Military and Family Support Center

Military and Family Support Centers provide information, education and support programs to help balance the demands of military life. Offerings include:

• Deployment support to assist you and your family during all phases of the deployment cycle. Learn more about deployment support.
• Relocation assistance to help you prepare for an upcoming move and get settled into your new location. Learn more about the military Relocation Assistance Program.
• Confidential non-medical clinical counseling provides support for a wide range of issues from marital conflicts and stress management to coping with grief and deployment adjustments Learn more about confidential non-medical counseling.
• Personal and family life education assists with developing knowledge and skills to help you navigate your mobile military life.
• Personal financial readiness assists you and your family in building and maintaining your financial readiness.
• Employment assistance supports career exploration, education, training and licensing, career connections and employment readiness for military spouses, transitioning service members, and other family members. Learn more about the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program, or SECO.
• Information and referral can assist you in identifying and clarifying needs and locating and connecting to services and programs available both on and off your installation.
• Morale, Welfare and Recreation, or MWR services provide lots of ways for you to connect with friends and others for entertainment, rest and relaxation — all at reduced or no cost. Learn more about MWR programs and services.
• The Transition Assistance Program provides the information, skills and knowledge necessary for a successful transition from military to civilian life. Learn more about transition assistance programs and resources.

Military and Family Support Centers may provide other programs such as the following:

Exceptional Family Member Program

Family Advocacy Program

New Parent Support Program

Federal Voting Assistance Program

Services may vary by location and installation. Use the Search tool to find contact information for your installation Military and Family Support Center. Just enter your installation name, Zip code or state.

The U.S. Army has established partnerships with several large corporations that have agreed to provide employment to Army spouses. The mission of the Employment Readiness Program is to provide family members with information and assistance regarding employment and educational opportunities.

The EFMP provides services to military Families who have Family members with physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual challenges.  Information and assistance are available regarding military and civilian resources in the community, respite care, education services, care providers’ programs, summer camp programs, advocacy services, support groups, Family activities and workshops.  To enroll an Exceptional Family Member (EFM), contact the clinic at Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Room 110 at 706-787-9300/9310.

This program is dedicated to the prevention, prompt reporting, intervention and treatment of spouse and child abuse. Family Advocacy Program works with individuals and Families to enhance individual coping skills and strengthen Family relationships.  Some of the services available through ACS FAP are:

• Emergency Shelter:  FAP provides a safe environment for Family members who are at risk for Family violence. 
• Emergency Transportation: Transportation (in the form of a cab service) is arranged to assist during an emergency.
• Emergency Respite Care:   Child care arrangements are made to assist the primary care taker or to facilitate treatment for Families. 
• New Parent Support: NPSP offers services for expectant, new and “seasoned” parents that focuses on strengthening and supporting military families.  Services include home visitation, parenting and relationship enrichment seminars, as well as support groups.  Other classes such as CPR certification, Infant Massage Instruction and Perinatal Yoga, promote parental knowledge related to safety, bonding and self-care.  Weekly playgroups for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their parents provides developmentally focused activities that promote parent-child bonding and a way to build a supportive network for families.  The family bonding series such and Daddy N’ Me, Storytime, Craft Night, Family Game Night, Create with Me, Reach Out and Read and Parent Expo, all offer parents a creative outlet to connect and bond with their young children. 
• Victim Advocacy:  Professional advocates work on behalf of victims of domestic violence. Advocates promote the expressed interest of the victim.  They coordinate emergency services, conduct safety assessments, make referrals, and provide training.  Restricted and unrestricted reporting options are available.  

