1/34 ABCT Soldier Family Toolkit by 1/34 ABCT Family Readiness

1ST BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM SOLDIER & FAMILY TOOLKIT

Volume 12 March 2013 Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Events The mission at Defending The Blue Line (DTBL) is ensuring that children of military members are afforded every opportunity to participate in the game of hockey. They accomplish this by providing free equipment for military kids, hockey camps, special events, and financial assistance for registration fees and other costs associated with hockey. For more info: http:www.defendingtheblueline.org/

The intent of this toolkit is to provide you with available events, deals, resources, and important information. Please take a few minutes to glance at these resources and visit a few sites!

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

Free Tax Prep and Tips 4

Military Child Education Coalition 8

What can Military OneSource do for you? For details, check out page 7.

Family Assistance Centers Map 18

TABLE OF CONTENTS HOME FRONT EVENTS AND DEALS……………………………………………………………….....3 TAXES.........................................................…………………………………….……………………..4 GUARD RETIREMENT PAY……………………………………………………………………………..5 WHAT CAN MILITARY ONESOURCE DO FOR YOU?.................................................................7 MILITARY CHILD EDUCATION COALITION………………………………………………………….8 DEPLOYMENT RESOURCES……………………………………………………………..………….....9 VACATIONS & RETREATS………….………………………………………………………..………..10 ARMY / NATIONAL GUARD…………………………………………………………………………11 CARE PACKAGES / MAIL…………………………………………...…………….………………....11 CHAPLAINS...............................................................................................................................11 CHILDREN………………………………………………………...…………………………………....11 COMMUNICATION…………………………………………………..……………………………....12 COUNSELING SERVICES………………………………………………………...……………….…..12 COUNSELING / ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR……………………………………….……………….…..13 CULTURAL RESOURCES…………………………………………………...……………………….…13 DEPLOYMENT……………………………………………………………...…………………….….....13 EDUCATION……………………………………………………………………………………………14 EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE……………………………………………………….…………………14 FAMILY SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE…...……………………………………………..……………14 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND CREDIT RESOURCES……………………………………………..15 HEALTH / MENTAL HEALTH…………………………………………………………………………..15 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE……………………………………………………………………………….16 LEGAL ASSISTANCE / ISSUES………………………………………………………………...……...16 MARRIAGE AND RELATIONSHIPS…………………………………………………………………..16 MORTGAGE OR RENT ASSISTANCE………………………………………………………………..16 PARENTS OF SOLDIERS……………………………………………………………………………….16 PET CARE…………………………………………………………………………………………….…17 SPOUSES & SIGNIFICANT OTHERS…………………………………………………………...….….17 STRESS MANAGEMENT……………………………………………………………………………….17 SUICIDE PREVENTION……………………………………………………………………………...…17 MISCELLANEOUS ……………………………………………………………………………………..17 FAMILY ASSISTANCE CENTER MAP………………………………………………………………...18

HOME FRONT EVENTS & DEALS www.BeyondTheYellowRibbon.org

Check out the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon website and sign up for exclusive email updates on monthly local Beyond the Yellow Ribbon events and deals. Outward Bound Voyageur - Winter Weekend When: March 1-3, 2013 Where: Baker Regional Park More info: Flyer, or call the Brooklyn Park Vet Center at 763-503-2220 Outward Bound Voyageur - Indoor Climbing and High Ropes Course When: March 9, 2013 Where: Not specified More info: Flyer, or call the Brooklyn Park Vet Center at 763-503-2220 Get Notice-And get Hired When: March 5, 2013 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Where: Rasmussen College, Bloomington About: Get tips from recruiting professionals at Volt's free Lunch & Learn event for Service members and their spouses. Representatives are currently recruiting positions in light industry/ warehouse, accounting/finance, call center/customer service and IT/engineering. More Information: Website Joint Women's Leadership Symposium When: March 10-12, 2013 Where: Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center, Washington, D.C. About: Largest gathering of women in uniform in the world highlighting professional development, networking and mentoring opportunities. More Info: Website

