Check out the J-9 Focal Point! Spring 2013 Newsletter!

1. Volume 4 15 April 2013
Issue 1
A Newsletter Production of the
J-9 Joint and Family Services Directorate
THE MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD
April is the “Month of the Military Child,” an event formally
created in 1986 by Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger to pay
tribute to these youngest heroes. Two of our feature articles this
month highlight the MILITARY CHILD! Read on…
See Pages 2 and 6
Strong Winds, Heavy
Rains, Tornadoes and Features
Flooding…Oh My! Ms
Morgan
The GNGSF – “Pick an
Amount and Make It
Count!
By Melissa Dalton Melissa Strong Winds, Hea vy
Dalton Ra ins, Torna does a nd
Cool heads prevailed during the Flooding…Oh My!
recent storms across the State of Georgia. Your Family
Melissa Who You Gonna Call?
Assistance Center Specialists were busy during two major Dalton
weather events in February. The team was busy reaching out to
our military families to check on their status and make sure that USHistory. Booker T.
org Washington
they were not affected by the storms destruction.
Melissa Give Voice to Our Youth
In the North Georgia, Deborah Kelley, Christine Schwartz and Dalton
Kim Garrett worked to contact the families to check on their CW2 Light It Up BLUE for
safety. Tornadoes tore through the towns wreaking havoc J. Long AUTISM AWARENESS
downing trees, producing power outages and other unsafe Melissa Honor Our Children
conditions. Your FAS team responded by immediately Dalton
contacting the families to insure that all our families were safe Melissa Sexu al A ssaul t
and sound. Dalton A ware ness Mo nt h
Continued on Page 4
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through
experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened,
ambition inspired, and success achieved.
• Helen Keller

2. FOCAL POINT! SPRING 2016
Spring 2013
Reach for the
In 1984, Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis released a movie Georgia Family
called “Ghost Busters” with the often quoted line of “Who you
gonna call?” How many times have you wondered who do you Assistance Centers
call for guidance or assistance?
In the Georgia National Guard, you could call a number of
individuals for potential assistance. But, how do you identify
the right contact for the right issue?
For a variety of questions and issues you can contact your local Family
Assistance Center Specialist.
The Family Assistance Center Specialists (FAS) are fulltime Georgia
Department of Defense employees located throughout the State. Like
the Ghost Busters, they are waiting on your call requesting assistance.
Family Assistance Specialists are an integral part of the Georgia
National Guard J9 Joint and Family Services Team. Their mission is to
provide information, resources and referrals to all geographically
disbursed members of the GA National Guard, their families, as well Find Our Team at:
service members from all branches living within the state. The FAS
operate under the directives of the GA National Guard’s Joint and www.georgiaguardfamilyprogram.org
Family Services Director and National Guard Bureau’s Family
Program.
…Continued on Page 5
HONOR OUR CHILDREN
According to the Month of the Military Child
Website, Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger
initiated the custom of recognizing our Nation’s
smallest warrior by designating “April as the Month
of the Military Child” in 1986. Military installations
worldwide began hosting activities and events to
recognize the military child for his or her sacrifices as
a military family member. Each year a different
The Military Child faces challenges that far outstrip the
theme is chosen to honor our nation’s youngest heroes
emotional and spiritual challenges most of our children face with celebrations varying from parades to carnival
today. In spite of these challenges, the military child tends themed events. Regardless of the theme, the subject
to have a grip on life that most other children lack. Make
an effort to know and support the children of our military
matter is the same. We honor the courage and
members and our veterans…you might learn something. sacrifices of our Military Children and Youth.
Picture courtesy of the Army Press Service at
www.army.mil 2
…Continued on Page 8

3. 2
1
FOCAL POINT! SPRING 2016
Spring 2013
The Georgia National Guard
Family Support Foundation
"Freedom" by Steve Penley
FREEDOM is a stirring and penetrating tribute to
American soldiers, from the Minute Men to the 48th
Brigade, captured on canvas by renowned Georgia
artist, Steve Penley, to benefit the Georgia National
Guard Family Support Foundation. Remaining signed
prints are available at a reduced cost of $ 35.00 each,
plus shipping and handling.
