Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) Basil A. Forrest SOS Coordinator USAG Baumholder ACS
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188 Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil 485-8188
What Is Survivor Outreach Services? Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Many times after a loved one is lost, there are unresolved issues or questions that surface months or years later. The Army, in its dedication to providing support services to its Surviving Families, created Survivor Outreach Services (SOS)
• SOS connects Survivors with local support services that include but are not limited to grief counseling, financial counseling, benefits coordination, support groups, & Garrison and surrounding area events
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
SOS Mission Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
“ Embrace Survivors and give them reassurance that they are connected to the Army Family…for as long as they desire.”
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Survivor Outreach Services Eligibility Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• All active duty and retired military personnel & their Family members, if otherwise eligible for services • Surviving Family members of military personnel who died while on active duty, if otherwise eligible for services • Surviving Army civilian appropriated fund (APF) & nonappropriated fund (NAF) Family members, if otherwise eligible for services • Family members of prisoners of war or personnel missing in action, if otherwise eligible for services
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
SOS Program Phased Strategy Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Short – Term Assistance (Immediate) • Provided by the Casualty Assistance Centers (CACs) through the Casualty Assistance Officers (CAOs)
• Long – Term Assistance (Enduring) • Provided through Long Term Family Case Management. Depending on the needs of the Survivor, Families are provided with assistance pertaining to reports, benefits & other services
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
SOS Program Flow Chart Building a Better Tomorrow‌.Today
Casualty Occurs Casualty Notification Officer (Immediate) Primary Next of Kin (PNOK) is notified Casualty Assistance Officer (Immediate) Survivor Outreach Coordinator (Enduring)
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Survivors Defined Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Spouse • Children • Parents • Persons in Loco Parentis • Siblings
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Types Of Support (1 of 4) Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Benefits Coordinators
• Financial Counselors
• SOS Coordinators
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Types Of Support (2 of 4) Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Benefits Coordinators – Provide expertise on local, state & Federal benefits – Work with Casualty Assistance Officers, providing the Surviving Family with assistance to understand & apply for their benefits
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Types Of Support (3 of 4) Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Financial Counselors – Provide assistance to Surviving Families through investment & estate planning education
– Works closely with Benefits Coordinators, Army Long Term Family Case Management, & legal assistance to address the needs of Surviving Families
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Types Of Support (4 of 4) Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Support Coordinators – Function as the long term support personnel for Survivors – Facilitate support groups, provide life skills education, and connect Survivors with counseling resources – Work closely with Benefits Coordinators, Casualty Assistance Officers, & Army Long Term Family Case Management to ensure Survivors receive their necessary services
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Family Readiness Plan (1 of 2) Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Prepared & Accessible Documentation – Bills – DD Form 93
– Financial Account Number & Institution Address – Passports – Power of Attorneys
– SGLI – Wills
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Family Readiness Plan (2 of 2) Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Prepared & Accessible Documentation – Child’s Favorite Toys – Direction to Residence
– Family Members Special Need Requirements – Medication – POV Registration
– Schools Attending & POC – Spoken Language
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Pitfalls of Being Unprepared Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Additional Stress
• Benefits/Entitlements Delayed • Communication Difficulties
• Educational Challenges • Financial Accessibility • Medical Emergencies • Travel Restriction
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Helpful SOS Websites (1 of 2) Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Survivor Outreach Services website: Provides links & information about all aspects of the Army, Guard & Reserve. Information about Survivor Outreach Services, Mission & contact information. Has resource column for related readings pertaining to grief & survival after a loved one has passed. www.myarmyonesource.com/familyprogramsandservices
• Army Long Term Family Case Management (ALTFCM): Provides long term support for Survivors of Fallen Warriors, counseling, records information, & other services to assist the Survivors throughout their involvement with ALTFCM. www.altfcm.army.mil
• My Army Benefits: Benefits that Survivors may receive after the death of their Soldier. Has a benefits calculator to figure current & future benefits as well as link to Survivor Information. www.myarmybenefits.us.army.mil
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Helpful SOS Websites (2 of 2) Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). TAPS provides ongoing emotional help, hope and healing to all who are grieving the death of a loved one in military service to America, regardless of relationship to the deceased, geography or circumstance of the death. TAPS provides peer-based support, crisis care, casualty casework assistance and grief and trauma resources www.taps.org • Snowball Express: This website is for children of Fallen Soldiers. Provides weekend/express getaways for family & children to express grief and work through their healing with other children who have similar experiences. Non-profit organization which may fund one round trip for children of the Fallen to a snowball express experience www.snowballexpress.org
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Contact Information Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• SOS Coordinator Basil A. Forrest 485-8188 or 06783-6-8188 Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil
• Financial Counselor Mary S. Johnston @ 485-8188 or 06783-6-8188 Mary.S.Johnston@eur.army.mil
• Benefits Coordinator Jodi Motszko@ 379-8610 or 06202-80-8610 Jodi.Motszko@eur.army.mil
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Questions Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Questions?
Basil.A.Forrest@eur.army.mil DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188