Family Matters January 2016

Volume 7 Issue 1 January 2016

In this issue…

11 Tips for Making the Most of Your Tax Refund Helping Your Teen Deal with Deployment Info on FAFSA Day And more….

Family Matters

January 2016 Diane Coffill State Family Programs Director diane.l.coffill.civ@mail.mil (984) 664-6324 MSG Ramona Robertson State Family Programs Specialist ramona.k.robertson.mil@mail.mil (984) 664-7005 SSG Tammy Fowler State Family Programs Assistant tammy.l.fowler.mil@mail.mil (984) 664-6876 Lana Greer State FAC Coordinator lana.m.greer.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-1667 Alice Dean Lead Child and Youth Coordinator alice.c.dean.ctr@mail.mil (984) 664-6676 David Nobles Outreach Coordinator david.m.nobles.ctr@mail.mil (984) 664-6721 Terry Henderson Airman and Family Readiness Program Manager terry.r.henderson3.civ@mail.mil (704) 389-4949 About Family Matters Family Matters was created to provide Service Members and their Families the most up to date information and services available. If you would like to contribute to future issues, please contact SSG Tammy Fowler @ tammy.l.fowler.mil@mail.mil

A Message From the Director Happy New Year! We made it through the Christmas Holiday and now we’re gearing up for 2016. I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas with lots of Family time and some relaxation. I know that now we will be thinking about all of those New Year’s Resolutions we made and trying to figure out how to stick to them.

Everyone knows that with the New Year comes tax season (not nearly as much as Christmas) but it’s another milestone in the year that we have to pay attention to.

You’ll see in this month’s issue that Legal Assistance is again preparing and filing taxes for you and it’s FREE! The appointment line will be open beginning January 4th. We have some tips for getting the most of your tax refund so take a peak and think about how to maximize the refunds that you receive.

As we all know while it’s just January, the end of the school year will be here before we know it. Please take a look at the FAFSA Day flyer in this issue. It will help you really begin to prepare for your future college student. SECU staff will be available to assist you and your student with completing the FAFSA application. See the flyer for more details.

In December, our Teen Councils worked with Wreaths Across America as a community service project to honor our Veterans as well as raise money for our Kids On Guard Program. This is an amazing project and we hope to work on this again in 2016. If you didn’t get a chance to participate this past year, you might want to mark your calendars and watch for information for the 2016 Christmas season.

Is your child an IT wiz? Are they always on their smart phone? Here’s an opportunity for them to really show off. Congressman G.K. Butterfield invites high school students to create (either individually or with a team) an original app. For the details, look for the flyer in this issue.. Please let us know if your child is participating.

We have some great events happening across the state on January 30th., “Breaking the Cycle” Empowering Youth to End Domestic Violence . This will be midnight bowling events for teens that includes bowling, pizza and lots of fun.

In our “Spotlight” section, we are featuring CW4 George Millsaps and his family.

This is a very busy and dedicated family. I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did.

We are also highlighting two of our Family Programs Staff Members this month.

Gerald Murray who is a FRSA in Goldsboro and Rebekah Torres, our FAC specialist in East Flat Rock. Be sure to check out their bios and learn more about your FP Staff.

References in this newsletter to specific commercial products, processes, services or the use of any trade, firm corporation name does not constitute endorsement, recommendation or favoring by NCNG Family Programs

I want you to know that we are always here for you. We want to get to know you and your family so if you are doing amazing things (that simply means –you’re a Military Family), we would like to share your story. Send it to us and let’s see if you are in the next “Spotlight on Military Families.”

Diane

Table of Contents

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Meet Your Family Programs Staff 11 Tips for Making the Most of Your Tax Refund Spotlight on Military Families 15 Tips to Help Your Teenager Deal with Deployment Break The Cycle FAFSA Day Teen Council Community Service Project

If you would like to submit photos or stories for future issues of Family Matters, please contact SSG Tammy Fowler at tammy.l.fowler.mil@mail.mil

On the cover: CPT Kevin Herbin , Jessica, Nick and Kinlee CDR, 732nd FSC Reidsville, NC

Meet Your Family Programs Staff

Gerald Murray Family Readiness Support Assistant Gerald is one of the newest Family Readiness Support Assistants to join the Family Programs team in July of this year. Prior to joining Family Programs Gerald worked as a Level 1 IT Service Desk Analyst with HCL America in Cary, NC. Prior to that he has worked in various contract positions for the North Carolina National Guard which included the Yellow Ribbon Program, NC JFHQ ID Card Section, and the 30th ABCT SRP Team.

