CG SUPRT free online tax filing is now available for 2024! To access the service, visit the CG SUPRT website and click the tax preparation tile. This service is available to Coast Guard active-duty members, civilian employees, members of the selected reserve and their dependent family members.

CG SUPRT also provides free, confidential professional consultations for taxes and other financial matters, as well as personal money coaching to help you reach your financial goals. To access these services, call toll free 855-247-8778, or go to Request Services from the CG SUPRT website.

In today’s fast-paced world, juggling work and your personal life--and all the associated demands and pressures--can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you have somewhere to turn--CG SUPRT.

The US Coast Guard provides you and your family with a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) known as CG SUPRT. It offers non-medical, professional counseling, coaching, education, and other work-life resources and referrals to help you navigate life’s challenges before they negatively affect your health, relationships, or job performance. 

CG SUPRT is available to CG active duty members (including Academy cadets and enlisted recruits), civilian employees, Selected Reservists, USPHS and DoD personnel assigned to the CG, and family dependents. You or your dependent may contact CG SUPRT 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by calling CONUS: 855-247-8778, and OCONUS: International code +855-247-8778.

CG SUPRT services are free and confidential within the limits of the law. Non-medical counseling is available in-person, via phone, video conferencing, or online chat for your convenience.

CG SUPRT can help you with a variety of work-life issues, including but not limited to:

1. Marital, family, or relationship concerns 
2. Stress management 
3. Communication 
4. Grief and loss 
5. Health Coaching 
6. Alcohol and/or drug abuse concerns
7. General mental health concerns 
8. Childcare/eldercare resources
9. Personal financial wellness 
10. Legal services 

The full benefits of CG SUPRT are now at your fingertips, no matter where you are, 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. This secure app provides you easy access to resources that can help you navigate challenges affecting your work-life balance, well-being, and productivity. From requesting CG SUPRT services to finding information on how to respond to various life’s issues, the CG SUPRT app puts the power of CG SUPRT in the palm of your hand.

The CG SUPRT App (aka Espyr Connect App) provides:

• Immediate access to CG SUPRT 
• Access to Chat Now 
• Quick Reads on various work-life topics 
• Audio and video support resources  
• Self-assessments and self-help tools 
• Increased program awareness & convenience

This app is available for download through the Apple App Store and Google Play (search “Espyr Connect”).  Download the app to your device(s) and then login using the CG SUPRT password.

Downloading tips: 

1. Users will need an active internet or data connection to use the app. 
2. Users will want to make sure that their phone’s auto-correct does not change the passcode. 

• Sustaining the Psychological Well-Being of Caregivers While Caring for Disaster Victims

• Safety, Recovery and Hope after Disaster: Helping Communities and Families Recovery

• Leadership Communication: Anticipating and Responding to Stressful Events

• What To Do To Protect Yourself During Power Outages

Disaster Helpline

SAMHSA has a Disaster Distress Helpline – call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365.

Those that may be in impacted areas or areas where there is an evacuation authorization in place, reach out to the Personnel Support Team or Family Assist Team for information and resources regarding needs around evacuation or additional services resulting from storm Helene. 

The teams can be reached at the following numbers:

• Virtual Personnel Support Team: 833-872-4778 (PST) 1-833-USCG-PST 

• Family Assistance Support Tool Team (FAST): (571) 614-9000

As communities prepare for Hurricane Helene to make landfall, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has resources to help children, families, and communities navigate the impacts of a hurricane and potential tornadoes, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together. These resources include:

 Mobile Apps

• PFA Mobile

• SAMHSA Behavioral Health Disaster Response App

• Bounce Back Now (En Español)

As communities prepare for Hurricane Helene to make landfall, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has resources to help children, families, and communities navigate the impacts of a hurricane and potential tornadoes, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together. These resources include:

For Communities Who Are Preparing

• Ready.gov – recommendations for an emergency supply kit and evacuation considerations

• Ready Kids – ideas for talking to children and involving them in family disaster preparedness

• Help Kids Cope – mobile app with scripts and ideas to support children before, during, and after natural disasters

The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid (PFA; En Español). PFA is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. 

The PFA Wallet Card (En Español) provides a quick reminder of the core actions. The PFA online training (En Español) course is also available on the NCTSN Learning Center. PFA Handouts include: 

• Parent Tips for Helping Infants and Toddlers (En Español)

• Parent Tips for Helping Preschoolers (En Español)

• Parent Tips for Helping School-Age Children (En Español)

• Parent Tips for Helping Adolescents (En Español)

• Tips for Adults (En Español)

For community and mental health providers who plan to continue working with affected communities long-term, review Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR; En Español) and take the SPR Online course (En Español).

As communities prepare for Hurricane Helene to make landfall, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has resources to help children, families, and communities navigate the impacts of a hurricane and potential tornadoes, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together. These resources include:

Resources on Tornadoes

• Parent Guidelines for Helping Children after a Tornado

• Tips for Parents on Media Coverage of the Tornado

• Questions to Ask Your Children About the Tornado

• After the Tornado: Helping Young Children Heal

• Teacher Guidelines for Helping Students after a Tornado

• Trinka and Sam and the Swirling Twirling Wind—e-book for young children (En Español)

• Tornado Response for Kids: Right After a Tornado

• Tornado Response for Teens: Right After a Tornado

As communities prepare for Hurricane Helene to make landfall, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has resources to help children, families, and communities navigate the impacts of a hurricane and potential tornadoes, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together. These resources include:

Resources on Traumatic Grief

• Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers

• Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers

• Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers

• The Power of Parenting: How to Help Your Child After a Parent or Caregiver Dies

As communities prepare for Hurricane Helene to make landfall, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has resources to help children, families, and communities navigate the impacts of a hurricane and potential tornadoes, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together. These resources include:

Hurricane Response Resources

• Parent Guidelines for Helping Children after a Hurricane (En Español)

• After the Hurricane: Helping Young Children Heal

• Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event (En Español: ASL)

• Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents (En Español)

• Trinka and Sam: The Rainy Windy Day—e-book for young children (En Español)

• College Students Coping After a Hurricane

• Teacher Guidelines Helping Students After a Hurricane

• Talking to Children: When Scary Things Happen (En Español)

• Tips for Parents on Media Coverage of Traumatic Events

• Once I Was Very Very Scared (En Español)—e-book for young children

• After the Injury—website for families with injured children

• Health Care Toolbox—website for pediatric health providers working with injured children

• Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN) to Promote Wellbeing (En Español)—for responders

• Here for Each Other: Family Guide (from Sesame Street) 

TRICARE provides up-to-date, critical information that may affect your health benefits. We’ll include information gathered from a variety of sources, including other federal agencies and departments, state and local government, and the news and media.

• You can get care during any time of crisis—check current disaster alerts for details. 
• Learn about your health benefits before, during, and after a disaster.
• If you’re evacuated, take the necessary precautions.
• In an emergency, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency facility.  

Hurricane Helene Disaster Alerts

• 9/25/2024: Hurricane Helene in North Carolina
• 9/25/2024: Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helene in Georgia
• 9/23/2024: Tropical Storm Helene in Florida

The Adoption Reimbursement Program is intended to subsidize the adoption of children under 18 years of age for members of the Coast Guard.

In accordance with Commandant Instruction 1754.9 (series), an active duty or reserve Coast Guard service member who adopts a child under 18 years of age may be reimbursed authorized adoption expenses up to $2,000 per adoptive child, but no more than $5,000 per calendar year. In the case of two married service members, only one member may claim expenses for each adopted child and the couple is limited to the $5,000 per calendar year maximum.

The Adoption Reimbursement Program is available to the following members of the Coast Guard:

• Active Duty Coast Guard
• Coast Guard Reservists on active duty for at least 180 days.

Relocating to a new duty station is never easy. There’s just so much to think about! Service members and their families may be anxious about finding affordable housing, reputable schools and employment opportunities, to name a few.

The Relocation Assistance Program is intended to assist members become familiar of their new community and the resources available. HSWL Relocation Managers can assist to make their transition to a new duty station efficient and simple.

• Pre-departure Phase - Decisions made during this phase will affect the member and family for the following six to nine months and ultimately the next two to four years.
• Transition Phase - This is a short, high energy period that includes the departure, travel, and arrival at the new installation.
• Arrival and Orientation Phase - This period starts when the member and family arrive at the new unit.
• Reconnect Phase -  In this phase the member and family "settle in" at their new unit.
• Stabilization Phase -  This phase lasts from six months after arrival until about six to nine months before the anticipated next move.

Navy Lodge - http://www.navy-lodge.com

Coast Guard Foundation Scholarship Season runs from February 1 – April 1. Click more at the top to see flyer in the download section for details.

The Scholarship Program provides information and resources on college financial assistance to members of Team Coast Guard.

Coast Guard’s Office of Work-Life works very closely with the following agencies/companies to ensure Coast Guard personnel have access to great resources.

• Coast Guard Foundation (CGF) – www.coastguardfoundation.org 
• Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) - www.mycgma.org 

The Special Needs Program is a mandatory enrollment program for all active duty and selected reserve members on orders for 181 days or more who have dependent family members diagnosed with medical, psychological, physical, or educational special needs. 

The primary purpose of the program is to ensure members enrolled in the program are assigned to locations where their family member’s special needs can be met.  Additionally, the program offers information and referral service to special needs resources for active, reserve and retired Coast Guard members, as well as current civilian employees, although retirees and civilians are not eligible for enrollment in the program.

For enrollment and enrollment updates, DD Form 2792 (for medical, psychological, and physical conditions) and DD Form 2792-1 (for educational special needs) must be completed by the family members’ medical provider or school personnel (respectively) and submitted by the active duty member to the servicing Health, Safety, and Work Life Family Resource Specialist. Updates of the enrollment information are conducted every three years.

Special needs resources available through the Work-Life Program include:

• Assistance with program enrollment
• Assignment coordination
• Non-clinical case management
• Information and referral to military and community resources

The Spouse Employment Assistance Program is intended to assist spouses overcoming the difficulties associated with finding employment, especially during the relocation process. It provides comprehensive and standardized employment information and services at Work-Life Offices throughout the Coast Guard.

Family members can expect to learn valuable skills in areas such as self-directed job search, resume writing and reviews, volunteer opportunities, federal employment opportunities, career planning and financing a career change.

SEAP is one of several programs provided by Work-Life, which enhances service member readiness and family preparedness, thereby contributing to mission readiness. The program is committed to promoting self-reliance, not dependency, and empowers families to meet the unique challenges of the military lifestyle.

The Coast Guard recognizes the integral part spouses’ clubs can play in granting a sense of belonging and community to families by providing support and fellowship or offering education or community service.

Spouses’ clubs provide a support system, create fellowship opportunities, offer community service, and furnish educational information. All clubs seek to improve the quality of life of their members, while promoting the feeling of belonging to the Coast Guard community.

Spouses’ clubs provide important community outreach for newcomers. Clubs support the unit’s Ombudsman, assist with sponsor or orientation programs, conduct or coordinate community service projects, update relocation packages, provide community support in emergency situations, and provide other types of support based on the unique needs of their local community.

