JANUARY 2021
In this Issue... CNIC Calls On All PPV Housing Tenants to Take Upcoming Satisfaction Survey Homeschooling Help with Tutor.com Ombudsman Moment January 2021 New Parent Stress? Let Your FFSC Help FERP Works Hard, Increases Spouse Employment Events During Pandemic Stalking: Another Avenue of Intimate Partner Violence Up For a Reading Challenge? Visit us online at:
Letter from the Family Readiness Director, Wow! What a year 2020 has been, a different year to say the least. Let me start by wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, safe and peaceful new year! In this past year, your Family Readiness Program team continued to provide Navy families with first-class programs and services in the midst of a global pandemic. I would like to take this moment to congratulate them for another successful year of service to our Navy Families. With COVID-19’s continued presence and the operational tempo ever changing, the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) staff has a work ethic, dedication and perseverance that leaves me amazed and inspired. FFSCs around the globe rapidly responded to completing their duties and subsequently improving the quality of life for Navy families. I want to highlight some of Family Readiness’ accomplishments that stood out in 2020. We evolved from providing mostly in-person services to virtual services. Not all FFSCs shut their doors; many continued to work directly with service members and their families while following all social distancing protocols. Our eLearning programs increased the number of monthly webinars to ensure a greater and safer accessibility for Navy families. Looking back at the celebrations of 2020, we celebrated several milestones. We promptly converted required trainings and workshops such as the Transition Assistance Program and Command Financial Specialists to virtual trainings. We provided staff members with the tools and resources to work virtually. We continued to support our Sailors and families with one-on-one counseling and provided virtual group sessions. We also launched a new initiative that provides special education and legal assistance to our exceptional family members! In this unique and unforgettable year, we also celebrated an even bigger milestone: The Navy Family Ombudsman Program celebrated its 50th anniversary. I know that Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, who established the Navy Ombudsman Program, would be proud. I know I am! The Family Readiness Program team is committed to the success of serving our community with the best services and the most compassionate support, which we can give. We are one team working together for a more ready and resilient Navy family!
Family Connection is a publication of the Fleet and Family Support Program. The Navy’s Fleet and Family Support Program promotes the self-reliance and resilience of Sailors and their families. We provide information that can help you meet the unique challenges of the military lifestyle. The appearance of external links in this newsletter does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. Navy or Department of Defense. If you have questions or comments, contact the Fleet and Family Support Program, cnic.ffsp.fct@navy.mil.
As we step into this new year, I look forward to continuing to work alongside our amazing team and confidently moving forward into another exciting year of opportunities and possibilities. We are proud of serving and being of service to the United States Navy and her families! May the blessings of the season continue throughout the year for you and your family! – Shauna Turner Find your installation’s Fleet and Family Support Center by visiting https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/ family_readiness/fleet_and_family_support_program/FFSC.html
ATTENTION READERS: Make Family Connections Interactive! Share your questions, comments, good news stories, useful resources and articles you have written or found helpful. As space allows, we will include them in future newsletters OR release on social media. Submit to cnic.ffsp.fct@navy.mil
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JANUARY 2021
CNIC Calls On All PPV Housing Tenants to Take Upcoming Satisfaction Survey BY KYLE Z. HENDRIX, COMMANDER, NAVY INSTALLATIONS COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS WASHINGTON – The annual Public-Private Venture (PPV) Tenant Satisfaction Survey (TSS) will be conducted from Dec. 10, 2020 through Jan. 31, 2021, and CNIC is calling on all tenants of Navy PPV housing to participate. “I want to emphasize how important it is for all PPV residents to complete this survey. Their feedback provides valuable information to help us improve their quality of life and service, and to determine where the Navy and our housing partners are getting it right and where we need to focus more attention,” said Vice Adm. Yancy Lindsey, CNIC Commander. The TSS is anonymous and is administered by CEL & Associates, an independent third party, with funding provided by the Navy. The surveys are designed to accurately identify the current state of Navy housing, and inform decisions on needed improvements. In addition to identifying immediate health or safety concerns, the Navy is looking at larger trends, such as reoccurring issues, the level of customer service, government oversight and identification of future projects such as new playgrounds or dog parks. The Navy has oversite of approximately 40,000 PPV housing units that are managed by the following PPV partners throughout the United States: Balfour Beatty, Clark, Hunt, Landmark, Lincoln and Patrician. The upcoming TSS survey applies to all tenants of Navy PPV housing. Tenants will be receiving an email from CEL & Associates with instructions on how to provide their responses. If you are a tenant of PPV housing and do not receive a notification email please contact your local Housing Service Center (HSC) for assistance. “Our commitment remains unchanged, provide quality and safe housing to our service members and their families,” said Greg Wright, CNIC housing director. “I would like to thank all those who have brought up issues in the past, and encourage all tenants to take the annual survey as the feedback received translates into improvements for not only the submitter, but the entire Navy community.” Several of the initiatives implemented recently in PPV housing oversight were a result of feedback through the various surveys last year such as, transparency in the maintenance process, use of online portals and apps, hiring additional personnel in Housing Service Centers and adding time between occupants to ensure houses are ready for the next tenant. Family members living in privatized housing are allowed to take the survey, but only one survey is allowed per household. Tenants with questions about the upcoming TSS should contact their local HSC for assistance. Outside of the TSS, residents can always contact their HSC with any housing question. HCS staff are there to support Sailors and families and can help with all of their housing needs. To learn more about Navy Housing, visit the nearest Housing Service Center or go to www.cnic.navy.mil/housing.