Military Discount to see the Minnesota Wild When: March 12, 7 p.m. Where: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul About: Lower level tickets offered for $45. Follow the link and use your military email address to qualify. More Info: Website Contact: Lindsay Weier at 651-312-3495 for groups of eight or more Purple Up! for Military Kids When: April 13, 2013 Where: Nation Wide More info: April marks the nation’s “Month of the Military Child”, a time to honor youth impacted by deployment. Operation: Military Kids (OMK) is encouraging everyone across the country to wear purple on Friday, April 13 to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices. Take this opportunity to appreciate and celebrate these young heroes. For a flyer with more information and ways you can help promote Purple Up!, visit www.operationmilitarykids.org, then click on “State Information”, “Minnesota”, and “News”. Outward Bound Voyageur - Orienteering Race When: April 13, 2013 Where: Not specified More info: Flyer, or call the Brooklyn Park Vet Center at 763 -503-2220 Outward Bound Voyageur - Hiking at Afton State Park When: May 11, 2013 Where: Not specified More info: Flyer, or call the Brooklyn Park Vet Center at 763 -503-2220

GUARD RETIREMENT PAY Retirement Planning for Guard members can be very confusing. The goal of this article is to help families understand the basics of the Guard retirement system and how to plan for retirement. Because there are so many unique circumstances surrounding each soldier’s military service, it is important to consult with a retirement counselor at your unit. Guard soldiers that enlisted after September 8th, 1980 use the retirement plan known as “High 36” and requires a soldier to be in the military for twenty years. They will receive their retirement pay at age 60, but some may qualify to start earlier. The pay system is based on a point scale with one point for every day of active duty and two points for every full day of drill. The High 36 plan takes the average pay of a soldier’s highest 36 months of Basic Pay times 2.5% for each year of service (total points earned/360). SSG Snuffy’s total points equal six years (2160 points/360). His highest 36 months will be at the rate of E7 with an average monthly pay of $4,274 using the 2012 pay scale. 15% of $4,274 equals $641. Using a 2023 pay scale*, SSG Snuffy’s pay would be $994. If he decides to join the Retried Reserve when he retires instead of taking a discharge, he will earn longevity credit for the time he serves. If he stays in the RR until age 60, he will get paid at the 2043 pay scale* of $2,209 a month.

SSG Snuffy joined in 2000. He plans to retire in 2023 as an E7 with 22.5 years of service, with his last five years being an E7. Here is an estimate of his points. Being a Guard Member:

15 points

Basic & AIT (180 days):

180 points

Two deployments (365 points each):

730 points

Twenty years of drill (35 points per year):

700 points

Twenty years of AT 14 points per year):

280 points

Schools and Active Duty Assignments

255 points

Total

2160 points

*These figures use an average of a 4% annual increase, which is consistent with historical figures and inflation.

Save early and often in your Thrift Savings Plan 5

HOW MUCH SHOULD I SAVE FOR RETIREMENT? There are lots of handy online calculators available to help with this question. A good one takes into account the five “I’s”. Income- The first step to answering this question is to determine how much money you will need to live on in today’s dollars. Keep in mind that for some families this number may be higher or lower than what it is today. An additional consideration is housing. If a couple plans to live in a paid-for house, their housing expenses may be lower than a couple that plans to rent an apartment. Return on Investment- A return on investment is the amount of money an investment makes in a year. This can be represented several different ways. A piece of rental real estate could bring in $12,000 a year after expenses. A mutual fund could have an 8% rate of return.

SSG Snuffy and his wife plan to retire in their paid-for house when they turn 70. They estimate that they will need about $2,000 a month in addition to SSG Snuffy’s Guard retirement pay to live off of in today’s dollars. They would like to save their nest egg for their grandkids. That means that they will need a $24,000 annual return on their investments after inflation in today’s dollars in order to retire. If they had an 8% rate of return on their savings they would need to have a $300,000 nest egg in today’s dollars. If inflation averages 3%, they will need to have $995,000.

Inflation– This is the measurement of the increase in cost of goods. For example, it may cost $2.10 next year to buy a loaf of bread that costs $2 today. If SSG Snuffy started saving $100 a This would be 5% inflation. Some streams of remonth at age 20, he would have tirement income may adjust with inflation, others $800,000 at 8%, 1.75 million at 10%, will need to be manually adjusted. A mutual and 4 million at 12%. fund’s rate of return could be 12%, but if inflation is 4%, the adjusted rate of return for retirement calculation purposes could be 8%. Military pay and real estate are historically tied to inflation

Insurance- One way to reduce the amount of some of the large possible expenses during retirement is to have insurance. The purpose of insurance is to transfer the financial risk of a major event. Common types are medical, home, renters’, and auto. Long Term Care Insurance protects the family nest egg in case someone needs long term care. Health Insurance helps transfer the financial risk of major medical events. Inheritance- As part of the retirement planning process, families need to decide whether they plan to spend down their nest egg or pass it along to someone else. If they plan to pass it along, they will need to make sure their living expenses are less than their returns on investments. It is also very important to meet with an estate planning attorney to put together an estate plan. The cost of mistakes made by not consulting an attorney can easily be in the tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars.

