FRG Assistance

Scottsburg Family Readiness Group

A network of support for the friends and families of soldiers

FRG Assistance

This page has resources available if you need assistance, information on mailing care packages, scholarships and other information or to contact state family representatives.

Scholarships:
The National Guard Association of Indiana offers scholarship assistance to dependents of military members, as well as members of their association. Visit www.ngai.net for details.

Family Assistance Centers are a one-stop shop for assistance and referrals for families and offer the following:

Crisis intervention and referral: Wounded Warrior families, domestic abuse, child abuse/neglect, danger to self and others
Legal resource and referral: power of attorney/wills, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, Employer Support of the Guard/Reserve assistance
Financial resource and referral: understanding military pay, assistance with financial grant and loan applications, referral to community resources, referrals to budgeting classes
TRICARE resource and referral: insurance benefits, assist with TRICARE medical and dental applications, finding local participating providers, assisting with claim denial challenge letters
ID Cards and DEERS: assist with obtaining cards
Community information and referral: child care resource and referral, finding local FRG, local food banks and shelters, list of community resources

Family Assistance Specialist: (317) 502-8867 or (800) 237-2850 ext. 3192.

Parent Resource Guide Available
A new resource, the Exceptional Parent Resource Guide, is available. This 200-page yearly reference tool contains a list of over 3,000 national and international resources for families, caregivers, and professionals seeking information about organizations, professional societies, and resources on general and specific disability-related topics. Contact Cynthia Gatto at (800) 237-2850 ext. 85455 or email cynthia.gatto@militaryonesource.com.

Spouse Educational Assistance
As a military spouse, you may have up to $6,000 in financial assistance for your education! Download the brochure here.

Family Relief Fund Helps Those With Financial Difficulties

Family Assistance Centers are a one-stop shop for assistance and referrals for families and offer the following:

Indiana National Guard families who are experiencing financial difficulties due to the deployment of the service member can now receive help in the form of grants from the State.

The applicant, who, in most cases, will be the spouse of the service member, must be able to show that the service member has been deployed for over 30 days and that the reason for the financial difficulty is a result of the deployment.

The fund is financed through the sale of the new "Support Our Troops" license plate as well as the "Hoosier Veteran" license plate.

Annual grants of up to $2,000 are available for items such as food, housing, utilities, medical services, transportation and other essential family support expenses which were caused by the mobilization of the service member. Grants will also be awarded for families still suffering hardships for up to six months after demobilization.

Indiana National Guard and Selected Reserves members or spouses can obtain an application from their local County Veterans' Service Officer or can download an application from the Department of Veterans Affairs web site at www.in.gov/veteran. Applications and assistance can also be obtained by calling the State Military Family Relief Fund Coordinator, Cheryl Phillips, at 317-232-3922 or e-mail cphillip@dva.in.gov.

VFW Helps Through Unmet Needs Program

VFW meets the needs of family members through the Unmet Needs program. As of May 2006, the program received 2,689 requests for assistance across the nation, with 702 families getting help and more than $1 million disbursed. Funds can be used for: infant formula, medical fees, prescriptions, eyeglasses, prostheses, groceries, toiletries, diapers, vehicle repair and maintenance, transportation expense, home repair, appliance repair, rent, mortgage assistance and more. For information, call (866) 789-6333 or visit www.unmetneeds.com.

Military Mailing Restrictions

Before you send a letter or package to one of our troops overseas, make sure you’re aware of certain restrictions. Every country has customs regulations regarding incoming mail.

Although there are specific restrictions for each five-digit Military Post Office ZIP Code™ (APO/FPO), generally, the following are prohibited in the region of Operation Iraqi Freedom:

Obscene articles (prints, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc.)

Any matter depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or nonauthorized political materials.

Bulk quantities of religious materials contrary to the Islam faith. Items for the personal use of the addressee are permissable.

Pork or pork by-products.

For packages, print on one side only with the recipient's address in the lower right portion.

There are flat rate boxes available at the post office. The cost is $8.95 to ship anywhere - perfect for care packages!!

For more information, click here to go to the United States Postal Service website.

Call the American Red Cross For Emergency Assistance and Communication!!

The Red Cross has a worldwide emergency communications network that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They help families send emergency messages regarding the death or serious illness of a family member, the birth of a child, or other family emergencies. They provide families and the commander with fast, reliable information to help make decisions regarding emergency leave, deferments, compassionate reassignments and dependency discharges.

The Red Cross collaborates with the military aid societies in providing financial assistance when an urgent personal or family crisis arises, such as for emergency travel, burial of a loved one, or urgent health and welfare needs such as food and shelter. Red Cross workers are available for confidential problem solving, and can help families understand government benefits.

Red Cross represents veterans and families who seek compensation awards from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Red Cross provides disaster assistance and offers families health and safety training as well as volunteer opportunities. Call (812) 522-3888 for more information. The phone line is staffed 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

** If you are calling to reach your soldier, you will need to provide the following information: soldier's name, rank, social security number, date of birth and military address.

Child Care Assistance

** The National Guard Child Care Program connects National Guard families with child care supplements. Service members on Title 10 in support of the Global War on Terror are eligible to receive a supplement if they are using or willing to use state endorsed care. To receive help with the application, questions and paperwork, please email ngccp@guardfamily.org or call (888) NGCCP-99 (888-642-2799).

** Participating YMCA facilities have expanded child care at no cost to children up to age 12 for 16 hours of care per month per child. Eligibility is for families of deployed soldiers or soldiers on Title 10. For a listing of participating YMCA facilities, visit www.militaryonesource.com.

Contacts

Military Family Life Consultants: Pamela Kinney and Joyce Smith
        Contact Pamela or Joyce for non-medical consultations on deployment, stress management, relationship matters, parenting, and any other issue related to military lifestyle.
        (800) 237-2850 ext. 85456 or email pamela.d.kinney@mhn.com or joyce.k.smith@mhn.com

Family Readiness Support Assistant: Katie Eason
         Contact Katie if you have questions on the role and rules of the FRG.
         (317) 519-7772 (cell)
         (812) 949-3960 ext. 23 (office)
         Email: katie.k.eason@us.army.mil

Family Readiness Assistant: Kimberly Goodin
         Kimberly provides training for the FRG.
         (800) 237-2850 ext. 4030
         Email kimberly.goodin@us.army.mil