Homeschooling Help with Tutor.com
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Ombudsman Moment January 2021 REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES AND THE COMMAND OMBUDSMAN When a person volunteers to help with an organization, the last thing they want to do is incur expenses. Have you ever worried what it might cost you monetarily to become a command ombudsman? Let us assure you that it should not cost anything. The command has specific allowable expenses per OPNAVINST 1750.1G CH-2, and chances are that what you might need is included in these expenses. Please understand, though, that these are not guaranteed reimbursements. It is up to the command to determine whether or not they can find the money in their budget to pay for some of your expenses. It is important for you to be realistic about what you need and what you can do without. During your interview, have a serious conversation with the commanding officer (CO) and/or the point of contact (POC) to discuss your and their expectations for the position, including a discussion of expenses that you might incur. Do you live 30 miles from the base and need mileage? Maybe you have a toddler and will need occasional childcare expenses. Have the conversation before you accept the position, so that all are clear about what is needed and expected for you to perform this role. When an agreement is made, it should be put into writing, whether in a memo or an email following-up a verbal conversation. You will also want to discuss the process for submitting receipts and receiving payment for your agreed-upon expenses. The CO could appoint a separate POC for you, other than your regular POC, for processing monthly expenses. Sometimes a yeoman or supply officer is assigned to work with the ombudsman on financial issues. The most important thing to remember is to have an agreed-upon procedure in place before spending any money. After the fact is not the time to ask for reimbursement. For more information on how to volunteer with your command or to locate your command ombudsman, contact your Fleet and Family Support Center Ombudsman Coordinator or Reserve Component Command Warrior and Family Support Specialist or use the Contact Your Ombudsman feature on the Ombudsman Registry home page at https://ombudsmanregistry.cnic.navy.mil.
New Parent Stress? Let Your FFSC Help BY KATHY MUSCARI, LCSW, NAVSTA ROTA, SPAIN There is a great deal of joy to experience with the arrival of a newborn baby. That is not to say that the experience does not come with its challenges. Having a baby can also be quite stressful and feel overwhelming at times. If you are a new parent, you probably were advised by a caring family member, friend or fellow parent to “sleep while the baby sleeps” or “don’t forget to make time for yourself.” Both ideas are valuable pieces of advice and if you can do these things, do them! However, what should you do if these ideas are not realistic for you? How do you manage feelings of stress or worry if you are not getting your basic needs met, you are feeling down or are not exactly feeling content with parenthood? Here are four ways to tackle new parent stress.
PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT EXACERBATES STRESS AND WHAT ALLEVIATES IT Ask yourself what actions are making your stress worse and what actions improve your mood and make you feel better. If you find yourself searching the internet for answers to all of your new-parent questions and it causes you to feel worried and concerned, take note of that response in your mind and body. What else can you do? Do something that will relax you and give you a moment of peace. Will a phone conversation with a friend help you? Will taking a bath help you? Will reading a book or exercising help you? If those do not work for you, try taking three deep breaths in a quiet place. Whatever action helps you remember it the next time you reach for your smart phone to do a google search and use that as a sign to do the action that will relax you instead. Pay attention to the actions that make you feel good! Continued on next page.
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JANUARY 2021 Continued from Page 3.
Everyone is different. Your stress triggers might be different from those of the parent next door; so will the practices that help you manage your stress will also be different. If you are not sure what might help alleviate your feelings of stress, do a little trial-and-error investigation by practicing different actions or talk with a professional for some tips.
ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT AND ACCEPT HELP WHEN IT IS OFFERED Asking for help does not mean you are failing as a parent, it means that you are making sure both you and your baby’s needs are met. What should this look like? Have an in-depth conversation with your partner about how you are feeling, what your needs are and how your partner can help you. In addition, if your friends or neighbors want to make food for you or set up a meal train, let them. Eating a delicious meal without the chore of cleaning up the kitchen is one of life’s great comforts, especially with a newborn.
TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME When you have a newborn, today will not look like yesterday and you will not know what tomorrow will bring. Accept that things might be out of your control and allow your routine to be flexible. Letting go of control can be difficult, but it may help you to cope with any curveballs that might come your way.
BE KIND TO YOURSELF It is easier to think about all the things you feel that you are doing wrong as a parent, but you should acknowledge the things that you are doing right instead. The simple fact is that you have created and nurtured this beautiful human and that you are doing your best to make your baby happy and healthy each day. You deserve credit for your actions. As a new parent, you will likely experience a wide range of emotions, including highs and lows. If you find that you are experiencing difficult feelings that do not go away, please ask for help. There are professionals available to listen to and talk you through this rewarding but challenging time in your life. Your installation’s FFSC provides support and resources to new parents with the New Parent Support Home Visitation Program. For more information or if you would like to reach a New Parent Support Program specialist, contact your installation’s FFSC or visit their website here.
FERP Works Hard, Increases Spouse Employment Events During Pandemic Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) and Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSCs) increased spouse employment initiatives through virtual delivery services, workshops and virtual hiring events in support of COVID-19 efforts. The challenges of finding employment and relocating during these difficult times present adversities for military spouses trying to maintain stable employment and create setbacks that may affect morale, readiness and well-being of the military community. Virtual hiring fairs are nothing new to our FFSC. The number of virtual hiring events and participation in them is rising. Increased online events and resources has led to more virtual workshops on career exploration, employment outreach, federal employment system, goal setting, job search strategies, interview skills, resume writing and self-employment. Additionally, ongoing collaboration with local resources such as Military OneSource, Hiring Our Heroes, Military Spouse Employment Partnership and the Small Business Association (SBA) has led to the further exploration in online employment and educational opportunities. The current COVID-19 pandemic can be an opportunity to practice resilience skills and share them with others. Research shows that volunteerism decreases anxiety and builds resiliency. So, whether spouses are finding their way through a challenging telework experience, worrying about job security in these uncertain times, on the hunt for new employment in a changing economy or looking to volunteer. Please contact your local FFSC to find volunteer opportunities and ask about the things that people are doing during COVID-19 to help others. You can also search online for organizations that are helping deployed service members and veterans and find some way to get involved. For additional information about the Family Employment Readiness Program, please visit your local FFSC or download the MyNavyFamily application on your mobile device for more information. The free MyNavyFamily app is available for download from the Navy App Locker at applocker.navy.mil.
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Stalking: Another Avenue of Intimate Partner Violence BY LEE ANNA BELTON, LICSW, LCSW-C, LCSW, COMMANDER, NAVY INSTALLATIONS COMMAND Not only is January the start of the new year, it is also Stalking Awareness Month. Stalking is a crime that affects everyone directly or indirectly on some level. Stalking is a dangerous crime that directly affects up to seven-million women and men each year. Many of these crimes go undetected, unreported or uncharged because victims and professionals fail to recognize stalking behavior. Stalking is a method of control. Behaviors can include, but are not limited to, showing up where you are, knowing your schedule, consistently trying to contact you or control you through technology or even sending unwanted gifts. According to The Stalking, Prevention, Awareness and Resource Center, the legal definition of stalking can vary based on your state or jurisdiction. However, a good working definition of stalking is a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. Stalking invokes fear and emotional distress in targeted individuals. Regardless of who perpetrates the crime, whether it is a stranger, an acquaintance or a current or former intimate partner, stalking all too often ends in tragedy. Stalking can lead to other types of violence. Eighty-one percent of women, who are stalked are also physically assaulted by that perpetrator, and thirty-one percent are sexually assaulted. The impact of stalking may be emotional, social and/or financial. Anxiety, insomnia, social dysfunction and severe depression are higher among stalking victims than in the general population. Cyberstalking can compound all these emotions; survivors express feeling as though they have no control because the abuse is constant. Cyberstalking can occur on the phone, on the computer, by email and on social media. Most of us utilize technology in some aspect of their daily lives and these can be sources of danger for cyberstalked victims. Public online abuse can leave a survivor feeling embarrassed and ashamed. A victim’s sense of security will often be affected, which diminishes the ability to fully engage in social activities. According to The National Coalition on Domestic Violence, one in eight stalking victims has reported losing work because of the stalking. More than half of these victims reported losing five or more workdays. If you are experiencing stalking, or know someone who is, getting support and advocacy is vital. Victims should reach out to their Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) for assistance against stalking behaviors. Other steps that victims may take include keeping records, saving any evidence of stalking, speaking with an advocate and contacting law enforcement. Victim service providers play a critical role in stalking response and intervention. Fewer than 40 percent of stalking victims report the crime to law enforcement. Teaming with law enforcement, legal services and other victim advocates can help victims to navigate the challenging road of stopping stalking behavior. Victim advocates educate victims and survivors about the ongoing dynamics of stalking and encourage them to make a safety plan for situations that may occur. Counseling is helpful in feeling empowered again after feeling isolated or scared. There are resources available to help. For more information on stalking or if you would like to reach a victim advocate, contact your installation’s FFSC at https://www.cnic.navy. mil/ffr/family_readiness/fleet_and_family_support_program/FFSC.html.
