The newsletter discusses upcoming events and programs for military families in Georgia, including a youth challenge graduation ceremony, Yellow Ribbon program dates, and the retirement of COL Dan Zachman from his role as Deputy J9 Director. It also promotes the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation and encourages readers to donate through their state tax returns.

1. Focal Point
A Newsletter Production of the
J-9 Joint and Family Services Directorate
Volume 1, Issue 1
Special points of
interest:
16 December 2013
Pick an Amount and Make it Count!
 First Choice Veterans
Training Program p3
 FRSA now apart of the
G1 p4
 Youth Challenge Commencement Ceremony
p6
Inside this issue:
Happy Holidays!
2
Youth Programs
3
E.A.T.
3
FRSA
4
Making things
better...
4
Guess who’s retiring?
5
Yellow Ribbon
Dates
By: Melisa Dalton
Are you up for a challenge? Most all of us are
Patriots at Heart as demonstrated by the number of Service Members and military families
that we have across the Nation. But did you
know that there is more that you can do to help
those that serve and their families here locally?
The Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation, Inc, a
nonprofit 501{c}(3) corporation, has been providing emergency
relief assistance via grants or interest free loans to our Georgia
Guardsmen and their Families since 2004. According to Ms.
Harriet Morgan, so far in 2013 the Foundation has approved 276
applications in total amount of $ 262,007.00 with 9 applications
in process!
6
The current limit is $1200 for each loan or grant for one time
emergency assistance. While other agencies are cutting support
services due to budget cuts, there is a simple way that YOU can
help! You can pick an amount and make it count! When you file
your Georgia Income Taxforms,
...continued on page 5.
Directors Corner
I would like to thank everyone who works in J9 - Joint Family Services for your hard work, dedication, and kind hearts. Your work
has not gone unnoticed by the chain of command and especially
those you provide assistance to. As we enter the Christmas season, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We
will continue to strive for excellence in all we do to assist our
Georgia Department of Defense family.
~ COL Mark London

2. Page 2
Happy Holidays Everyone!
“...the
most
wonderful
time of the
year.”
I love the little Christmas song, "It's
the Most Wonderful Time of the
Year." It reminds me of all the
things that make me happy during
the holiday season. Things like
"kids jingle-belling and everyone
telling you be of good cheer!" I just
want to burst into song! But I am
also keenly aware that it is the most
stressful season of all. Problems
like not enough sleep, not enough
exercise, too many commitments,
too much family, too many expenses, and too much food, topped
with a big helping of unrealistic expectations about how perfect everything should be can lead to despair!
However, even with the added
stressors, this can still be the most
wonderful time of the year. While
it is never easy, it is always important to simplify. Try these small
adjustments and enjoy the beauty of
the season:
1). Look at your life and identify
the factors that cause your stress,
then brainstorm ways to eliminate
or at least minimize those things;
2). Reconsider your holiday decorations. They are lovely, but they are
also a lot of work;
3). Make a realistic list of the goals
you need to accomplish...and stick
to it;
4). Get some help...friends and family are often willing to help if we
are willing to ask;
5). Talk to someone. There are
times when we just need to slow
down for a moment and share our
feelings...it is a great stress reliever;
6). Don't forget to exercise, even for
just a few minutes each day;
7). REST!! I started with a song, so
I'll also end with one...God Rest Ye
Merry Gentlemen and Gentlewomen
alike! Rest is a gift that we have to
accept. No one can force us to do it,
we just have to embrace it.
I love what David said in the Psalms,
"I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you, O Lord, make me dwell in
safety." David said those words
when he was in fear for his life, and
he embraced the rest and the peace
that went with the declaration. This
holiday season I wish for you the
gifts of peace and rest and abundant
joy.
May God Richly Bless You!
CH Nelson
“Rest is a gift that we
have to accept.”

3. Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 3
YOUTH PROGRAMS
By: Kara Coleman
The Georgia Guard State Youth Council held its first quarter State Youth Council meeting on
November 8, 2013 at Rock Eagle 4H Center in Eatonton, Georgia.
We are excited about our youth leadership team as they kicked off our
program year with a big bang! This year we are also pleased to announce that we have college students who comprise our State Youth
Council Alumni Chapter who were also present during the weekend’s
meeting.
Kirsten Morris and Austin Worden are former State Youth Council
members who attended this year’s first quarter meeting. They provided
training for our current State Youth Council members and have been
active members of our youth program. Both college students regularly
support Yellow Ribbon Events as well as other areas of our youth program.
We are also proud to announce our newly elected officers; Tori Socia,
State Youth Council President, Arial Jenkins, Vice President , McKenzie Kimball, Secretary, &
Jayla Blakemore, Journalist.
Our youth leadership team has already completed their first Youth Program Newsletter which
includes messages of encouragement and advice to other military children. The Georgia National Guard State Youth Council has also made plans to actively support this year’s Yellow
Ribbon programming as well as campaigning to conduct community service that benefits our
Guard Family. We love and appreciate our Guard youth because they serve too!
“...youth
leadership
team ...kicked
off our
program year
Employment Assistance Team
The Georgia National Guard
J9 Employment Assistance
Team in conjunction with
the State Education Office is
assisting service members
and their spouses in their
efforts to obtain employment. Service members and
spouses are provided with
resume assistance like translating military training and
skills into civilian lingo, connected to employment opportunities and job fairs, and
much more.
In an effort to provide more
employment opportunities,
First Choice Veterans is a
training program that provides intern-to-hire opportunities for veterans and service members. The J9 Employment Assistance Team
has partnered with Goodwill
of North Georgia (GING)
who will implement this program and assess a candidate’s skills and work experience and place them with an
employer in a 2 to 6 week,
paid trial period with the
anticipation of being hired
long term. This is a great
opportunity for Guardsmen
To find out more about the
First Choice Veterans Program and other resources,
visit a Goodwill of North
Georgia career center or attend an information session.
Remember, to register with
J9 Employment Services,
visit
www.surveymonkey.com/s/
gangjob and "Like" us on
facebook
(www.facebook.com/
GeorgiaNationalGuard-
JobAssistanceCenter) for the
most recent listings of jobs
and events! For more information, contact Lacy Turner
at
lacy.p.turner.nfg@mail.mil
or 678-569-5781.
with a big
bang!”

4. Page 4
Family Readiness Support Assistants:
Steady State Unit Family Programs
By: Sharon Coleman
Though Federal missions are
ramping down it is important for
the Commanders Unit Family
Program to maintain a functioning Family Readiness Group focused on the Steady State phase
of the AFORGEN Model through
FRG Meetings, Newsletters, Special Events as well as clear and
concise Command communications.
Below are areas the Command
Team and the FRG volunteer
leadership, in conjunction with
the Family Readiness Support
Assistant can focus on to encourage Family Member participation and Service Member morale
while maintaining the Commands Family Readiness mission
and goals.
 Building interpersonal
relationship skills
 Financial skills
Maintaining a personal
budget
Planning for the future
Reducing debt
 Health
Getting and staying in
shape
Annual check-ups
 General knowledge
of benefits that will be
available if the Service
Member is activated
 Family Care Plans
 Red Cross Notification Form and Process
 Emergency Evacuation Plan (natural disasters)
“My Life in a Box”
Meet your FAS “Get
Our newest FRSA’s, Carla Boggs (FRSA, 201st HRF) and
to Know us, Before
th
Veronica Waters (FRSA, 78 AVN) participated in Welst
you Need us”
coming Home the 201 RSG on Saturday 23NOV13.
 Information on
Benefits and entitlements
Military ID Cards
Military discounts
Military One Source
Chaplains Programs (Strong
Bonds)
AFTB
J9, Joint and Family Services
Community Programs and
Initiatives for Military
Families
The FRSA Programs intent is to
foster continuity for the Commander‘s Family Readiness Program, operations, and initiatives. FRSAs primary objective
is to provide support for Family
Readiness Programs within
their assigned command by ensuring an effective interface between the Command, FRG volunteers, Family Assistance and
Joint and Family Services Directorate. For more information on
maintaining a Unit Family Program and building a functioning
FRG please contact your FRSA.
FRSA Contact information can be obtained via the Georgia Guard Family
Program Website. http://
www.georgiaguardfamilyprogram.org/
common/custom.asp?PAGE=407
Sharon Coleman
Senior Family Readiness Support Assistant
Sharon.l.coleman.nfg@mail.mil
BB) 404-309-6573
Attention:
Effective December 9, 2014 the
FRSA Team has been moved
under the G1. FRSA phone &
email information has not
changed.

5. Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 5
Pick an Amount and Make it Count! ...continued from front page.
check the box to add your donation to the
Georgia National Guard Family Support
Foundation, Inc (GANGFSF) to help. In
2005, Legislature approved adding a
check box to the State of Georgia Income
Tax forms. This continues to be a major
funding source for the Foundation. In
2012, the Foundation received more than
$66,000 from the tax returns.
$100,000 with just 10,000 people making the commitment to help. Let’s see if
we can make a difference in more people’s lives this year!
So we ask, What are you going to do
with your $1?
GEORGIA NATIONAL GUARD
FAMILY SUPPORT FOUNDATION, INC.
1000 HALSEY AVE, BLDG 447
MARIETTA, GA 30060
678-569-5704
We challenge each of you to not only
check the box for yourself, but see if you
can get at least 9 people that you know to
check the box as well on their Georgia Income Tax Form 500. Even if it is only one
dollar, $10 would translate to roughly
www.georgiaguardfamily.org
New Bullet Points for the NCOER and OER!
The goal of the Army’s SAPR
Program is to eliminate sexual assault from the Army
and its reserve components.
To that end within the OER
and NCOER, Soldiers are
now evaluated on the commitment to ending sexual
harassment and sexual assault.
The Army News Service, Nov
7, 2013 reports that a Soldier’s performance in regard
to fostering a climate free of
sexual assault and sexual
harassment will now be recorded on their OER or
NCOER. “Officers and noncommissioned officers must
commit themselves to elimi-
nating sexual harassment
and assault and to foster
climates of dignity and respect in their units, “said
Secretary of the Army John
M. McHugh.
The October 22 MILPER
titled “Changes to the
Evaluation Reporting System
in Response to Army Directive 2013-20 give guidance
to the assessment of Soldiers. Previously, leaders
had the option of counseling
or not counseling Soldiers’
commitment or lack of commitment to preventing sexual harassment and assault.
Now, that kind of counseling
is a requirement, says David
Guess Who’s Retiring?
Many of you may not know it but our Deputy J9 Director COL
Dan Zachman will be retiring in January. He will have served over
33 years in the United States Air Force as an officer. We are so
excited for the new journey that he will embark upon yet saddened
that he has to go. The information for his retirement ceremony is
By: CW3 Valerie Thomas
Griffee, chief of the Evaluations Branch at Army HRC.
He also says “that leaders at
every level will be assessed
on how they’re meeting the
goals and objective to further
improve the command climate.”
The point that is to be made
is that the Army has always
held Soldiers accountable
when they fail to uphold a
standard however; the new
evaluation process is to hold
them accountable for doing
the right thing to ensure that
they help to foster a climate
of dignity and respect.
Col Dan Zachman Retirement ceremony
Clay NGC Drill Hall
Friday, 10 Jan 2014, 1400
LTG (ret) David Poythress presiding
Reception/Party to follow at 1600
Cosmopolitan Restaurant (Former Spaghetti Warehouse)
Delk Road, Marietta.

6. Financial New Year!
Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University
classes starting in January – contact
callie.e.leaver.mil@mail.mil if interested in
attending.
Many of us make those money
resolutions…”get out of
debt”…”start a savings account”…”buy a
home”…”develop a sound financial plan”…etc. How we approach and
manage our household income, does, in
fact, impact our quality of life. It determines where we live, what we drive, where
we vacation, what schools our children attend, and so much more. It also has a
significant impact on our family relationships. Financial discord is one of
the leading reasons for divorce – and
one that can be prevented or eliminated if addressed early in the relationship.
Solid, well thought out, financial resolutions and action plans can make a
difference in your life and family in
2014. Resolutions must be easy to understand, attainable and measurable to
have any hope of success. They must
be something for which we will be willing
to endure the pain of change in order to
attain. They must be personally important
to us. Otherwise, the process of making
New Year’s resolutions, is merely an annual
celebratory exercise we do to bring in the
new year – and little more.
Financial New Year’s Resolutions that can
change your financial direction:
1. Define your financial goals and objectives
2. Develop a monthly spending plan to
provide funds for your financial
goals.
3. Pull and review your credit report on
a quarterly basis to seek to improve
your credit score and credit worthiness.
4. Develop a debt reduction plan that is
built into your new spending plan.
5. Start a savings account – no matter
how small it may be.
6. Commit to a financial education program that will provide a broad base
for your personal money management.
7. For one month, write down every
dollar you spend – it will provide a
starting point for improved spending and savings.
8. Enroll in TSP – either traditional
The Joint Family Support Assistance Program provides to you and your family, free
and confidential financial management
counseling to help you not only define your
New Year’s financial resolutions, but, to
help keep you on the path to financial success. Call today to schedule your appointment with Lynda Smith – your personal
financial counselor -- 770-500-7471 or
lsmith1@mflc.zeiders.com.
Two things make money – people make
money; and, money makes money. Schedule your appointment to learn how to put
your money to work for you in 2014.

7. GANG FAMILY PROGRAMS
PRODUCED BY 1LT EBONI WALKER
1000 Halsey Ave
Building 447
Dobbins ARB, GA 30069,
Families First!
Youth Challenge Academy
The Georgia Challenge twenty-week program is a community-based institution that aspires to reduce the number of high school dropouts, increase the
quantity of productive citizens, and boost the perceived magnitude of education and life skills training among “at risk” youth. The program will have its
Class 2013-04 Commencement Exercise on December 21, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
Location:
Macon City Auditorium
415 First Street Macon, Georgia.
Attire:
Military Class A Uniform
Civilian Appropriate Attire
Yellow Ribbon Program Upcoming Events
January 11-12, 2014 PreMOB
January 18-19, 2014 30 Day & During
January 25-26 30 Day
February 8, 2014 60 Day
February 22, 2014 60 Day
Serving the Georgia DoD, The U.S. Military, and our Veterans,
One Family at a Time.
We are on the web:
www.georgiaguardfamilyprogram.org
J-9 JOINT AND FAMILY SERVICES DIRECTORATE
“Military Personnel, Families, and Veterans First!”
The J-9 Joint and Family Services Directorate and The Georgia Guard Family Program:
Our directorate services the military community of Georgia, providing those services, support
and information that are vital to their care. Our staff is committed to providing the best care, in
a timely manner, and followed-thru to a successful conclusion so that Military Personnel, their
families, and Veterans in Georgia will have the resources, help, and information they need to
thrive.