SDNG April 2020 Focus

APRIL 2021 FOCUS

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April 2021 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

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M

ilitary 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.

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For Immediate Release

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Date: March 30, 2021 Contact: SD VST Priscilla Harkin 605-357-2983

YANKTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NAMED 2021 SECRETARY OF DEFENSE EMPLOYER SUPPORT FREEDOM AWARD FINALIST WASHINGTON – Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is pleased to announce Yankton School District has been named one of 30 finalists for the 2021 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, in recognition of the organization’s support for its National Guard and Reserve employees.

“I am honored to congratulate these 30 outstanding employers, who have distinguished themselves in supporting their Reserve Component employees,” said Mr. Ron Bogle, ESGR’s National Chair. “Employers play a critical role in the readiness and success of our National Guard and Reserve forces, and by valuing and supporting their employees’ military service, they are making a direct contribution to our Nation’s security.”

Yankton School District, along with 29 other finalists were selected from 3,382 nominations received from Guardsmen and Reservists highlighting how their civilian employers went far beyond what the federal law requires to support them. The finalists represent large and small employers, as well as public sector organizations. Celebrating its 25th year, the Freedom Award began in 1996 under the auspices of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to recognize exceptional employer support, with 295 honorees to date.

Yankton School District continuously increases their support to their military employees and their families. In addition, the school has had a longstanding relationship with ESGR since 2007. This is a testament that their commitment to their employee’s military service is part of their culture and not just what they say but what they do. Yankton School District is proud of their inclusion of the students in the outreach they conduct to employees and the support they show to their families during deployments. This shows the District understandsthat the sacrifice is made, not only by the Service Member, but by the families as well. The passion for militarysupport that the school district has instilled in its culture is felt and admired by all Service Member employees, as well as new hires, like our nominator, SSG Zachary Campbell from HHC 153rd EN BN. “Yankton School District truly understands what it means to serve,” said Jim White, State Chair for the SD ESGR Committee. “They lead by example and ensure their employees are successful both in their civilian and military careers and that their families are taken care of during their military service”.

The 15 employers selected to receive the 2021 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award will be announced early this summer.

For more information about the Freedom Award, visit www.FreedomAward.mil. To learn more about ESGR, visit www.ESGR.mil.

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Save the Date

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Jeremy Waddell from Military One Source and Marli Erickson Personal Financial Counselor Invite you to join us for Tax Topic Zoom meetings: • • • • • •

Tax Brackets widen in 2020 Standard Deduction Increases for 2020 Higher Education Credits and Student Loan Interest 2020 Ability to Claim 2020 Economic Impact Payments when Filing Tax Withholding For Households With 2 or More Wage Earners 30 Minutes including Q & A Time When: May 3, 2021 11:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Click HERE to register in advance for this meeting!

When: May 3, 2021 5:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Click HERE to register in advance for this meeting!

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TELECOUNSELING IS HERE!

Your SDNG Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLC) can provide telehealth services to your military community. These non-medical counseling services are provided through telephonic and video channels.

Both MFLCS have the Child and Youth Behavioral (CYB) credentialing to support our youth as well.

Communication methods for Support of Adults/Children/Family

• Telephonic and video non-medical counseling • Individual video non-medical counseling • Family video non-medical counseling

• • • • • •

Potential Topics to discuss (include but are not limited to):

Financial Stressors Depression/Anxiety Concerns Managing Stress in Today’s Environment Remaining Mission Ready Marital/Relationship Concerns Parenting Issues

Your CYB-MFLC’s:

Rapid City based - Krista Preston Cell Phone - 605-631-9026 RapidSurgeMFLC-02@SRIMFLCTeam.com

Sioux Falls based - Judy Zimbelman Cell Phone - 605-940-1150 judyz@sio.midco.net

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Military Family Assistance_____________ What Is Military Family Assistance?