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JANUARY 2021
Up For a Reading Challenge? MWR VIRTUAL LIBRARY HOSTING A WINTER READING CHALLENGE From now until January 31, 2021, the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Virtual Library is hosting a winter reading challenge. Read at home during the program and log your reading hours and activities to be automatically entered into weekly gift card drawings. The program is open to all DoD employees, service members and family members eligible for MWR library services. You must be 13-years-old or older to create your own Beanstack account; a parent or guardian may register younger children including pre-readers. Read from any book, magazine or newspaper and log at least one hour of reading time per week in your account to be included in the weekly drawing for one or more electronic gift cards. At the end of the challenge, the readers with the most hours logged will also be awarded electronic gift cards. Register for the reading challenge at dodvirtualsrp.beanstack.org.
New Year New Opportunities to Serve You
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JANUARY 2021
We are all more organized in different areas of our life, but luckily FFSC has Subject Matter Experts that can provide you more tips and tricks to help tackle the areas that need improving.
How to register:
Step #1: Create an Account — Visit MyNavyFamily.com to establish a free account. We recommend establishing your
account at least one day before the webinar. Be sure to enter your time zone!!
Step #2: View the calendar — Once your account is confirmed, click “Live Webinar” at the top of the page to view the
calendar and select a webinar.
Step #3: Receive a Reminder Email — You will receive an email and link for the webinar one week, one day, and one
hour prior to the webinar!
Please feel free to message us at learning@zeiders.com if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Deployment
Tuesday, January 12th Thursday, January 28th
Employment
Finances
3:30 PM EST 11:00 AM EST
Wednesday, January 6th Wednesday, January 6th Wednesday, January 20th Wednesday, January 20th Wednesday, January 20th Wednesday, January 20th
9:00 AM EST 2:00 PM EST 9:00 AM EST 1:00 PM EST 1:00 PM EST 2:00 PM EST
Thursday, January 21st Thursday, January 28th
1:00 PM EST 1:00 PM EST
Thursday, January 7th 1:00 PM EST Thursday, January 14th 3:00 PM EST Wednesday, January 20th 3:00 PM EST Friday, January 22nd 10:00 AM EST Tuesday, January 26th 12:00 PM EST Tuesday, January 26th 1:00 PM EST Friday, January 29th 10:00 AM EST
Couples and Deployment Single Sailors and Deployment
Effective Resume Writing Salary Negotiation Skills Job Search Strategies Fundamentals of Interviewing LinkedIn101 How to Answer Difficult Interview Questions Career Assessment and Exploration Fundamentals of LinkedIn
Ghosts of Christmas Past They’re Off to College. So, Now What? Saving and Investing Financial Responsibility in the Military Protect Your Money! Getting a Tax Refund...Now What? Protecting Your Identity & Your Finances
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Life Skills
Wednesday, January 6th 9:00 AM EST Wednesday, January 6th 11:00 AM EST Wednesay, January 6th 4:00 PM EST Tuesday, January 12th 4:00 PM EST Wednesday, January 13th 1:00 PM EST Tuesday, January 19th 2:00 PM EST Tuesday, January 19th 4:00 PM EST Thursday, January 21st 11:00 AM EST Thursday, January 21st 1:00 PM EST Wednesday, January 27th 2:00 PM EST Thursday, January 28th 2:00 PM EST Thursday, January 28th 4:00 PM EST
Parenting
Thursday, January 14th Thursday, January 21st
Transition
Thursday, January 28th
2:00PM EST 3:00 PM EST
10:00 AM EST
Stress Management Personal Communication Tips and Tricks for Getting Organized in 2021 Being the Best You (Part 1) 5 Love Languages Conflict Management Being the Best You (Part 2) Interview Techniques Let’s Talk Coping Skills Suicide Awareness Stress Management During A Pandemic Presentation Strategies
Effective Parenting Bringing Baby Home
Skillbridge
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