While there are some terrific nationally-based resources for FLNG members and families (like Military OneSource), sometimes it’s nice to speak with someone a little closer to home.
The professionals at the FLNG Family Programs Office (FLNGFP) work to ensure you have the information, connection, and support you need to thrive as a member of the Florida National Guard family. They can help you balance your budget; find resources for your children during the deployment cycle; locate childcare; identify employment resources; find military scholarships; and navigate the maze of resources available to military families. They can even train and certify you as a volunteer so you can provide similar information and support to other Florida National Guard families.
Read more about their services, below, or call their 24/7 hotline at (800) 226-0360.
Financial Education and Guidance
As a benefit to Florida National Guard service and family members, you have access to Professional Financial Counselors (PFCs) who offer a wide range of training and workshops. They can help you with money management, budgeting, developing spending plans, debt and credit card management, consumer rights and obligations, home-buying, retirement and estate planning, taxes and more.
PFCs provide face-to-face or virtual counseling. Each holds a minimum of a Bachelor degree and national certifications in financial counseling and education. For more information or to schedule an appointment call them at 904-352-9824 or 407-793-6247. And, for great up-to-the-minute insight into helpful money info, follow the Office of Financial Readiness online:
https://www.facebook.com/DoDFINRED https://www.twitter.com/DoDFINREDhttps://www.instagram.com/DoDFINREDhttps://www.youtube.com/DoDFINRED www.FINRED.USALEARNING.GOV https://www.medium.com/@DoDFINRED
Financial Crises
Let’s face it: we all fall on hard times every now and then. If you are experiencing a financial crisis, The Florida National Guard Foundation can help. The Foundation provides financial assistance to the soldiers and airmen of the Florida National Guard and their families.
Child and Youth Service (CYS)
The Florida National Guard Child and Youth services team works to connect military children and youth with peers who have similar military-life experiences. They also offer access to needed services, resources to support resilience, and skill-building development programs. Below is a short list of some of their helpful deployment-related resources:
Our Military Kids (https://www.ourmilitarykids.org): supports children (ages 5 – 12th grade) of deployed National Guard and Reserve service members, as well as those of wounded veterans from all service branches, with grants that provide up to $300 for a chosen activity.
Child Care Aware https://www.childcareaware.org/fee-assistancerespite/militaryprograms/: Offers fee assistance for childcare. Due to COVID-19, Spouses/non-military parents that do not have a traditional work schedule or that are enrolled in non-traditional school programs may be eligible to receive fee assistance.
Tutor.com (https://military.tutor.com/home): Online tutoring and homework help for U.S. military and their families provided 24/7 at no cost by the U.S. Department of Defense and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance.
The Comfort Crew (https://www.comfortcrew.org/programs.html): Delivers proven resources to help military kids and their family connect and build resiliency in the face of extraordinary challenges
YMCA Operation Hero (https://www.asymca.org/operation-hero): First Coast YMCA (Greater Jacksonville area) has developed Florida’s first Operation Hero program. It is a no-cost after school program tailored to the unique struggles of military children. The program is designed to help military kids in grades 2-8 get back on track in school and at home.
Daddy/Molly Dolls (https://www.hugahero.com): A doll made with the full length picture of your deployed loved one!
Kids Journal (https://www.hnfs.com/content/hnfs/home/tw/bene/res/beneficiary-education-materials/kids-journals.html): Guided journals for Military Kids experiencing deployment or moving
Check out their 2019 CYS Year in Review, soon to be followed up with the Annual Report from 2020. And stay connected with them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FLNGStateFamilyPrograms
Additional Support Services
For additional support services offered to Florida National Guard members and families, please click this link to the Florida National Guard website.