More information
Pick an Amount and Make it Count If you have not filed your taxes, simply check
the box on the Georgia Income Tax form and
Did you know that our Georgia Guardsmen enter an amount to make a commitment to
have their own version of Army Emergency helping your fellow Service Members and their
Relief Fund? In 1994, The Georgia Guard Families.
Family Support Foundation, Inc was established
to provide emergency financial assistance to our If you have already filed your taxes, make a
Georgia Guardsmen and Families in need. donation to the Foundation pledging your
support for your fellow Georgia Guard members
The Georgia National Guard Family Support and Families. You can easily make a
Foundation, Inc, a 501{c} (3), nonprofit, contribution by going to their website at:
provides emergency assistance via grants or https://www.georgiaguardfamily.org/contribute.
loans to our Georgia Guardsmen and Families. php.
According to Ms. Harriet Morgan, the Georgia
National Guard Family Support Foundation, Here is a Cause for your FaceBook page.
Inc. provided $248,695 in emergency assistance Challenge all your FaceBook Friends to make a
last year helping 225 of our military families. donation to the Foundation and post it when
Although, the number of applications for they are done. All they have to do is go to the
emergency assistance arriving daily varies, Ms. website above and pick their amount. In the
Morgan processed 26 applications in January type of donation section, enter FaceBook
2013 for more than $20,000. Challenge or FBC. Come on every one; let’s see
what we can do!
The current limit is $1000 for each loan or grant
for one time emergency assistance. We can all It’s not too late to pick an amount and make it
help to increase the amount of available count!
assistance. There are simple ways that YOU can
help.
3

4. FOCAL POINT! Spring 2016
SPRING 2013
Continued from Page 2…
Later in the month the South Georgia Family Assistance
Specialists responded to flooding and other damages resulting
from torrential rainfall in excess of 20 inches in less than two
weeks. Tinie Stringfield, Laura Howard, Tommy Eaton and
Help
Melissa Dalton outreached to the families in the affected area Wanted!
to verify their safety and wellbeing. Do you know someone that is in need of
a job? Are you seeking a career change?
We are happy to report that there were no casualties impacting Did you know that the J9 Family
our families and that there was no major damage to their homes Programs can help?
Employment assistance is a key focus
resulting from the storms. The FAS team worked with the
for the J9 Family Program staff. Team
military chain to send reports to Senior Leadership verifying members from all areas of the program
our families’ statuses. are working with Service Members and
Families to offer support in this area.
Providing support to military families and communicating with Service Members and Family Members
Senior Leadership during natural disasters is just a small part can contact their local FAS directly or
seek a referral from his or her chain of
of our jobs, but it is a large part of what it means to provide command, FRG or the FRSA team to
support to our families overall. If there is one pitfall to offering obtain assistance with his or her job
such support, it is the frustration felt when we do not have search. Staff can be contacted via phone,
good contact information for the family. Our plea to everyone email, in person, program websites or
FaceBook for any person needing help
is to please keep your information current with your unit and
with finding a job.
FAS team, so that we can be there when bad things happen. Lacy Turner recently joined the J9 team
to help with Governor Nathan Deal’s
employment initiative for our Veterans
and families. Together with Penelope
The Free and the Brave! Harbour and our TAA team, Service
Members and Families have more
NAME: Booker At the dawn of the 20th century, nine out options to obtaining assistance with
of ten African Americans lived in the South. everything from building a resume to
Taliaferro Washington
Jim Crow laws of segregation ruled the
OCCUPATION: Educator, Civil connecting with employers seeking
land. The Supreme Court upheld the power
immediate hires. The J9 staff works in
Rights Activist of the Southern states to create two
"SEPARATE BUT EQUAL " societies with its conjunction with the State Education
BIRTH DATE: April 05, 1856
1896 PLESSY V. FERGUSON opinion. It would Office to offer opportunities for
DEATH DATE: November 14,
be for a later Supreme Court to judge that professional growth and development.
