The document provides information on several topics related to military families including: 1) The Military and Family Life Counseling program which provides confidential counseling support to address issues related to military life such as stress, deployment, relocation and parenting. 2) Upcoming changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill in October allowing more education programs to be covered including non-degree programs. 3) The importance of financial literacy for military families and protecting them from predatory lenders.

1. http://www.health.mil/blog/10-06-24/Family_Resiliency_Webinar.aspx.
This Week in MC&FP
August 12, 2011
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Throughout the 1950s and into the early 1960s, thousands of people from East Berlin
crossed over into West Berlin to reunite with families and escape communist repression. In an effort to
stop that outflow, the government of East Germany, on the night of August 12, 1961, began to seal off
all points of entrance into West Berlin from East Berlin by stringing barbed wire and posting sentries.
In the days and weeks to come, construction of a concrete block wall began, complete with sentry
towers and minefields around it. The Berlin Wall succeeded in completely sealing off the two sections
of Berlin. In the years to come, the Berlin Wall became a physical symbol of the Cold War. The stark
division between communist East Berlin and democratic West Berlin served as the subject for
numerous editorials and speeches in the United States, while the Soviet bloc characterized the wall as a
necessary protection against the degrading and immoral influences of decadent Western culture and
capitalism. During the lifetime of the wall, nearly 80 people were killed trying to escape from East to
West Berlin. In late 1989, with communist governments falling throughout Eastern Europe, the Berlin
Wall was finally opened and then demolished. For many observers, this action was the signal that the
Cold War was finally coming to an end.
Have a good week and take care.
Please note: Some hyperlinks in this text are lengthy, sometimes extending more than one line. For
best results, cut and paste the entire link into your Web browser.
From the DASD, Robert L. Gordon III
The Military and Family Life Counseling (MFLC) program, is dedicated to helping service members
and their families deal with the stress of the military life. Military Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) are
behavioral health specialists deployed around the world to offer confidential, short-term, non-medical
counseling and life coaching to military families. MFLCs are Masters or PhD level, licensed and
credentialed mental health providers who support military families, helping them address a variety of
issues related to military life such as common stress reactions to deployment, relocation adjustment,
reintegration concerns, loss or grief, parenting challenges, financial management, and more.
Read Mr. Gordon’s full remarks at, http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/08/family-focus-friday-
military-and-family-life-counselors-help-with-the-stress-of-military-life/
How has an MFLC helped you? Share your story here,
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=45295&uid=182288077661
Providing policy, tools, and resources to further enhance the quality of life of service members and their families.

2. This Week in MC&FP August 12, 2011
News
VA Outlines October Changes in Post-9/11 GI Bill
The third round of 2011 changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill will take effect Oct. 1, a Department of
Veterans Affairs official said today. October’s changes allow eligible students to pay for more
education and training programs with the GI Bill, Keith Wilson, director of VA’s education service,
told reporters today during a telephone conference. Programs not leading to college degrees, including
programs offered at schools that don’t grant degrees, will now be eligible for GI Bill funding, Wilson
said. Flight programs, correspondence training, on-the-job and apprenticeship training also are covered
by the GI Bill, he added. More, http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=65008
‘Military Line’ Works to Boost Financial Fitness
A young service member saddled with debt and in need of some quick cash doesn’t have to go far.
Lenders offering same-day loans sit outside the gate of nearly every military installation in the nation.
