reserve (ESGR), TriCare/TriWest, United Concordia, VA Healthcare, Benefits and Services, Military Pay, and the Chaplain.

Family Support
Examples of known family support activities initiated by families in their local unit were hosting Meet & Greet gatherings, creating deployment "goodie bags" and coordinating a deployment send off reception or homecoming reception. However, the needs of the National Guard Bureau with respect to their goal of building strong resilient and resourceful families necessitated developing a different mindset for families that directed their focus to actively preparing for deployment year round. "Operation: Ready Families" and the term family "readiness" officially replaced the term family support in favor of developing a lifestyle that puts them in tune with their sponsor's commitment for maintaining a "ready state" for deployment.

Volunteer Opportunities
The role you play in our FRG is your choice. There are many projects to become involved in and each is important. Opportunities are available with communication, newsletters, hospitality, social functions, materials preparation and there are many training programs available. Additionally, recruitment for these positions are not confined to family members. Veterans, retirees and private citizens from the community who desire to support our local service members and their families are welcome! 

Download The Story of the 190th ARW - A coloring book for kids.
tab190th ARW Family Programs Events 
190th Air Refueling Wing Family Program Upcoming Events

Operation KUDOS ~ October '11
190th ARW Holiday Party ~ December '11
tab190th ARW Family Programs Documents 
 190th ARW Family Readiness Group Pamphlet
 Family Programs Pre-Deployment Form
 The Story of the 190th Air Refueling Wing
tabBasic Facts About the National Guard 
The National Guard originated on 7 October 1636 with the formation of the Old North and East Regiments of the Massachusetts Colonial Militia. The 1st Regiment of Middlesex is now the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry and the Militia Regiment of Essex County is now the 101st Engineer Battalion, Massachusetts Army National Guard. It is the oldest military force in the nation and has participated in all major U.S. conflicts from the Revolutionary War to Vietnam. Read more.

 Inside 190ARW

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tabFamily Program Contacts
Wing Family Program Coordinator:
Phone: 785-861-4940
e-mail

190th ARW Family Program Office
5920 SE Coyote Drive, Topeka, KS 66619-53703

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