1915 If you or anyone that you know is in
they fell short of the "equal" requirement.
EDUCATION: Hampton Normal Although empowered to vote by the need of employment assistance, please
and Agricultural Institute, Wayland Fifteenth Amendment, POLL contact your local FAS to start on the
Seminary in Washington, D.C. TAXES,LITERACY TESTS, and outright journey toward employment. Our staff
violence and intimidation reduced the is standing by and waiting on your call.
voting black population to almost zero.
Economically, African Americans were primarily poor sharecroppers trapped
in an endless cycle of debt. Socially, few whites had come to accept blacks
You may also contact
as equals. While progressive reformers ambitiously attacked injustices, it Ms Charlene Anderson through our
would take great work and great people before change was felt. One man Hero2Hired Website:
who took up the challenge was BOOKER T. WASHINGTON. https://h2h.jobs/
or
…continued on Page 7 https://www.facebook.com/H2H.Jobs?sk
=wall&filter=2
4

5. 2
1
FOCAL POINT! SPRING 2013
Spring 2016
Continued from Page 2… “Who You Gonna Call?”
Georgia National Guard Family Assistance Specialists
continuously receive training to hone their support skills
and offer current information to all Service Members and
The J-9 SGM’s Corner
families. There are currently eight FAS assigned
throughout the State with regionally located offices and Recently, I watched a UTUBE video entitled “What to
assigned areas of support. They specialize in providing do with a Drunk Girl.” I must admit, I was reluctant to
resources and referrals for six essential services, which watch the video in fear of what I might encounter. The
include the following: video opened with a young lady lying on a sofa. The
main character, a young man, was talking on the video.
o DEERS
and
ID
Cards
He highlighted the young lady was intoxicated and
o TRICARE
Information
and
Referral
stated “guess what I am going to do to her?”
o Financial
Information
and
Referral
o Legal
Information
and
Referral
He proceeded to place a pillow under her head and
o Crisis
Intervention
and
Referral
cover her with a blanket. Then, he set a stool next to the
o Community
Information
and
Referral
sofa with something to drink on it. Subsequently, he
stated, “real men treat women with respect.” I love the
The FAS team can be contacted via the GANG J9 website moral of the video. We should treat others with respect
at http://georgiaguardfamilyprogram.org/ or contact your and not take advantage of those who may be vulnerable.
local FAS by clicking on the “Your Team” link under the We should treat others the way we would like to be
“Mission” tab on the website. You can contact each FAS treated.
by email, telephone, FaceBook or for more personalized
service visit their Family Assistance Center. Regardless of Alcohol use is a common factor in sexual assault cases.
the contact method, please know that our staff is here to Alcohol lowers our inhibitions; we tend to overlook
assist you with whatever questions you may have. warnings. Both the victim and perpetrator do things
they would not otherwise do after using alcohol.
Our Family Assistance Specialists bring a wealth of Alcohol simply clouds our decision making process.
knowledge, community contacts and problem resolution
skills designed to help you become more resilient and self Additionally, there are often battle buddies, wingmen
reliant. As a team, the FAS provide support to the Yellow and shipmates observing risky behavior unfold.
Ribbon Team, local units and the community by providing Unfortunately, sometimes action is not taken to stop it.
briefings, SRP support and other support events to inform When we see situations unfolding, we should ask, what
not only Service Members and families about concerns, but would I want others to do if that was my son, daughter,
offer education to the community to help them understand wife, husband or best friend? Then we are called to take
the unique needs of our Citizen Heroes and families. action accordingly. Doing so can prevent a great deal of
pain and life struggles for both a victim and perpetrator.
