from the homefront - ngfamily.vt.gov and family readiness manager page 2 from the homefront march,...
TRANSCRIPT
Vermont State Family Program Director March, 2018
Wing Family
Readiness
2
Kitchen Spoons &
Combat Boots
(KS&CB)
2
Military OneSource 3
ESGR 3
Child & Youth 4
MOMC Patch
Contest!
4
CSFL—Career
Readiness Counselor
5
Vermont Veterans
Outreach (VVO)
6
Family Assistance 6
Small Business
Administration
Boots2Business Flyer
6
Family Readiness
Support Assistant
7
Add’l Kitchen Spoons
& Combat Boots
Event
7
Defenders Vs.
Enforcers Hockey
Game Flyer
8
Volunteer
Conference Flyer
9
VT Statehouse Invite 10
Contact Info 10
Inside this issue:
From the Homefront Page 1 March , 2018
LTC Dave Leonard
State Family Program Director
Vermont Military & Family Support Center(24/7): 1-888-607-8773
Remember to visit us at www.ngfamily.vt.gov
From The Homefront...
The Spring Equinox
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the first day of spring in the
Northern Hemisphere will be Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Be sure to mark
your calendars for any signs of spring that day! This is also known as the
Vernal Equinox- the day where the amount of daylight and darkness is
about equal- 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. So, unfortu-
nately, it doesn’t have anything to do with potentially warmer tempera-
tures, the amount of green grass pushing up through the snow or when the
trees start to show buds.
Spring also brings for all those baseball fans the start of spring training. A time of unparal-
leled access to players, ballparks and up-close encounters with your favorite players….if you
live in Florida or Arizona that is. Vermont is not generally known as the go to place for
spring training. Nevertheless, if you are able to schedule a trip to your favorite team’s spring
training location with your families-you are bound to get ball or two signed.
I love the fact that Vermont has such distinctive seasons- I know winter can be long and ar-
duous, but it provides hours of conversation while waiting in line at the checkout or fillers
when you have an awkward silence you are trying to fill. Mark Twain said, “In the Spring, I
have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours”. I know Mark Twain was
from Missouri, but I would have sworn he was talking about Vermont.
Lastly, according to equinox folklore, you can stand a raw egg on end on the equinox with-
out it tipping over. Hmm. Try this yourself and be sure to let me know how it goes.
All the best,
Airmen and Family Readiness Manager
Page 2 From the Homefront March , 2018
Welcome to March… Spring is just around the corner! Our Airmen currently at
Nellis AFB in Nevada are doing a great job with their training. We will be seeing
all of them return by the end of this month.
Tax season is also upon us. I would like to remind you that there is FREE tax
preparation and filing services through Military OneSource’s website
(www.militaryonesource.mil). If you have any questions about locating the free
tax services, contact Marcie Caulfield, our Military One Source Representative at 802-338-3164.
Any Tax questions can be directed to Susan Kelly-Outten (802-338-3446) or Todd Domachowski
(802-556-1358). The Air Force Reserve/Air National Guard Teen Leadership Summit is a FREE week-long adventure
for 14-18 year old dependent teens of current or retiree Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard military mem-
bers. Teens will focus on leadership development and self-confidence, learn about programs and services available to
AF dependents, and build an appreciation for and sense of belonging to the AF community. They will be given a voice
to inform AF senior leadership of their top issues as AF dependents. At both Summits, leadership classes will be
taught throughout the week and teens will learn about the mission of the AFR and ANG. Summits also include mili-
tary traditions, community service projects, musical performances, and environmental education classes. They will
also have A LOT of fun with other military teens. The camp is FREE however parents will be responsible for:
•Getting their teen to/from the airport •All baggage fees •Spending money for snacks or souvenirs • Meals during
airline travel. Everything else - including airfare, transportation and all meals while at the Summit, camp registration
fees, and lodging are paid by the Air Force through a partnership with the University of Georgia/Georgia 4-H.