Gerald served honorably in the military for over 27 years, having served time in the Regular Army, US Army Reserves and the Army National Guard, retiring from the NC National Guard 31 January 2007. He began his military career in 1979 by joining the Regular Army, and while on active duty he served as an Administrative Specialist at Fort Bragg, NC. After his 3 year commitment on active duty, he joined the Army Reserves in Greensboro while attending college. After completing his 3 year Army Reserve obligation he joined the North Carolina National Guard fulltime workforce 13 March 1985, having spent time in the 1130th Aviation (Morrisville), 449th Aviation Group (Kinston), and 230th Brigade Support Battalion (Goldsboro) as a Personnel Specialist and Human Resources Supervisor.

Gerald participated in a deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004.

Gerald is married to Beatrice and has three children, Richard, Andrew and Cassie. Gerald and Beatrice will celebrate their 23rd wedding anniversary January 1st. Beatrice served over 14 years in the North Carolina National Guard having served in Military Police, Aviation, and Finance.

Gerald continues to be a strong supporter of the men and women in uniform and their families. He is a life member of the North Carolina National Guard Association and is also a current member of the NCNGA Retiree Network promoting the organization and its benefits. He is very active in his church as a Head Deacon and Young Adult Sunday School Teacher.

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Meet Your Family Programs Staff

Rebekah Torres Family Assistance Center Specialist Rebekah has worked for Family Programs as a Family Assistance Center Specialist since October of 2013 in Asheville and East Flat Rock. She serves military service members and their families and who live and drill in Western NC. She also strives to build strong partnerships with local community resources in order to bring even more support to the military community. She served as an intern for 3 years with Project Y.E.S.! where her passion for working with military families was developed. She has a Bachelor Degree in Educational Studies and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Youth, Family, and Community Science from NC State.

Rebekah is a part of the Henderson County Rising Leaders Program which focuses on non-profits in the area. She is also an adult mentor for two teen programs helping teens to come together in fellowship, learn together, do service, and work together to plan programs and events for other area teens.

Although she was born in Ohio, Western North Carolina is home for Rebekah, living there for over 16 years with her family. She is the second oldest of 7 children (4 boys and 3 girls). She currently lives in South Asheville with two friends who are both grade school teachers. She likes to visit with her siblings and parents whenever she can by watching movies, playing games, and eating her mom’s home cooked food. Her mom’s lasagna is her favorite dish.

Rebekah has visited over 18 states and also the US Virgin Islands. She was in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, in 2013 for 8 days on pilgrimage over the summer and hopes to continue to visit other countries and places. She will be doing a Tour of NC next summer in order to show off some of the amazing sites in NC to her best friend. If you have any recommendation for spots to visit, send a message to Rebekah!

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11 Tips for Making the Most of Your Tax Refund Getting a tax refund is a nice financial perk in the New Year. It may seem like bonus money and an excuse to splurge, but it's really money you worked hard for last year. Before you book a vacation or buy that new computer, think carefully about how you can really make the most of your refund.

Smart ways to use your refund Before you start spending, consider these options: 1. Pay down your debt. Use your refund to pay off that high-interest credit card or another lingering bill.

2. Start an emergency savings fund. Open a savings account and try to build up enough money in it to cover your expenses for three to six months.

3. Contribute to your Thrift Savings Plan. You can never save too much for your retirement, so think about making an extra contribution.

4. Consider a Roth Thrift Savings Plan. Your pre-tax dollars usually go into the regular Thrift Savings Plan. Roth contributions let you put in after-tax dollars, too.

5. Save toward a home or vehicle down payment. A larger down payment will lower your monthly payments and your interest costs.

6. Tackle some home improvements or repairs. Minor home or car repairs now can prevent a budget-busting bill down the road, so fix that leaky pipe before it becomes a tsunami.