Remember: your FAS team is here to help no matter the
question or concern. We encourage you to make contact Remember sexual assault is serious business and we
with your FAS during the early stages of a problem to should maintain a vigilant mindset. Bottom-line, we are
prevent crises. Also, as a Family Member or Service charged to embrace, “NOT ON MY WATCH.”
Member of the GA National Guard, keep your contact Together we can have an impact on sexual assaults in
information current. Family Assistance Specialists provide our organization.
proactive/direct support during mobilizations and natural
disasters. By building and maintaining relationships with
our staff, you allow us to better serve you. SGM CALLIE LEAVER
J-9 Joint and Family Services
So the next time you need help, “Who you Gonna Call”? Directorate SGM
Georgia DoD
5

6. FOCAL POINT! SPRING 2013
Spring 2016
Giving Voice to Our Youth
Many times our youth feel that they are neither seen nor heard.
The J9 Youth Program offers support and services that
specifically targets our military youth. This team works with
our Youth and adult Military Family Life Consultants, FAS,
From the J-9 Chaplain
FRSA and other service divisions to provide event support and
activities to all military children.
I love Spring. I love stepping outside after a
As part of the program initiatives, the Youth Program staff cold and dormant season to find that God has,
offers briefings to educate others on the unique needs of the
military child. During the past months, Kara Coleman, Mark seemingly overnight, sprinkled the earth with
Richards and Daryl Beard have been out and about at various warmth and life and color. In those moments I
events to educate and outreach to the community, program am overwhelmed with joy and a deep sense of
staff, units and youth. Kara Coleman and Mark Richards how much God loves His creation and His
joined the FAS/FRSA teams during their training in February
to brief on program services and share upcoming event people. I am overwhelmed at how much God
information. They also attended events that have been hosted loves me! The great thing about God is that
by the Military Child Education Coalition to help build He shares that exact same love for you…and it
support networks and learn new skills to enhance youth is unconditional! It isn’t based upon how
support programs.
much time you spend at work or how many
The Youth Program team has also been busy working Yellow good deeds you do, or how many rules you
Ribbon events offering support and training to our military follow. God just loves you because you are
youth impacted by all areas of mobilization and reintegration.
Despite the misconception, the team offers more than child
you! It took me a long time to really
care during such events. They work to offer programs that understand that concept. I spent much of my
educate our youth and intervene when issues are uncovered. early Christian walk feeling guilty about
The staff works with the youth using various tools and choices I made in my past and even issues in
activities to provide the skills that our youth need to be self
reliant and resilient as they grow within the military world.
my present; however, one day I came to the
These events also allow an opportunity for them to connect amazing revelation that just like God creates
and share experiences with other military children experiencing new life every spring, He also creates new life
similar issues and concerns. in us…but He does it every day. Lamentations
The FAS and FRSA team are working together to host four 3:22-23 tells us that, “Because of the Lord’s
regional events across the State of Georgia to honor the great love we are not consumed, for His
military child. April is the Month of the Military Child and mercies never fail. They are new every
several events and activities are being planned to celebrate the morning. Great is your faithfulness.” So as
military child. The Youth Program staff is working on events as
well to offer support and assistance. They are continuing to you celebrate spring, also celebrate God’s
offer support through the Yellow Ribbon Program Events as great love for you. Thank Him for his
well. compassion and trust Him with your daily
Upcoming Youth Events include:
needs. He will be faithful to supply what you
need according to His richness in mercy, and
1. GA Youth Symposium: 18-19 May at Stone
He will do it without judgment or expectation
Mountain, GA
of anything in return!
2. OMK Youth Camp: http://www.4-
hmilitarypartnerships.org/doc15262.ashx Chaplain (CPT) Leslie Nelson
J-9 Joint and Family Services
Check us out!
Directorate Chaplain
Georgia Department of Defense
6

7. 2
1
FOCAL POINT! SPRING 2013
Spring 2016
The Free and the Brave! …Continued from Page 4
Founding Tuskegee argued that when whites saw African Americans
contributing as productive members of society,
Institute
equality would naturally follow.
