Joint Family Support Assistance Program

Mission

To provide mobile, high quality, effective and efficient family assistance and services to augment the ability of existing family programs to meet the needs of family members of active duty, National Guard and reserve members, specifically targeting families who are geographically dispersed from a military installation.

Info
Background
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2007 authorized JFSAP to deliver mobile family support and services to families facing the same deployment-related challenges as installation-based families, but whose access to support is more challenging. JFSAP has been available in all states and territories since September 2008.

Program Highlights
Most JFSAP teams are comprised of one Military and Family Life Counselor, one Child and Youth Behavioral MFLC, one Military OneSource Consultant and one additional position (state choice of MFLC, CYB-MFLC or Personal Financial Counselor).

JFSAP teams serve members and families from all components and collaborate with existing military and family support resources to augment their activities and fill gaps where they exist. JFSAP teams provide the following services and resources: Information and referrals to community services and support

Non-medical counseling and education to individuals, families and groups
Child and youth services, including assistance locating child care
Financial education and counseling

Contacts
Military and family life counselor. As licensed counselors, MFLCs assist service members and their families with access to counseling services. They may provide confidential, short-term, non-medical counseling themselves or make referrals to licensed counselors in the local area. An MFLC may address issues including parenting, relationships, stress, personal loss or deployment adjustment.

Sheryl Richard
Military and Family Life Consultant – Western Michigan
sheryl.richard@ahsg.us
269-832-8202

Child and youth behavioral counselor. These counselors help coordinate services for children and youth. They may provide counseling and education on topics such as developmental milestones, difficult behaviors, separation and anxiety. They can also help families find local, state or federal programs for children and youth in the local community.

Maritza Rodriguez-Arseneau
Military and Family Life Consultant
Child and Youth Behavioral Program
Maritza.Rodriguez-Arseneau@ahsg.us
517-599-2719

Military OneSource consultant. Military OneSource consultants collaborate with local, state and federal programs to assist with identifying military and family readiness resources, as well as provide education on support services available through Military OneSource. Consultants can also provide referrals to local support services when needed.

April Clipper
Michigan Military OneSource
Joint Family Support Assistance Program
april.clipper@militaryonesource.com
989-415-9846