The 2 Camp opportunities are:
Classic Teen Leadership Summit - 8-13 July 2018 Wahsega 4-H Center: Dahlonega, Georgia
Adventure Teen Leadership Summit - 6-11 August 2018 Cheley Colorado Camps: Estes Park, Colorado
The website to gather further information and to register is http://georgia4h.org/AFRANGteensummit
For more information, please contact Casey Mull, Laura Goss or Marilyn Huff-Waller at 706-542-4444 or mil-
Mary Mahoney - VTANG Airman and Family Readiness Manager - 802-652-8035 [email protected]
Kitchen Spoons & Combat Boots March 7th at 7pm – It’s Your Future…Be There Happy and Healthy
Are you interested in learning more about nutrition? Have you been looking to increase your knowledge on movement
and how it helps you maintain a healthy brain? Come join us on, Wednesday, March 7th at 7pm, for the It’s Your Fu-
ture…Be There Happy and Healthy; conducted by Stacy Thrall, certified heath coach. Stacy will be giving us tips and
tools for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Still need help with your taxes? In case you missed the Tax Preparation webinars in February, we have one final training
for you to attend. Visit with us at the link below on Wednesday, March 21 from 12:30pm-1:30pm.
And don't forget on April 4th, the featured webinar will focus on long term separation within the family and its effects
on youth. Special guest, Brian Stoudnour, State Youth Program Coordinator, will cover information specific to Deploy-
ment: Are Your Kids Ready? Hope to "see" you there!
These free "live" webinars are open to all who are interested in attending. Please feel free to share this information with
anyone who would benefit.
To join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone:
https://beaconhealthoptions.webex.com/join/MCaulfield
(please utilize the “chat box” to be heard)
To dial in using your phone: (877) 668-4493
Access Code: 641528295
Questions: Call Candice Bryan-Broe at 802-338-3652 or
Marcie Caulfield at 802.338.3164
Check us out online at http://www.ngfamily.vt.gov/ks_and_cb_page.html
See additional information on page 8
March , 2018 Page 3 From the Homefront
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
Military OneSource
MilTax: Free Tax Services
Military OneSource MilTax, a suite of free tax services provided by the Department of Defense,
understands what military life means for taxes. Tailored for military life,
MilTax offers:
Secure and free tax preparation and e-filing software that’s designed to leave no military service
tax deduction or credit unclaimed.
Easy access to tax consultants with military expertise to answer your specific questions on military survivor tax
forgiveness, filing extensions and more.
Free in-person tax preparation and assistance through MilTax-designated Volunteer Income Tax Assistance offices.
Quick access to other valuable services and resources such as free financial counselors, helpful articles and online
resources
Multiple, convenient ways to access MilTax benefits and resources.
Free tax preparation and filing services
MilTax e-filing software walks you through a series of questions to help you complete your tax return. This self-paced
tax software allows you to access free technical assistance to complete and electronically file your federal return and
up to three state tax forms. Calculations are 100 percent accurate – guaranteed by the software provider. It’s designed
to address tax situations specific to the military. To access MilTax visit www.militaryonesource.mil or call 1-800-342-
9647 to seek assistance.
MARCH 2018 VT ESGR/ESP Blurb
Reminders from Vermont Employer Support of the Guard and Re-
serve and the National Guard Employment Support Program
Job Fairs and related events in March:
VTC Career Fair, March 7, 2018, Vermont Technical College, Randolph Center
Rutland Chamber Business Show, March 13, 2018; not a hiring fair but a good way to see who is out there!
Champlain College Spring Career Fair, March 26, 2018; primarily for students but also open to the public
Norwich University Spring Career and Intern Fair, March 28, 2018
No Town Hall Meetings as Previously Reported (Repeated for emphasis)
Contrary to what we reported in January, the 86 IBCT will NOT be holding a series of informational town hall meet-
ings for family members and employers this spring. Look for these to occur next year. Meanwhile, if you are a military
spouse, you know very well that when your husband or wife is gone for training or a deployment, you quickly become
a single parent. As such, your life can become more complicated in a beat, at least while your loved one is away. Your
employer, however, may not be so aware of those changes. Don’t be afraid to let your boss know what’s going on so
they better understand what you are dealing with and support you.
Need help with your employer or have another question?
Call us with any employment-related question at 802-338-4187 or 802-338-4190.
M a r c h , 2 0 1 8 P a ge 4 F r o m t h e H o m e f r o n t March , 2018 Page 4 From the Homefront
Thoughts From Our State Youth Coordinator Spring is just around the corner! For me this is the season of change.
Changes in; weather, terrain due to melting of the snow and thawing
earth, attitude with increased daylight hours, outdoor activities, garden
preparations, and more. With all of that we will need to adjust & adapt to
those changes and assist our children in doing so.