Born into slavery in 1856,
For those dreaming of a black utopia of freedom,
Washington had
Washington declared, "Cast down your bucket where
experienced racism his
you are." Many whites approved of this moderate
entire life. When
stance, while African Americans were split. Critics
emancipated after the
called his speech the Atlanta Compromise and
Civil War, he became one of the few African
accused Washington of coddling Southern racism.
Americans to complete school, whereupon he became
Still, by 1900, Washington was seen as the leader of
a teacher.
the African American community. In 1901, he
Believing in practical education, Washington
published his autobiography, UP FROM SLAVERY. He
established a TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE in Alabama at the
was a self-made man and a role model to thousands.
age of twenty-five. Washington believed that
In 1906, he was summoned to the White House by
Southern racism was so entrenched that to demand
President Theodore Roosevelt. This marked the first
immediate social equality would be unproductive. His
time in American history that an African American
school aimed to train African Americans in the skills
leader received such a prestigious invitation.
that would help the most.
Despite his accomplishments, he was challenged
Tuskegee Institute became a center for agricultural
within the black community until his death in 1915.
research. The most famous product of Tuskegee
His most outspoken critic was W. E. B. DuBois.
was GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER. Carver concluded
FIND THIS ARTICLE AND MORE AT:
that much more productive use could be made of
agricultural lands by diversifying crops. He discovered U.S. HISTORY on the web…
hundreds of new uses for sweet potatoes, pecans, and www.ushistory.org
peanuts. Peanut butter was one such example.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/42d.asp
Washington saw a future in this new type of
agriculture as a means of raising the economic status
of African Americans.
The Atlanta "Compromise" "I have learned that success is to be measured
In 1895, Washington delivered a speech at not so much by the position that one has
the ATLANTA EXPOSITION. He declared that African reached in life as by the obstacles which he has
Americans should focus on VOCATIONAL EDUCATION.
had to overcome while trying to succeed."
Learning Latin and Greek served no purpose in the
– Booker T. Washington
day-to-day realities of Southern life.
African Americans should abandon their short-term
hopes of social and political equality. Washington
7

8. 2
1
FOCAL POINT! SPRING 2013
Spring 2016
HONOR OUR CHILDREN …continued from Page 2
partners, volunteers and members of the
Family Readiness Groups came together to
create events that offer a games and
activities free to our children allowing them a
chance to have fun and unwind.
If you know or encounter a Military Child or
Youth please tell them thanks for his or her
service and sacrifice. They give up so much of
what many of us take for granted. They
often get left behind as a parent or loved one
moves forward to ensure that we all sleep
safely at night. This is our chance to
recognize them for all that they do in
support of our nation. So we say to all our
Military Children and Youth out there, THANK
YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
Events were held earlier in the month prior to
the publication of this newsletter. The two
Honoring Military Children
events remaining are scheduled on 27 April
… continued from Page 2. 2013. One is in Lawrenceville and the other
The selected theme for this year is “PROUD, is in Cordele.
READY, RESILIENT” and it is intended to be a Check out our Facebook Page for more
tribute to our Military Children and Youth details.
recognize his or her strength and ability to
adapt in moments of adversary. Whether the http://www.monthofthemilitarychild.com/abo
young warrior has to cope with relocations ut-this-month/
due to his or her parent’s reassignment for
military duty or separation due to a parent
being mobilized for combat or training,
Military Children and Youth prove their “I learned as a ‘military brat’ to like and care for
everyone, regardless of beliefs, creed, or race. I have
strength every day.
passed this value on to my daughter, and hopefully the
students I teach see this in the way I treat all students
Last year each Family Assistance Center equally.” –Catherine Jesch Wright
Specialist hosted individual events throughout
the state to pay homage to our young heroes. From the article: What Is A Brat?