7. Save for college. No matter how young your kids are, you can start adding money to a college savings plan, called a 529 plan.

8. Make an extra car or house payment. Find out first if there is a prepayment penalty, and if there is, don't do it. If there's no penalty, ask your lender to apply the payment to the principal balance, not the interest.

9. Change your W-4 withholdings if your refund is big. If you received a tax refund, it means you paid more taxes than you owed, and you may want to adjust your tax forms for the next year so you can grow interest on that money instead.

10. Contact a financial planner. Go to the experts for some ideas on long-range planning. Military OneSource offers free financial counseling, by phone, in person or via video chat.

11. Hold off spending your refund until you get it. Wait until you actually get your refund before spending it, even if you're sure about how you want to use the money. Paying cash for a splurge will keep it off your credit card bill and (possibly) make you think twice about the purchase That luxury item may be calling your name, but there are many other options for your tax refund, which could put you in better financial shape for the future Article courtesy of Military OneSource

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NCNG Legal Assistance Office Offers Free Tax Preparation and Filing The North Carolina National Guard Office of the Staff Judge Advocate Legal Assistance Office Tax Center offers free individual tax preparation and filing of federal and state tax returns. The tax center is a certified Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site and provides professional face to face tax preparation services.

The Tax Center provides hassle free individualized tax preparation services for Service Members and their families. Our preparers are specially trained in handling the unique tax benefits available to our Service Members. All current National Guardsmen, Reservists, Active Duty, Retirees, and their

immediate families are eligible. Taxpayers who have utilized this free service have saved over $60,000 in tax preparation fees and provided refunds of over one million dollars.

The Tax Center is accepting appointments Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Beginning 25 January through April 15th. For more information on this great opportunity please contact the Legal Assistance office at 984-6646220 or check us out at the Legal Assistance Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ NCARNGLA or on the North Carolina National Guard public site.

Spotlight on Military Families

The Family of CW4 George Millsaps Det 1 B Co 2-151 AV When Linda Struyk Millsaps married George Millsaps nearly 20 years ago, she knew there would be changes and sacrifices. She would be moving from West Virginia, putting her goal of getting a doctorate degree on hold, and adjusting to being step-mom to her husband’s daughter, Heather. Yet she never dreamed she would become a military wife. Why would she? Her husband had already “served his time” on active duty from 1980-1984.

Fast forward to 2005, both Linda and George had completed their doctorate degrees.

Heather was doing well in school and they had a daughter together, Caroline, who had developed a passion for dance. Life was good. You can imagine Linda’s surprise when her husband came home and told her that he wanted to join the North Carolina National Guard. In May 2005, Linda became a military wife.

Since that time, now CW4 George Millsaps has been gone for training, short state duty deployments such as Katrina and Southwest Border Patrol, and even a longer deployment to Iraq. “I couldn’t had done any of this without the support and encouragement of my family,” CW4 Millsaps says with a look of pride and appreciation.

He continues and states, “Honestly, I don’t see how they do it all.” CW4 Millsaps is clearly proud of his family.

His wife Linda is the Research Director for the NC Association of County Commissioners. Linda shares her expertise in public policy as an adjunct instructor for UNCChapel Hill and Duke University. Linda’s passion is helping people and she shows that in her active service on the Board of Directors for Beginnings, a non-profit that provides support for families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. “Being a military spouse has its share of challenges” notes Linda “the military culture and

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language was foreign to me”. Linda states that she has benefited from NCNG programs such as Yellow Ribbon, Spouse Retreats, and Family Retreats. Linda encourages all spouses and families to attend these events saying, “Participating in these events made me realize that other families were having the same difficulties in balancing military and home life”.

Heather, CW4 Millsaps’ older daughter, is a kindergarten teacher with the Wake County Public School System. Her dream to become a teacher was aided by a partial scholarship from the Tarheel Chapter of the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA). “The scholarship came at a time in our family when the funds were really needed and appreciated,” states Heather, continuing, “With their assistance and the support of my mom and dad, I was able to graduate from college debt free.” The AAAA investment quickly paid off as Heather was awarded the Dianne Kent Parker First Year Teacher of the Year in 2014.