Spouses’ clubs support Coast Guard Work-Life programs by participating in selected family-related initiatives and sponsoring workshops or other training opportunities related to service benefits.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 introduced the Blended Retirement System. This military retirement system blends the traditional legacy retirement pension with a defined contribution to service members’ Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts. The opt-in period for the majority of service members closed Dec. 31, 2018. However, it's still important that you learn how to maximize your retirement choice through the information found below. If you have further questions about your Blended Retirement System benefit, please contact PPC. For more information about BRS, please visit https://militarypay.defense.gov/BlendedRetirement/

Managing money in today's marketplace can be challenging. Frequent deployments, separation from extended families, numerous moves, and unanticipated emergencies drain the resources of military families. The US Coast Guard's Personal Financial Management Program (PFMP) has the resources to assist families in many PFMP areas. Such areas include budgeting, credit and debt assistance, consumer awareness, retirement planning, and the list goes on.

The following resources are available for assistance:

Personal Financial Managers (PFM):

Personal Financial Managers (PFM) are assigned to the Work-Life Staff at each Health Safety and Work-Life Regional Practice (HSWL-RP).  PFMs provide financial education and financial counseling to help achieve financial goals and address any financial difficulties. PFMs also provide support with obtaining resources that may assist with resolving financial issues. Your Local PFMs are the subject matter expert in all areas of personal finances.  Areas that are normally addressed with the PFMs include:

• Retirement and Estate Planning Strategies
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Questions
• Home and Car Buying Strategies
• Debt Reduction and Credit Management Strategies
• Transitional and Security Clearance Challenges
• Service Member Civil Relief Act Questions
• Goal Setting and Spending Plans

Command Financial Specialists (CFS):

The Command Financial Specialist (CFS) is the unit’s point of contact on policies and matters pertaining to Personal Financial Management Program (PFMP).

A designated CFS or Assistant CFS has successfully completed the US Navy Or Coast Guard Command Financial Specialist Training Course. Once formally designated in writing by the command, the CFS is authorized to provide the following financial services:

• Provide basic financial services to include spend plans, general debt repayment plans using the Financial Planning Worksheet, and a free FICO credit score.
• Disseminate approved financial resource information and referrals.
• Conduct unit training and workshops on various financial topics, including debt management, spending plans, Investing basics, wise use of credit, and more.

CG SUPRT - https://www.cgsuprt.com/ or 855-CG SUPRT 855-247-8778 CG SUPRT Personal Financial Wellness

The CG SUPRT Personal Financial Wellness Program provides onsite classes, webinars, and telephonic money coaching for USCG members, civilians, select reservists, and their family members.  Advantages for using CG SUPRT includes their distance learning and distance counseling platforms.  Additionally, their on-site financial classes help support the District PFM’s financial training.

A variety of financial classes are offered by CG SUPRT’s webinars.  Free tax filing with H&R Block is also available through CG SUPRT’s website.  Money coaching sessions are held over the telephone and use a holistic approach in financial counseling covering goal setting, budget planning, debt management, investment and retirement planning, and estate planning.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) - https://mycgma.org/

The central purpose of Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is to assist their clients during their time of financial need. In general, assistance is provided through counseling, short-term interest-free loans, financial grants, referrals, and other related means.

Assistance is provided under a large variety of conditions and situations usually involving everyday essentials including emergency, housing, and medical needs that are beyond the individual's ability to meet at the time assistance is requested. Coast Guard Mutual Assistance should be used to supplement, not replace other forms of available assistance.

Assistance is provided under a large variety of conditions and situations usually involving everyday essentials including emergency, housing, and medical needs that are beyond the individual's ability to meet at the time assistance is requested. Coast Guard Mutual Assistance should be used to supplement, not replace other forms of available assistance.

If you have school-age children, please visit your local Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA) Clubs where you reside or near the schools to see what the offer.  Typically, there is no cost for after-school programming and low-cost summer programs.  The Coast Guard MWR program pays the membership fees to support access to youth programming where families reside! 

The MISSION: Youth Outreach (MYO) is an outreach partnership that supports military youth, ages 6-18, by creating a positive, supportive network. Through this partnership, children of Active-Duty CG families who do not have access to a military Youth Center can receive a membership at no cost to their local Boys & Girls Club. Sponsors can go to any BGCA Club in the community, mention that they are military, fill out the form to obtain a membership, and they are good to use the local BGCA facilities.  

To find a club to https://www.bgca.org/.   Summer camps are very reasonable and after-school programs cost are typically included under the membership fee.  

USCG operates nine Child Development Centers located at: 

• Base Cape Cod
• Base Alameda
• Training Center Petaluma
• Training Center Cape May
• Base National Capital Region
• Base Kodiak
• Base San Juan
• CG Academy
• Base Borinquen

To obtain information on requesting a childcare space or to request a space on the project care waitlist please go through https://militarychildcare.com/CoastGuard for all Coast Guard operated childcare.  

Coast Guard specific information can be found at Coast Guard Child Care | MCC Central (disa.mil) For additional information on how to create an account click on the Support for Families tab, and to review the Coast Guard and DoD guidance on eligibility requirements scroll down to Family Eligibility and Priority Guidelines. 

If you need assistance call: 855-696-2934 and select Option 1 for Family Support or Email: FamilySupport@MilitaryChildCare.com with your specific questions. 

If a USCG member or civilian living near or on a DoD military installation, you can request childcare through Support for Families | MCC Central (disa.mil) for all DoD operated childcare. The DoD installations will utilize MCC as the method to manage childcare spaces, active care options, accepting and declining care and waitlist management.  

For additional information on how to create an account go to Support for Families | MCC Central (disa.mil) and to review the Coast Guard and DoD guidance on eligibility requirements go to Family Eligibility and Priority Guidelines | MCC Central (disa.mil).  

If you need assistance call 855.696.2934 and select Option 1 for Family Support or 
Email: FamilySupport@MilitaryChildCare.com with your specific questions.

The Family Child Care (FCC) is a cost effective neighborhood child care delivery system, which allows provision of childcare in a home environment, which meets Coast Guard certification requirements for both program and facility without large expenditures for facilities. It is a system of certified care providers located in government owned or leased quarters, offering child care services for small groups of children between the ages of 6 weeks and 12 years. The FCC program also offers CG family members the opportunity to receive training in the care of young children, receive subsidy offsets to start a new business, and provides a mobile occupation that can be transferred from one CG installation to another.

POCs:

District 1 

Family Resource Specialist 

Stephanie Thayer  

stephanie.s.thayer@uscg.mil 

571-613-1287 

District 5 

Child Development Service Specialist 

Amy Denke

Amy.L.Denke@uscg.mil

571-607-1910

District 11 

Child Development Service Specialist 

Renee Montandon

renee.montandon@uscg.mil

206-820-0345   

District 13 

Child Development Service Specialist 

Heidi Pascoe

heidi.a.pascoe@uscg.mil

206-827-0929

District 17

Child Development Center Assistant Director 

Jean Silva

mary.j.silva@uscg.mil

907-487-5481 ext. 1

KinderCare Education at Work, (KCE) now provides Coast Guard members (active duty and civilians) tuition discounts at participating KCE child care centers, KinderCare at Work Centers, and before and after school programs operating under the names KinderCare, Knowledge Beginnings, and Champions.

For additional information on the KCE Tuition Benefit Program, FAQs, and participating centers visit the following link:  https://www.kindercare.com/USCG

The USCG Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) Fee Assistance (FA) program is accessed through MilitaryChildCare.com, a secure DoD gateway to military-operated or military-sponsored childcare options. It provides a single online location for families to determine their MCCYN eligibility, explore qualifying providers, select a program, and apply for assistance.  

For more information on the Coast Guard MCCYN Fee Assistance Program for Active-Duty members go to https://public.militarychildcare.csd.disa.mil/mcc-central/mcchome/coast-guard-child-care .  

To watch a video on MCCYN FA video go to https://public.militarychildcare.csd.disa.mil/mcc-central/mcchome/mccyn and review the Frequently Asked Questions by clicking on FAQ’s on top right side of menu bar, then scroll to MCCYN general questions and CG MCCYN.    

The criteria for the MCCYN FA are the following:

• Single AD Members or Reserve on 180 orders or more with children 6weeks to 12 year-old
• Married Dual AD Members with children 6weeks to 12 year-old
• Married AD Members or Reserve on 180-day orders with a working spouse or spouse enrolled in post-secondary college with children 6weeks to 12 year-old
• Married AD Members or Reserve on 180 days or more with a spouse looking for work with children 6weeks to 12 year-old (90-day registration) 

When you search for care you use your home address or unit zip code to find existing approved USCG MCCYN FA providers. If your selected provider is not an already approved provider, your selected provider has to meet the criteria and be willing to submit a provider packet for approval. For additional information, please review the provider handbook Coast Guard Child Care | MCC Central (disa.mil) and scroll down the page until you see MCCYN Resources. If your current provider is not a USCG approved provider, they will need complete online form at Community Provider Interest Form (disa.mil). 

The actual subsidy will be determined when you completed the registration process, and we a have cost worksheet that is completed. Please see the MCCYN Benefit Form Tip Sheet Coast Guard Child Care | MCC Central (disa.mil) and scrolling down the page until see MCCYN Resources. USCG MCCYN FA program will not offer you space until 30 days before the schedule date care is needed, if a space is requested today but care is not need until September, a space will not be offered until 30 days out.  

If you need assistance in finding community -based childcare in city, state area go CCR&R Search - Child Care Aware® of America and enter you address/zip to find the local childcare resource and referral office that provide assistances. 

Many time members do not have their children on their Dependency Worksheet , this is required as part of supporting documents for enrollment in the CG MCCYN FA program.  Please check to see if your child/children are listed in Direct Access as your dependents, if no completed the CG-2020 form and submit to your unit administrator to process.

For all Military childcare programs, the sponsor must meet the eligibility criteria for Coast Guard and DoD facility based childcare programs and for the Coast Guard MCCYN FA program. 

Email Contacts

For family assistance with MCC accounts or requests for Coast Guard or DoD operated childcare, email FamilySupport@MilitaryChildCare.com or call 855.696.2934 and select Option 1 for Family Support 

For MCCYN provider assistance, email providersupport.fct@navy.mil

For help with MCCYN fee assistance claims, email claimsupport.fct@navy.mil

For family assistance with MCCYN, email familysupport.fct@navy.mil

If you have school-age children, please visit your local BGCA Clubs where you reside or near the schools to see what the offer. Typically, there is no cost for after-school programming and low-cost summer programs. The Coast Guard MWR program pays the membership fees to support access to youth programming where families reside! The MYO is an outreach partnership that supports military youth, ages 6-18, by creating a positive, supportive network. Through this partnership, children of Active-Duty CG families who do not have access to a military Youth Center can receive a membership at no cost to their local Boys & Girls Club. Sponsors can go to any BGCA Club in the community, mention that they are military, fill out the form to obtain a membership, and they are good to use the local BGCA facilities. To find a club to https://www.bgca.org/.   Summer camps are very reasonable and after-school programs cost are typically included under the membership fee.  