This year the GANG Family Assistance Center Posted on March 16, 2012 by imclellan
Specialists and Family Readiness Support
Assistance worked together to host four By Iain Woessner, Military Brat and Freelance Journalist
regional events in our State. Community
http://weservedtoo.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/what-is-a-brat/
8

9. 2
1
FOCAL POINT! SPRING 2013
Spring 2016
LIGHT IT UP BLUE for Autism Awareness
By CW2 Jennifer Long
A Co CO, 4/1 GSDF
Imagine the joy of bringing home a beautiful baby. adult and the challenges faced by emergency
Some months later, you realize that your baby isn’t personnel in recognizing and responding properly
responding like others the same age. You can call to help them. Autism doesn’t stop simply because
his or her name with no response. He or she a child grows up.
doesn’t babble or smile, and doesn’t seem to
interact with others at all. Then you hear the “A” April is Autism Awareness Month. You probably
word: Autism. already know a family with a member on the
Autism Spectrum. Show your support by changing
Autism is diagnosed in 1 out of 88 American an outside light bulb out for a blue one this month.
children. It is four to five times more prevalent in Raise awareness inside your home as well.
boys than in girls. According to Educate your family about autism. Teach your
www.autismspeaks.org, more children are children that people with autism may behave
diagnosed with autism each year than with juvenile differently, but they are no different from anyone
diabetes, AIDS or cancer, combined. Autism is else. They need friends and need to be accepted
defined as a group of complex developmental brain and loved instead of being bullied or laughed at.
disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by There are many resources out there to help:
a combination of genes and environmental
influences. Autism is defined by challenges in The Exceptional Family Member Program:
communication, social interactions and repetitive http://www.militaryonesource.mil/efmp
behaviors. These challenges also can present
Autism Speaks: www.autismspeaks.org
safety risks including a tendency for some with
autism to bolt or wander away from home or Autism Society: http://www.autism-society.org/
school.
The AWAARE Collaboration:
Imagine the fear you would feel if your 10 year old http://www.awaare.org/
child was missing. Most 10 year olds will
recognize that they are lost. You probably had the
chat about finding a police officer or security guard
if you are lost, and made sure your child knew his "I see people with Asperger's syndrome as a bright thread in
or her phone number and address. What if this the rich tapestry of life"
child had autism? People on the autism spectrum - Tony Attwood.
can range from completely non-verbal to high-
functioning. A 10 year old on the severe end of the "It seems that for success in science or art, a dash of autism
spectrum may be so engaged in repetitive behavior is essential"
that they don’t know they have wandered away - Hans Asperger.
from someplace safe. They don’t seek help or even
"Nobel prize-calibre geniuses often have certain core
respond to their name, and can’t tell you their
autistic features at their heart"
address or phone number. When upset, they may
- Allan Snyder, director of Sydney University's Centre
have outbursts or engage in self-injurious
behaviors. Now imagine this lost person as an for the Mind.
9

10. 2
1
FOCAL POINT! SPRING 2013
Spring 2016
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
By Melissa Dalton, Family Assistance Center Specialist,
J-9 Joint and Family Services Directorate, GA DoD
On March 29, 2013, the White House released the of the victim and prosecution of the offender.
Presidential Proclamation designating April 2013 as
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention The J-9 Family Program is fortunate to have a member
Month. The proclamation states that that we have of our team that serves in this capacity to offer support
made great strides in addressing issues relating to and services to victims of sexual assault. For more
sexual assault over the last 20 years. Victims of information about sexual assault Armed Forces
sexual assault now have a means of recourse through Members and their families can obtain information by
our legal system to seek justice and safety. The contacting www.Safe-Helpline.org or calling 1- 877-
victims of sexual assault can now fight back against 995-5247. If you wish to speak with someone locally,
their attackers. This month also seeks to increase contact Abigail Hutchinson, our staff Sexual Assault
awareness of the issues of sexual assault and educate Response Coordinator or SARC by phone at 404-308-
the public with the intent to empower victims to 7945.
speak out and not suffer in silence.
