APRIL FAMILY FOCUS
2018
April Family Focus Mission: Service Member & Family Support enhances and empowers the lives of our customers with consistently exceptional service & support.
Service Member & Family Support Phone: 1-800-658-3930 THE FOCUS IS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS & FAMILIES, VETERANS, RETIREES & SURVIVORS
IN THIS ISSUE
April is the Month of the Military Child Military children make up a very special part of our nation's population. Although young, these brave sons and daughters stand in steadfast support of their military parents. As they face circumstances unique to their lives—such as navigating multiple moves and schools to shouldering repeated deployments of a parent, these children are examples of resilience in the military community. To honor their unique contributions and sacrifices on behalf of our country, each April is designated the Month of the Military Child.
Issue Date Pages 2-5, 11
Page 6
Page 9
Disclaimer: The announcements that appear on this page(s) or attached are intended to inform Soldiers, Airmen, veterans, and their families of special offers provided to Service Members, veterans and their families and are not intended to constitute an endorsement by the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard, the United States Army, the United States Air Force, or the Department of Defense. It is strictly intended to be used for informational purposes only.
APRIL FAMILY FOCUS
Disclaimer: The announcements that appear on this page(s) or attached are intended to inform Soldiers, Airmen, veterans, and their families of special offers provided to Service Members, veterans and their families and are not intended to constitute an endorsement by the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard, the United States Army, the United States Air Force, or the Department of Defense. It is strictly intended to be used for informational purposes only.
2018
APRIL FAMILY FOCUS
|
3
APRIL FAMILY FOCUS
|
4
APRIL FAMILY FOCUS
|
5
APRIL FAMILY FOCUS
The nation observes Gold Star Spouses’ Day on April 5 of each year • In 1947, U.S. Congress approved the use of the Gold Star Lapel Button. is symbol consists of a gold star on a purple background, bordered in gold and surrounded by gold laurel leaves. It is for eligible survivors of service members who lose their lives during any armed hostilities in which the United States is engaged, dating back to World War I. is includes service members who lost their lives while deployed in support of military operations against the enemy of the United States, an international terrorist attack or a United Nations peacekeeping mission. • Retroactive to 1973, the Lapel Button for Next of Kin of Deceased Personnel was introduced. This symbol consists of a gold star within a circle that commemorates his or her honorable service and is also surrounded by sprigs of oak that represent the branches of the Armed Forces. It is designated for eligible survivors of service members who lose their lives while serving honorably under circumstances not defined above.
2018
This includes service members who lost their lives while assigned to a Reserve or National Guard unit in a drill status. • In 2008, Army Survivor Outreach Services was established. SOS is a “One Army” program, jointly administered by Army Community Service, the Army National Guard and Army Reserve, that works hand-in-hand with Casualty and Mortuary Affairs and Casualty Assistance centers across that Army to provide long-term, multi-component support services. • Since 2011, U.S. Congress deemed April 5 as Gold Star Wives’ Day. • As of 2016, the observance is referred to as Gold Star Spouses’ Day. For more information please contact: Michele Anderson South Dakota Survivor Outreach Services Contractor - HRCI 605-737-6090 office 605-593-6671 cell Michele.m.anderson.ctr@mail.mil
Disclaimer: The announcements that appear on this page(s) or attached are intended to inform Soldiers, Airmen, veterans, and their families of special offers provided to Service Members, veterans and their families and are not intended to constitute an endorsement by the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard, the United States Army, the United States Air Force, or the Department of Defense. It is strictly intended to be used for informational purposes only.
APRIL FAMILY FOCUS
|
7
APRIL FAMILY FOCUS .
|
8
APRIL FAMILY FOCUS
|
Nominations for 2018 Pro Patria Award The SD ESGR committee is accepting nominations for the 2018 Pro Patria Award. The Pro Patria Award publicly recognizes employers for exceptional support of their employees, who voluntarily serve in the National Guard and Reserve. These employers provide support which surpasses the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, USERRA. This prestigious award is South Dakota's top employer award and is presented annually to one employer who demonstrates exceptional support for National Defense by adopting personnel policies that make it easier for employees to participate in the National Guard and Reserve. Previous recipients of this award are RENEW Energy Inc., Rapid City Police Department, Iberdrola Renewables, Buffalo Ridge II Wind Farm, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, Northwestern Energy, Daktronics, REI Corporation, St. John’s Lutheran Church of Yankton, Midcontinent Communications, Yankton School District, and SAPA Extrusions, Inc. Nominations of the Service Members employer can be made by the Service Member or a family member April 1 through August 1, 2018. Nomination forms can be obtained at: http://sd.ng.mil/Resources/SMFS/ESGR/Documents/Pro%20Patria%20Nomination%20form%20FY%2018.pdf Nominations must be e-mailed, faxed or mailed back to MAJ Lona Christensen (contact information listed in the nomination form). SD ESGR will conduct the interviews and write the nomination packets. Questions should be directed to MAJ Lona Christensen 605-737-6540.