The MilitaryChildCare.com web site is designed to help families make informed childcare choices. The site explains how to request and manage childcare options and provides parents information about all their military childcare options including the Coast Guard's Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) fee assistance program. 

DoD assigns a priority for care to each family type and uses this when placing children into care. To ensure parity access to DoD childcare programs, the Coast Guard CDCs are aligning with the DoD priority access to childcare. The site explains enrollment priorities and how this impacts waitlist sequencing for families requesting a childcare space. Please review the priority guidelines at Family Eligibility and Priority Guidelines | MCC Central (disa.mil) 

MilitaryChildCare.com offers the Coast Guard workforce a more robust, flexible, and user-friendly portal that is available 365 days a year through their personal devises, simplifies and streamlines the search for childcare, and connects families to quality childcare options within the Coast Guard and DoD. 

Families currently stationed or moving can easily search for and request child care through MilitaryChildCare.com (MCC). The site is an online gateway to all Coast Guard and DOD military-operated or military-subsidized child care options worldwide across Services. MCC enables families to submit requests for care where they live or at any installation, they think they might be moving to next–even before their orders are issued. Families are encouraged to start the childcare search process as early as possible. Relocating families can get on waitlists far in advance and then easily update their requests on MCC when their permanent change of duty station is confirmed.

FAQ’s:

Q: When I PCS to my next assignment or as a civilian has a change of duty location and require childcare how can access to MiltaryChildcare help my family?

A: Coast Guard families can conduct unlimited, customized searches to find childcare providers close to home or work and request care at any time from any location. This flexibility allows Coast Guard families to identify available childcare options wherever their mission takes them through one portal.

Q: When can I request a waitlist space at multiple Coast Guard and DoD childcare programs at the same time? 

A: Yes, a family can request a waitlist space at multiple programs at the same time for each child IE Child Development Center, Family Childcare Homes, Military Child Care in Your Home fee assistance, school-age before and after school, school year camps and summer camp. 

Q: Can I request space prior to PCSing or when I am pregnant?

A: Yes, once you know your PCS location, you should submit your requests and once you know you are pregnant you should request a project care waitlist space based on when care is needed.  

Please review the video and information on the MilitaryChildCare web site at the following link: https://public.militarychildcare.csd.disa.mil/mcc-central/mcchome 

Coast Guard specific information, can be found at the following link:  https://public.militarychildcare.csd.disa.mil/mcc-central/mcchome/coast-guard-child-care 

The Mission of the Coast Guard Exchange is to provide quality merchandise and services of necessity and convenience to our Coast Guard men and women as well as authorized patrons at competitive prices. The Coast Guard Exchange (CGX) is one of many support organizations within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

CGX is a military activity that operates as a business enterprise. Income generated is used as working capital to maintain CGX locations throughout the United States and abroad as well as to provide the Coast Guard with supplemental funding to the Morale, Well-being, and Recreation (MWR) fund. Because CGX provides services to its customers in remote areas, some locations operate with little or no profit as a benefit to military service members and their families.

CG Exchange Scholarship Program

Recognizing the value of education and the benefits it brings to the Coast Guard Family, the Coast Guard Exchange Scholarship Program was established to provide additional financial resources to dependent children of Coast Guard personnel embarking on undergraduate college/university studies.  Annually a $2,000 scholarship is awarded to the outstanding applicants on a one-time basis.  The number of scholarships granted each year depends on available funding. Coast Guard Exchange System Scholarship Program, CSCINST 1780 provides amplifying information on the program and application process.

​Deadline.  Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted to the CG Exchange Scholarship Committee no later than 28 February (current year), the application deadline.  No extensions will be granted.

​Eligibility.  The Program provides scholarship to students who are dependents of Coast Guard active duty, reserve, and military retired members, current civilian NAF and APF employees, and current Coast Guard Auxiliarists that meet the following eligibility requirements:

The applicant must be in the last year of high school or home schooling and scheduled to graduate and attend college full-time during the subsequent year. Those who have already graduated are not eligible to apply.

Students must plan to attend an accredited college or university for undergraduate studies.  Scholarships will not be awarded for participation in nonacademic and/or certified programs.  Students accepting appointments to USAFA, USNA, USMA, USCGA, or USMMA are not eligible.

MWR lodging offers cottages, RV parks, campgrounds, and guesthouses throughout the States and Puerto Rico to military service members, family members, and other eligible patrons. Check out the many locations available at Lodging | CG MWR (coastguardmwr.org)

​

The Coast Guard's Morale, Well-Being, and Recreation (MWR) commercial sponsorship program is an advertising avenue for your company's product or service with the opportunity to reach nearly 300,000 potential customers. These potential customers are comprised of active duty, reserve, civilian employees, Auxiliary members, retirees, family members, and other authorized MWR patrons. Let us help you achieve your marketing goals through professionally managed sponsorship and advertising programs.

Opportunities Exist In:

• Fitness Centers
• Special Events
• Sports Programs
• Clubs
• Aquatic Facilities
• Teen and Youth
• Tickets and Tours
• Bowling Centers
• Outdoor Recreation
• Golf Courses
• Auto Hobby Shops
• Marinas
• Arts & Crafts Facilities
• Competitions

Neither the Coast Guard nor any other part of the Federal Government officially endorses any company, sponsor, or their products or services.

Coast Guard MWR Internships

Coast Guard MWR provides a variety of recreational, sports, and leisure programs and services for all eligible patrons. The MWR Intern Program offers students earning college credit toward a degree in an MWR-related field the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, while assisting with our mission to uplift the spirits of the Coast Guard Family.

MWR: Taking Care of Those Who Protect and Defend

The Coast Guard is the only military service organized under the Department of Homeland Security. The Coast Guard’s MWR program is similar to that of the other Services but on a smaller scale. The mission of the Coast Guard MWR program is to uplift the spirits of the Coast Guard Family and be an essential element of Coast Guard readiness and retention through customer-owned and driven MWR programs and services around the world.

The MWR programs play a vital role in support of mission readiness and retention of our military members and the entire Coast Guard family through a diverse group of activities and programs. TAKING CARE OF THOSE WHO PROTECT AND DEFEND is our vision and guides everything that we do!

CGPAAS provides tools and information to Coast Guardsmen and their families, as well as Coast Guard Commands to be able to provide status and whereabouts for all Active Duty, Reservist, Civilians, their family members and OCONUS Contractors. 

The primary purpose of CGPAAS is to provide a single source of valuable insight, for all levels of the Coast Guard command structure, into personnel accountability status and needs. 

This enables commanders to make strategic decisions that ensure continuity of operations and facilitate a return to stability for Coast Guard families affected by a disaster.

Chaplain Corps Vision Statement:
"Mission-ready members and families of the Naval Service, strengthened and supported by professional religious ministry."

Chaplain Corps Mission Statement:
"To inspire hope and strengthen spiritual well-being through the delivery and coordination of effective religious ministry at sea and ashore."

Chaplain Corps Core Capabilities:

PROVIDE: Providing professional religious ministry through worship services, religious education, weddings, funerals and other religious rituals and rites.

FACILITATE: Facilitating for the religious needs of our people from other religious traditions by identifying their needs and coordinating support from other chaplains, civilian clergy and lay leaders.

CARE: Caring for our people with dignity, respect and compassion, regardless of an individual's beliefs, and making informed and professional referrals. Chaplains are available 24/7 with confidential counseling to ensure service members and their families have the spiritual resilience to cope with the inevitable hardships of military life.

ADVISE: Advising commanding officers on the accommodation of religious needs; on the moral, ethical and spiritual well-being of our people; and on religious matters that affect the command's mission.

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD 800-422-4453 is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. Serving the United States, its territories, and Canada, the hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with professional crisis counselors who, through interpreters, can provide assistance in over 200 languages. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are confidential.

The hotline has received more than 2 million calls since it began in 1982. These calls come from children at risk for abuse, distressed parents seeking crisis intervention and concerned individuals who suspect that child abuse may be occurring. The hotline is also a valuable resource for those who are mandated by law to report suspected abuse, such as school personnel, medical and mental health professionals and police and fire investigators.

What to expect when calling the hotline:

When calling 1-800-4-A-CHILD 800-422-4453, a qualified crisis counselor will answer and assist you, if you:

• Need help and want to talk to a counselor.
• Are in physical or emotional crisis and need support and encouragement.
• Need to be connected to the best possible resources in your area.
• Have questions about the signs of child abuse.
• Need to find out how to report known or suspected abuse.
• Have questions about the reporting process and what you might expect through the process.
• Want to learn about Childhelp programs that will address you or your child’s needs.
• Want to learn about resources available to parents, grandparents and caregivers.
• Need emotional support as a survivor of abuse.
• Want a referral to an agency, counseling or other services near where you live.
• Want literature mailed to you. (Allow two weeks for delivery via the U.S. Postal Service.)
• Want information on how to make a donation to Childhelp.
• Childhelp crisis counselors cannot come to the home where the abuse is happening and take away the child or teen who is in danger of being hurt and put them in a new home.
• The Childhelp Hotline crisis counselors can’t make the child abuse report for you, but we are here to help you through it.

Childhelp counselors can assist you by providing options based on the situation you describe. They cannot tell you what to do or guarantee that a specific outcome will occur.

Since 1996, the National Domestic Violence Hotline has been the vital link to safety for women, men, children and families affected by domestic violence. With the help of our dedicated advocates and staff, we respond to calls 24/7, 365 days a year.

We provide confidential, one-on-one support to each caller and chatter, offering crisis intervention, options for next steps and direct connection to sources for immediate safety. Our database holds over 5,000 agencies and resources in communities all across the country. Bilingual advocates are on hand to speak with callers, and our Language Line offers translations in 170+ different languages.

The Hotline is an excellent source of help for concerned friends, family, co-workers and others seeking information and guidance on how to help someone they know. We work to educate communities all over through events, campaigns, and dynamic partnerships with companies ranging from The Avon Foundation to Verizon. Today, The Hotline is continuing to grow and explore new avenues of service.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.

Be prepared and download the FEMA app for free on the App Store and Google Play. Learn what to do before, during, and after emergencies with safety tips & receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States. www.fema.gov/mobile-app

• Alerts from the National Weather Service: Receive severe weather alerts for up to five locations across the U.S. and see information about how to stay safe.
• Disaster Reporter:  Upload and share photos of damage and recovery efforts.
• Maps of disaster resources: Locate and receive driving directions to open shelters and disaster recovery centers.
• Apply for assistance: Easily access DisasterAssistance.gov to apply for federal disaster assistance.
• Custom emergency safety information: Save a custom list of the items in your family’s emergency kit, as well as the places you will meet in case of an emergency.
• Safety tips: Receive safety and preparedness reminders and learn how to stay safe before, during, and after over 20 types of hazards, including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes.
• Information in Spanish: Easily toggle between English and Spanish for all features of the app.

