Joint Base Journal

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Joint Base Journal Vol. 4, No. 27

July 19, 2013

News and information for and about the premier Joint Base and its region www.facebook.com/jointbase

J OINT B ASE A NACOSTIA-B OLLING

www.cnic.navy.mil/jbab

Free assistance available to furloughed civilian employees BY PAUL BELLO JOINT BASE ANACOSTIABOLLING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

WASHINGTON - Crisis counseling has gone up approximately 60 percent at Joint Base AnacostiaBolling (JBAB) recently, according to officials. Air Force Chaplain (Maj.) Robin Stephenson-Bratcher, one of JBAB’s chaplains, said the increase is furlough and sequestration related. Accordingly, JBAB chaplains have recently undertaken advanced interactive training and are ready to assist Department of Defense (DoD) civilians affected by the furlough. (See related story in this edition of Joint Base Journal) Besides talking to a base chaplain, another potential resource is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This offers a variety of services to civilians, as well as their families. Counselors with the program also provide crisis intervention and help employees deal with a multitude of problems, such as emotional, relationship, family, alcohol, drug, financial and job concerns. Department of Defense (DoD) civilians complement their mili-

RESOURCES AVAILABLE Resources available to furloughed DoD civilians, as well as military and family members, include: • Contacting the chaplains during normal duty hours at 202-767-5900 or during all other times at 202-439-4243 • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 • JBAB Emergency Services Dispatch Center at 202-4333333 • While off-base - Emergency Services Dispatch Center at 9-1-1 • http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ and scroll down to the get help section • Your supervisor, any coworker or manager • JBAB Military Family Support Center at 202-433-6151 (normal duty hours) or 202436-0827 (at all other times) • JBAB Command Duty Officer (after hours) at 202-3309967 tary counterparts with an array of skills and abilities. On military bases like Joint Base Anacostia-

U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY PAUL BELLO/RELEASED

Navy Chaplain (Cmdr.) Wes Sloat, shares an update regarding resources available to furloughed DOD civilians, including the Federal Employee Education Assistance (FEEA) program, suicide prevention hotline and financial counseling help with Freddy Edison, an office manager at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling’s Religious Services department, now that DOD civilians have gotten their first paycheck which reflects a 20 percent pay cut. Bolling (JBAB), supporting civilian personnel is just as important as helping a service member. When concerned about the

emotional health of a civilian coworker, health studies over the years have shown it’s best to sit down with that person and discuss

the situation. This provides an opportunity to express one’s job related concerns and offer help to the individual.

Federal Employee Education Assistance Fund provides emergency furlough assistance BY LEA JOHNSON SPECIAL TO JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING

The following article was originally published in the June 28 edition of Joint Base Journal. WASHINGTON-Civilians have been planning for the upcoming furlough for much of 2013; however, even with all the preparation leading up to the week of July 8, some civilians may find they need a little help to stay above the financial undertow. Enter the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA). According to Robyn Kehoe, director of

field operations, FEEA was created in 1986 and is modeled to work like the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and Air Force Aid Society by providing emergency assistance in the form of loans, grants and scholarships to civilian federal employees and their families. “Loans are available to someone who is having financial hardship through no fault of their own,” Kehoe said. Civilians impacted by the furlough may be eligible for an emergency loan up to $1,000 through FEEA if they have been a federal employee for at least one year and demonstrate a basic living need, such as assistance paying rent or utilities.

“The advantage of these loans is that they are no interest. Civilians pay back the loan through an allotment a little at a time,” Kehoe said. “We are geared toward this population and all the money that gets paid back then goes back to help another federal family.” Provided all required documents are submitted with the loan application, civilians should receive their check within a week. Kehoe said checks are made out to a creditor, a landlord or leasing agent for example, and loans are not granted to assist with paying credit card bills or other similar personal debt. Additionally, Kehoe added, “Employees

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cannot apply until they receive a short paycheck. We won’t accept any applications filled out in anticipation of the furlough.” Assistance from FEEA is available any time, not just during this government furlough. FEEA is funded largely through donations, including contributions from the Combined Federal Campaign. “We have contributed $20 million in aid to federal civilians and their families,” Kehoe said. “We are proud of that and we are proud to serve the men and women who serve our country, even though they’re not in uniform.” For more information or to fill out an application, visit feea.org.

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