9
APRIL FAMILY FOCUS
|
10
APRIL FAMILY FOCUS
|
11
SDNG SERVICE MEMBER & FAMILY SUPPORT SMFS Director: SMFS Deputy Director:
605-737-6728 605-737-6206
(February 2018)
LTC Brendan Murphy MAJ Quenten Johnson
Rapid City Rapid City
SD Family Assistance Center
1-800-658-3930
http://www.facebook.com/sdfamilyassistance
Family Assistance Coordinator: Family Assistance Specialist: Family Assistance Specialist: Family Assistance Specialist: Family Assistance Specialist: Family Assistance Specialist: Family Assistance Specialist:
605-737-6079 605-882-9375 605-737-6970 605-737-6970 605-696-5416 605-357-2942 605-995-1682
Rickkie Martinmaas Corinne Mahlen Sarah Neugebauer Kathy Reamer Jenn Holien Rachel Vanderzee Ruth Ragels
Rapid City Watertown Rapid City Rapid City Brookings Sioux Falls Mitchell
Senior Family Readiness Support Assistant: Family Readiness Support Assistant:
605-737-6089 605-737-6310
Wendi Albers Tracy O’Sullivan
Rapid City Rapid City
(109th RSG-JFHQ-196th RTI)
Family Readiness Support Assistant (196th MEB): 605-357-2970
Sioux Falls
Lead Child & Youth Coordinator: Child & Youth Coordinator:
605-737-6919 605-882-9376
Taryn Broomfield Candice Bloom
Rapid City Watertown
Yellow Ribbon:
605-737-6947
SFC David Neugebauer
Rapid City
ESGR Program Director: ESGR Volunteer Support Technician: ESP Employment Support Specialist:
605-737-6540 605-737-6977 605-737-6011
MAJ Lona Christensen Michele Mustain Scott MacDonald
Rapid City Sioux Falls Rapid City
Transition Assistance:
605-737-6669
Christian Johnson
Rapid City
Citizen Soldier For Life: Citizen Soldier For Life: Citizen Soldier For Life:
605-737-6656 605-357-2974 605-868-6269
Kenny Wheeler Laura Allen Emy Hauck
Rapid City Sioux Falls Watertown
Survivor Outreach:
605-737-6090
Michele Anderson
Rapid City
Funeral Honors & Operations NCO: Funeral Honors Coordinator:
605-737-6945 605-737-6927
MSG Mary Mallow Bob Sack
Rapid City Rapid City
Airman & Family Readiness:
605-988-5962
Nikki Wajer
Sioux Falls
Military OneSource:
605-639-0409 800-342-9647
Mike Nei
Watertown
Trauma Crisis & Suicide Prevention:
605-737-6954
Bill Meirose
Rapid City
Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-TALK
Director of Psychological Health: Psychological Health Coordinator: State Chaplain:
605-737-6582 605-786-2922 605-431-5182
LTC Amber Heinert Amy LaBay Chaplain LTC Lynn Wilson
Rapid City Brookings Rapid City
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC):
605-737-6294 877-660-6711
DoD Safe Help Line:
877-995-5247
Rapid City
APRIL FAMILY FOCUS
|
12
Join us at Sky Zone in support of the SDNG Child & Youth Program and the Month of the Military Child
Tuesday, April 17, 2018 3-8 PM Current and former military personnel and their families jump for ONE hour FREE with Military ID and purchase of jump socks! In-store purchase of tickets based on availability. No online ticket sales. Sky Zone is located 5129 South Solberg Ave, Sioux Falls, SDD 57108 605-553-9910
LTC Brendan Murphy & MAJ Quenten Johnson present baby gifts to Service Member & Family Support team members CW2 Devere Pearson & SGT Mathew Spaans to congratulate them on the birth of their daughters!
APRIL FAMILY FOCUS
|
Did you know? The Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA) Program serves Active and Reserve Component service members of ALL branches of the military AND Veterans who have dedicated themselves to serving our nation, often at great personal sacrifice. The program’s principal role is to provide direction to Reserve Component service members so that they can secure all benefits, entitlements, and services earned through their military service with the compassion of someone who’s been there. You may not need assistance at this time, but you may have a friend or family member that could use some assistance.
13
Common services provided are: -
Requesting Military Service records Enrollment into the VA Healthcare Counseling on Education Benefits Supporting deploying and returning units Employment Tricare State specific benefits Navigating local, state and federal programs
I am a current service member in the SDARNG, an OEF-Afghanistan veteran, former full-time Soldier, education counselor and will put to use my skills and relationships to ensure your needs are met. Contact your TAA today at 605-737-6669 or christian.m.johnson.ctr@mail.mil
T
April Family Focus
Service Member and Family Support South Dakota National Guard 2823 W. Main St, Rapid City SD 57702
1-800-658-3930 We
We also recommend that you like and follow us on Facebook as we continuously update new and exciting information. Have suggestions of thing you would like to see in a future issue of the focus? Please contact us!