The Coast Guard Health, Safety, and Work-Life Service Center has created several safety bulletins. These include:

• HURRICANE SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH GUIDANCE
• Chainsaw FAQs
• Electrical Safety FAQs
• Mold Moisture FAQs
• Safety Bulletin Chainsaw Injuries
• Water Supply and Wastewater Disposal FAQs

Click on the Download Bulletin to view

Disaster Information

We’ll give you up-to-date, critical information that may affect your health benefits. We’ll include information gathered from a variety of sources, including other federal agencies and departments, state and local government, and the news and media.

• You can get care during any time of crisis—check current disaster alerts for details. 
• Learn about your health benefits before, during, and after a disaster.
• If you’re evacuated, take the necessary precautions.
• In an emergency, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency facility.  

Primary Care Manager Referral Waivers

If you're displaced during a disaster, you might not be able to get to your primary care manager if you need a referral for care. Learn More
 

• 9/30/2024 - 10/15/2024: Ft. Eisenhower Area (View Zip Codes) 
• 9/30/2024 - 10/15/2024: Moody AFB Area (View Zip Codes)

Emergency Prescription Refills

If you live in an affected area, you may be able to get an emergency prescription refill. Learn More
 

• 10/7/2024: Hurricane Milton in Florida

Those that may be in impacted areas or areas where there is an evacuation authorization in place, reach out to the Personnel Support Team or Family Assist Team for information and resources regarding needs around evacuation or additional services resulting from storm Helene. 

The teams can be reached at the following numbers:

• Virtual Personnel Support Team: 833-872-4778 (PST) 1-833-USCG-PST 

• Family Assistance Support Tool Team (FAST): (571) 614-9000
    
  
   

No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 988 you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.

If you feel you are in a crisis, whether or not you are thinking about killing yourself, please call the Lifeline. People have called us for help with substance abuse, economic worries, relationship and family problems, sexual orientation, illness, getting over abuse, depression, mental and physical illness, and even loneliness.

When you dial 988, you are calling the crisis center in the Lifeline network closest to your location. After you call, you will hear a message saying you have reached the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You will hear hold music while your call is being routed. You will be helped by a skilled, trained crisis worker who will listen to your problems and will tell you about mental health services in your area. Your call is confidential and free.

Why webPOISONCONTROL?

• The problem:
  • Nearly 6,000 people call U.S. poison centers for poison exposures every day.
  • BUT 4,000 to 9,000 more people per day don’t call for help with a poison exposure
     
• What’s wrong with that?:
  • Many people just guess whether a possible poisoning is serious. 
  • Reliable information from a poison expert can prevent serious illness, even death, and avoid unnecessary healthcare costs
     
• Why aren’t they calling?
  • “I don’t like talking on the phone."
  • “I’m embarrassed.”
  • “I don’t want my kids to hear and get scared.”
  • “I’m afraid I’ll be judged.”
  • “I despise phone queues.”
     
• The solution: webPOISONCONTROL provides fast, accurate guidance for poison exposures online
  • Simple question and answer format
  • Over 96% of users find it quick and easy to use
  • Barcode scanning for easy product identification
  • Written recommendations are provided on screen and via email so the user can review the recommendations later
  • Takes just 3 minutes, on average, to get an answer
     
• So use webPOISONCONTROL for quick and easy online help next time:
  • Grandma takes the wrong pill
  • You spray cleaner in your eye
  • Your toddler eats a berry from the yard
  • You take a double-dose of your medicine
  • Your son gets into that bottle of pills
  • Your child eats lipstick
  • Your teen is bitten by a spider

Safe Helpline is the Department of Defense’s (DoD) sole hotline for members of the DoD community affected by sexual assault. Safe Helpline is a completely anonymous, confidential, 24/7, specialized service—providing help and information anytime, anywhere. A Safe Helpline user can access one-on-one support, peer-to-peer support, information, resources, and self-care exercises to aid in their recovery.  Since 2011, Safe Helpline has provided support and resources to thousands of members of the DoD community.

Safe Helpline is available worldwide and is operated by RAINN, a national anti-sexual violence organization, through a contract with the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (DoD SAPRO). Safe Helpline works closely with DoD SAPRO, each of the Military Department SAPR offices and the installation-based SAPR programs to ensure that all Safe Helpline users receive the information, support and care they need at every stage of their healing process. To ensure the anonymity of Safe Helpline services, no personally identifiable information about a user will be shared with the DoD or the user’s chain of command. To learn more, visit the How It Works page.

Safe Helpline staff receive highly specialized training on topics including the neurobiology of trauma, working with survivors in the military, as well as the unique needs of male survivors and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+) community. They are available to listen to a visitor’s needs and concerns, discuss long- and short-term safety planning, provide information about specialized resources and, when they are ready, connect the visitor with local resources such as a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) or SAPR Victim Advocate (VA).

How to access Safe Helpline services?  
Safe Helpline provides a number of ways for DoD community members affected by sexual assault to get support and resources.

How to Get Help:  
Online Helpline: Access one-on-one, anonymous, and secure support through Safe Helpline’s secure online chat portal.

Telephone Helpline: Speak directly with a Safe Helpline staff member over the phone, 24/7 by calling 8779955247. The phone number is the same in the U.S. and worldwide via DSN.

Safe Helpline App: Access a self-care plan and self-care exercises as well as the other Safe Helpline services with an easy-to-use mobile app. You can also call the Telephone Helpline for free from anywhere in the world through the app with an internet connection.  

Safe HelpRoom: Connect with and support other survivors of sexual assault through Safe Helpline’s group chat service. Safe Helpline hosts topic specific Safe HelpRoom twice a month. Sessions are free, online, moderated, and secure. To learn about upcoming sessions, please visit https://safehelpline.org/safe-helproom. Special sessions just for men are also available every Sunday from 1300-1500 ET.

Responders Near Me: Receive information about local and national responders and resources, anytime, anywhere from the website, via text, and on the Safe Helpline app. You can text your zip code or installation to 55-247 (in the U.S.) or +1 571-470-5546 (outside the U.S.) to receive a responder’s contact information. Message and data rates may apply.

Self-paced Educational Programs: Learn more about issues related to sexual assault, the services Safe Helpline offers, and how to support a friend or loved one with Safe Helpline’s self-guided educational programs.

Who does Safe Helpline help?  
The services provided by Safe Helpline are available to the DoD community consistent with DoD SAPR Policy, including:

Adult Service members in the Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Component, as well as Coast Guard and their dependents 18 years of age and older.

DoD civilian employees and their family dependents 18 years of age and older when they are stationed or performing duties outside of the United States.  
U.S. citizen DoD contractor personnel when they are authorized to accompany Armed Forces in a contingency operation OCONUS and their U.S. citizen employees.

Adult military dependent sexual assault victims who are assaulted by a spouse or intimate partner and military dependent sexual assault victims who are 17 years of age and younger are supported through the Family Advocacy Program (FAP). Due to the anonymity of the Safe Helpline hotline service, no questions to confirm eligibility are asked prior to providing support. Therefore, anyone contacting Safe Helpline will receive crisis intervention support by Safe Helpline staff. If, during the conversation, an individual indicates that they are not affiliated with the DoD, and not eligible for Safe Helpline services, hotline staff can provide appropriate civilian or military resources.

Safe Helpline offers services to all Service members and others who are eligible for advocacy and response as applicable within the DoD SAPR program and instructions. Safe Helpline will never deny services to a member of the DoD community, including members of the LGBTQ+ community. Safe Helpline provides inclusive, culturally-relevant services using a survivor-centered and survivor-led approach. This means that the survivor is in control of the direction of the conversation and learning about any additional resources they would like to pursue. Not every survivor comes to the Safe Helpline looking to connect with additional resources, and that’s okay.

Develops, promotes, implements, and monitors all aspects of the Coast Guard certified in-home child care program or family child care (FCC) program.

Services include:

• Educational support for family child care (FCC)
• Child care referrals
• Periodic assessment of FCC homes

Location

Phone Number

Alameda, CA

510-437-6662

Astoria, WA

206-827-0929

Boston, MA 

508-968-6450

Cape May, NJ

609-898-6384

Kodiak, AK

907-487-5481

Provides command consultation, education, resources, and referrals for workplace violence, critical incident stress management (CISM), and suicide prevention. 

Services include:

• Suicide awareness and prevention
• Workplace violence and threatening behavior prevention and intervention
• CISM peer training and response

Location

Phone Number

Academy (Covered by D1)

617-947-3780

Alameda, CA

510-437-3927

Astoria, WA

206-217-6607

Boston, MA

617-549-3717

Cape May, NJ

609-896-6731

Charleston, SC

206-831-0736

Cleveland OH

216-408-1406

Honolulu, HI

671-988-9141

Houston, TX

504-331-0288

Juneau, AK

907-463-2127

Kodiak, AK

907-463-2127

LA/Long Beach, CA

310-521-6136

Miami, FL (Vacant)

843-861-1167

New Orleans, LA

504-253-4711

NH / CT

617-947-3780

Portsmouth, VA

757-686-4027

757-638-6997

Seattle, WA

206-384-6777

Washington, DC (Vacant)

202-372-4082

Human service professionals that understand the needs of Coast Guard personnel and their families and work to reduce the factors leading to family violence.

Services include:

• Family and intimate partner violence crisis intervention
• Case management
• Victim advocacy
• Offender education and treatment
• Prevention training

Location

Phone Number

Alameda, CA

310-871-7017

Boston

617-835-8601

Cape May, NJ

609-675-1720

Charleston, SC (Vacant)

786-295-2353

Detroit

216-308-4141

Galveston / Houston (Vacant)

504-329-1967

Honolulu, HI

808-798-0461

Ketchikan, AK

907-209-0855

Kodiak, AK (Vacant)

907-209-0855

LA/Long Beach, CA

310-803-0421

Miami, FL

305-833-8274

New Orleans, LA

504-442-6548

504-462-9897

New York

617-686-5582

Petaluma, CA

707-734-0247

Portsmouth, VA

757-620-9835

757-334-0985

San Juan, PR

787-340-2209

Seattle, WA

206-510-6150

Washington DC

202-957-8913

Provides assistance and resources for special needs, dependent care (childcare and eldercare), scholarships, and adoption reimbursement.

Services include:

• Assistance and resources for family members with special needs (SN)
• Guidance for CG members on SN program requirements and responsibilities
• School liaison and scholarship assistance
• Adoption reimbursement assistance
• Deployment assistance

Location

Phone Number

Alameda, CA

510-437-3881

Boston 

857-416-3121

Cape Cod

508-968-6722

Cape May, NJ

609-780-1769

Charleston, SC

206-815-0578

Cleveland, OH

216-902-6353

Honolulu, HI

808-842-2089

Juneau, AK 

907-463-2123

Kodiak, AK

907-539-2251

LA/Long Beach, CA

310-521-6134

Miami Beach, FL

206-827-1970

NOLA and TX

504-253-4705

Upper

504-253-4708

East of NOLA

504-253-4720

Portsmouth, VA

757-686-4023

757-686-4027

Seattle, WA

206-217-6786

Washington DC

202-372-4083

The Coast Guard's Work-Life Program is managed by the Office of Work-Life, a Headquarters program manager staff within the Health, Safety and Work-Life Directorate, reporting to the Assistant Commandant for Human Resources. This staff is responsible for establishing, developing and promulgating Work-Life policy and interpreting program standards for Coast Guard-wide implementation. The overall objective is to support the well-being of active duty, reserve and civilian employees and family members.

