Familiy Advocacy Program


The Family Advocacy Program provides education, intervention and assistance to prevent Family violence and to support strong, self-reliant Families and communities. Services include advocacy for victims of abuse, new parent home visitors for parents with children under age four, temporary emergency placement care for children, respite care, awareness events, and a variety of classes available to all community members that are designed to enhance coping skills and strengthen Families. Parenting, couple's communication, stress & anger management, troop training, and other educational and informational opportunities are available.

FAP PREVENTION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS:
A. Community Education: This program informs the military community of the extent and nature of spouse and child abuse and focuses awareness of Family violence, including how to report it and what services are available.
B. Commander and Senior Leader Education: Provides individual briefings to Commanders and Senior Leaders within 45 days of change of command. This covers education regarding the FAP to ensure that commanders and Senior Leaders are aware of: (1) The nature of spouse and child abuse and how to prevent it. (2) FAP policies and procedures. (3) Available FAP services and resources. (4) Command responsibilities for identification, reporting, and coordination with the Case Review Committee (CRC). (5) Information on FAP prevention services. (6) Mandatory briefing requirements for unit commanders and senior enlisted advisers within 45 days after appointment to a command position.
C. Troop Education Program: This consists of annual troop education by FAP personnel for all Soldiers on the Family dynamics of spouse and child abuse, the availability of prevention and treatment services, and the Army's policies regarding Family violence. Army civilians and contractors are encouraged to participate in these trainings.
D. Education for Professionals: This program provides semiannual education for personnel who work with children (for example, those working in CYS and schools) to ensure that they are aware of the seriousness of child abuse, the causes and effects of child abuse, the identification of child abuse, and the reporting responsibilities of child abuse.
E. Parent Education and Support: Parent education and support programs develop skills in physical care, protection, supervision and nurturing appropriate to a child's age and stage of development. The programs build or enhance strengths that the individual brings to the parenting role; enhance parent-child attachment; and provide role models and assistance in the form of home visitors and/or parent aides.
(1) New-Parent Support Program: This program involves education that is designed to enhance parenting and child management skills. Parent education and support groups may be combined to provide a forum for parents to exchange ideas, information, and resources and to practice new behaviors. The program also may reinforce or teach basic skills in physical care, protection, supervision, and psychological nurturing appropriate to a child's age and stage of development. Intensive and comprehensive home visiting is the fundamental service delivery for this program. Play mornings and clinic and hospital visits can be included.
(2) Respite Care: Child care hours can be provided as a prevention/intervention measure for those Families at risk for abuse or neglect or needing stabilization support.
F. Safety Education: There are two target groups for safety education. The first target group is composed of parents, teachers, caregivers, and all concerned adults in the community. This audience needs information about how to protect children and how to listen to and talk with children about child abuse prevention. Children need to have programs and activities geared to their ability to understand and act on safety and exploitation issues, including child abuse.
G. Spouse Abuse Prevention: Strengthening and stabilizing intimate relationships is one approach to preventing marital distress and spouse abuse. The goals of spouse abuse prevention programs are to enhance and sustain communication, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills and to clarify perceptions within the relationship. Prevention strategies may include education and interactive workshops on couples communication, conflict resolution, assertive training, stress management and marital enrichment classes.
H. Victim Advocacy Services: Provides comprehensive assistance and support to victims of spouse abuse, including crisis intervention, assistance in securing medical treatment for injuries, information on legal rights and proceedings, and referral to military and civilian shelters and other resources available to victims.
I. Family Life Education: Offers curriculum training that provides knowledge, social relationship skills, and support throughout the Family life cycle. The goal is to improve life management and Family coping skills, enhance self-esteem, and improve communication skills and marital relationships.

CLASSES OFFERED THROUGH FAP INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
Stress Management: This class provides training for individuals to recognize signs and symptoms of stress, and tools and strategies for developing individual personal stress reduction and management skills. Parent Education: These classes are designed to increase parents' ability to identify and plan for the challenges and difficulties involved in caring for children. Parents learn to recognize appropriate parental expectations of infants and children based upon a better understanding of developmental stages. Parents are also taught the use of appropriate coping techniques for dealing with the stresses of parenting. Issues such as family dynamics (blended families, single parent families and dual-military families), communication, and behavior are also discussed. Anger Management: The objective of the class is for attendees to learn to identify signs of anger, to recognize the impact and potential repercussions of uncontrolled anger, and to develop skills to reduce and manage anger issues. Couple's Communication: This class offers support and education to spouses and couples, and provides a healthy approach to communicating without anger, threats or power struggles. Participants learn new problem solving skills as well as the importance of recognizing effective communication techniques. TO SIGN UP FOR CLASSES:
Call Army Community Service at DSN: 335-5254/234 or CIV: 0611-4080-234