But the lure of fast and easy cash can lead strapped troops down a path of steep interest rates and fees
that far surpass their initial loan. In other words, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, said
Brenda Linnington, director of the Better Business Bureau Military Line. Protecting service members
and their families from financial pitfalls such as payday lenders is Linnington’s primary goal at
Military Line. The program’s mission, she explained, is to increase military members’ financial literacy
through information, education and outreach -- both online and on the ground. More,
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=65007
TRICARE health plan options for National Guard & Reserve Members
Are you a member or family member of the National Guard or Reserves? Watch this video to see what
TRICARE Options are available to you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHsguHDtOc8&feature=youtu.be
Next Hiring Our Heroes event: Great Falls, Montana
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with the Montana Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
and Montana Chamber of Commerce, will be hosting the "Hiring our Heroes - Great Falls" job fair, part
of the 100-city initiative this year to help veterans and their spouses find jobs. The event is open
exclusively to Montana Guard and Reserve members, military spouses, and veterans. Time, location
and other details at, http://www.uschamber.com/veterans/great-falls
EFMP Assists Military Families with Special Needs
Army Families come in all shapes and sizes and may include a member with special needs, and there is
a program dedicated to those individuals. The Exceptional Family Member Program is a mandatory
enrollment program that works with other military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive and
coordinated medical, educational, housing, community support and personnel services to Families with
special needs, said Susan Moyer, Fort Carson EFMP manager. More,
http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/08/program-meets-special-needs/
Interstate Compact for Education of Military Children
An interstate compact is spurring sweeping improvements to the school transition process for military
parents and their children, while also making inroads into addressing parents’ education-related
concerns, a Defense Department official said. The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for
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3. This Week in MC&FP August 12, 2011
Military Children affects everything from school enrollment and eligibility to course placement and
graduation, explained Ed Kringer, director of state liaison and educational opportunity for the
Pentagon’s office of military community and family policy. Since its inception in 2006, 39 states have
adopted the compact, ensuring inclusion of nearly 90 percent of military children and teens. More,
http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/08/interstate-compact-for-education-of-military-children/
Family Focus Friday: Preparing Children For Deployment (Part 1)
Although children’s reactions will vary with their personalities and ages, a parent’s deployment will
almost always be puzzling to children. Parents wonder how the separation will affect their children and
how they can help them through this time. The deploying parent wonders how they can continue to be a
good parent while they are away; the stay-home parent worries about handling added responsibility.
Part 1 of the series, Preparing Children for Deployment, provides steps and activities that prepare your
children for the absence of a parent — no matter what that parent’s branch of service may be. The tips
are designed to help parents and children connect by building trust and cooperation within the family.
More, http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2011/08/family-focus-friday-preparing-children-for-
deployment-part-1/
Are You Legally Prepared for a Deployment?
What does it mean to be ―legally prepared‖ for a deployment? Well, being legally prepared helps
protect you and your family in many ways during a deployment. Getting prepared begins with having a
Power of Attorney (POA). A POA is a legal document allowing your spouse or other family member to
act on your behalf in your absence. http://www.facebook.com/notes/military-community-and-family-
policy/are-you-legally-prepared-for-a-deployment/10150333825283278
Wounded Warriors, Families Deserve Best Care, Chiarelli Says
The military has made great strides in warrior care over the past decade of war, but much work remains
to be done, particularly when dealing with the invisible wounds of war, the Army vice chief of staff
said today. Speaking at the Warrior Transition Command’s Warrior Care and Transition Program
Training Conference in Orlando, Fla., Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli discussed the challenges posed by the
complexity of today’s war injuries and the initiatives in the works to improve care for troops and their
families. ―There’s no more important work than caring for our own,‖ the general told the audience.
―It’s absolutely critical we do everything we can to assist those service members and families dealing
with [injuries] now and in the future,‖ he said. More,
http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=64958
Retroactive Coverage Closing for TRICARE Young Adult
The opportunity to purchase retroactive TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) coverage expires on Sept. 30.
Retroactive TYA provides coverage for young adults back to Jan 1, or the day they became eligible if
that was after Jan 1. TYA allows eligible adult children to purchase TRICARE coverage after their
eligibility for ―regular‖ TRICARE coverage ends at age 21 (or 23 if enrolled in a full course of study at
an approved institution of higher learning). TYA-eligible beneficiaries may choose to purchase
retroactive coverage if they’ve had significant health care expenses that weren’t covered by other
insurance. Once enrolled in TYA, beneficiaries may file a claim for reimbursement of costs for covered
care. Additionally, young adults in the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) may elect to
purchase retroactive TYA coverage and receive a refund for their CHCPB fees.
http://www.tricare.mil/mediacenter/news.aspx?fid=730
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4. This Week in MC&FP August 12, 2011
Commissary On-Site Sale Events
The Guard/Reserve On-site Sales Program provides the commissary benefit to deserving
Guard/Reserve members and their families who live in areas that aren’t close to an existing commissary
store. These sales are not only for the Guard and Reserve – they're for any authorized shopper.