Oversees the Ombudsman program for the AOR, providing training, resources, and assistance to Ombudsmen and their commands.

Services include:

• Training, resources, and assistance for Ombudsmen and commands
• Family Readiness

Location

Phone Number

Alameda, CA

510-437-3881

New York, NY (RP Boston)

718-354-4404

Cape May, NJ

609-898-6885

Base Miami Beach/Detachment Base Charleston

843-720-7751

Cleveland, OH

216-308-4141

Honolulu, HI

808-842-2088 (Office)

808-419-4728 (Cell)

Juneau, AK

907-654-5462

Kodiak, AK

907-654-5462

Seattle, WA

504-628-1646

206-217-6640

St. Louis, MO, includes Texas and Louisianna

314-269-2347

Portsmouth, VA

757-647-6553

LA/Long Beach, CA

310-521-6134

Washington DC (Outlying units)

Washington DC (Base NCR units)

202-372-4088

PFM's can assist with obtaining resources to assist with financial issues, and with any problems that may accompany those difficulties.

Location

Phone Number

Alameda, CA

510-812-2299

Boston, MA

617-894-9603

Cape May, NJ

609-374-7395

Cleveland, OH

216-337-5793

Honolulu, HI

808-291-3154

Houston, TX

504-329-1630

Kodiak, AK

907-654-5462

LA/Long Beach, CA

310-487-0021

Miami Beach, FL

305-340-9307

New Orleans, LA

504-256-7137 

Portsmouth, VA

757-621-5773

Seattle, WA

206-945-2571 

Washington DC

202-843-2560 

Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) are trained to ensure appropriate care is coordinated and provided to victims of sexual assault; in addition, tracks the services provided to a victim of sexual assault from the initial report through final disposition and resolution. If a dedicated SARC is not co-located (see note), serves as the central point of contact at the Command or within a geographic area to conduct all sexual assault awareness, prevention and response training. SARCs also train and oversee all Victim Advocates (VA) within their areas of responsibility.

For 24/7 SAPRR assistance, please connect with the SAPRR team in your District.

Visit SAPRR Contacts | SAPRR Program (CG-1K4), U.S. Coast Guard (uscg.mil) to find your SARC.

Facilitates access to transition services for CG members and their families, including transition assistance, relocation services, spouse employment assistance, and sponsorship.        
Services include:

• Job search and career planning
• Retirement/transition seminars
• Separation travel and transportation information
• Career & personality assessment
• Resume writing assistance
• Spousal employment assistance
• Relocation resources

Location

Phone Number

Alameda, CA

510-437-5991

Astoria

503-983-4393

Boston, MA

857-416-3119

Boston, MA (Detached) New York

617-851-4759

Cape May

202-372-4089

Charleston, SC

206-820-2714

Cleveland, OH (Detached) Traverse City

231-922-8291

Cleveland, OH (Vacant)

216-902-6355

Clearwater, FL

206-815-1038

Honolulu, HI

808-842-2088 (office)

808-419-4728 (cell)

Houston/Galveston, TX and St. Louis AOR

281-464-4683

Juneau, AK

907-463-2125

Kodiak, AK

907-487-5341

LA/Long Beach, CA

310-259-2752

Miami Beach, FL (Vacant)

206-820-2714

New Orleans, LA

504-253-4707

Portsmouth, VA

757-686-4030

Portsmouth, VA (Detached) Elizabeth City

252-334-5168

Seattle, WA

206-217-6674

Washington, DC

202-372-4089

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) is the official relief society of the U.S. Coast Guard. Established by Coasties for Coasties, CGMA is an independent, non-profit charitable organization that provides a way to extend help and compassion to one another in times of need.

Founded in 1924, CGMA has a long history of helping the men and women of the United States Coast Guard. It serves as a vital financial safety net, promoting financial stability and general well-being for the Coast Guard community.

CGMA delivers critical support during times of disaster as well as through life’s milestones.  Each CGMA program is designed to ensure short-term financial challenges do not become long-term issues.

CGMA provides financial assistance to clients through interest-free loans, grants, and financial counseling. Areas of support include: 

• Education Assistance 

CGMA education grants and loans foster long-term financial well-being by helping the Coast Guard community pursue their academic goals through post-secondary education.

• Day-to-Day Support

CGMA supports Coast Guard members and their families with PCS transitions, special needs and adoption, unexpected car, or home repairs and more.

• Disaster & Emergency Relief

When disasters strike CGMA provides rapid assistance for evacuation and funds needed to meet basic living expenses such as food, shelter, and clothing and bring stability to members.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) works to ensure Service members, their eligible family members, and overseas citizens are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so - from anywhere in the world.

The Director of FVAP administers the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) on behalf of the Secretary of Defense. UOCAVA, as amended by the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, requires states to transmit requested absentee ballots to UOCAVA voters no later than 45 days before a federal election. Those citizens protected by UOCAVA include:

• Members of the Uniformed Services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps)
• Members of the Merchant Marines
• Eligible family members of the above
• U.S. citizens residing outside the U.S.

FVAP assists voters through partnerships with the Military Services, Department of State, Department of Justice, election officials from 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.

Information regarding the GI Bill, education assistance for servicemembers, veterans and their dependents.

GI Bill Frequently Asked Questions can be found at Post 9/11 GI Bill - GI Bill FAQ (uscg.mil)

The inTransition program is a free, confidential program that offers specialized coaching and assistance for active duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans and retirees who need access to mental health care when:

• Relocating to another assignment
• Returning from deployment
• Transitioning from active duty to reserve component or reserve component to active duty
• Preparing to leave military service
• Any other time they need a new mental health provider or need a provider for the first time.

Welcome to MyCG

MyCG is the official news hub for U.S. Coast Guard members, civilians and families. MyCG provides news, support and inspiration for everyone:

• Officers: You now have a single hub for career-specific news, resources, plus ALCGPSC and ALCGOFF messages.  
• Enlisted: Your hub has news for enlisted members, along with key links to help you with assignments, the Servicewide Exam, A-schools, career planning and more. Your section also shares the latest ALCGPSC and ALCGENL messages.  
• Civilians: Visit your section to read civilian news, apply for a detail, download your Earning and Leave Statements or get leadership training. Want to book a lighthouse vacation rental? If a military resource is available to civilians, you’ll find it here. 
• Reserves: Your hub page offers key links, resources, and news to support you and your family – before, during and after activation. 
• Spouses: The family hub shares news and resources to help you make the most of Coast Guard life, connect with your ombudsmen, and advance your career. 

No common access card (CAC)? No problem. You can access MyCG anytime, anywhere – from the mess deck to your living room.

Get the app! The MyCG app is available on iOS or Google Play.

Prefer a weekly email? Sign up for the All Hands Briefer, and get a news roundup every Friday. 

Why does MyCG exist?

MyCG is part of the Coast Guard’s broader effort to centralize, streamline, and personalize internal communications. It started as a grassroots effort that gradually drew leadership interest. A working group of enlisted, officers, civilians and spouses spent a year honing the idea into a pilot program.

We believe announcements should be easy to access, understand and act on.  Our content is produced by communicators in the Office of Public Affairs (CG-0922), working in close coordination with Coast Guard districts, areas and headquarters program offices. As we move forward, expect to see even more integration between MyCG, General Messages, Portal, Teams, and the Coast Guard website. 

We want to hear from you! 

For article submissions, event listings, questions, suggestions or feedback, please use the following link: Feedback

For more than 50 years, the National Military Family Association (NMFA) has been on a mission to stand up for, support, and enhance the quality of life for every military family through bold advocacy, innovative programming, and dynamic and responsive solutions.

For decades, we’ve heard from service members and their families facing challenges unlike their civilian counterparts. Our brave military members take on a job that not many would, facing the possibilities of physical injuries that may never heal, or invisible injuries that may take years to overcome.

Their loved ones take on the sacrifices of service, sometimes alone, and in many cases, without access to the same support and resources as their hero.

Programs Offered

• Operation Purple Camp - Free week of camp where military kids connect with each other and have fun.
• Operation Purple Family Programs - Military families spend quality time reconnecting in a beautiful outdoor environment.
• Military Spouse Scholarships - NMFA offers military spouse scholarships ranging from $500 – $2500 for eligible spouses.

Navy Wounded Warrior helps Sailors and Coast Guardsmen with serious, non-combat or combat-related injuries and physical or psychological illnesses. The program offers individualized and proactive guidance on non-medical care, including: 

• Pay and benefits
• Caregiver resources and respite care
• Bedside travel
• Job training
• Childcare
• Adaptive reconditioning

The personalized Comprehensive Recovery Plan is an essential part of the continuum of care and enables Sailors and Coast Guardsmen. Navy Wounded Warrior allows service members to focus on their recovery goals and well-being, encourages retention and return to duty, and supports a smooth transition to the Department of Veterans Affairs when a medical condition prohibits continued service. 

Eligibility for Navy Wounded Warrior is not limited to Sailors and Coast Guardsmen with combat-related wounds or injuries. It also encompasses those with serious non-combat related injuries on liberty or on duty, or serious physical or psychological illnesses such as cancer, MS, PTSD, and TBI.

However, participation in Navy Wounded Warrior is voluntary and Sailors and Coast Guardsmen must be enrolled in order to take advantage of services provided. Referrals may be received from a variety of sources, including the Service Member's command, peers, medical staff, Fleet and Family Support Centers personnel, family members, or self-referrals. (Download the referral form here.)

Navy Wounded Warrior is headquartered at the Washington Navy Yard. Regional staff, including Non-Medical Care Managers, Recovery Care Coordinators, and Transition Coordinators, are co-located with Fleet and Family Support Centers and treatment facilities throughout the United States. This allows close collaboration with Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, families and caregiers, commands, and medical staff. 

Mission

Navy Wounded Warrior is the Navy’s sole organization for coordinating the non-medical care of seriously wounded, ill and injured Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, and providing resources and support to their families. Through proactive leadership, the program provides individually-tailored assistance designed to optimize the success of the wounded warriors’ recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration activities.

Vision

Navy Wounded Warrior will be recognized as the gold standard of care for the world-class support it provides each and every enrolled Sailor and Coast Guardsman, as well as their families.

The Psychological Health Resource Center (PHRC) is available 24/7 and is completely free and confidential. Anybody can use this program to be connected to resources in their area. Professional health resource consultants will offer customized responses to your specific questions and needs regarding psychological health resources and more. You can reach the PHRC via telephone, email, or live chat through the website.