What can Military OneSource do for you? Real help, Anytime, Anywhere 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week Services are private and provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to you. CONSULTATION, RESEARCH and REFERRALS: Relocating to a new community, need child care, spouse employment, help with home repairs, or have a special needs issue? Call or email a Master’s -level consultant today! No question too small. No issue too big.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: Whether you’re a new parent, dealing with relationship issues, or buying your first car, Military OneSource has booklets, CDs and audiotapes to help. Order your free copies online or by phone. INTERACTIVE WEB SITE: You’ll find locators for education, child care, and elder care; informative articles; referrals to military and community resources; financial calculators; Webinars; relocation tools; audio podcasts; access to consultants; and much more!

INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION: In more than 140 languages. Written documents can be translated and interMilitary OneSource is available for all acpreters can facilitate three-way phone calls tive-duty, Guard and Reserve (regardless of to ensure communication between you and activation status), and their families. a third party. www.militaryonesource.com COUNSELING: You have access to six inperson non-medical counseling sessions Stateside: 1-800-342-9647 right in your own community at no cost to you. Licensed counselors can help with is- En español llame al 1-877-888-0727 sues such as: TTY/TDD accessible 1-866-607-6794 • Coping with deployment and return Overseas: access code,*800-3429-6477 • Adjusting to your new location *Use access code before dialing the toll free number. • Marital and couples concerns • Parenting and family matters

Access codes can be found online.

• Grief and loss

Collect from outside the US: 484-530-5908

• Combat stress and more…

Dial the international operator first

You will get a privacy statement explaining the limits on confidentiality when you call the service and see a counselor. Counseling is only available in the United States.

DEPLOYMENT RESOURCES WWW.MNVETERANSCOALITION.COM BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS  Recommendations for Children (PDF) www.cfs.purdue.edu/MFRI/resources/public/book_resources_for_children.pdf  Recommendations for Teens and Young Adults (PDF) www.cfs.purdue.edu/MFRI/resources/public/ book_resources_for_teens.pdf  Recommendations for Adults and Families (PDF) www.cfs.purdue.edu/MFRI/resources/public/book_resources_for_adults.pdf  Recommendations for Educators (PDF) www.cfs.purdue.edu/MFRI/resources/public/book_resources_for_educators.pdf POST-DEPLOYMENT AND REINTEGRATION RESOURCES  After Deployment Wellness Resources: www.afterdeployment.org  www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/coming_home_adjustments_for_military_families  Military OneSource: www.militaryonesource.mil  Becoming a Couple Again: The Courage to Care: www.usuhs.mil/psy/RFSMC.pdf  Concerned Significant Others Article: www.afterdeployment.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/library/ eLibrary_COS.pdf  Real Warriors, Real Battles: www.realwarriors.net/active/afterdeployment/familylife.php  Operation Healthy Reunions: www.nmha.org/reunions/resources.cfm  Department of Veterans Affairs: PTSD Center: www.ptsd.va.gov  National Veterans Foundation: www.nvf.org  Wounded Warrior Project: www.woundedwarriorproject.org  Adapt Parenting Program, U of MN: www.cehd.umn.edu/fsos/adapt  University of Minnesota Extension- Parenting Education Resource: www.extension.umn.edu/FamilyRelations/components/militaryfamilies.html  Homefront and Deployed Parent: Reunion Checklists: www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING COMBAT STRESS, PTSD OR OTHER STRESS RELATED ISSUES: Take your stress related symptoms seriously and contact your:  Chain of Command - Team leaders, squad leaders, platoon sergeants/leaders, first sergeants, company/battalion/brigade commanders, command sergeants major  Chaplains – Battalion or Brigade Chaplains or local place of worship  Fellow Soldiers - Talk to your friends about your feelings. Oftentimes they are a reality check  Military Family Life Consultants  Military One Source Call 1-800-342-9647, or visit the Web site  TRICARE Counseling - Spouses can go for free. Service members can often share a family member's appointment for marriage counseling  Veterans Administration - or Veterans Centers.  Army Substance Abuse Program - Especially helpful if the Soldier or family member has a problem with alcohol or drugs  Primary Care Managers - Many family practice physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners are quite comfortable treating depression and sleep problems  Community Mental Health Service - They usually have at least one psychiatrist and a variable number of psychologists and social workers on staff as well as behavioral health technicians

ONGOING RESOURCES & DEALS INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL VACATION DISCOUNTS www.afvclub.com LOCAL MINNESOTA SUMMER R&R:  Free & Reduced Stays at Leech Lake Resort: www.andersonsleech-lake.com 15% military discount to all current Servicemembers and up to a free week stay for all Servicemembers within a year of their return from deployment overseas. They offer fully equipped lake homes (whirlpool tubs, fireplaces, Cable TV, wireless internet, fully equipped kitchens) to daily planned children's activities to excellent fishing. See their website for more information.

