Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions Program Information Sheet

1. Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions Program Information Sheet Month: February 2012 Topic: Fleet and Family Support Centers Points of Contact: Naomi Lau, Clinical Counseling Program (202) 433-4646 Fred Davis, Personal Financial Management (202) 433-4541 Email: naomi.lau@navy.mil; fred.w.davis@navy.mil Website: http://www.cnic.navy.mil/CNIC_HQ_Site/WhatWeDo/FleetandFamilyReadiness/index.htm Topic Discussion: Fleet and Family Support Centers offer numerous programs and services available to service members and their families such as clinical counseling, personal financial management, and stress management. There are required programs which fall under three categories: Deployment and Readiness Components, Crisis Response Components, and Career Support and Retention Components. FFSC Clinical Counseling services can directly improve the quality of life for Sailors and their family members by addressing the stressors facing today’s Navy. We all experience ups and downs in life. For military families, these stressors include multiple deployments and frequent moves, which can directly contribute to marital discord, parent/child problems, financial concerns and other difficulties.

2. Transition Assistance What is the Transition Assistance Program (TAP)? • TAP assists Sailors in transitioning from the military to the civilian community. • Transition assistance services prepare separating/retiring service members and their families with the skills, tools and self-confidence to ensure successful re-entry into the civilian work force. • TAP is designed to enhance personal readiness, speed the attainment of career milestones, and return Sailors to the civilian community. Transition Assistance resources: • Navy Transition Assistance Handbook (Available at www.npc.navy.mil) • www.TurboTAP.org • www.careeronestop.org. • Department Of Veterans Affairs http://www.va.gov/

3. Personal Financial Management Sound personal financial management provides freedom of choice for Sailors and their family members. Through information and referral, education and training and financial counseling the Navy’s Personal Financial Management program address the financial education needs of Sailors and their families and addresses the Navy’s need to keep personnel focused on mission readiness. Personal Financial Management Resources: • Better Business Bureau www.bbb.org • Car Buying www.consumerreports.org (Car prices, quality) • Credit Report www.annualcreditreport.com • Government Agencies www.ftc.gov (Federal Trade Commission) • Identity Theft www.ftc.gov/idtheft • Retirement Social Security Administration: www.ssa.gov; Thrift Savings Plan: www.tsp.gov • Taxes Internal Revenue Service: www.irs.gov

4. Clinical Counseling • We all experience ups and downs in life. At some point just about everyone needs help coping with stress caused by life's many challenges. Stress can be caused by such things, as family hardships, marital conflicts, parent/child issues, money concerns, frequent moves, health and environmental factors, and other difficulties. We may first try to discuss problems with family, friends, or coworkers, but often this just isn't enough. Sometimes it helps to talk to an experienced counselor. Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC) offer confidential counseling by professional, licensed clinicians. Clinical counseling services are free of charge to active duty personnel and family members.If you are troubled and need someone to talk to, you do not need a referral from your command, from Tri-Care or your primary care physician. Just call your local Fleet and Family Support Center to make an appointment. The command is not notified. • Services offered by FFSC include: • Short-term clinical counseling for individuals, groups, and families. • Crisis intervention and/or response to disasters and other catastrophes. • Group counseling and/or educational groups. • Referral to other military and community resources.