The retiree services program will serve Coast Guard military retirees and eligible surviving family members by proactively keeping the lines of communication open to provide regular retiree information, retiree benefits advice, and services, when needed. The Coast Guard retiree services framework identified in COMDTINST 1800.5G provides the network and organization structure that reinforces and provides mutual benefit between the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard military retiree Community.

The Coast Guard Retiree Services Program consists of four principle elements:

1. Establishment of a clearly defined network of retiree services desk.
2. The Commandant's National Retiree Council (CCGNRC) and membership within the regional retiree
   councils.
3. The Routine publication of the Coast Guard/NOAA Retirees' newsletter by PPC.
4. Collaboration with external agencies, including Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and particularly with the DoD and DoD military services' retirement activities programs to increase Coast Guard military retiree community participation in available services at DoD military installations.

This edition of Sea Legs contains information that can assist active duty and Reserve Coast Guardsmen, their spouses, family members and friends. In using this publication, be sure to review the valuable resources of the Coast Guard and support organizations, which are listed throughout.

For specific information, Coast Guard families are encouraged to contact their servicing Health, Safety, and Work-Life Regional Practice (HSWL RP) or nearest Military Service Family Center. You may also contact your unit ombudsman.

The Real Warriors Campaign is a multimedia public awareness campaign designed to combat the stigma associated with seeking care and encourage service members to reach out for appropriate treatment. The campaign links service members, veterans and their families with care and provides free, confidential resources including online articles, print materials, videos and podcasts.

You can find more information at https://www.tsp.gov/.

Wellness Wednesday is hosted on the below CG Teams site from 1500-1600 ET.

https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/l/meetup-join/19%3adod%3ameeting_8cc5cb90fd1a44ad8f7313f4f3095afb%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22369ba0d5-02cb-4d2f-94fd-9212cc24b78c%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22adc478d8-ca49-4c6c-b614-f5ce75cb132a%22%7d

If you cannot access the sessions, you may call-in via the phone

Bridge: +1 410-874-6742,
Conference ID: 646-365-62# **

If you have questions or suggestions, you may e-mail us at wellnesswednesday@uscg.mil.

Wellness Wednesday recordings are available on the CG-111 Health Promotion Website at Personal Wellness | Office of Work-Life (CG-111) (uscg.mil)

The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP) is a Department of Defense-wide effort to promote the well-being of National Guard and Reserve members, their families, and their communities, by connecting them with resources throughout the deployment cycle. Through Yellow Ribbon events, service members and loved ones connect with local resources before, during, and after deployments. This is important because Coast Guard Reserve families often live far from military installations and other members of their units. Commanders and leaders play a critical role in assuring that reservists attend Yellow Ribbon events where they can access information on health care, education and training opportunities, financial, and legal benefits. We work with government partners, including the Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs, to provide up-to-date and relevant information to the members and families of the all volunteer Reserve force.

PROGRAM REFERENCE

In 2008, Congress mandated creation of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program for Reserve members and their families. The Office of Secretary of Defense was directed to establish the program to provide with information throughout the deployment cycle. Public Law 110-181 (NDAA 2008) requires YRRP events be held for Reserve members and their families experiencing deployment for a minimum of 90-days.

PROGRAM MISSION & VISION

Mission: Promote the well-being and readiness of Coast Guard Reserve members, their families, and their communities by connecting them with resources throughout and beyond the deployment cycle.

Vision: A ready and resilient Coast Guard Reserve that successfully navigates the challenges of deployment and reintegration.

DEPLOYMENT CYCLE        

YRRP is designed to apprise eligible Coast Guard Reserve members and families of services, programs, and resources available before, during, and after extended deployment. Knowing what to expect is the first step to ensuring readiness and resiliency. Understanding the deployment cycle and attending its corresponding events is an easy way to guarantee you’re in the loop on all the services available to you and your family and ensure your smooth transition through each phase, starting with pre-deployment and ending with reintegration.

• Pre-Deployment: from first notification until deployment occurs
• During Deployment (Event for families only): from departure until demobilization
• Post–Deployment: from arrival at home station to 180 days after arrival

If you are in a life-threatening situation and you need rescue, call 911 first, then your local emergency operation center (EOC). If you are unable to connect with your local emergency services, then visit the Coast Guard website.

When disaster strikes, emergency responders - including Coast Guard personnel - address the most critical needs. While they work on behalf of the entire community, their families may be coping with the same or different emergencies at home. It is imperative that pre-emptive steps are taken to ensure a family’s well-being during times of crisis. Emergency kits are an essential tool for meeting this aspect of family readiness.

To prepare your family for an emergency, get one or more emergency kits that include enough supplies for at least three days. If you live in a disaster-prone area (hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), consider extending your capability to five days. Keep a kit prepared at home. Every family member should know where it is and be able to access it easily. Consider having kits in your car and at work. These kits will enable you and your family to respond to an emergency more quickly and will be useful whether you have to evacuate or shelter in place.

Here are some basic items to consider for a home emergency kit:

• Water -- at least one gallon per person per day for at least three days
• Food -- nonperishable food for at least three days
• Manual can opener
• First aid kit with dust masks, disinfectant, and prescription medications
• Sanitation supplies such as moist towelettes (one container for every two household members), disinfectant, and garbage bags
• Formula and diapers for any infants
• Flashlight and extra batteries, battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather radio and cell phone charger
• Important documents -- personal, financial, and insurance in a water proof container
• Maps, your family emergency plan, and emergency contact numbers
• Command reporting information
• Food, water, other supplies, and documents for any pets
• Money -- at a minimum $100 in small bills

In the event of an influenza pandemic, some extra precautions are in order:

• Water, non-perishable food, and prescription medicine supplies to cover two weeks
• Hand wash with 60% - 95% alcohol content
• Thermometer
• Medicines for fever and diarrhea
• Fluids with electrolytes
• Facemasks

Many other items could prove helpful:

• Fire extinguisher
• A wrench or any tools needed to turn off utilities
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Paper plates, paper cups, plastic utensils, paper towels
• Coats and rain gear
• Sleeping bags or other bedding
• A weather-appropriate change of clothes for each person
• Books, games, puzzles, toys, and other activities for children
• Items for individuals with special needs, such as wheelchair batteries or other medical supplies

Additional items can be essential for those deployed or stationed abroad:

• Passports
• Birth, marriage, and birth abroad (for children born overseas) certificates
• Cash (a minimum of $100 in small bills) in local currency
• Card with local translations of basic terms
• Electric current converter

Emergency kits should be evaluated regularly to ensure they will provide your family with basic needs during the emergency situations and current season. Remember to update supplies periodically as medications and food expire.

The Ready Campaign website (www.ready.gov) also provides thorough checklists for emergency supply kits, as well as fact sheets about planning for children, pets, and other special needs.

Before a disaster strikes, it's essential to create an emergency plan and an emergency supply kit. Ensure that everyone in your family knows the plan and the location of the kit. Create and practice a family communication plan in case you become separated, and keep in mind that phone lines and cell phone towers may be down because of the emergency.

Stay up-to-date on weather alerts to ensure that your family knows when a storm may strike in your area. Never ignore an evacuation order. Follow guidelines regarding times and routes, and only take essential items and your emergency kit with you. If you are not instructed to evacuate, stay tuned to emergency stations on television or the radio for further instructions.

Once the disaster has passed and you are in a safe place, be sure to muster with your command. Listen to news reports about lingering safety concerns, such as contaminated water, downed power lines or flooding, and take precautions.

As with all hazards, the fundamental preparatory steps your family should take now include creating an emergency supply kit and making a family emergency plan, as well as communication and evacuation plans.

Hurricane Resources

We have put together a hurricane guide for you and your family. For that and other information regarding emergency kits and guides, please follow the links below:

• D5 Family Hurricane Guide 2018.pdf
• Coast Guard Evacuation Guide
• Ready.gov (Digitial Hurricane Toolkit)
• North Carolina Emergency Management
• Virginia Emergency Management
• Maryland Emergency Management
• Delaware Emergency Management
• Pennsylvania Emergency Management
• New Jersey Emergency Management

Helpful Links:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• CG Mutual Assistance
• American Red Cross
• National Hurricane Center

Contact Information:

Personnel accountability:
1 (757) 398-6636
1 (757) 334-2001

Each day, thousands of people – people just like you – provide compassionate care to those in need. Our network of generous donors, volunteers and employees share a mission of preventing and relieving suffering, here at home and around the world.

We roll up our sleeves and donate time, money and blood. We learn or teach life-saving skills so our communities can be better prepared when the need arises. We do this every day because the Red Cross is needed - every day.

Red Cross volunteers and staff work to deliver vital services – from providing relief and support to those in crisis, to helping you be prepared to respond in emergencies.

Services and Resources Available

• Disaster Relief - Learn how we help families and communities recover from disasters.
• Lifesaving Blood - Learn about our blood donation processes, requirements, hosting opportunities and more.
• Training & Certification - Learn about our health & safety courses for individuals and companies.

Services and Resources for Military Personnel

• Emergency Communication - Every day, the American Red Cross provides 24/7 global emergency communication services and other support in military and veteran health care facilities across the country and around the world.
• Financial Assistance - The American Red Cross works in partnership with Military Aid Societies to provide quality, reliable financial assistance to eligible applicants 24/7/365. Assistance can include funds for emergency travel, burial of a loved one, emergency food and shelter, etc. The Aid Societies determine the financial assistance package that will be offered – a grant or a loan. The Red Cross is the mechanism to expedite access to these financial resources.
• Information and Referral Services - The American Red Cross offers confidential services to all members of the military, veterans, and their families by connecting them with local, state and national resources through our network of chapters in communities across the United States and offices on military installations worldwide.
• Deployment Services - Whether your family is facing its first deployment or the next of many, the American Red Cross has developed workshops, information and support services to help you with the practical and emotional challenges. 
  • Coping With Deployments Course - Spouses, parents, siblings and significant others learn skill-building techniques that help them respond to the challenges of the deployment cycle.
  • Pre-Deployment Preparedness Tool for Family Members - Make sure your family is prepared with information they may need throughout the deployment.
• Veteran Services
  • Referrals to Community Resources - The American Red Cross offers confidential services to all veterans and their families by connecting them with local, state and national resources through our network of chapters in communities across the United States and offices on military installations worldwide.

  • Veterans Claims for Benefits - The Red Cross assists veterans and their families in preparing, developing, and obtaining sufficient evidence to support applicants’ claims for veterans’ benefits. We also assist claimants seeking to appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA). This work is done by Red Cross staff at the BVA as well as a network of State Work-Share Representatives who are accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to work on behalf of the Red Cross.

     

• Military and Veteran Caregiver Network - Caregivers from all eras and services are invited to join and exchange experience, empathy, education and encouragement. 

Purpose of the Program

The CISM program assists persons who have been impacted by critical/traumatic incidents. The program's main purpose is to mitigate the impact of a traumatic event, facilitate the normal recovery process for those having normal reactions to abnormal events, and minimize harmful psychological effects resulting from reactions to these events.