The prevention of Sexual Assaults is everyone’s
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center responsibility. We can all help by supporting the
offers tools and information to help combat these survivors and helping to break the silence surrounding
violent assaults. The National Campaign this year the atrocious acts of degradation. If you see it or hear
focuses on the prevention of child sexual abuse and it, report it! Don’t stand by and be a silent partner in
health sexuality. They provide information relating these crimes!
to legislation relating to technical assistance, the
Stop Violence Against Women Grant and offender
decision making research with the goal of aiding Sources:
current victims and prevention of future crimes of
this nature. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-
office/2013/03/29/presidential-proclamation-national-
In March 2013, President Obama reaffirmed the sexual-assault-awareness-and-preventi
commitment to address sexual assault by signing the
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. This http://www.nsvrc.org/saam/sexual-assault-awareness-
act strengthens laws and insures that the resources month-home
and services are available to help victims of sexual
assaults. These services will help to insure that The FOCAL POINT! Newsletter, Volume 4:
victims receive the help that they need to obtain Change is often good, but scary and challenging. This newsletter
justice, while holding offenders accountable for edition reflects a change in format, because of an imminent change
their actions. for its editor. In order to facilitate future versions of this
publication, I needed to change the program format in which this
The Proclamation also renews the commitment to document is created. That done, the newsletter will again get
prettier, and fancier as this editor, and future editors, can implement
our Armed Services to insure that Service changes.
Members are protected in the same way. Resources
have been made available to insure that victims of CW2 Barry D. Long (ME) is medically retiring this July. I will still
sexual assault within the military are available and support family programs and Servicemembers. I am still pursuing my
that perpetrators will be prosecuted for his or her Masters in Divinity. And, of course, I still plan to produce this
publication. Please wish me luck, and know that you are all
actions. All Service Members receive training and continually in my prayers.
are required to report such acts to aid in protection
10

11. FOCAL POINT! SPRING 2013
Good Things Happen When We Work
Together
The J9 Youth Programs Personnel, Family Assistance Center Specialists and Family Readiness Support Assistants joined
together in February for team building and training to enhance service delivery to our families. The team met at the
Lawrenceville National Guard Armory for four days of training and team building in the last week of February.
Sharon Coleman, Senior FRSA and Kim Garrett, FAC Coordinator worked together to create a training event that
brought the three teams together as one to discuss joint issues, obtain new skills and review strategies to build the program.
The teams received training on topics ranging from Harassment, Resiliency, Social Media, Joint Support Services,
behavioral health updates, employment initiatives and youth services.
SGM Callie Leaver, J9 Senior Enlisted Advisor, met with the teams to discuss program goals, deployment and
reintegration support as well as other possible program enhancements. The open forum discussion allowed the team
members to elevate issues and concerns from the lower level of support to Senior Leadership to voice the needs of our
military families.
The training was balanced with team building activities and other activities that allowed the team members time to interact
on a more personal level, during scheduled sessions and breaks. The team learned that hula hoops and string are great tools
to illustrate how working together and using all of our resources we become more resilient. Team members contributed to
the event by providing shared meals for one another, which allowed time to communicate and connect on a different level.
J-9 JOINT AND FAMILY SERVICES DI RECTORATE
“Military Personnel, Families, and
Veterans First!”
Georgia Department
of Defense The J-9 Joint and Family Services Directorate and The Georgia Guard
Family Program:
1388 First Street, Bldg 840
(Finch Bldg) Our directorate services the military community of Georgia,
1000 Halsey Avenue, Bldg 447, providing those services, support and information that are vital to
Mailroom their care. Our staff is committed to providing the best care, in a
Marietta, GA 30060 timely manner, and followed-thru to a successful conclusion so that
Military Personnel, their families, and Veterans in Georgia will have
Point of Contact: the resources, help, and information they need to thrive.
CW2 Barry D. Long
Human
Resources/Systems/AT
SO/Safety Officer
barry.long@us.army.mil