 Veterans on the Lake Resort: Where: 161 Fernberg Road, Ely, MN 55731 Toll free at 1-800-777 7538. http://www.veteransonthelakeresort.com/ A barrier-free full service resort for veterans and their families. In conjunction with the US Forest Service and the provisions of the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness, Enjoy lake view cabins in Northern Minnesota, inside the Superior National Forest area.

STRONG BONDS: COUPLE AND SINGLE SOLDIER RETREATS

The Minnesota National Guard Chaplain’s Office is offering you a truly outstanding program. Strong Bonds offers a fresh approach. It is basic and straightforward. Strong Bonds begins with teaching effective communication skills, addresses problem resolution strategies that work, reveals how to discover the hidden issues in every relationship, and then moves into caring, fun, and friendship. In addition to the couples retreats the Single Soldier program is designed to help you establish relationship goals and gain essential skills to help you make a good choice prior to picking a partner for life.

ONGOING RESOURCES & DEALS ARMY / NATIONAL GUARD www.minnesotanationalguard.com www.theredbulls.net www.defense.gov www.armyonesource.com www.militaryonesource.mil www.jointservicessupport.org CARE PACKAGES / MAIL www.usps.com/shippingdates/welcome.htm www.operationgratitude.com CHAPLAINS 1/34 ABCT Chaplain: MAJ Buddy Winn 612-227-7825 philip.winn@us.army.mil State Chaplain’s Office: SFC Hickory Smith 651-282-4287 hickory.p.smith.mil@mail.mil CHILDREN www.mdva.state.mn.us/child www.mnchildcare.org www.ausa.org/family www.guardfamilyyouth.org www.operationwearehere.com/Children.html MN Military Teen Summit and Newsletter: www.btyr.org/teen-panel Minnesota Parents Know: www.parentsknow.state.mn.us After Deployment Adaptive Parenting Tools, U of MN, www.cehd.umn.edu/fsos/adapt Military Kids Toolkit: www.militaryfamilly.org/publications/kids-toolkit Military Child Education Coalition: www.militarychild.org GRANTS TO HELP PAY FOR ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN OF DEPLOYED SOLDIERS Website: www.OurMilitaryKids.org $500 after school activity grant for youth ages 3 – 18 during a deployment. Our Military Kids can also help fund scouting, driver’s education, camps, and more. MILITARY & FAMILY LIFE CONSULTANT Darlene Wetterstrom 651-212-0943 Provides assistance in a variety of areas, including guidance on reintegration with children following deployment. Websites specific to Military Children and Families: www.militarychild.org www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil

ONGOING RESOURCES & DEALS COMMUNICATION www.skype.com www.magicjack.com www.google.com/voice www.yahoomessenger.com COUNSELING SERVICES Military One Source: 1-800-342-9647 http://www.militaryonesource.com. Provides assistance to soldiers and their families facing a large variety of problems or needs; Provides 6 free counseling visits; Will refer if they cannot provide the assistance needed. MOS provides guidance and assistance with career, crisis, education, elder care, legal, mind, money, moving, parenting, recreation, relationships, special needs, transition and more. Available 24 hours day, 7 days a week. Veterans Linkage Line: 1-888-LinkVet (546-5838) www.minnesotaveteran.org

They will provide assistance connecting soldiers and families to necessary resources to obtain help with crisis counseling, veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s benefits, healthcare, education, and reintegration. Available 24 hours day, 7 days a week. VA OIF/OEF Program & Hotline: 612-467-3757 *Available 7am-5pm, Monday through Friday. Connects OIF/OEF Veterans with local resources. When calling the number, press 2 to be connected to crisis center.