Currently, there are no on-site sales for online ordering. For more information, visit
http://www.commissaries.com/guard_reserve_sales.cfm. In the next few weeks, DeCA will deliver the
benefit:
August 11-13 Guard and Reserve Louisville, Tenn.
August 12-13 California National Guard San Luis Obispo, Calif.
August 12-14 Guard and Reserve Grenada, Miss.
August 13-14 Guard and Reserve Dunbar, W. Va.
August 13-14 Guard and Reserve Niagara Falls, N.Y.
August 18-19 Guard and Reserve Fort AP Hill, Va.
August 20 Guard and Reserve Indian Head, Md.
August 20 Guard and Reserve Seal Beach, Calif.
August 20-21 Guard and Reserve Moundsville, W. Va.
August 26-27 Guard and Reserve Wentachee, Wash.
August 26-28 Guard and Reserve Redmond, Wash.
Tips of the Week
Varying Your Protein, We all need protein
But, most Americans eat enough, and some eat more than they need. How much is enough? Most
people, ages 9 and older, should eat five to seven ounces of protein foods each day. But what about
getting your protein from a variety of foods? Remember, protein foods include both animal (meat,
poultry, seafood, and eggs) and plant (beans, peas, soy products, nuts, and seeds) sources. Here are
some tips to help you make sure you vary your proteins.
Eat Plant Protein Foods More Often
o Try beans and peas (kidney, pinto, black, or white beans; split peas; chickpeas;
hummus), soy products (tofu, tempeh, veggie burgers), nuts, and seeds. They are
naturally low in saturated fat and high in fiber.
Have an Egg
o One egg a day, on average, doesn’t increase risk for heart disease, so make eggs part of
your weekly choices. Only the egg yolk contains cholesterol and saturated fat, so have as
many egg whites as you want.
Choose Seafood Twice a Week
o Eat seafood in place of meat or poultry twice a week. Select a variety of seafood—
include some that are higher in oils and low in mercury, such as salmon, trout, and
herring.
Nuts and Seeds
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5. This Week in MC&FP August 12, 2011
o Choose unsalted nuts or seeds as a snack, on salads, or in main dishes to replace meat or
poultry. Nuts and seeds are a concentrated source of calories, so eat small portions to
keep calories in check.
What counts as an ounce of protein foods? One ounce lean meat, poultry, or seafood; 1 egg; ¼ cup
cooked beans or peas; ½ ounce nuts or seeds; or 1 tablespoon peanut butter. For more information on
varying your protein, check out the USDA’s MyPlate website at www.ChooseMyPlate.gov
Parenting Tip of the Week, So Your Child Wants a Dog
Dogs can make wonderful pets, but there are several factors to consider when deciding to get a dog or
not. Be sure to consult with a professional – a veterinarian, animal behaviorist, or a responsible breeder
– to learn about suitable breeds of dogs for your household and lifestyle. Here are some things to
consider before you get a dog:
Realize that dogs require training, socialization, discipline, and healthcare to be good family
members. Plan for these before committing to get a dog.
Be sensitive to cues that a child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog and, if so, delay getting a
dog.
Spend time with a dog before buying it or adopting it.
Use caution when bringing a dog into the home of an infant or toddler.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Let’s Move/Childhood Obesity Tip of the Week, Tips to help you eat vegetables
Vegetable tips for children:
Set a good example for children by eating vegetables with meals and as snacks.
Let children decide on the dinner vegetables or what goes into salads.
Depending on their age, children can help shop for, clean, peel, or cut up vegetables.
Allow children to pick a new vegetable to try while shopping.
