In the military, we often use the phrase “Building Your Toolkit”. Your toolkit consists of valuable resources you can use in times of need. You can NEVER have too many tools. Relationships can be difficult at times and being affiliated with the military brings its own set of challenges. Listed below are resources that can help your family during times of need.

Thrive

Thrive is a free resource and online universal parenting program that emphasizes positive parenting
practices, stress management strategies, and health promotion skills that can be used to help parents raise a happy and healthy child. For more information and program registration, visit the Thrive website.

FOCUS – Families OverComing Under Stress

In-person and virtual resilience training for service members and families. The FOCUS program has been demonstrated to reduce psychological distress and strengthen military children and families as they navigate the transitions of military life, including deployment, frequent relocation, injury, and loss. For more information and to find a FOCUS location, visit the Focus Project website.

Military OneSource Non-Medical Counseling

Military OneSource can connect you with confidential, short-term, non-medical counseling to address daily life issues before they compromise military and family readiness. Up to 12 sessions per issue, per year at no cost. Counseling is available CONUS and OCONUS. They offer in-person, by phone, or secure online chat and video. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit the Military OneSource website or call 800-342-9647. Live chat is also available.

Military and Family Life Counseling Program

The MFLC is in-person, non-medical counselor that is free and confidential for military families. These counselors are available to the members, their family, and survivors, both on and off, but near installations. To find an MFLC, contact the military installation’s Military and Family Support Center, child development center, youth, and teen center, child’s public school on or off the installation, or the Commander or unit training point of contact.

The great thing about all these resources is that they are all FREE and available to active duty members, spouses and children, and youth. The best advice I could give to any military family would be to create a dependable network of family and friends and to take advantage of all the available resources that are out there.

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