1. Family
OCTOBER 2012
Contents connection
Playing Makes Kids SMART!
EFMP Providing Support to Navy
Families Around the World
Financial Aid:
How Much Students Really Owe
Get and Stay Financially Fit During
Deployment — Webinar for Families Bringing Peace to Relationships
Transition and Employment Corner October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month; an optimal time to reinforce the Navy’s com-
Ready Navy mitment to eliminating domestic violence in our military communities and families. Research
FREE Emergency Apps consistently shows that domestic violence cuts across all age groups, genders, and ranks. In other
E-Resources Supporting Military
words, victims of domestic violence are Sailors as well as spouses. It happens to men as well as to
Families women and children. Families need to prepare themselves with tools to cope with the stressors
of marriage and family life. Nine characteristics that support a strong, healthy relationship are:
NN Love and Appreciation NN Commitment NN Faith
Family Connection is a publication of the Fleet
and Family Support Program. NN Time Together NN Communication NN Connections
The Navy's Fleet and Family Support Program NN Encouragement NN Adaptability NN Clear Responsibilities
promotes the self-reliance and resiliency of
Sailors and their families. We provide information
that can help you meet the unique challenges of
the military lifestyle.
These characteristics
Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2012
strengthen and serve as tools Home is Not a War Zone: Bringing Peace to Relationships
If you have questions or comments, contact
Timothy McGough at timothy.mcgough@navy.mil. that couples and families October 2012
Make the commitment
to participate in at
can use to build the kind of Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday least three DVAM
activities at your
Visit us online at: Call your in-laws
1
Contact the
2 3
Put the kids to Write a post-it
4
Invite another
5 6
Make a “life” list installation this month.
relationships they want and (or future in-law)
and thank them
for your partner
Chaplain’s Office
and sign up for
this (or next)
bed (early) and
share dinner,
by candlelight, at
note to tell your
partner why you
are glad he/she
healthy couple
over (or out) for
dinner together
together and
hang it on the
refrigerator This may not be
deserve. Make the commit-
year’s Credo your kitchen table chose you
EASY
worth
Marriage retreat
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
ment to participate in at least but will be
Hold a “State- Sign-up to take a Do something Text your partner Repeat your Go to the movies Ride bikes
of-the-Union” MWR class with your partner a love message wedding vows to and have a (or take a walk)
meeting or trip together that he/she may your spouse movie night in the park with
with your enjoy, but you your entire family
three activities this month. partner may not. (Watch
football, etc.) the effort.
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Click to download a calendar Work on a
“Do It Yourself”
Write poems to
one another and
Get up early and
do Yoga together
Turn on some
of your favorite
Make dinner
together (get the
Write a love letter
to your spouse
Volunteer
your time in
The
home project read them aloud songs and dance kids to help) or partner a community
together together in the organization
with suggestions on how to middle of the
living room
together
strengthen and bring peace
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Fleet & Family Support Cut off all Write down 2 Kiss in the rain. Create a “love box” Write “I Love You” Declare your love
in a different to your partner (in
Pack a sunset
picnic
Center
electronic personal and 2 Not raining? for your partner
devices relationship goals Kiss in the shower with a few of his/ language - Tell a public setting)
to your relationship. and make a
commitment
to talk today
and share them
with your partner
her favorite things them to figure out
what it says
28 29 30 31
Give each other Pick out clothes Play two rounds Pull out some
pedicures that you want of hide and seek old pictures and Family Advocacy Program
your partner (create a “prize” create a collage
to wear to bed when the partner of your family,
tonight is found) together
Scan QR Code
to access via
mobile device
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi ..

2. OCTOBER 2012
Playing Makes Kids
SMART!
Interact with your kids, play with them,
and make them feel loved. Scientists have Navy Family Accountability
observed that babies who were not cuddled, and Assessment System (NFAAS)
played with and loved have stunted brain NFAAS allows Navy
growth. They also observed that babies who personnel to manage
were not held and did not receive attention the recovery process
failed to grow, became depressed and did for personnel affected
not thrive. On the other hand, many studies by a widespread catastrophic event. It is also
have shown that loving, hugging, interacting helpful in providing commands with informa-
tion to support IA family members while
and playing with your child has a strong positive effect
their sponsors are deployed
on developing his or her intelligence. The loving connection formed
overseas. Watch the video
between you and your kid and your one-on-one interaction provides the foun-
and log on to NFAAS.
dation for higher thinking skills.
Scan QR code to access
Have fun together … without electronics, at least five days a week for 20 minutes NFAAS mobile website 24/7.
at a time. This builds your child’s brain power! To read more, click here.
EFMP Providing Support to Add JSS to your
Mobile Network
Navy Families Around the jssmobile.org
World iPhone, iPad User…
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Liaisons are Download JSS
onboard at your local Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) to provide EFMP at the App Store S
information and assist families currently enrolled, as well as those needing to enroll.
All FFSCs have EFMP Information and Referral services, and locations with high con-
centrations of enrolled families have full-time EFMP Liaisons who provide expanded JSS Dial-in Access 24/7?
services. All enrolled EFMP families are eligible for non-medical case management 1-877-JSS-NOW1
and the development of Individualized Services Plans. Families desiring these ser- (577-6691)
vices will be assisted by the nearest full-time EFMP Liaison.
Liaisons provide resources and host or sponsor activities such as support groups,
“Rest Stop” tents, bowling outings and movies on installations exclusively for EFMP
families. Family Connections meetings, Resource Fairs, Open Take advantage
Houses and Lunch & Learns are among other sponsored events. of the National
Dissemination Center
Contact your Regional EFMP Liaison to subscribe to the EFMP
for Children with
newsletter and get more information for your area. Remember, en-
Disabilities’ State Re-
rollment in the Exceptional Family Member Program is mandatory
Scan QR Code source Sheets as you
if you have a family member with special needs. You can begin to access EFMP plan ahead for your
the enrollment process by logging on to the Navy Accountability information via
mobile device. move. These sheets
and Assessment System (NFAAS) and clicking on the EFM tab.
list important resources in each state and
are divided into sections: state agencies,
disability-specific organizations, organiza-
tions especially for parents, and other.
2