During times of change it can be easier to “go with the flow” which may find us falling into the same
traps with our thinking. This brings us to the fifth Resiliency Skill Avoid Thinking Traps and building
our Mental Agility. To begin we need to define “thinking trap”. The University of Pennsylvania’s Master
Resilience Course states “Thinking Traps are patterns in thinking that are not flexible and can cause us to miss criti-
cal information about a situation or individual.” They catch us when we are not thinking flexibly, accurately and thor-
oughly (F.A.T.). These rigid patterns of thought take effort to avoid. Having a clear understanding of the six most com-
mon Thinking Traps enables us to see them coming and modify our thoughts, which drive our emotions and reactions
(recall MRT Skill #3 ATC from the January Newsletter). Penn Master Resilience
Training has identified them as and provided us with tips on how to avoid them:
Jumping to Conclusions-believing one is certain about a situation despite having little
or no supporting evidence. When this occurs we should slow down and seek objec-
tive evidence for and against that thought.
Mind Reading-assuming that you know what another person is thinking, or expecting
another person to know what you are thinking. When this occurs we should speak
up, be certain you have expressed yourself and ask for information.
Me, Me, Me-believing you are the sole cause of every problem. When this occurs we
should look outward for how others and/or the situation has contributed.
Them, Them, Them-believing others or circumstances are the sole cause of every
problem. When this occurs we should look inward for how you contributed.
Always, Always, Always-believing that negative events are unchangeable and that you
have little/no control over them. When this occurs we should regain control and
identify what’s changeable and what you can control.
Everything, Everything, Everything-believing that you can judge your/someone else's
character based on one event; or that what caused the problem will negatively im-
pact other areas of your life. When this occurs we should get specific with our behavior that ex-
plains the situation and other areas of life that may be impacted.
MRT SKILLS
Rationale: contribute to and
help build resilience
1. Hunt the Good Stuff
2. Goal Setting
3. Activating Event, Thoughts,
Consequences
4. Energy Management
5. Avoid Thinking Traps
6. Detect Icebergs
7. Problem Solving
8. Put It in Perspective
9. Mental Games
Brian Stoudnour
Lead Child & Youth Program Coordinator - Contractor O: 802-338-3369 | M: 802-310-6745 | [email protected]
Send or Email your Patch designs to:
Military Kids Vermont
ATTN: MOMC Patch Contest
C/O VTNG CYP & Family Programs
789 National Guard Road
Colchester, VT 05446
Or
Reminders:
Purple represents ALL
branches of military service
Please include you name,
grade (or equivalent), and
parent’s branch of service (if
applicable)
Rules for Patch Design:
Open to ALL youth ages 5-18yo (no military affiliation required)
1 submission per youth only
Poster must be NO larger than 11in x 17in
Designs must incorporate: 1)April is Month of the Military Child
2)Military Youth are Community Connected
All artwork must be original
Prizes and Recognition:
A prize will be awarded to the 1st place winner in each of these Grade
groupings:
K-2 3-5 6-8 9-12
All participants are invited to join us on April 3, 2018 at the Vermont
Statehouse to recognize and honor the MOMC Fine Print:
Patch designs will only be returned if a pre-paid, self-addressed envelope is included with submission
Deadline: All entries must be postmarked by: March 20th 2018
Page 5 From the Homefront March , 2018
Dear Vermont National Guard Members and Families,
Employment in Vermont, much like any state, has its own
climate. In this month’s article I want to share with you some of the labor data information that has
been published by the Vermont Department of Labor and how it stacks up against National figures.
As noted in Appendix A, the Vermont unemployment rate the end of 2017 was 2.5% while the na-
tional average hovered at 3.9%. The wages in Vermont also hover below the national average at a
steady 18% shown in Appendix B. This indicates that Vermonters are hard at work but earning less.
The last chart, Appendix C supports this information on the top six growing job fields. Vermont heav-
ily relies on retail and services, fields with lower wages.
So how can we use the above data to inform our job searches? Look for fields in demand that you can share your tal-
ents with and don’t be afraid to branch out into other industries attached to the service industry. Try to look for posi-
tons that support stores such as accounting, legal, and marketing firms.
Next month we will be doing an employer spot-light on a company that is military friendly and has positions available
with competitive wages and benefits.
Best regards
Nicholas A. Thomas
Citizen Soldier for Life
Career Readiness Counselor
Office: (802) 338-3709 Cell: (802) 310-5391 [email protected]
Citizen Soldier For Life - Career Readiness Counselor
M a r c h , 2 0 1 8 P a ge 6 F r o m t h e H o m e f r o n t March , 2018 Page 6 From the Homefront
Have you heard about the Strengthening Working Families Initiative (SWFI)? If you are
looking for a way to provide more stability for your family, or are thinking about start-
ing a new career, the VTC SWFI program may be for you. This program provides the
training and skills needed to build a career in manufacturing, at NO COST to qualified individuals. A
career in manufacturing could mean anything from making medical equipment and aircraft parts to
making products like cheese and ice cream, with many job benefits and career stability.
