Naval Station Great Lakes  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.

Welcome to the Fleet and Family Support Center, Naval Station Great Lakes!

The Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) provides unified, customer-focused, consistent, and efficient FFSC programs and services to support sustained mission and Navy readiness. We provide the right services at the right time, to strengthen personal and family competencies to meet the unique challenges of the military lifestyle.

If you need to make an appointment to see a counselor, or find out about a military or civilian resource or service, our Front Desk team can direct you or provide what you need. We have welcome aboard packages, base maps and contact information for military, city, county, state and federal organizations. 

At Naval Station Great Lakes, FFSC services include individual, family and couples counseling, domestic violence and victim advocacy. Sexual Assault Intervention, relocation assistance, transition assistance, financial management and family employment assistance. Pre and Post deployment briefs are available upon request. A pre-deployment briefs is done on an as needed basis. Walk-ins welcome.

To make an appointment to see a counselor, you may simply walk in during normal working hours, or you may call the Front Desk at 847-688-3603 Ext. 100 or 101; toll free at 888-231-0714 or DSN 312-792-3606 ext. 100.

Newly arrived? Confused on how to obtain a military or civilian resource or service? Our front desk personnel can assist you with Welcome Aboard Packages, base maps, a variety of brochures, and direct you to the appropriate staff member for assistance. In addition, we also supply you with phone numbers and addresses for various military, city, county, state and federal agencies such as hospitals, local schools, child care and Veterans Affairs. No appointment is necessary. The Great Lakes FFSC Loan closet is temporarily not available as preparations are being made to relocate the distribution site.

Spouse Orientation can provide information for new arrivals, and informs them about the services, facilities, and recreational activities we have here at Great Lakes. One on one Spouse Orientation sessions are provided by the Relocation Assistants Program.

Contact the Front Desk of the Fleet and Family Support Center, 525 Farragut Ave., Bldg. 26, Suite 300 at 1-847-688-3603 or 1-888-231-0714 or DSN 312-792-3603, ext.100, for more information about any of our services or to make reservations to attend classes.

FFSC Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.