This weekly newsletter provides updates on programs and events related to military community and family policy. Key highlights include: 1) An upcoming meeting of family advocacy program managers to discuss policy issues. 2) An annual summit on domestic abuse fatality reviews within the DoD. 3) The White House announcing a new national strategy to prevent and end homelessness. 4) Participants in an offsite meeting reaching consensus on elements of a new DoD policy for exceptional family member programs.

1. This Week in MC&FP
June 18, 2010
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Families matter to us. As our nation reflects on the important role of fathers in
the American family, we recognize the significant sacrifices our military dads make every day. We
hope you’ll have time to read the “Deployed for Father’s Day: Five Perspectives” – available on line at
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=59702 – it never hurts to be reminded why we are
here and why we do what we do. And to all you dads out there, Happy Father’s Day!
Have a good week and take care.
Your MC&FP Team
Please note: Some hyperlinks in this text are lengthy, sometimes extending more than one line. For best results, cut and past
the entire link into your Web browser.
Family Advocacy Program Managers to Meet
The Family Advocacy Program Directorate will host its spring quarterly meeting of service family
advocacy program managers next week, June 22 and 23. These quarterly meetings allow for the
communication of family advocacy program policies and issues across the Services. This meeting's
agenda will include discussion of joint basing, data collection, and revisions to the DoD FAP instruction.
Annual DoD Domestic and Child Abuse Fatality Review Summit Convenes Next Week
On Thursday, June 24, the family advocacy program directorate will host the annual DoD Domestic and
Child Abuse Fatality Review Summit. The DODI 6400.06, “Domestic Abuse Involving DoD Military
and Certain Affiliated Personnel,” requires that OSD convene this annual summit to review data on
fatalities related to family violence aggregated by the Services in their own reviews. Each of the
Services and OSD will present data and participate in discussion of trends and recommendations to
prevent future fatalities. Attendees include experts from other federal agencies and non-governmental
organizations.
White House to Announce Homelessness Initiative
The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness will announce the nation’s first comprehensive
strategy to prevent and end homelessness titled, “Opening Doors: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent
and End Homelessness” at the White House on Tuesday, June 22 at 9 a.m. (EST). “Opening Doors”
will serve as a roadmap for joint action by council agencies to guide the development of programs and
budget proposals towards a set of measurable targets.
Providing policy, tools, and resources to further enhance the quality of life of service members and their families.

2. This Week in MC&FP June 11, 2010
The Hearth Act, signed into law by President Obama in May 2009, mandated that United States
Interagency Council on Homelessness submit to Congress a national strategic plan to end homelessness.
Beginning in January 2010, the council held regional stakeholder meetings and engaged experts to
develop an action plan to solve homelessness for veterans, adults, families, youth, and children.
Representatives from MC&FP played key roles in the development of this historic plan.
Three cabinet secretaries: HUD Secretary and Council Chair Shaun Donovan, Labor Secretary and
Council Vice chair Hilda Solis, and VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki will participate in the ceremony.
Exceptional Family Member Program Offsite Leads to Consensus
On June 10-11, 35 representatives from the military services medical, personnel and family support
components, as well as OSD staff and consultants, met in Warrenton, Virginia, to develop a common
frame of reference for the Exceptional Family Member Program’s way forward. Responding to the
requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act of FY 2010, the participants came to consensus
on the major points to be included in a new DoD policy on community support for military families with
special needs. These included:
• Parameters of a community support program
• Need for a basic standard across Services and locations
• Need to involve families in the process
• Need to manage expectations and communicate them
• Need for a centralized data base that can interface with family centers, personnel, education and
medical components
Dr. Miles Sends End of School Year 2009-2010 Letter
“Our schools, military communities and military families come together every day to provide the kind of
caring environment that helps children learn, grow, and realize their dreams.” See the full letter at
http://www.dodea.edu/close_of_school/index.cfm
DoDEA Recognized for Excellence in Communications
Congratulations to Frank O’Gara and the DoDEA communications team! The National School Public
Relations Association announced their 2010 contest winners; DoDEA was selected and honored in three
categories.
• “Excellence” in the Publications and Electronic Media Contest, Annual Reports category
• “Excellence” in the Special Purpose Publications category for Guidance & Counseling
(6th – 8th)
• “Golden Achievement” for Across the Miles
For a complete listing of awardees see:
https://www.nspra.org/files/docs/2010%20NSPRA%20Contest%20Award%20Winners.pdf.
Armed Forces Sports Triathlon Championship
Seventy eight of the military's top athletes participated in the Armed Forces Triathlon Championship
earlier this month at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu. The event consisted of a 1,500 meter
swim, 40-kilometer bike race and a 10-kilometer run.
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3. This Week in MC&FP June 11, 2010
The Air Force team dominated the event and took top honors in both the men and women's events. Gold
medal winner Capt. James Bales finished the course in 1:46:32 while 1st Lt Kathy Rakel took the gold
for the women in a time of 2:00:04. The Army finished second overall in the men's team standings
followed by Navy and Marine Corps. Runner up in the team standings for the women was Marine
Corps, followed by Army and Navy.