NEW PARENT SUPPORT PROGRAM (NPSP)


New Parent Support Program provides Home Visits on a voluntary basis to families with children through age three. Parenting support is individually tailored to each family's needs. Each visit is designed to increase the parents' ability to identify and plan for the challenges and difficulties involved in caring for infants and young children. Parents learn to recognize appropriate parental expectations of infants and children based upon a better understanding of developmental stages. Parents are also taught the use of appropriate coping techniques for dealing with the stresses of parenting. Issues such as family dynamics (blended families, single parent families, dual military Families), communication, and behavior are also discussed. Parent education is provided as a means to strengthen the bond between parents and children.
What if I already have children? You don't have to be a new parent to participate in the program. ID card holders that are expecting a child or have children through the age of three years are eligible for NPSP services. Family Advocacy offers classes to parents with children of all ages. What can NPSP do for me? Home Visitation: Our professional staff provides supportive and caring services to families that are pregnant, or with children through the age of three years. They can talk about your concerns as a parent or parent-to-be, and help you learn to cope with stress, isolation, post deployment reunions, and the everyday demands of parenthood in the privacy of your home. Play groups and Classes Play Morning: Meets every Friday from 10:00 - 11:30. Play Morning is a play group for parents and children, age twelve to thirty-six months. Parents can meet and network with each other while learning about child development, parenting skills and age appropriate activities for their children, to include free play, art and music.
Newborn Network: Meets 1st & 3rd Wednesday from 10:00 - 11:00. Newborn Network is geared towards parents that have children up to twelve months old. At each meeting, parents will receive information related to parenting as well as socialize with other parents that have infants.
Baby Wearing: Meets the 1st Wednesday of each month from 11:00-12:00. This is an opportunity for parents to learn various Baby Wearing techniques, to include front and back carries for newborns and children up to two years old. Baby Wearing safety and education are also provided. This class is taught by community volunteers.
Daddy and Me Play Date: This play date is for dads and children, twelve months to three years old. At the play date dads can meet and network with each other while learning about child development, parenting skills and age appropriate activities for their children to include, free play, art, and music. Please call for scheduling information.
Empathetic Dad's Program: Ever wish your spouse could feel what it's like to be pregnant? Well now he can! We have three empathy bellies and are looking for some brave soon-to-be dads to wear them 2-3 hours a day for 3-5 days. Call to set up an empathetic experience.
To Contact a New Parent Support Program Staff Member: Civilian: 0611-4080-330/331/234 DSN: 335-5330/5331/5254/5234

VICTIM ADVOCACY SERVICES


Victim Advocacy is a voluntary service where advocates provide comprehensive assistance to survivors of domestic violence. The program works cooperatively with military and civilian resources to adequately meet the needs of survivors of domestic violence. Victim Advocates are on call 24/7 to assist Soldiers and Family members who are in need of assistance due to domestic violence and can be reached during duty hours at 0611-4080-234/254 or on the 24 hours/7 days a week Domestic Violence hotline at 0162-297-5625. The focus is to support Soldiers and Family members who have been impacted by child abuse or neglect and/or spouse abuse.
Prevention: Emphasis is given on self-referral as the primary way a Family gets the help it needs. The program concentrates on strengthening Families and keeping them together, rather than on punishment. Family members are encouraged to seek help when they recognize warning signs indicating they may be mistreating their children or failing to communicate effectively with their spouses. Victim Advocacy Services Include but are not limited to:  Information regarding rights of a victim  Safety Planning  Needs Assessments  Coordination of emergency services; transportation, food, etc.  Emergency relocation  Assistance in the coordination of obtaining protection orders.
To Contact a FAP Victim Advocate: During duty hours Civilian: 0611-4080-234/254 DSN: 335-5234/5254 Domestic Violence Hotline 0162-297-5625
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Domestic Violence: An offense under the USC, the UCMJ, or state law that involves the use, attempted use, or threatened use of force or violence against a person or the violation of a lawful order issued for the protection of a person who is a current or former spouse; a person with whom the abuser shares a child in common, or a current or former intimate partner with whom the abuser shares or has shared, a common domicile.
Key Strategies in the Prevention and Intervention of Child and Domestic Abuse:  Prevent violence through the promotion of individual and Family wellness, through a diverse mix of programs and services.  Provide early intervention that can prevent the need for intensive unit support through an understanding of the risk factors of abuse.  Respond quickly to victims' needs and provide for on-going victim safety and support.  Hold offenders accountable, and ensure compliance and progress during treatment.
There Are Two Reporting Options for Victims of Domestic Violence/Abuse: Restricted Reporting: A process allowing an adult victim of domestic abuse the option of reporting an incident of domestic abuse to a specified individual without initiating the investigative process or notification to the victim's or alleged offender's commander. Restricted reports must be: Reported to:  Victim Advocate  Victim Advocate Supervisor (Family Advocacy Program Manager)  Military Healthcare Providers (including FAP clinical social workers and their supervisors)  Chaplain
Not reported to:  Offender, Command, Law enforcement One Limitation of Restricted Reporting is: Victim cannot receive a Military Protective Order (MPO). Both Reporting Options provide you access to: medical care, counseling, and advocacy services. All services are voluntary so you make the choice that's right for you. Unrestricted Reporting: A process allowing a victim of domestic abuse to report an incident using current reporting channels (e.g., chain of command, law enforcement or criminal investigative organization), or all reporting options available for restricted reports.
TRANSITIONAL COMPENSATION for Abused Dependents
FAP will provide assistance to apply for Transitional Compensation, which is defined as financial compensation and other benefits to assist Family members when the Service member is separated from active duty as a result of a court-martial or administrative action or is sentenced to total forfeiture of all pay and allowances for a dependent-abuse offense (child or spouse abuse). Benefits include: • Financial assistance
• TRICARE
• Dental
• Commissary and PX privileges.