3. OCTOBER 2012
Financial Aid:
How Much Students
Really Owe
Transition and
A new “financial aid shopping sheet” will Employment Corner
show college applicants exactly how Spouses Who PCS May Have
much money they might expect to pay Preference
for their education and help them com-
If your active-duty service member
pare financial aid offers from different
is relocating with permanent change
schools they’re considering. The White
of station (PCS) orders, you may have
House, Department of Education and hard it will be to
preference for federal employment.
the Consumer Financial Protection Bu- repay that amount upon
This little-known provision that au-
reau recently unveiled the final version graduation, provide default rates for that
thorizes the hiring of eligible spouses
of their Financial Aid Shopping Sheet. particular school and estimate monthly
is called the Preferred Placement Pro-
U.S. colleges are being encouraged to payments a student will be required to
gram for spouses, also known as PPP-S
adopt the new form. make once they graduate. It is hoped
or Program-S. You don’t have to be a
The form will include personalized that having this transparent information
current or previous federal employee
information about how much one year will allow the student and their family to
to take advantage of this opportunity!
of school will cost, the loan options make a better decision on enrolling and
paying for school. Schools that accept To be eligible, you must register
available to applicants, the differences
Tuition Assistance and G.I. Bill funding are for Program-S at your local Human
between grants and scholarships and
required to provide the sheet to military Resources Office (HRO). Additionally,
the net cost of college when grants and
financial aid recipients in the 2013-2014 you must:
scholarships are taken into consideration.
It will also give applicants an idea of how school year. Read entire article here. NN Have been married to your service
member before the PCS.
Get and Stay Financially Fit During NN Accompany your spouse to the
Deployment — Webinar for Families new assignment.
NN Be within the commuting area
It all starts with a good spending plan. This webinar, designed for Sailors and their families, of the position for which you are
will cover understanding entitlements, establishing a savings routine, implementing strate- applying.
gies to reduce financial stress, planning for homecoming expenses and more. The goal
NN Be among the “best qualified.”
is to educate families on the valuable resources available at the Fleet and Family Support
Centers (FFSCs). What does it mean to be “best
24 October 2012 10:00 – 11:00 AM EDT qualified” for a federal job? First, a
24 October 2012 19:00 – 20:00 PM EDT very general explanation of the job
To register, Sailors and family members will need announcement process might be
to create a webinar account by logging on to the helpful. When a job vacancy is going to
Learning Management System (LMS) and com- be announced, a recruiting office sets
pleting the form for first time users. Go to http:// referral criteria using a numerical point
learning.zeiders.com and scroll down the page system. The most qualified applicants
until you see “Is this your first time here?” Note: The score the highest points, and they earn
LMS is not compatible with AOL accounts. a “referral.” You need a referral to get
on the list to be interviewed. So, if your
work experience falls within the set
Continued on page 4
3

4. OCTOBER 2012
Ready Navy
Ready Navy (formerly Operation Prepare) con-
tinues to provide Sailors and their families with Continued from page 3
tools and resources for emergency planning numerical range, you could be regarded as
and preparation. Key elements for emergency best qualified, and referred. If you are a best
preparedness: qualified spouse, you may be selected.
NN Be informed. NN Practice your plans.
For more information about Noncom-
NN Make an evacuation plan. NN Make emergency kits. petitive Appointment of Certain Military
NN Make a family communications plan. Spouses, get the facts from your local
Human Resources Office (HRO) or review
frequently asked questions at U.S. Office of
Personnel Management (OPM).
FREE Emergency Apps
Flashlight Hands-Only CPR
Android and iPhone Android and iPhone E-Resources Supporting
Flashlight uses the This app walks you Military Families
LED light and fills your through the two-step
Military Pathways® is part of ongoing sup-
screen with bright white light to checklist: call 911 and start chest com-
port to military members and their families.
illuminate your world when you find pressions; there’s also a brief video.
The program is accessible online and provides
yourself in a dark spot. free, anonymous mental health and alcohol
self-assessments for all branches including the
ARC: Shelter View 5-0 Radio Police National Guard and Reserve.
iPhone Scanner Lite
Be prepared. When iPhone Home Base Program offers clinical and
disaster strikes know During a disaster, be counseling services in individual or group set-
when and where shelters have been the first to know about important tings to veterans and their spouses, parents,
opened to provide assistance. An- news and precautions to take. An- children, siblings, grandparents, significant
droids, follow the Red Cross on Twitter. droids, try the free Scanner Radio app. others and other loved ones in their lives
throughout the deployment cycle.
LifeArmor was designed by the National
Center for Telehealth and
Technology, is portable
and provides information
U.S. Navy Individual
Augmentees and assistance at the touch
Like us on Facebook. of a button. Touch-screen
technology allows the user
IA Discussion Group Schedule to browse information on 17
View the Fleet-wide list of classes, topics, including sleep, de-
support groups and events. pression, relationship issues,
and post-traumatic stress.
Free download available on iTunes, Google
Play or the Amazon Marketplace.
4