FLEET AND FAMILY
SUPPORT CENTER
Located on Naval Weapons Station Charleston, the Fleet and Family Support Center provides unified, customer-focused, consistent, and efficient FFSC programs and services to support sustained mission and Navy readiness.
Services include Information and Referral, New Parent Support, Personal Financial Management, Deployment Support, Relocation Assistance, Family Employment Readiness, and Transition Assistance Management.
FFSC services are available to active duty Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and other military personnel, retirees and family members. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We provide the right services at the right time, to strengthen personal and family competencies to meet the unique challenges of military lifestyle. Classes and events are scheduled both during the day and in the evening.
FFSC programs are delivered in many forms – from workshops and classes, to one-on-one sessions. In addition, for your convenience, FFSC programs can be exported to your command, and offered at times that fit your schedule.
Newcomers are encouraged to visit the Fleet and Family Support Center within their first week at Naval Weapons Station Charleston for Loaner Locker kits with kitchen ware, microwaves, and televisions, up to 30 days, while waiting for their household goods to arrive. Also, newcomers can access the electronic Welcome Aboard Packet (eWAP) on computers in the FFSC’s Career Resource & Development Center or online at the FFSC website: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/charleston/index.htm. Military spouses may sign up for the spouse orientation program by calling: 843-764-7480 or by visiting the FFSC.
As you look through our programs and activities, know that you are important to us. You are invited to call, e-mail or visit our FFSC at anytime.
Fleet and Family Support Center
1005 Jefferson Ave., Buildings 755 & 786
Goose Creek, SC 29445
(843) 764-7294/7480 (DSN) 794-7294/7480
Fax: 843-764-7492
The primary mission of Fleet and Family Support Center is to support Navy leadership in achieving mission readiness. Commands, Sailors and family members can use a wide range of programs, focused on adaptation to the special demands of armed services careers and military family life, such as deployment cycles, frequent relocation and the need for rapid response to current world events.
FFSC emphasizes service to the Fleet and families. Over the years it has made every effort to provide quality customer service to all commands on the Naval Weapons Station Charleston. As a result, it plays a critical role in recruitment, readiness, and retention.
Recruitment: FFSC programs provide benefits unmatched
in the private sector. Unlike civilian support services, FFSC programs are specifically designed to meet the demands of military life. FFSC programs are free to all Service members
and their families. They are a benefit earned by those who
wear the uniform.
Readiness: FFSC programs are designed to ensure that service members and their families are properly prepared for the mental and emotional demands of military life. Military life is transient, fast-paced, and charged with responsibilities that affect the security of our nation. In short, it’s challenging. FFSC programs help Service members and their families meet those challenges. With support for families available, our men and women in uniform can perform their duties with fewer worries and distractions.
Retention: FFSC programs help Service members maximize their military experience by giving them the support they need to perform at optimal levels, thereby ensuring a longer and more successful Navy career. Compared to private sector services, military benefits – including FFSC services – are another good reason to stay in the Navy.
Services Available
All too often FFSC staff hears from services members, “I wish I’d known about these services sooner!” We want to be sure you know that the staff at your Fleet & Family Support Center offer helpful programs and services to assist you in meeting the unique challenges of military life. And because of your military affiliation, these valuable programs and services are available to you at no cost! Take advantage of them!
Whether you’re moving, job hunting, raising kids, retiring, separating, deploying, staying behind, looking for answers, or just plain trying to make ends meet... your FFSC is here to assist you! Make sure you don’t miss out!
Individual programs include:
Deployment Support - Concerned about how you and your family will adjust to periods of separation? Deployment/Readiness Support services prepare service and family members to anticipate, understand and cope with the demands associated with the Navy lifestyle. The FFSC plays a key role in the preparation process by assisting Commands in getting service and family members ready for each phase of deployment, both at home and at the deployment site. Support is provided to commands, active duty and family members through the deployment cycle, from pre-deployment to reunion, with classes, workshops and counseling. FFSC staff also responds to activated reservists and their family members to meet their mobilization and repatriation needs. Your Fleet and Family Support Center focuses on families during deployments. Your FFSC offers programs and services that will empower you to survive and thrive.
Individual Augmentee Support - IA Coordinators provide case management services including assistance, support, and advocacy to designated affected Navy families including Individual Augmentees. They serve as the designated POCs for an individual Sailor or family to support them in obtaining necessary services for current status and future permanent transitions. Coordinators serve as liaison with other military community agencies and provide intensive case management services for assigned Sailors and family members. Using existing resources, they support families by providing necessary required forms, obtaining explanation and directions from subject matter experts, and advise them through the bureaucratic requirements associated with displacement and transition.