Caroline, CW4 Millsaps’ younger daughter, is a high school sophomore and an avid dancer. In addition to taking a number of Honors and Advanced Placement courses at school she engages in ten rigorous hours of dance each week at school. Dancing does not stop there as Caroline also takes an additional nine hours of dance after school. Caroline says, “I know my dad can’t be there for every event but I know he is at every one he can possibly attend.”

Caroline’s “dance family” at Center Stage School of Performing Arts, helped when CW4 Millsaps deployed by providing rides to and from dance when possible. “Although I missed my dad a lot when he was in Iraq, it did make me feel good that the Guard helped me by providing the money needed for me to attend a dance camp while he was gone.”

CW4 George Millsaps, UH-72A “Lakota” pilot with Det. 1 B Co 2-151AV and full-time Education Services Officer for the North Carolina National Guard. Chief Millsaps thinks he holds a record for the NCNG, which is longest break in service. Originally serving in the active Army from 1980-1984, CW4 Millsaps had a 20 year 6 month break in service prior to joining the NC National Guard. “I am blessed with an awesome family.” Millsaps states.

He closes in saying, “Whenever someone thanks me for my service I always think about the sacrifices and support of my family. My family, along with many other friends and neighbors, make wearing the uniform possible. It makes me happy to give them the recognition they so deserve.”

Article submitted by CW4 George Millsaps

15 Tips for Helping Your Teenager Deal with Deployment Deployment can be especially challenging for teenagers, and they may act out in ways that can be challenging for you as a parent.

Patience, communication and love can help everyone's stress level.

This can be a valuable teaching moment for your teen. Use these 15 tips to help:

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Have a family discussion. Talk to your teen about how the deployment will affect each family member. Discuss any changes to their routine, responsibilities, communication, fears and concerns about something happening to you.

stories, create artwork, exercise or listen to music to help manage stress.

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Remind teens that they are not alone. Show teens that talking with others can help them feel less alone. Encourage yours to participate in military youth programs or Military Kids Connect©.

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Make a list of resources available to your teen. Keep a list of hotline numbers and ways to connect with a counselor.

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Give your teenager time and space to readjust. Discuss what's been going on in your teenager's life when you return from deployment. Try to listen in an open and nonjudgmental way.

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Take advantage of military support programs for your family.

Use the resources that each service branch offers to make homecoming transitions smoother. These include counseling through the Military and Family Support Center, Military OneSource, the installation chaplain, family support groups and online support groups.

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Plan alone time with your teenager before you deploy. Allow your teen to plan special activities, or just spend time relaxing together before you go.

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Swap keepsakes. Trade sentimental items, and explain the significance of the items you choose. Consider keepsakes such as pictures, notes, recordings or other special mementos.

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Encourage teens to share feelings with you. Let teens know that If your teenager continues to have trouble you want to hear their concerns. Know, too, that teens may not adjusting during the deployment cycle, don't want to share their feelings. It's OK if they need space. hesitate to contact your physician or a mental health professional. Make the call if any of the Maintain a stable routine at home. Encourage your teens to following behavior continues for more than continue participating in their usual activities. Like younger two weeks: children, teenagers find comfort in routines.  Inability to resume normal classroom Develop a relationship with your teenager's school counselors assignments and activities and teachers. Tell them about your deployment and ask them to  High levels of emotional response, such as continued crying and watch for signs that your teen may be struggling. intense sadness Make it easy to communicate after you deploy. Stay in touch  Depression or appearing withdrawn and non-communicative with your teen by email, text, phone or video chat. Consider playing online games together as a fun and low-key way to stay  Expression of violent or depressed feelings in "dark" drawings or connected. writings Approach conversations from your teenager's perspective. Keep  Significant weight loss or gain communication open by letting teens bring up topics that interest them.  Lack of attention to personal appearance

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Share information about military actions as appropriate.

Respond delicately to your teen's questions about military actions and current affairs, and avoid dwelling on negative media coverage to help lessen your teen's anxiety.

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Drug or alcohol abuse

Get help immediately if your teenager intentionally self-harms, expresses suicidal thoughts or appears at risk of hurting others.