Use cut-up vegetables as part of afternoon snacks.
Children often prefer foods served separately. So, rather than mixed vegetables try serving two
vegetables separately.
Source: USDA
Financial Tip of the Week, Electronic EE Bonds
EE Bonds are reliable, low-risk government-backed savings products that you can use toward financing
education, supplemental retirement income, birthday and graduation gifts, and other special events.
Series EE Bonds purchased on or after May 1, 2005, earn a fixed rate of return, letting you know what
the bonds are worth at all times. See our press release for more information. EE Bonds purchased
between May 1997 and April 30, 2005, are based on 5-year Treasury security yields and earn a variable
market-based rate of return.
*E Bonds are the predecessor to EE Bonds and are no longer issued by the U.S. Treasury.
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6. This Week in MC&FP August 12, 2011
You can purchase, manage, and redeem electronic EE Bonds safely through a personal TreasuryDirect
account.
A new program called SmartExchangeSM allows TreasuryDirect account owners to convert their Series
E, EE and I paper savings bonds to electronic securities in a special Conversion Linked Account in
their online account.
NOTE: Paper EE savings bonds can be purchased at most financial institutions or by using our online
mail-in order form.
Key Facts:
Buying Electronic EE Bonds
o Sold at face value; i.e., you pay $50 for a $50 bond and it's worth its full value when it's
available for redemption.
o Purchase in amounts of $25 or more, to the penny.
o $5,000 maximum purchase in one calendar year.
o Issued electronically to your designated account.
Buying Paper EE Bonds
o Sold at half their face value; i.e., you pay $25 for a $50 bond but it's not worth its face
value until it has matured.
o Purchase in denominations of $50, $75, $100, $200, $500, $1,000, and $5,000, and
$10,000.
o $5,000 maximum purchase in one calendar year.
o Issued as paper bond certificates.
o If you redeem EE/E Bonds in the first 5 years, you'll forfeit the 3 most-recent months'
interest. If you redeem them after 5 years, you won't be penalized.
Who Can Own Bonds
Individuals, corporations, associations, public or private organizations, and fiduciaries can own paper
Series EE/E Bonds. Effective April 2009, individuals and various types of entities including trusts,
estates, corporations, partnerships, etc. can have TreasuryDirect accounts and own electronic savings
bonds. See Learn More about Entity Accounts for full information on the new registration types.
You can own U.S. Savings Bonds if you have a Social Security Number and you're a:
Resident of the United States.
Citizen of the United States living abroad (must have U.S. address of record).
Civilian employee of the United States regardless of residence.
Minor. Unlike other securities, minors may own U.S. Savings Bonds.
Helpful Forms
Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed Bonds Claim Form (PD F 1048)
Change Existing Information on EE Bonds (PD F 4000)
Other forms
Source: Department of the Treasury
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7. This Week in MC&FP August 12, 2011
Military OneSource Tip of the Week, Becoming a New Mother as a Service Member
Nothing is quite as exciting as learning that you’re about to become a mother. If you’re a service
member, make sure you learn about the special programs available to you, such as the The New Parent
Support Program (NPSP).
The New Parent Support Program on your installation provides one-on-one support for expecting
parents and new parents. This is a free service that offers information, support, and guidance on topics
including pregnancy and childbirth, infant and toddler growth and development, and parenting. The
program varies by branch of service and by installation, but most offer home visits by trained
professionals. Contact the Family Support Center or Family Advocacy Program on your installation for
more information. You can go online to www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil for contact information on
your installation.
Excerpted from the Military OneSource article, Becoming a New Mother as a Service Member,
available at www.MilitaryOneSource.com.
Source: Military OneSource 2011
Spouse Tip, How to Become a Family Child Care Provider in Military Housing
If you are interested in becoming a Family Child Care (FCC) Provider in Military Housing
It is important for you to read the governing Department of Defense Instruction 6060.2 (2 Aug 1998
Administrative Update): Child Development Programs (CDPs):
www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/606002p.pdf. This instruction provides quality standards for
operating a Family Child Care home-based business and standards that you will have to meet to be
qualified to deliver child care services in government quarters (on base).
