Family Readiness System

Family Readiness System

 The Family Readiness System is the network of programs, services, people and agencies, and the collaboration among them, that promotes the readiness and quality of life of service members and their families. The services available through the FRS can help you develop new skills and tackle life’s challenges — in every stage of military life.

What services are available through the Family Readiness System?

The following services are available through the FRS. Additional services, which vary by access point, may be offered to meet the unique needs of your installation or community.

Mobility and deployment assistance — Services designed to help you adjust to all phases of the deployment cycle.

Relocation assistance. Information and education to help with questions related to permanent change of station moves, including moving costs, housing options, spouse employment opportunities, schools, community orientation and much more.

Personal financial management — Services that provide tools and information to help you achieve financial goals and address financial challenges. Topics include consumer education, budgeting and debt liquidation, retirement planning, and savings and investment counseling.

Spouse education and career services — Services include career exploration opportunities, education and training, employment readiness assistance and employment connections.

Family life education. Education and enrichment services that focus on helping families build and maintain healthy relationships and strengthen problem-solving skills.

Emergency family assistance — Services that promote short and long-term recovery and the return to a stable environment after an emergency.

Domestic abuse prevention and response services — Education, support services and treatment to help promote healthy and safe intimate relationships, reduce the occurrence of domestic abuse and address domestic abuse when it occurs.

Child abuse prevention and response services — Services that help promote positive parent-child relationships prevent child abuse and address abuse when it occurs.

New parent support — Services designed to help new parents adapt to parenthood, including playgroups, classes and access to books, booklets and other written materials on parenting.

Exceptional family member support — For families with special needs, education and assistance related to the Exceptional Family Member Program enrollment and assignment coordination process, non-clinical case management and relocation support.

Non-medical individual and family counseling — Short-term, confidential non-medical counseling services address topics related to personal growth and positive functioning.

Transition assistance — Services that prepare separating service members and their families to reenter civilian life.

Morale, Welfare and Recreation — A variety of recreational opportunities that include fitness and sports, libraries, skill development programs and travel and lodging.

Information and referral —Information designed to help you become familiar with and access the range of services available through the FRS.

How do I access services?
You can visit, call or log on to one of the FRS access points listed below. Regardless of your service branch or geographic location, you will have access to helpful support and resources. If the access point you choose does not have what you need, simply request help finding it. Family Readiness System access points include:

Installation-based Military and Family Support Centers
Installation-based Military and Family Support Centers are a one-stop shop for family readiness information and services. Centers are open to all service members and their families, regardless of the service member’s branch. Find your local installation center by visiting the links below. Each branch of service uses a service-unique name for this access point:

Army Community Service

Marine Corps Community Services

Reserve Component Family Programs

Reserve Component Family Programs deliver family readiness services in a number of ways: through facility-based locations, websites, or by telephone. While these access points deliver a limited number of direct services to members and their families, they can readily refer you to other FRS resources. Find your Reserve Component Family Program by visiting the links below:

Army Reserve Family Program (Fort Family)

Navy Reserve Family Readiness

Marine Forces Reserve Family Program

Joint Family Support Assistance Program

The Joint Family Support Assistance Program is a Defense-wide program that augments services provided through installation-based Military and Family Support Centers and Reserve Component Family Programs. The JFSAP places a Military OneSource consultant at each state's Joint Force Headquarters to provide access to services such as confidential non-medical individual and family counseling through Military OneSource, information about Military OneSource resources and services, and referrals to community-based services and support such as assistance locating child care.

Community Organizations
Non-military community organizations that support military families are also considered a part of the FRS, as they play a key role in providing the services you need for everyday life. A listing of federal and civilian providers that are officially recognized by the Department of Defense is available online. Your local access points (Military and Family Support Center, National Guard and Reserve Component Family Program, Military OneSource, and JFSAP) can also connect you to other approved providers offering services in your local community.

Acknowledgment: The resource above can be found online at Military One Source