The SWFI program offers 7-week training sessions, 1 class per week, with various start dates and lo-
cations around Vermont. Graduates of the program receive nationally recognized credentials, and assistance with job
placement. SWFI also provides services for finding affordable child care, transportation, and resources pertaining to
financial literacy, housing, and food stability.
Who is eligible for the program? Custodial parents with one or more children age 13 or younger, or with a
child of any age who has a disability or developmental delay, who are eligible to work in the US, and are not already
working in the manufacturing field.
For more details and all of the up-to-date class information, visit the SWFI website at www.vtc.edu/swfi, or follow the
link on the VT FAC Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/VTNGFAC/.
Glory O’Neil
Family Assistance Center
Coordinator
Family Assistance Center
Gene Hitchcock is the Veterans Administration (VA) Liaison for the VT Veter-
ans Outreach Program. Gene served 6 years in the U. S. Navy and 22 years in
the Vermont Army National Guard. He retired in 2006, after completing 28
years of active duty. Gene deployed with the 131st Engineer Company during
Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm
Gene works at the VA Medical Center in White River Jct., He focuses on find-
ing ways the Outreach Team and VA can be mutually supportive in providing
the best in health care and benefits for Vermont's Veterans and military ser-
vice members. Gene is the primary point if contact for the VT National Guard in matters relating to VA policies and sup-
port, and also assists the Outreach Team with interactions between their clients and the VA.
Contact Gene at (802) 296-5151
Vermont Veterans Outreach
April 20 & 21, 2018
(Friday & Saturday)
Details:
Location: Camp Johnson -
Regional Training Institute
Colchester, Vt.
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30pm (both
days)
Registration & Point of Contact:
Chris Herriman
Phone Number: 802-828-4422
X206
Email: [email protected]
Cost: Free
Sign up for Boots to Business, a free two-day course about entrepreneurship for transitioning service
members and their spouses. Learn the steps, stages and activities related to launching and growing a
business as a post-military career. The course is primarily for transitioning service members, but veterans
and their spouses and adult dependents may attend granted space is available.
Boots to Business is a component of the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program and is
sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
For more information, visit www.boots2business.org
March , 2018 Page 7 From the Homefront
Family Readiness Support Assistant
SUPER HERO REMINDERS
1. Record your volunteer hours in JSS or
email them to
[email protected]. Send them
in by the last day of each month.
2. Join us for the Kitchen Spoons & Combat
Boots webinar on the 1st Wednesday of
every month at 7 pm.
3. Sign up for the FRG Leadership Trainings
at JSS or with your FRSA. All trainings are
done via teleconference!
www.jointservicessupport.org
Forgot your login and password? Contact your FRSA
Check out the Family Programs website! http://www.ngfamily.vt.gov/
Dear VTNG Families and
volunteers, IT’S TIME FOR THE
2018 VTNG FAMILY PROGRAMS
VOLUNTEER CONFERENCE! This
year’s theme is “Volunteering is my
Superpower!” Tentative agenda will include Avengers
Team Building, Kryptonite Busters, and The Deadly
Villains of Recruiting Volunteers. Of course we will have
the annual awards ceremony, celebrating the super hero/
heroines who have worked so hard to maintain morale,
resiliency and self sufficiency within our military families.
We truly could not make this work without your support
and its time that we thank you! This conference is open
to all adult volunteers (aged 18 and up) who have
volunteered their time to VTNG Family Programs or
Family Readiness Groups in the past two years. Please
mark your calendars for the weekend of April 20-22.
We are still awaiting which location will be awarded the
contract...But that information will be coming soon!
Please remember that this event is reimbursable.
You will be required to pay for your room and board
yourself prior to the event, but funds will be
reimbursed back to your “Superhero wallet”
upon completion of a DD2793, TDY Travel
Advance Checklist and Form 1164. These
should all be signed prior to leaving the
event. Don’t forget to use your laser vision
to keep an eye out for invitations in the
mail, through JSS and email campaign. For
any questions, please contact me at
More News From KS&CBs
March 24th from 10am-2pm – Get Ready for Spring Workshop
The Kitchen Spoons & Combat Boots Team has been providing you with invaluable information via webinar for years.