VA Regional Office OIF/OEF Coordinator: Duane Kamp 612-970-5249 Provides assistance with VA Benefits - available Monday through Friday. Lutheran Social Services (LSS) Counseling and Family Resources of MN: 1.888.881.8261 www.lssmn.org Director coordinating counselors for units around MN: Debra Schloer 612-879-5317 Available Monday through Friday and has a 24 hour crisis line. *Support for individuals and families, assistance for couples, and helps for children *Specialized Financial Counseling: Money problems can create other problems. LSS offers budget, debt management, and bankruptcy counseling so that people can regain control of their finances. Catholic Charities of Minneapolis and St. Paul: 612-664-8500 Assist in a large variety of problems and needs, including counseling and financial support.

ONGOING RESOURCES & DEALS COUNSELING SERVICES CONTINUED…  MN Guard Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC): Call 24 hour line at 651-282-4078  Statewide Domestic Abuse Hotline at the House of Peace: 1-866-223-1111 Offers temporary shelter for women and children leaving domestic abuse situations. *Available 24/7. COUNSELING / ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR  Drug Abuse Hotline: 1-800-437-8422 *Available 24 hours day, 7 days a week  Drug Information, Treatment and Referral Hotline: 1-800-662-4357 Provides support for people dealing with drug addictions. *Available 24 hours day, 7 days a week  National Council on Problem Gambling: 1-800-522-4700: www.ncpgambling.org Confidential hotline for people struggling with gambling, Helps connect people to resources to help them fight their gambling addiction. *Available 24 hours day, 7 days a week CULTURAL RESOURCES  The World Fact Book: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/  Culture Gram: www.militaryonesource.mil o Free access through the DoD MWR Library Tab on the side of page. DEPLOYMENT  Focus on Family: Know Before you Go: www.defense.gov/home/ features/2010/0610_knowbefore  www.ausa.org/resources/familyprograms/Pages/default.aspx  www.operationwearehere.com/MilitaryLifeDeployment.html  www.afterdeployment.org

ONGOING RESOURCES & DEALS EDUCATION Scholarship and programs: www.education4military.com Spouse Career Center: www.militaryonesource.mil Military Child Education Coalition: www.militarychild.org Service Members Education/GI Bill: www.gibill.va.gov EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE Transition Assistance Advisor:

Provides assistance to soldiers seeking employment and help in accessing Veterans Affairs benefits and health care services such as TRICARE from active duty and when you return. They also assist with dental care programs, insurance information such as SGLI and TSGLI, rehabilitative care, and help with disability claims. Available Monday through Friday Contact Vince Hokkanen: vincent.hokkanen@us.army.mil or 651-282-4234 Office: Cottage Grove Armory: 8180 Belden Blvd, Cottage Grove, MN 55016 Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development: Work Force Centers: www.positivelyminnesota.com/JobSeekers/WorkForce_Centers www.positivelyminnesota.com Family Medical Leave Act: www.dol.gov/whd/fmla

Jobs for Veterans Program: Career Counselor and Employment Specialist Lisa Nabbefeld: 612.752.8408 Provides assistance to soldiers seeking employment. *Available Monday through Friday Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR): www.esgr.org What: ESGR exists to maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflict through mediation. Their vision is to Develop and promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees. Service members are encouraged to follow “best practices” to keeping their employers aware of their service commitments. FAMILY SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE

State Specific Family Support:Minnesota Army National Guard State Family Programs Office: 651-268-8200. The MN Army National Guard has ten different Family Assistance Centers (FAC’s) located throughout the state. Call the FAC nearest to you for assistance or access to information regarding the many programs available to soldiers, family members, children and couples. *See FAC Map at the back of toolkit Military Family Care Initiative: www.militaryfamilies.state.mn.us Coordinates free assistance for MN soldiers and families in a variety of ways. Examples include: wood chopping, cleaning gutters, wedding or baby showers, handyman (minor home repairs) etc…