Ombudsman Program - Get to know your command Ombudsman! They are the communication link and liaison between the Commanding Officer and command families. They are volunteer Navy spouses who are interviewed and selected by the Commanding Officer to provide a helping hand to family members. They provide a much-needed phone call, offer advice or information about the command, and offer referrals for Navy and community resources and facilities. Navy Family Ombudsman Program services include:
• Basic and Advanced Training for Ombudsmen
• Support Services for Ombudsmen
• Ombudsman Appreciation Luncheon
Family Readiness Support Group - Gain support from other spouses dealing with deployment or potential deployment. Come to monthly meetings and build your own network of friends. Speakers are presented on various topics such as Hurricane Preparedness, Assisting Children through Separation or Deployment, Goal Setting, etc. Fun activities are planned throughout the month.
Other Deployment Support Program services:
• Financial Planning for Deployment
• Adjustment to Deployment
• Return and Reunion Services. The FFSC staff can provide
reunion seminars aboard ships. Thesereunion programs include
Reunion for Couples, Returning to Children, Homecoming for
Single Sailors, New Parent’s Baby Shower, Consumer Survival
Skills, and more.
Personal Financial Management (PFM) – The FFSC provides financial education, training and counseling that emphasizes long-term financial responsibility through instruction on sound money management, debt management, saving, investing and retirement planning. The program stresses pro-active, long-range education aimed at preventing financial crises through financial education and training. Financial awareness and responsibility through a life-cycle approach is key to the personal readiness of Sailors and families. This preventative and educational approach to PFM allows Sailors to focus on mission needs and ultimately increase retention and readiness for the Navy. Services include:
• Financial Counseling
• Million-Dollar Sailor
• Budget Assistance
• Financial Education Classes and Workshops - such as car
buying, investment basics
• Debt Management
• Command Financial Specialist Training
• Thrift Saving Plan Briefings
Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP) - Frequent relocations associated with military lifestyle create challenges for military spouses. The FFSC helps family members make career decisions and develop employment search skills through education, information, referral and assistance programs, thus providing family members the competitive edge to secure employment. Services include:
• Career Development and Employment Counseling
• Job Skills Workshops
• Local Job Bank Referrals
• Internet Job Searches
• Resume and Federal Job Application Classes
• Resource Library
• Job Fairs
Relocation Assistance Program (RAP) - A big part of military life is relocation. Whether you are expecting orders for an overseas tour or changing duty stations, FFSC offers many relocation assistance programs available to help you and your family deal with issues that can arise during a move.
Relocation Assistance Program services include:
• Individual Counseling
• Pre-Departure Classes/Briefings
• Arrival Services
• Overseas Information
• Electronic Welcome Aboard Packets (eWAP)/ Area
Information Brochures
• Sponsor Training Program
• Indoctrination Services
• Cultural Adaptation
• Loaner Locker
• Smooth Move Program
• Exceptional Family Member Services
Information is available on the following web sites to help you prepare for moves:
Information to Military Installations worldwide: www.MilitaryInstallations.dod.mil/ISMART/MHF-MI/
LifeLines: www.lifelines.navy.mil/portal
Housing: www.housing.navy.mil/pcshouse
Life Skills Education - Having problems communicating with loved ones, adjusting to parenthood or managing stress? The FFSC provides solution-oriented programs to develop knowledge and social skills to improve self-esteem and interpersonal skills. Classes and workshops include, at a minimum, the following programs:
• Parenting Skills
• Anger Management
• Communication
• Suicide Prevention Briefs
• Stress Management
• New Spouse Orientation
• Relationship Enhancement
General Military Training services (Provided to Commands upon request)
• Anger Management
• Managing Personal Finances
• Stress Management
• Suicide Prevention
• Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention
• Sponsor Training
• Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention
• Many other GMT topics are available
• Command Request for GMT
Career Options and Navy Skills Evaluation Program (CONSEP) - FFSC retention programs are vital to helping services members maximize their military experience and to building family support for active duty retention and career planning over the service members’ entire military career. This program offers a 4-day workshop in which young Sailors are informed, inspired, and entertained while improving their knowledge and ability to manage their career. CONSEP provides students with insight into the various aspects of managing a career financially, professionally, and personally.
Transition Assistance Program (TAP) - Whether you are retiring or separating, the FFSC can help with your transition from military life to the civilian world. Transition Assistance services include:
• Four-Day Workshop - Provides retiring and separating service
members and their spouse’s helpful information on job searches,
salary negotiation, resume preparation, and information on
eligibility for veteran’s benefits.
