Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center  Military and Family Support Center

If you are approaching a permanent change of station, or PCS, you may have questions about your upcoming move. As part of the Military and Family Support Center, the Relocation Assistance Program provides services and resources to help make this transition as smooth as possible. Below is a list of resources.

• PCS planning – Most relocation assistance programs offer counseling/consultations to assist in the moving process. Those making their first military move, those making their first overseas move or those with challenging or complex situations should contact their installation Relocation Assistance Program office as soon as possible for information and assistance.
• Plan My Move is an online tool that helps break the moving process down into clear, manageable steps for all family members. This Department of Defense relocation tool provides details about housing, transportation, finances, family and more.
• Military OneSource offers a variety of moving information and resources. Learn more about PCS basics and download this fact sheet 7 Steps to Make Your Household Goods Move a Smart Move.
• Workshops and briefings – Workshops vary from installation to installation, but you may find classes on housing options, moving with children, moving with pets or general moving preparation and resources.
• Predeparture briefings – Briefings may be called Smooth Move or PCS Briefing and provide essential information about your next duty station. Briefings can be critical in setting you up for success during the transition to your next duty station.
• Settling-in services – Welcome Wagon services or local area tours may be a part of your installation’s settling-in services. Overseas arrival services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness training.
• Foreign-born spouse support – Whether you have questions or concerns about immigration and naturalization, learning the English language or how to use local transportation, the relocation program provides assistance, classes and referrals. Services may vary by service and installation.
• Emergency assistance – From time to time, emergencies occur while moving. The Military and Family Support Center has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance and referrals.
• Authorized housing flexibility options – The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act authorized housing flexibility options for eligible service members in receipt of PCS orders within the United States. This includes possible extended stays in government housing and early moving opportunities. For additional information and eligibility considerations, contact your military personnel office. Please note that application of these policies may vary across services.
• Spouse Reimbursement – The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act allows each service branch to reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensure and certification costs resulting from relocations or PCS moves. This includes moves that cross U.S. state lines, as well as OCONUS to stateside moves. See this Military OneSource article on Transferring Your Professional License for more information and specific service branch policies.

The Relocation Assistance Program is available to provide education, counseling and relocation planning information and referrals to employees and their families, to furnish tools necessary to complete the move-in process in an efficient and cost-effective manner and to assist the family in understanding and managing the emotional impact of relocating.  Available in the local community are various rental, Veterans Helping Veterans program, Goodwill, Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity retail stores. Questions may be directed to the Family Program manager by calling 269-961-4051 or DSN 312-661-4051.

Installation-Specific Information

The Relocation Assistance Program at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center is available to provide individualized information to help you make a smooth and efficient move to Battle Creek or the Greater Battle Creek area. The following information is available:

• Area information and community orientation packages (area maps, attraction guides)
• Temporary lodging information
• Home-finding information and referrals
• School information
• City-to-city cost-of-living comparisons using Military OneSource’s Relocation Essentials tool
• Military Home Front’s Plan My Move
• Destination/settling-in information
• Moving with children/elders/pets
• Stress management as it relates to relocation
• Spouse employment (job search tips)
• And much more