• Army Emergency Relief (AER):  AER is a non-profit private organization established to provide emergency financial assistance to Active Duty and retired Soldiers by providing interest-free loans or grants.  Financially distressed spouses and orphans of deceased military personnel may also apply in emergency situations.  Dependent spouses and children of active, retired, or deceased personnel may apply for educational scholarships disbursed through AER.  The Fort Gordon AER office also serves as a liaison with Navy/Marine Corps Relief, Air Force Aid Society, and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance for service members assigned or traveling through this area.
• ACS Emergency Food Program:  When other emergency financial assistance is not practical or available, a food voucher may be provided on a one-time basis for military Families experiencing emergencies or unexpected financial difficulties.  This assistance is intended to provide groceries for three to four days only.
• First Termers:  Soldiers in the ranks of E1-E4 who are arriving at Fort Gordon as their first permanent duty station must complete budget counseling during in processing.  

The Information desk operates Monday-Friday, 0730-1600.  A staff member performs receptionist duties, screens individuals requesting assistance, provides routine information on just about any topic and, when appropriate, makes referrals to ACS programs or other agencies within the community.

• Orientations and Briefings: The ACS staff is available to conduct or participate in orientations, briefings, and presentations.  Sessions are arranged to familiarize commanders, military personnel, Family members, and the community with the services and resources available through ACS.
• Military and Family Life Consultant (MFLC): (706-691-7338/706-288-5488) The Military Family Life Counseling Program provides non-medical short-term, situational problem-solving counseling to Service Members and their Families. MFLC services augment existing military support services.  Services can be provided on or off the installation to individuals, couples and families.  Services are confidential and private, except for duty-to-warn situations.
• Military One Source: The Military One Source supplements existing Family programs by providing a 24-hour, seven days a week toll free information and referral telephone line and Internet/Web based service to active duty Soldiers and their Families.  Service and Family Members can receive twelve (12) “FREE” counseling sessions per issue. Visit them at:  1-800-342-9647or www.militaryonesource.com.

This program provides specialized training and support to the Soldiers and Family Members during war and peacetime. It also provides guidance, resources and training for Family Readiness Group members and Rear Detachment Officers. Services are targeted to address pre-deployment, deployments, re-deployments or reunions as well as establishing and re-energizing Family Readiness Groups. Army Reserve and National Guard units are given assistance and support when mobilizing and demobilizing. For more information call 706-791-3579.

The Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program provides confidentially a broad spectrum of advocacy services to Soldiers and their families exhibiting a wide variety of issues related to being a victim or survivor of sexual harassment and assault assigned to the Fort Gordon community and the Fort Gillem Enclave. Ensures victims of sexual assault understand the process and receive all needed guidance and emotional support during administrative, medical, investigative, and legal procedures. Educational training of SHARP is available to victims, survivors, units and the community.  24-Hour Hotline:  706-791-6297.

Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) provides assistance and support to the Families and friends of our Fallen Soldiers by keeping them connected to the Army for as long as they desire. SOS provides short-term and long-term case management assisted by Support Coordinators and financial counselors. A support group for survivors that are no longer in the acute stages of grief meets once per month at different locations throughout the CSRA. Financial counseling is available by appointment.

The Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program is the one-stop for anyone moving to Fort Gordon or leaving for their next duty station.

• RRP can provide information on your next duty station, tell you all about Fort Gordon and Augusta, explain your entitlements, and help you pull it all together so it makes sense.
• All arriving Army personnel must attend our newcomer orientation, which is held on Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m. Stop by our office in Darling Hall, Room 172, for the location of the event. Orientations are usually held in Darling Hall, Room 188.
• Our Lending Closet is located in Darling Hall, Room 172. We typically offer kitchen kits (dishes, cookware, utensils, toaster and coffee maker), microwaves, irons and ironing boards.
• Our welcome center in Room 172 has computers available for printing documents, completing surveys required during in-processing, setting up household goods shipments, checking email, etc. We also have free Wi-Fi and a charging station for your mobile devices.
• If you're leaving for another duty station, official information is available for most U.S. installations worldwide on Military OneSource. Stop by our office and we’ll print a booklet for you.

Anyone interested in volunteering in support of programs or services on or off of the installation is encouraged to register with the Army Community Service. Soldiers’ community service is documented for the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. For more information call 706-791-3579.