King's Dominion Offers FREE Admission July 4th as part of its Tribute to the Armed Forces
King's Dominion is offering FREE admission to active duty and retired military personnel (includes all
branches of the service, National Guard and Reserves) on the Sunday and Monday (July 4th and 5th) of
as part of its “Tribute to the Armed Forces” program. Up to six family members or friends age 3 and
above will also be able to purchase specially discounted tickets at the Park for $33.99 each. Children 2
and under are admitted free. For more information, see
http://www.kingsdominion.com/events/event_detail.cfm?event_id=707&ec_id=14
Commissary On-Site Sales
DeCA is delivering the benefit at the following Guard and Reserve locations:
June 18 - 19 Birmingham Army National Guard, Birmingham, Ala.
June 18 - 20 Augusta Armory, Augusta, Maine
June 18 - 20 Tennessee National Guard Armory, Chattanooga, Tenn.
June 20 Guard and Reserve Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kekaha, Hawaii
In the News
• From the American Forces Press Service – Deployed for Father’s Day: Five Perspectives.
While Father’s Day away from home is no fun, Army Staff Sgt. Jason Himel said he’s grateful for
good Internet connections that enable him to keep in touch with his family. Quality family time and
communication is key in Himel’s family, he said. He strives, even while deployed, to make sure his
children understand he’s always there for them. “I always tell them, ‘No matter what happens
throughout the day, whether good or bad, at the end of the day, it is family who will be there,’” he
said. “Love and communication goes a long way.” For all five stories, see
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=59702
• From the Pentagon Channel’s ‘Around the Services’ program – Dave Julian, director of
MC&FP’s Office of Personal Finance, was among subject-matter experts in the “Know Before You
Go” series that aired June 15-17. Each news story provided practical suggestions for service
members and families preparing for deployment. See http://www.pentagonchannel.mil/ and click on
‘Around the Services.’
• From DoD Live blog ‘Family Focus Friday’ – A financial readiness discussion with Arnie Norem
from the Navy Installations Command Fleet and Family Support Program’s Work & Family Life
Program: http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2010/06/family-focus-know-before-you-go-2/
• From the American Forces Press Service – “Libraries Offer Children's Summer Reading
Program.” Defense Department libraries have embarked on their first department-wide summer
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4. This Week in MC&FP June 11, 2010
reading program in hopes of encouraging military children to keep their reading skills sharp during
the summer: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=59624
• From AFN – Striving for the Best. Academic success can prepare students for a bright future:
http://heidelberg.afneurope.net/Home/ArticleDisplayDD/tabid/653/Default.aspx?aid=13149
• From AFN – Students in U.K. talk about what Memorial Day means to them. Children with
deployed parents give their opinion of what it means to take time to remember a day where we honor
so many: http://www.afneurope.net/Home/ArticleDisplayDD/tabid/649/aid/13251/Default.aspx
• From AFN – Reading Exhibition. Children from Mannheim Middle School took to the stage to
read some of their favorite work.
http://heidelberg.afneurope.net/Home/ArticleDisplayDD/tabid/653/aid/13147/Default.aspx
• From AFN – Science Fair. Petty Officer Elizabeth Fray caught up with the next generation of
inventors, chemists and rocket scientists:
http://naples.afneurope.net/Home/ArticleDisplayDD/tabid/659/aid/13260/Default.aspx
• From AFN – School Volunteers. Sigonella’s school staff gave back to those that have given so
much: http://sigonella.afneurope.net/Home/ArticleDisplayDD/tabid/660/Default.aspx?aid=13039
Nutrition Tip of the Week
Use brown rice instead of white rice to get 3 ½ grams fiber, and more B vitamins and minerals in just
one cup. Don't like brown rice? Try mixing it with white rice to get used to eating it.
For more information on making healthy and nutritious food choices, check out the commissary’s Web
site at http://www.commissaries.com/ and http://www.commissaries.com/>
Parenting Tip of the Week
Did you know that there were approximately 7,000 injuries caused by fireworks in 2008? Help your
family stay safe on Independence Day weekend with the following tips from the U.S. Fire
Administration:
• The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home — period. Attend public
fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals.
• Kids should never play with fireworks. Sparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit (982° Celsius) —
hot enough to melt gold.
• Don't allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can
explode at any time.
• Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on
the Fourth of July. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they'll run loose or get injured.
For more information, visit the U.S. Fire Administration Web site at www.usfa.dhs.gov
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5. This Week in MC&FP June 11, 2010
Financial Tip of the Week
$AVINGS TIPS - Kids & Money. Why is taking advantage of everyday ‘teachable money moments’
such an effective way to teach young children about money?
Very few topics affect us on a day-to-day basis like money, so there are endless opportunities to provide
mini money lessons to your children throughout the day. By taking advantage of these everyday
‘teachable money moments,’ you’re creating an ongoing dialogue with your child that will help instill
important and positive financial values and attitudes.
These everyday money lessons will be a foundation to ensure that they have a lifetime of good financial
habits and attitudes. As soon as the opportunity arises, and you think your children can understand and
express an interest, they should be taught the value of money and how to respect it.
Safety Tip of the Week
National Lightning Safety Awareness Week June 21-26, 2010
Observed the last full week of June, National Lightning Safety Awareness Week not only helps get
safety messages out in time for the Fourth of July, but also signals summer as lightning season. Outside
is the most dangerous place to be during a lightning or thunderstorm and more people are outside during
the summer. According to Federal Emergency Management Agency Acting Regional Administrator
Dennis Hunsinger, lightning strikes and high winds associated with thunderstorms also increase the risk
of wildfires. See http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=51785 and for more information on
lightning safety, visit: www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov.
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