Fort Polk  Military and Family Support Center

Military and Family Support Centers are part of the network of agencies, programs, services and partnerships which supports the overall well-being of military families. Military and Family Support Centers provide information, education and support programs to help balance the demands of military life. The Military and Family Support Center should be one of your first stops once you arrive at a new installation to connect with key programs, services and support systems.

• Deployment support provides information, education and support to assist you and your family during all phases of the deployment cycle.
• Relocation assistance provides an array of services during the relocation process to meet your moving needs.
• Personal financial management provides information, education and one-on-one financial counseling to assist you and your family in maintaining your financial readiness.
• Employment assistance offers comprehensive information, tools and resources to support career exploration, education, training and licensing, career connections and employment readiness.
• Scholarship opportunities include the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship Program, a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 of financial assistance to eligible military spouses who are pursuing a license, certification or associate degree in a portable career field and occupation.
• Personal and family life education provides information and education to assist you and your family in developing resilience skills that can help as you navigate your mobile military lives.
• Information and referral can assist you in identifying and clarifying needs to determine appropriate forms of assistance and in locating services and programs available both on and off your installation.
• The transition assistance program prepares separating, retiring and demobilizing service members and their families with the information, skills and knowledge necessary for a successful transition from military to civilian life.

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

• Exceptional Family Member Program
• Family Advocacy Program
• New Parent Support Program

These services may vary by location and installation. Find your specific center on MilitaryINSTALLATIONS.

The Army Community Service is a social services agency that assists commanders in maintaining readiness of individuals, families and communities within America's Army by developing, coordinating and delivering services that promote self-reliance, resiliency and stability during war and peace.

ACS programs are located in the in the Army Community Service Center and the Family Readiness Center. For more information, you may wish to visit the website or call 337-531-1941 or
DSN 312-863-1941 to talk with an ACS representative.

Services provided by the Fort Polk ACS include:

Relocation Readiness Program – RRP provides information, guidance and assistance to help minimize the impact on families and soldiers relocating while in the military. We offer a variety of services that can assist whenever you need it. These include relocation counseling, pre- and post-move information, overseas orientation, newcomers and re-entry orientations, special workshops, a Lending Locker, sponsorship support, cultural adaptation, and Hearts Apart and Waiting Families art and crafts workshops.

Mobilization and Deployment Readiness – The MDR program is designed to support active and Reserve Component soldiers and their families prior to and during periods of extended separation. Pre-planned family assistance and support services ensure a comprehensive effort and coordinated assistance delivery system is in place prior to military operations. The objective of MDR is to provide guidance and assistance to unit commanders, soldiers and family members. This program actively promotes self-development for family members in volunteer leadership positions and fosters teamwork in Family Readiness Groups. MDR provides FRG training and Operation READY.

Military Family Life Consultants are available to help service members, spouses, family members, children and civilian staff. Consultant services include confidential intervention for grief, loss, anger, depression, marital and family issues, or everyday stressors.

Family Advocacy Program – FAP provides prevention services for domestic violence through crisis intervention and victim advocacy services; child abuse and child neglect through the New Parent Support Program; and a variety of educational classes focused on marriage, parenting, anger and stress management to support families or individuals, and to enhance their coping skills, in an effort to prevent abuse and neglect. These services include transitional compensation, dynamics of family violence (classes), prevention and relationship enhancement program, date night, parents night out, scream-free marriage, anger management, stress management and scream-free parenting. Call our hotline
at 337-531-HOPE/4673 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Financial Readiness Program offers basic prevention education programs, budget counseling, first termers financial training, food vouchers, financial statements, consumer affairs complaint resolution and Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance.

Employment Readiness Program – ERP was established to aid in reducing the stress associated with obtaining employment (paid and non-paid) and pursuing educational and training opportunities. Spouses are offered assistance in acquiring skills, networks and resources that will allow them to participate in the work force and to develop a career/work plan.

Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator – The AVCC links volunteers to programs through Fort Polk. Installation volunteers have flexibility of hours, build self-confidence, gain leadership skills and provide a service that is needed and appreciated. Volunteer positions are tailored to your interests, skills and hobbies, while in some instances adding to community involvement and job services and training. Positions may include English as a Second Language instructors, administrative assistants, office receptionists, clerical assistants, Lending Locker assistants, financial instructors, relocation instructors, counselors and clerks, army family team building instructors, information and referral assistants and skill development class instructors. ACS volunteers are the most talented and valuable assets we have.

Army Community Service Volunteer Program – The ACS Volunteer Program supports and lends strength to ACS programs by providing volunteer services to the installation community

Exceptional Family Member Program – EFMP is outlined in AR 608-75 and works in concert with other military and civilian agencies to offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach for medical, social, educational and community support or services for soldiers and their family members with special physical, emotional or intellectual needs, and chronic illnesses. EFMP components include information, referral, client advocacy, family-find activities, monthly support meetings, respite care and recreational and cultural programs when the need has been assessed.

Army Family Team Building – AFTB is a volunteer-driven program that provides knowledge and empowerment to Army families. The training leads to skills, abilities and behaviors that will prepare the Army family to adapt successfully to the Army lifestyle. AFTB is a flexible, modular training program and all classes can be taught separately for a Family Readiness Groups or unit meeting.

Unit Service Coordinator – ACS Unit Service Coordinators serve as a link between ACS and the unit, soldiers and families. The USC provides expertise on family support issues and services. They increase unit awareness of services and facilitate contact with ACS staff in order to provide greater access to programs.

Army Family Action Plan – The AFAP conference is conducted annually. This conference provides a forum for America's Army (active duty, Reserve Component, retirees, Department of Defense civilians and family members) to identify concerns that effect the quality of life, not only here at Fort Polk but throughout the Army. It determines actions necessary to resolve and improve existing family programs, benefits and entitlements for the total Army family: single soldiers, married soldiers and family members.

For more information, visit the ACS website or call 337-531-1941 or DSN 312-863-1941.