Definition of a Critical Event

The definition of a critical event varies but, basically, it is any event that is usually outside the range of ordinary human experience and overwhelms the usual coping skills of an individual. These events include line of duty or exposure to deaths, serious line of duty injuries, multi-casualty incidents, failed missions, and difficult rescues. Critical incidents are typically sudden and unexpected, disrupt someone's sense of control, often involve loss, and can result in a great feeling of vulnerability. Although stress is an expected part of CG duties, it is routinely managed on a day to day basis. However, critical incidents can cause stress reactions that interfere with normal, routine coping skills.

Services Offered by the CISM Program

CISM is a form of psychological or emotional “first aid” which incorporates various interventions and strategies in response to a critical incident or crisis. The tactics are selected based on the nature of the event, the specific population affected, and the timing of the intervention. While mental health professionals may be involved in these interventions, none of the interventions are to be considered psychotherapy or a substitute for psychotherapy. Interventions may include:

• Pre-incident training/preparation 
• Informational, crisis-focused briefings 
• Leadership consultations 
• Defusings/Debriefings (group interventions) 
• On-scene support including 1:1 sessions 
• Family crisis management 
• Follow-up/referrals 

Requesting Services

CISM services are managed by Employee Assistance Program Coordinators or Specialists (EAPCs/EAPSs) located in Health, Safety, and Work-Life (HSWL) centers. Typically, commanding officers or officers-in-charge reach out to the local EAPC/EAPS to request CISM services. The EAPC/EAPS works with a CISM team to determine and carry out the best possible intervention(s). The EAPC/EAPS recruits, coordinates, manages, and deploys the CISM team when it is activated. The team normally consists of the EAPC/EAPS, a mental health professional, a chaplain, and CISM Peers who have been trained by the EAPC/EAPS.

To request CISM services, commanding officers and/or officers-in-charge can notify either the area or district command center, which will in turn notify the HSWL office in your region. The EAPC/EAPS within HSWL office is responsible for coordinating responses, in collaboration with appropriate commands. 

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A native of Lawrenceburg, IN, CMC Beard enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1984. While in the US Army, he was assigned to 313 Ordnance Detachment, Ft. Sill, OK Echo Company, 703rdSupport Battalion, 3 Infantry Division, Kitzigen, Germany; the Ordnance Missile and Munitions Center and School, Redstone Arsenal, AL; and Avenger System Repairer Course, Redstone Arsenal, AL. In December 1998, CMC Beard enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and was assigned to Port Security Unit 313, Tacoma, WA; Group Astoria, Astoria, OR; Sector Columbia River, Warrenton, OR; Port Security Unit 312, San Francisco, CA; Joint Task Force, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and Eleventh Coast Guard District, Alameda, CA.

DOD - Schedule a New Appointment (health.mil)

Active Duty & Reserve Personnel

All Active Duty, USPHS, and Reserve personnel shall have an annual Dental Exam. Active Duty CG and USPHS Personnel will obtain dental exams through a CG Military Treatment Facility (MTF) Practice or Department of Defense MTF. If no CG or DOD MTF is available, members will receive their care via the Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP). For more information and guidance, visit https://secure.addp-ucci.com/dwaddw/home.xhtml

Reserve

Reserve members must be in compliance with the requirement for an annual T-2 dental examination and be classified as Dental Class 1 or 2. For more information, call RHRP Dental Screening phone number 1-888-734-7299 or visit: https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Health-Readiness/Reserve-Health-Readiness-Program/Coast-Guard-Reserve  

Active Duty Family Members

The TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) is a voluntary dental plan. Sponsors can enroll through the Beneficiary Web Enrollment website. United Concordia is the TRICARE Dental Program contractor and will provide services for enrollment, claims processing, and customer service.

Please call or visit the TRICARE Benefits Home Page for more information.

CONUS:

1-844-653-4061

OCONUS:

1-844-653-4060

OCONUS Toll:

1-717-888-7400

TDD/TYY:

711

https://tricare.mil/CoveredServices/Dental/TDP

Healthy, Safe and Thriving!! 

Coast Guard Beneficiary Advisors are available for the USCG Active Duty, Reserve, Retired and family member populations. They work directly with both internal and external networks of resources to assist with a variety of beneficiary questions regarding TRICARE benefits and health care administration, TRICARE eligibility, enrollment, and benefits (medical, dental, pharmacy) and assist with referrals, claims, and bills. Services are available from 0700 to 1500 PST, Mon-Fri, at the Health Benefits Advice line:  1-800-9HBAHBA (1-800-942-2422)

What we do:

• Assist Clinic HBAs
• Assist Active Duty, Retired, Reserve and Family Member Beneficiaries with:
  • TRICARE benefit information
  • Billing issues
  • Claims/debt collection
  • Referrals/Authorizations
  • Enrollment assistance
  • Eligibility questions
  • Access to care issues and concerns
• Access to Humana Military (East Region) and HealthNet Federal Services (West Region) government services portal websites
• Assist with Medical, Dental and Pharmacy needs
• Serve as TRICARE liaisons to assist with any of the above concerns

Coast Guard Beneficiary Counselors can provide information on TRICARE eligibility, enrollment, and benefits (medical, dental, pharmacy) and assist with referrals, claims, and bills.  Services are available from 0700 to 1500PST, Mon-Fri, at the Health Benefits Advice line:  1-800-9HBAHBA or by email:  CGHBA@uscg.mil

For Reserve personnel, more information and guidance on medical resources, please contact your Command medical representative.

Periodic Health Assessment

Required PHA

Starting 1 Mar 2018, the USCG uses the same PHA as the other military services.

All Coast Guard personnel will receive a PHA at least every 12 months. A PHA can be accomplished up to 6 months early if needed for deployment preparation or unit PHA synchronization. For new accessions, the first PHA is due within 12 months of completion of Initial Entry Training (Basic Training, USCGA graduation, etc.).

For recording keeping purposes (in MRRS), the completion date for the PHA shall be the date the patient is seen at the clinic for the PHA appointment. When feasible, the PHA will be accomplished in a single visit.

Personnel who get their primary care at a CG clinic will have their PHA performed there, including a face-to-face visit with a CG Health Care Provider.

Personnel who use the Reserve Health Readiness Program (i.e. Logistics Health, Incorporated or LHI) begin their PHA by completing the Service member module and then contacting the Health Services Technician responsible for their unit.

Units whose personnel get their primary care at a DoD clinic or hospital may request permission from HSWL Service Center to have their PHAs performed at the DoD clinic/hospital. See the link to the HSWL Service Center PHA website for details. This must be requested at the unit level.

The PHA will consist of the following components:

• Servicemember module.
• Record and Individual Medical Readiness Review (CPS)
• PHA provider portion, including a Mental Health Assessment, Fitness for Duty recommendation, and recommended Clinical Preventive Services

Deployment Health

Routine Deployment

Routine deployments include all Coast Guard Active Duty and Reservists involved in Coast Guard patrols and deployments outside the United States, its territories or possessions, in support of Coast Guard missions. This also includes joint DoD deployments not associated with expeditionary deployments. Additional information on deployment requirements can be found at http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-Resources-CG-1/Health-Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-of-Health-Services-CG-112/Operational-Medicine-and-Medical-Readiness/Deployment-Health/.

Expeditionary Deployment

Expeditionary Deployments are generally those where CG units and personnel are placed under the command and control of a Department of Defense (DoD) Combatant Command (e.g. SOUTHCOM, PACOM, CENTCOM, etc.). 

Deployment to PATFORSWA is excluded from the requirements.

Deployment to Guantanamo Bay (“GITMO”) is considered an expeditionary deployment, so the requirements apply.

MHS Nurse Advice Line (NAL)

The MHS Nurse Advice Line is available 24/7 by phone at 1-800-TRICARE 800-874-2273 Option 1, and web or video chat at https://mhsnurseadviceline.com/home. Contact the MHS Nurse Advice Line 24/7 to:

• Get evidence-based health care advice from a registered nurse. 
• Find an urgent care or emergency care facility. 
• Receive recommendations for the most appropriate level of care. 
• Schedule same or next day appointments when recommended by the registered nurse and enrolled to a military hospital or clinic. 
• Get an online "absence excuse" or "sick slip" when medically appropriate--subject to service command requirements.
• Get health care advice while traveling. The MHS Nurse Advise Line can assist in finding local care services as necessary and will coordination with the TRICARE Overseas Managed Care Support Contractor if services are needed.

Beneficiary Portal: https://mhsnurseadviceline.com/home

Phone (Overseas): Call local MTF or use the website for country specific numbers.

* Note: There may be extended wait times due to high call volumes. Please be patient or use the web/video chat options. 

Pharmacy

The TRICARE Pharmacy Program provides the prescription drugs you need, when you need them, in a safe, easy, and affordable way.

TRICARE's prescriptions are managed through the pharmacy contractor, Express Scripts.

• Sign up for secure services with Express Scripts
• Download the free Mobile App
• Search the TRICARE Formulary
• Check Pharmacy Costs

Where can I get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

TRICARE beneficiaries can get a COVID-19 vaccine at no-cost. >>Learn more.

Your Pharmacy Options

TRICARE has four pharmacy options. Each option is available worldwide, but there are some limits overseas. 

Military Pharmacies Home Delivery Network Pharmacies

You may be able to get your prescriptions from a non-network pharmacy.

Learn more about your medication coverage and copayments. You can also compare costs with the TRICARE Compare Cost Tool.

TRICARE is the health care program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families around the world.

TRICARE provides comprehensive coverage to all beneficiaries, including:

• Health plans
• Special programs
• Prescriptions
• Dental plans

Most TRICARE health plans meet the requirements for minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

TRICARE is managed by the Defense Health Agency under leadership of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs).

Health Net (West Region)
1-844-866-9378
www.tricare-west.com

Humana Military (East Region)
1-800-444-5445
www.tricare-east.com

Clinic

Front Desk

Air Station Miami, FL

305-953-2266

Alameda, CA

510-437-5999

Astoria, OR

503-861-6240

Atlantic City, NJ

609-677-2007

Baltimore, MD

410-636-7506

Barbers Point, HI

808-682-2673

Borinquen, PR

787-890-8477

Boston, MA

617-223-3121

Cape Cod, MA

508-968-6582

Cape May, NJ

609-898-6366

Clearwater, FL

727-535-1437 

Corpus Christi, TX 

361-939-0289

Detroit, MI

586-239-3005

Elizabeth City, NC

252-335-6460

Honolulu, HI

808-842-2930

Houston/Galveston, TX

281-464-4611

Humboldt Bay, CA

707-839-6176

Jacksonville, FL

904-594-6864

Juneau, AK

907-463-2140

Ketchikan, AK

907-228-0320

Key West, FL

305-292-8715

Kodiak, AK

907-487-5757

Miami Beach, FL

305-535-4535

Mobile, AL

251-441-6725

New London/CGA, CT

860-444-8402

New Orleans, LA

504-253-4671

New York, NY

718-354-4414

North Bend, OR

541-756-9234

Petaluma, CA

707-765-7200

Port Angeles, WA

360-417-5894

Portsmouth, VA

757-483-8596

Sacramento, CA

916-561-7568

San Diego, CA

619-278-7133

San Francisco, CA

650-808-2937

San Juan, PR

787-729-2305

San Pedro, CA

310-521-6050

Savannah, GA

912-201-2697

Seattle, WA

206-217-6432

Sitka, AK

907-966-5438

St. Petersburg, FL

727-502-1585

Traverse City, MI

231-922-8282

Washington D.C.