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Deployment can be an opportunity for you and your teen to better Help teens recognize that their emotions are normal. understand each other. By keeping an open dialogue and helping Acknowledge that deployments and reunions can cause a your teen learn to manage stress, you can ease stress on the whole variety of intense emotions in teens, especially if your return is family. unexpectedly delayed. Help teens process what they're feeling by sharing some of what you're feeling.

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Suggest ways for teens to deal with stress.

Recommend that your teen keep a journal, write

Article courtesy of Military OneSource

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Wreaths Across America In 2015, the North Carolina National Guard Teen Council worked with Wreaths Across America (WAA) as a community service project to honor our veterans as well as raise money to help support the Kids on Guard Program.

Wreaths Across America, initially called The Arlington Project was started by Morrill Worcester of Worcester Wreath Company in 1992. Mr. Worcester found they had an excess of wreaths towards the end of the holiday season and so they were donated to Arlington National Cemetery. In 2006 they expanded the project nationwide and Wreaths Across America was born. Now, on the second Saturday of every December a wreath laying and ceremony takes place at 230 locations across the country.

By participating in this event, our North Carolina National Guard Teens were able to reflect on the sacrifices made by our veteran’s and show their respect. On December 12th, with the help of many volunteers, 2,457 wreaths were placed on gravesites at Raleigh National Cemetery with the hope that next year all 5,300 gravesites would be adorned with wreaths. Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Dan Forest as well as other special guests representing all branches of services took part in the ceremony. Thanks goes out to the following Teen Council members and their families that were able to participate in this event: Dalandra, Jared, Haleigh, Daria, Delaney, Emily.

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East Flat Rock Unit Family Contact Center 2025 Spartanburg Hwy. 28726 Rebekah Torres: rebekah.s.torres.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-0565

NCNG Service Members and Families’ First Line of Defense Call 1-855-322-3848

Charlotte Unit Family Contact Center 4240 West Blvd. 28208 Carry Bandy: carry.s.bandy.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-4573 Anthony Moore: anthony.r.moore8.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-4547 Greensboro State Family Assistance Center 110 Franklin Blvd. 27401 Lynn Stenson: deborah.t.stenson2.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-5649

Military OneSource Here to help you with just about any need, by phone or online. The service is completely private and confidential with few exceptions. www.militaryonesource.mil 1-800-342-9647

Greenville State Family Assistance Center 1401 N. Memorial Dr. 27834 Vacant (984) 661-1150 Lenoir State Family Assistance Center 1535 Beecher Anderson Rd. 28645 Frances Johnson: frances.r.johnson28.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-1242 Raleigh Unit Family Contact Center 1636 Gold Star Dr. 27607 Wendi Bell: wendi.h.bell.ctr@mail.mil (984) 664-6078 Lisa Faison: lisa.m.faison.ctr@mail.mil (984) 664-7100 Mark Woolbright: mark.l.woolbright.ctr@mail.mil (984) 664-7102 Smithfield Unit Family Contact Center 406 Hospital Rd. 27577 Abby Millsap: abigail.e.millsap.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-2784 Southern Pines Unit Family Contact Center 510 Morganton Rd. 28387 Earlene Buchan earlene.b.capps.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-2683 Wilmington Unit Family Contact Center 2412 Infantry Rd. 28405 Jim Marley: james.e.marley.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-6918 Winston-Salem Unit Family Contact Center 2000 Silas Creek Pkwy. 27103 Sandy Harrison: sandra.b.harrison2.ctr@mail.mil (984)-661-7131

Charlotte Nikkie Newsome genesia.k.newsome.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-4548

Morrisville George Lane george.w.lane2.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-6313

Clinton Chekea Hinton-Mack chekea.j.hinton-mack.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-5136

Raleigh Norman Dean norman.g.dean2.ctr@mail.mil (984) 664-6537

Goldsboro Gerald Murray gerald.t.murray.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-5423

FRSS Trainer Gloria Fields gloria.d.fields.ctr@mail.mil (984) 661-5620

Greensboro Jill Hathaway jill.a.hathaway.ctr@mail.mil 984-661-5651

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