ONGOING RESOURCES & DEALS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND CREDIT RESOURCES  Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University: http://www.daveramsey.com/military/home or https://fpuonline.daveramsey.com  Military Debt Relief: (National) www.militarydebtrelief.org Provides direction for people with large credit card, school loan, tax, or other debt. List your debt types, estimate your total debt, and get a free quote to see how much you can save on monthly payments.  Potential Mortgage Relief (National): www.makingHomeAffordable.gov This is a website to help consumers find out if they are eligible to reduce their monthly mortgage payment as part of the "Making Home Affordable" program.  Free Credit Report: Go to http://ww.annualcreditreport.com By law, everyone is entitled to one free credit report a year.  Improve your Credit: http://www.optoutprescreen.com Sign up to be put on the national do not call list for credit and insurance solicitations. Signing up can help raise your FICO score.  Energy Assistance Program: www.commerce.state.mn.us Get connected to the program in your area, call 1-800-657-3710  Minnesota Military Family Foundation: Leave a voicemail at 763-544-2255 or email info@minnesotamilitaryfamilyfoundation.org for help. Their mission is to seek funds to financially support deployed Minnesota military HEALTH / MENTAL HEALTH  TriCare: Military Health Care Program: www.tricare.mil  Telephonic Counseling 24/7 and other resources www.militaryonesource.mil  Military Pathways: Free Mental Health Screening: www.militarymentalhealth.org  Exceptional Family member Program: Special services for disabilities: www.armyonesource  Complimentary Health Care Services: www.nwhealth.edu Northwestern Health Sciences University and the Adler Graduate School have combined to provide a new complimentary health care service program available to all military personnel and their families. Chiropractic health care services, Oriental medicine, psychological therapy, family counseling, acupuncture, and massage therapy are available to all Servicemembers and their immediate family. Senior interns supervised by faculty clinicians provide services.

ONGOING RESOURCES & DEALS MEDICAL ASSISTANCE  VA OIF/OEF Medical Outreach Coordinator: Dianne Peterson 612-467-5087  VA Medical Center Minneapolis: Troy Perdue troy.perdue@va.gov 612-467-1514  VA Medical Center St. Cloud: Mike Mynczywor (pronounced “minz-war”) 320-255-6480 ext. 6453  VA Medical Center Fargo: Deb Kunkel 701-232-3241 ext. 93787  VA Medical Center Sioux Falls: Elizabeth Flinn 605-335-3230 ext. 96983 LEGAL ASSISTANCE / ISSUES  Legal Assistance – ***Refer to your Family Assistance Center  www.minnesotanationalguard.org/soldiers_and_airmen/legal.php  ww.military.com/benefits/content/military-legal-matters  MN Assistance Council for Veterans will refer to legal aid: Metro area: 612-726-1327 Duluth: 218-722-8763 Mankato: 507-345-8258 MARRIAGE AND RELATIONSHIPS  Strong Bonds: Marriage Retreats: www.strongbonds.org  www.militaryonesource.com  www.5lovelanguages.com MORTGAGE OR RENT ASSISTANCE  Rent or Mortgage Assistance - MN Assistance Council for Veterans: Website: www.mac-v.org or 612-726-1327 If you fear you may be unable to pay your rent or mortgage, call the MN Assistance Council for Veterans. They provide rental assistance and mortgage assistance for veterans in danger of becoming homeless. They cannot make backdated payments on mortgage or rent, so contact them as soon as you see a potential problem. They will also refer you for additional help you may need.

PARENTS OF SOLDIERS  www.bluestarmoms.org  www.operationwearehere.com/Parents.html  www.militaryfamily.org

ONGOING RESOURCES & DEALS PET CARE  www.netpets.org/militarypet/foster.php (recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense)  www.guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org SPOUSES & SIGNIFICANT OTHERS  Spouses and Significant Others: www.militarysos.com  Military Spouse Magazine: www.milspouse.com  Military Wives and Women in Uniform: www.cinchouse.com  www.nationalmilitaryspousenetwork.org  www.armymwr.com/recleisure/promotions/spousesresources.aspx  www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil STRESS MANAGEMENT  www.hooah4health.com  www.militaryonesource.mil  www.defense.gov/specials/stressawareness SUICIDE PREVENTION  Suicide Prevention Lifeline (soldier specific): 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Provides the following support to anyone interested in suicide prevention, treatment, and service referrals ***Services are free and confidential. - Dealing with suicidal thoughts, feelings of hopelessness or extreme sadness - Concerned about a loved one who may be experiencing these feelings - Experiencing abuse or violence, Economic problems, Post-disaster needs, Homelessness issues, Substance abuse/addiction, Physical illness, Loneliness, Relationship problems, Family problems. The hotline is staffed by trained counselors and can refer to support services that can help you. *Available 24 hours day, 7 days a week MISC…  Firewood - Free Firewood for Families of Deployed Minnesota Service Members The Adjutant General for the State of Minnesota has authorized the availability of firewood from the Camp Ripley for families of all Minnesota Service Members that are currently deployed (including pre-deployment and post-deployment). Families are entitled to 2 full cords of wood per year. Contact Mrs. Tami Klucas from the Family Assistance Center at 320-616-3117. This is an ongoing offer.