EMERGENCY PLACEMENT CARE


What is Emergency Placement Care?
Emergency placement care (EPC) is a voluntary or court mandated service providing temporary 24-hour care in an EPC provider's home for children who cannot be cared for by their natural family or legal guardian. The program is designed to provide short-term care, generally not to exceed 90 days, for Families in crisis until the situation warranting the placement is resolved or long-term care or placement can be arranged. Emergency Placement Care is comparable to civilian foster care in the United States.
Who needs Emergency Placement Care?
Children requiring emergency placement care can range from infants to teenagers. They share the same basic needs as all children; however, they may require extra attention and care as they cope with the unexpected separation from their family. While most children readily adapt to their new environment, some may become sullen and confused. To remedy this, children in placement will have access to counseling and other supportive services to help them cope with their feelings. Who may become an Emergency Placement Care Provider? EPC Providers must have garrison access, be over 21 years of age and be in good physical health. Providers must have adequate income to meet the needs of their own family as well as those of the child(ren) placed in their care. There must be adequate space in the home to comfortably accommodate the child(ren). Single parents, working parents, and childless couples are all welcome to participate.
What are EPC Providers Responsible for?
EPC Providers are responsible for the day to day care of the child(ren). It is expected they take an active interest in their physical needs, emotional well being, and school performance. When a placement begins, if a child does not have all the items necessary for their proper care, there are resources available to obtain them. Will I receive compensation as an EPC provider?
Currently the reimbursement rate for EPC providers is $35.00 per child, per day. However, since providers are not guaranteed to have regular placements enrollment as a primary source of income is not advisable.
What are the requirements of my home?
1. The home should not present any hazards to the safety of the child(ren). 2. A separate bedroom for the child(ren) is NOT required. However, the home should be comfortable and offer privacy to the child(ren). 3. Each child will be required to have his or her own bed. 4. Children of the opposite sex cannot share the same bedroom. 5. The home must be in a location that has ready access to schools, medical treatment, recreation, churches and other community resources. I live in off-post housing. Am I eligible to become an EPC provider?
Yes. Individuals residing on and off-post are eligible to become EPC providers as long as providers reside within the Wiesbaden DoDDS School district. I want to become an EPC provider.
What steps do I take?
Contact the Wiesbaden ACS Family Advocacy Program (FAP) at 0611-4080-234. The emergency placement care coordinator will contact you to set up an interview with you and/or your family. The coordinator will discuss the application process with you including:
 Eligibility Criteria
 Background Checks
 Home Study
 Evaluation Process
 Training Requirements
This initial meeting will provide you the information needed to make an informed decision about becoming an EPC provider and if it is suitable for you and your family.
If you would like to make a difference in a child's life, there is a need for you in this program.
The Wiesbaden Family Advocacy Program is in search of caring individuals who are willing to open their hearts and their homes to military children who require a little extra love and attention because their natural parents, or guardians, are temporarily unable to care for them. The program is designed to provide short term care for children of families in crisis. It is immensely rewarding to be able to make a difference in a child's life by offering unconditional love and support during a difficult period of their life. If you are interested in becoming an EPC Provider please contact the EPC Coordinator at 0611-408-0234.
Hours:
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Monday – Friday
Location:
Hainerberg Housing Bldgs. 7790 and 7780
Phone
DSN: (314) 335-5254
CIV: (0611) 4080-254
Submit an ICE Comment Here

TO REPORT SUSPECTED
CHILD ABUSE
Contact the Military Police:
CIV: 0611-705-5096
DSN: 337-5096 or 114

Sexual Assault Hotline:
24 hours/ 7 days a week
01622-966-741

Domestic Violence Response Hotline:
24 hours/ 7 days a week
0162-297-5625