Military Family Assistance provides a focal point of information through Eight Essential Services. Family Assistance Centers are critical in providing help to all military families. This holds especially true for geographically dispersed families who are unable to access services at a local base, installation, or fort. In other words, Family Assistance personnel are the quick and easy way to get assistance and referrals for families.

The Eight Essential Services: ID Cards and DEERS 1. Provide information on DEERS Rapids Centers 2. Assist with obtaining an ID card

Crisis Intervention and Referral Provide assistance with the following: 1. Danger to Self and Others 2. Child Abuse/Neglect 3. Domestic Abuse 4. Abuse/Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult

Community Information and Outreach Provide array of local Community resources: 1. Assist with Child Care resource and referral 2. Assist with referral to local financial resources 3. Help find a local Family Readiness Group

Legal Resource and Referral 1. Information on Power of Attorney/ Wills 2. Assistance with Service Members Civil Relief Act 3. Referrals for ESGR

Exceptional Family Member Program 1. Connect with ARNG EFMP Program 2. Assist with EFMP application

Financial Resource and Referral 1. Understanding Military Pay 2. Help with financial education, financial assistance & loan applications TRICARE Resource and Referral 1. Provide general information on benefits 2. Assist with TRICARE applications 3. Assist with writing appeal letters

Emergency Family Assistance Center In a State emergency: 1. Provide information, referral & outreach services 2. Help Families regain normalcy & meet needs 3. Minimize impact of the event

1.800.658.3930

Christian Johnson Rapid City JFHQ, 109th RSG, Training Center, MED CMD Military & Family Readiness Specialist-Lead 605.737.6079 ~ 605.415.0471 christian.m.johnson.mil@mail.mil Robert Cyrus Watertown 147th FA Military & Family Readiness Specialist 605.882.9375 ~ 605.415.0010 robert.e.cyrus.civ@mail.mil Donally Kranz Sioux Falls 196th MEB, 115th SIG CO, 196th RTI Military & Family Readiness Specialist 605.357.2970 ~ 605.787.3313 donally.t.kranz.mil@mail.mil

Georgeann VanDelist Rapid City 881st TRP CMD Military & Family Readiness Specialist 605.737.6975 ~ 605.786.8352 georgeann.l.vandelist.civ@mail.mil

www.facebook.com/sdfamilyassistance

Ruth Ragels Mitchell 153rd EN BN Military & Family Readiness Specialist 605.995.1682 ~ 605.877.2517 ruth.e.ragels.civ@mail.mill

Bill Flippo Brookings 152nd CSSB Military & Family Readiness Specialist 605.696.5416~605.415.1013 bill.m.flippo.civ@mail.mil Paul Mausbach Sioux Falls 109th EN BN Military & Family Readiness Specialist 605.357.2942 ~ 605.415.2481 paul.g.mausbach.civ@mail.mil

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Farewell to 2 Outstanding Soldiers

April 1st was a bitter sweet day in SMFS. We had to say “good luck in your next opportunity” to two of our SMFS Family.

SSG Sammi Brakke has been a part of SMFS since 2018. She has done an absolutely fabulous job as our West River Military Funeral Honors Coordinator. We are going to miss her can-do attitude and her fun loving spirit in the office as she transitions to her new position in Recruiting and Retention Battalion. She will be based out of Rapid City.

SFC Renae Schultz also left SMFS for greener pastures. Renae was selected for a Readiness NCO position with the 115th Signal Company in Sioux Falls. In just 20 months, Renae had become an integral part of the SMFS team as our Yellow Ribbon Coordinator.

Her attention to detail has kept SMFS on the “straight and narrow” and her work ethic has ensured all of the units that have deployed over the last couple years have received top notch training all Yellow Ribbon Events.

We are certain these two NCOs are going to do outstanding work in their next positions. The next time you see either of them, please congratulate them on a job well done in SMFS!!

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April 2021 Focus

Service Member and Family Support South Dakota National Guard 2823 W. Main St, Rapid City SD 57702

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