Provision of child care services by a military housing resident (e.g. a family member of a
servicemember or a DoD civilian) is a privilege, not a right. This privilege is granted at the discretion
of the responsible Installation Commander, or the Defense Agency Director or Commander. The
person you will work with to become an approved, certified FCC provider will be this military leader’s
Child Development Program Director or the Family Child Care Director/Coordinator. These managers
can provide information and opportunities for Family Care providers to achieve home accreditation or
to become a Child Development Associate (CDA).
What is Family Child Care?
Family Child Care is home-based child care that is provided by an individual who is certified by the
Secretary of the Military Department concerned (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force) as a qualified
provider of services that meet children’s needs at various stages of growth and development. Child
care services are provided 10 hours or more per week per child on a regular basis for compensation as
approved and certified by the responsible commanding officer. As private contractors, FCC providers
use their own contracts between themselves and the parents they serve which describe terms, hours of
operation, services rendered and fees charged. Their contracts must be maintained for CDP
Director/FCC Director inspection and review. DoD FCC standards are published in DOD Instruction
6060.2 (Enclosure 8 --page 38) referenced above. Depending on location, FCCs are also referred to as
Family Home Day Care, Family Home Care, and Family Day Care.
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8. This Week in MC&FP August 12, 2011
What services are delivered by FCC providers?
FCC providers deliver age appropriate child care and child development education and activities for
children ages birth through 12 years old. FCC homes may also used to provide special support
services, including overnight care, extended hour care, sick child care, infant and newborn care, and
care for children with disabilities.
CDP Training and Curriculum Specialists provide FCC caregivers with the training they need to meet
DoD standards for service delivery. Additional resources and professional development information is
available from the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, a division of the National Association
for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) [http://www.naeyc.org].
Who is Eligible to Become a Family Child Care Provider?
An individual who meets the following requirements can apply to become an FCC provider:
18 years or older
Ability to speak, read and write English
Criminal History Background Check in accordance with the Crime Control Act of 1990
Screening of the FCC provider applicant, family members over 12 years old and others living in
the potential FCC home
Valid CPR and First Aide Certifications (American Red Cross is a good source)
Mentally and physically capable of providing child care: free from communicable diseases;
able and willing to complete required FCC training (e.g. 24 hours of Annual Training including
information on child abuse prevention, identification, and referral procedures; child
development and environments; child health, nutrition and safety; health and sanitation; age
appropriate guidance and discipline; parent and family relations; applicable regulations and
installation policy; position orientation; and business operations).
What is the process for becoming a FCC provider?
The process varies from installation to installation. Remember, FCCs are independent contractors (e.g.
home-based businesses) that join existing military networks of local and regional FCC providers. To
get started, contact your installation or Defense Agency’s CDP Director/FCC Director for local FCC
application process information. Directors of Child Development Centers (CDCs) on military
installations may also be able to guide you in the right direction. For contact information, visit:
http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil.
Need help deciding whether you want to own your own FCC home-based business or become a staff
member of a military child development or youth program? A listing of the types of positions typically
available at most installations can be found in the ―Come Grow with Us‖ Fact Sheet and FAQs found at
http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/portal/page/mhf/MHF/MHF_HOME_1?section_id=20.80.500.1
00.0.0.0.0.0.
Contact a Military OneSource (MOS) Education and Career Consultant at 1-800-342-9647 or visit the
MOS Spouse Career Center at www.MillitaryOneSource.com (Career and Education Section/Spouse
Career Center) for career counseling and additional information. Check the www.USAJobs.com and
www.MSEPJobs.com web portals for current job openings.
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9. This Week in MC&FP August 12, 2011
Relocation Tip, Be flexible
Moving in the summer months is extremely busy, with June being the busiest moving month of the
year. Your preferred dates may not be available during this time. You will need to be as flexible as
possible and always leave some time in your schedule for unforeseen circumstances.
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