• Job Interviewing Training
• Career Counseling
• Military Skills and Training Verification
• Access to Public Job Search Registries
• Employment-Related Workshops
• Access to Computerized Job Databases and Printed Lists
• Electronic Posting of Résumés
• Information on Veterans and Social Security Benefits
Information and Referral (I & R) - The FFSC provides Information and Referral (I&R) assistance in the following areas of services, and much more. Military and Civilian Resource Information and Referral – If you have a situation where you do not know who to call or where to go, FFSC staff can get you started. The FFSC networks with many civilian and military resources to provide you with up-to-date information on military and community resources.
Volunteer Opportunities - Volunteering often leads to prospective employment, opportunities to develop new skills or just the satisfaction of helping other active duty service members, military family members and retirees. Volunteers play an important role in helping FFSC staff develop and deliver programs. Committed volunteers in the Retired Activities Office provide assistance to retirees, their survivors and family members in obtaining benefits. If you are interested in a volunteer opportunity, contact the FFSC.
Family Advocacy Program - The FFSC offers awareness and prevention programs to commands, childcare providers, individuals, couples, families and community groups on issues of domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and child sexual abuse. Classes are also offered in anger management and stress management, as well as various parenting programs.
The Navy Family Advocacy Program (FAP), created by the Department of Defense in 1984, serves military personnel and their families worldwide. FAP addresses family violence issues in the Navy family and aims to prevent it by creating a balance between family and command readiness. This congressionally mandated program focuses on the identification, treatment and most importantly, prevention of family violence. The goals of FAP are:
• Prevention - Educational and outreach services such as anger
management, stress management, and parenting.
• Safety Measures – Safety plans, referrals and access to shelter
and community resources.
• Offender Accountability – Assurance that the offender will be
held responsible for the substantiated abuse. This may include
a military protective order or other restrictions during the
investigation.
• Rehabilitation and Counseling - Individual, group, and
treatment programs.
• Community Accountability and Responsibility - Campaign
events, command support, and public education to contribute
to the end of domestic violence.
Victim Advocacy - The Victim Advocacy Program provides a variety of services to victims of Domestic Violence. Services are available to active duty and retired service members and their families. Victim Advocacy services include:
• Advocacy Support for Victims of Spouse Abuse
• Safety Assessment & Planning
• Crisis Intervention Services
• Transportation Assistance - To shelters, court hearings, legal
and medical appointment, etc.
• Information - On victim’s rights and available military and
civilian resources and services
Sexual Assault Victim Intervention (SAVI) - When traumatic situations arise, FFSC can provide support and resources necessary for recovery and rebuilding. The goal of the SAVI program is to provide a comprehensive, standardized, victim-sensitive system to prevent and respond to sexual assault Navy-wide through sexual assault awareness and prevention education and victim advocacy.
SAVI services include 24-hour victim assistance by trained
victim advocates, Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Training for Command Leadership, military personnel and Victim Advocate Training.
Clinical Counseling Services - FFSC has licensed counselors who provide short-term couples and individual counseling to address relationships, crisis intervention, stress management, substance abuse, depression, grief-after-loss, occupational, family and financial difficulties.
Clinical Counseling services include:
• Crisis Intervention
• Assessment and Referrals to Military and Civilian Agencies
• Stress/Anger Management Training
• Suicide and Life Crisis Management
• Trauma/Abuse Issues
• Addictive Behavior
• Marital Issues
• Self-Esteem/Assertiveness
• Child/Spouse Abuse
• Group Counseling
• Credentialed Clinical Counselors provide counseling and teach
New Parent Support (NPS) - Babies don’t come with instruction kits or guarantees. The Navy New Parent Support Program (NPS) provides supportive and caring services to military families with new babies. New moms and dads can be referred to community new baby programs and are eligible to participate in a voluntary home visitation program free of charge.
The New Parent Support Home Visitation Program was developed to assist military families in ways that friends and family do when the active family member is deployed. This program offers expectant parents and parents of newborns and young children the opportunity to learn new skills as parents and to improve old ones in the privacy of their home.
New parents receive emotional and social support through home visits. Professional home visitors provide information and resources on parenting, family life, handling stress and health, and help in finding other needed services, and resources. Goals of the program are to develop both (1) parents who are more prepared, confident, and less stressed, and (2) an improved parent-child relationship.
This program utilizes the curriculum of the Nurturing Families Program.
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