You've connected with us online or on the phone and now...IT'S TIME TO MEET US IN PERSON!! On Saturday, March
24th @ 10AM the Kitchen Spoons & Combat Boots team will be hosting a "Get Ready for Spring" Workshop at the
Green Mountain Armory on Camp Johnson. This free event is going to be a lot of fun with hands on activities relating to
stress relief, living a healthier lifestyle while staying on a budget and getting to know your resources.
All adults are welcome; you do not have to be affiliated with the military in any way to come. Bring your friends, spouses,
siblings, or parents! No reservation required, but highly suggested.
Register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GetReadyForSpring
Questions: Call Candice Bryan-Broe at 802-338-3652 or Marcie Caulfield at 802-338-3164
From the Homefront Page 9 March, 2018
Holy Strawberries
Batman! We’re in a
JAM! The VTNG
Volunteer Conference
is starting April 20th!
Quick Robin!
Get the
Batmobile...
...And find
my utility
belt
The 2018
Conference theme:
Volunteering
is my SUPER POWER!
Are you a Family Programs Volunteer? Are you faster
than a speeding bullet and more powerful than a lo-
comotive? Did you log your volunteer hours with
your Family Readiness Support Assistant AKA Super
FRSA? You are and you did...GREAT! Then please
join us at the 2018 Vermont National Guard Family
Programs Volunteer Conference. We will be
honing our super skills with, Team Building, Art Pop
Activity and Professional Development. Please save
the dates: April 20th thru the 22nd for this
extraordinary and mind-blowing opportunity.
Contact Info
State Family Programs Director: LTC Dave Leonard, [email protected] cell: 802-598-0140
Airman & Family Program Manager: Mary Mahoney, [email protected] cell: 802-598-0202
Vermont Veterans Outreach: Andre Wing, [email protected] cell: 802-881-5057
Family Assistance Center Coordinator: Glory O’Neil, [email protected] cell: 802-338-0563
Lead Child and Youth Program Coordinator: Brian Stoudnour, [email protected] cell: 802 310 6745
Family Readiness Support Assistant: Candice Bryan-Broe, [email protected] cell: 802-316-6342
Family Readiness Support Asst: 86 IBCT: Candice Bryan-Broe, [email protected] cell: 802-316-6342
VT Veterans Mental Health Counselor, Charlene Caiano, [email protected] Ph 802-338-3445
Survivor Outreach Services: Tammie Conner, [email protected] cell: 802-881-6632
Transition Assistance Advisor: Ronnie LaBounty, [email protected] cell: 802-399-6401
VT Veterans Personal Financial Counselor: Susan Kelley-Outten, [email protected] cell: 802-338-3446
Citizen Soldier for Life - Career Readiness Counselor: Nick Thomas, [email protected] cell: 802-310-5391
Air Wing Integrator, Yellow Ribbon Program: Kelli Langlois, [email protected] cell: 802-751-5856
Army Director of Psychological Health, 1LT Matthew Emelett, [email protected] cell: 802-760-9223
Air Director of Psychological Health, Trish Dempsey, LICSW, [email protected] cell 802-557-7368
From the Homefront Page 10 March, 2018
Date Event Location
Mar 10 6th Annual NEK Veterans Summit Lyndon State College
Mar 17 15th Annual Defenders vs Enforcers Charity Hockey Game Essex Jct skating
Facility
Mar 21 Kitchen Spoons & Combat Boots - Tax Prep - 12:30PM Webinar
Mar 24 Kitchen Spoons & Combat Boots Meet & Greet
Get Ready for Spring Workshop 10:00 AM Camp Johnson GMA
Colchester, VT
Apr 3 Month of the Military Child Recognition at VT Statehouse Montpelier
Calendar of Events
Please Join Us
In Celebrating
“April is Month of Military Child”
Tuesday 3 April 2018 from 0930-1200 Vermont Statehouse 115 Statehouse St., Montpelier This event includes a proclamation signing by Governor Scott in his Ceremonial Office, going
onto the House Floor for the passing of a House Concurrent Resolution, and special guest
speakers from the VTNG, and State & National Legislatures, as well as awarding the winners
of MKVT’s Patch Design Contest.
Please RSVP to Brian Stoudnour, VTNG Lead Child & Youth Program Coordinator (contractor)
O: (802) 338-3369 | M: (802) 310-6745 | F: (802) 338-3115 [email protected]
See Child/Youth page in this newsletter for details!!!!!