202-372-4100

Yorktown, VA

757-856-2345

The Coast Guard Family Advocacy Program (FAP) is designed to prevent and respond to domestic abuse, child abuse and neglect, and problematic sexual behaviors in children and youth, through public awareness, education, prevention, early identification and family and couple support. Our goal is to promote and maintain healthy, happy, and safe interpersonal relationships and a mission ready work force. 

FAP services includes prevention programs, support services, advocacy, crisis intervention, clinical assessments, risk and safety planning, counseling, treatment planning, and information and referral. These services are available to Coast Guard service members, their beneficiaries, or intimate partners, who strive to enhance their relationship, or are at risk, or have experienced an incident of domestic abuse or child abuse or neglect. Unrestricted and restricted reporting options are available to adult victims of abuse. 

FAP services or resources can be obtained by contacting the Family Advocacy Specialist (FAS) at your local Health, Safety and Work-Life Regional Practice by calling (202)475-5100.

In addition to FAS assistance, the National Domestic Violence Hotline has highly trained expert advocates who are available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.  If you are concerned about a child’s safety or well-being, contact the National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).

Physical Fitness

To ensure a fit, ready for duty workforce, the Health Promotion Program’s Physical Fitness component is intended to assist personnel with assessing their current fitness status and design an exercise program to enhance or maintain their current level of fitness. The HP program can assist commands with developing a unit fitness instruction to encourage participation in regular physical training required by Commandant Policy. The Health Promotion Program also provides oversight and subject matter expertise in the development of Coast Guard wide fitness standards required to qualify for assignment to certain units.

Strength Programs

The Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling Series (NOFFS) project provides the Navy with a "best in class" physical fitness and nutrition performance resource that provides guidance to Sailors and Navy health and fitness professionals. NOFFS instructs individuals on how to physically train effectively and safely, and how to make healthy nutrition choices in both shore-based and operational environments.

As the Navy is called to intensify operational tempo based on current worldwide mission requirements, it is imperative for Sailors to be physically fit. Physical fitness is an essential and critical component of operational readiness and meeting deployment schedules. Sailor resiliency and durability are the primary goals of the development and distribution of the NOFFS.

The purpose of NOFFS is to provide a complete physical training program that will "eliminate" the guesswork.

Cardio Programs

Cycling Training is a good form on cardiovascular exercise which can include stationary bikes or road bikes.  (If riding outside make sure you wear a helmet and have on some form of reflective clothing.)

Pros: It is easy on the knees and joints.  A stationary bike may be used underway if it is properly secured. Requires no training but some balance.

Cons: Requires purchase and maintenance of equipment.

Cost: The cost for exercise bikes can go from a couple hundred to a couple of thousand.   We recommend you go to a local gym and test some out before you make a purchase. There are a couple of features that are recommended which will make the cost go up.

• Computer that calculates time, distance, and calories burned.
• Heart rate monitor.
• System that gives a variety of work outs i.e. hills, cardio, fat burn.
• Adjustable seat to accommodate a variety of people.

Running is a great form of cardiovascular exercise which requires little equipment and can be done almost anywhere.

Pros: Running is an effective calorie burning and weight control activity. It can be done almost anywhere and only requires a good pair of running shoes.  If you are starting a running program do not go cheap here, you will pay for it with blisters and or possibly serious foot, ankle, or knee pain. A treadmill may be used if the weather gets bad.

Cons: Not recommended for people with diagnosed orthopedic issues. It is also NOT recommended while underway, unless sea conditions are favorable.

Cost: For the most part the only expense is a good pair of running shoes. If you are purchasing a treadmill check the recommended weight capacity and the maximum miles per hour. It is also recommended you purchase one with some of these features:

• Heart monitor
• Adjustable incline
• Adjustable speed control
• Emergency shut off

Circuit Training is a type of interval training in which strength exercises are combined with endurance/aerobic exercises and strength training. 

Pros: Workouts can be easily adapted for all fitness levels. Minimal amount of equipment and space is required to set up an effective circuit. Excellent program to enhance or maintain current fitness level.

Cons: Not ideal for individuals seeking to increase muscle mass.

Cost: Varies depending on the exercises chosen for the circuit.

Swimming is a good form on cardiovascular exercise.

Pros: Swimming is easy on the joints, and is good exercise for a person getting over an injury.

Cons: It has been shown that, although it is a great form of exercise, swimming is not an effective exercise for achieving weight loss. Finding a place to swim can also be difficult. Cannot be done underway.

Cost: Price of a pool membership.

Walking is one of the easiest forms of exercise to engage in. When done at a high intensity for prolonged period of time, walking can be an excellent activity for achieving weight loss.

Pros: Walking is a low impact activity making the risk of injury minimal. It can be done almost anywhere and requires no equipment but a good pair of shoes.

Cons: It is a good cardiovascular exercise but does not build up any strength. If not done at a high intensity for a prolonged period of time, walking may not produce a training effect.

Cost: The price of a good pair of walking shoes.

The CG SUPRT Health and Wellness Coaching Program

Health and Wellness Coaches partner with participants in a thought provoking and creative process designed to cultivate healthy behaviors and lifestyle changes, and to improve overall functioning. The Health and Wellness Coach works in collaboration with the participant to facilitate lifestyle improvement, and inspire them to achieve maximum personal and professional potential. The coach focuses on the whole person to address health and wellness concerns by helping individuals make healthier lifestyle choices. We created the Health and Wellness Coaching program to help members improve their health, lifestyle, and overall well-being. Member’s come to coaching for a variety of reasons such as to improve their weight, fitness, nutrition, stress management, time management, chronic condition management, and also to help them through life transitions such as moving, marriage, new baby, empty nest and retirement.

A healthy, fit and injury free Coast Guard workforce is critical to support optimal operational readiness. The purpose of the CG Health Promotion Program is to strengthen and enhance mission performance by providing policies, programs, education, direct services and other resources to Coast Guard members and their families. By educating and promoting positive health habits, the Health Promotion Program will help to ensure that Coast Guard men and women are well trained and have a variety of tools necessary to be a versatile and fit workforce.

Weight Management

Maintaining a healthy body weight requires a lifelong commitment to regular exercise, a healthy diet and effective stress management. As a military service, compliance with weight standards is also a critical element of optimal mission performance. The Health Promotion Program supports Body Composition Standards Program COMDTINST 1020.8i and seeks to help members achieve and maintain a healthy body weight for fitness and disease prevention. 

Tobacco Cessation

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States today. Addiction to tobacco substances remains a primary health concern for the Coast Guard, raising health care costs, reducing productivity and mission readiness. Members are encouraged to sign up for the UCANQUIT2 program or contact their regional HPM who can assist all CG-beneficiaries to locate community and DOD-based tobacco cessation resources.

Stress Management

While stress is a normal factor in everyday living, excessive amounts of it can have a very negative impact on your health. Specifically, unmanaged stress can sidetrack your other healthy behaviors including exercise and a healthy diet and contribute to a decrease in your productivity. The health pro-motion program can assist members with identifying and man-aging the stress in their lives. Contact your regional EAPC to learn more about mitigating stress.

Nutrition

The Health Promotion Program, with the support of the Subsistence Program, can provide important nutrition and dietary guidance for maintaining optimal health and weight. Nutrition is an essential component of good health and can contribute to a decreased risk for many chronic diseases.

Resource website for information on nutrition and fitness.

Human Performance Research Center's human performance optimization (HPO) website is for U.S. Warfighters, their families, and those in the field of HPO who support them. The goal is Total Force Fitness: Warfighters optimized to carry out their mission as safely and effectively as possible.

Ensure all members and their families have access to adequate housing reflecting community living standards that is within a reasonable commuting distance of their permanent duty station.

The housing program achieves this objective through:

• Private Sector Housing
• Department of Defense (DoD) and Other Government Housing
• Coast Guard Residential Leased Housing (See MyCG Articles below for more information)
• Coast Guard Owned Housing
• Unaccompanied Personnel Housing

HOMES.mil Housing Referral Website

Homes.mil is the official Department of Defense website dedicated to helping service members and their families find a home. The site connects service members, their families, and military housing offices with landlords and property managers to facilitate sharing of non-discriminatory rental listings in the vicinity of Coast Guard and Department of Defense duty stations.

HOMES.mil is a powerful tool that allows housing offices and members to search for rental listings that have been approved by military housing offices, view property details and photos, map home locations, compare listings, and save favorites. When combined with our housing offices' local knowledge, strong welcome aboard and sponsor programs, our inventory of Coast Guard-owned housing, and the Coast Guard leased housing program, we are well-equipped to provide our people with the adequate and affordable housing that they need and deserve.

Unaccompanied Personnel Housing (UPH)

The Coast Guard Housing Program is dedicated to providing suitable, affordable and safe living quarters for single members. CG-1M2 is responsible for the management of UPH facilities that are primarily intended to provide berthing for watchstanders and those permanent party single members not entitled to housing allowances.  UPH’s are intended to provide adequate space, privacy and furnishings.

MyCG Articles of Interest

• July 17, 2023 leased housing eligibility expanded for accompanied members.
• Leased housing eligibility expanded for accompanied members > United States Coast Guard > My Coast Guard News (uscg.mil)
• May 18, 2022, UPDATE to Coast Guard Leased Housing Program.
• https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/News/Article/3036022/update-to-coast-guard-leased-housing-program/
• Aug. 13, 2021 Leased housing program offers choices in a tight housing market.
• https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/News/Article/2729468/leased-housing-program-offers-choices-in-a-tight-housing-market/

Those that may be in impacted areas or areas where there is an evacuation authorization in place, reach out to the Personnel Support Team or Family Assist Team for information and resources regarding needs around evacuation or additional services resulting from storm Helene. 

The teams can be reached at the following numbers:

• Virtual Personnel Support Team: 833-872-4778 (PST) 1-833-USCG-PST 

• Family Assistance Support Tool Team (FAST): (571) 614-9000

Hurricane Milton Informaiton can be found on the Mobile App Home page

The Coast Guard Health, Safety, and Work-Life Service Center has created several safety bulletins. These include:

• HURRICANE SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH GUIDANCE

• Chainsaw FAQs

• Electrical Safety FAQs

• Mold Moisture FAQs

• Safety Bulletin Chainsaw Injuries

• Water Supply and Wastewater Disposal FAQs

Click on the Download Bulletin to view

Coast Guard legal assistance attorneys provide advice and counsel regarding personal legal issues to thousands of service members, dependents and retirees each year at no cost.  These issues may involve family law, estate planning, consumer law, landlord-tenant relations, immigration or many other topics.

Coast Guard Legal Assistance is available for many topics including:

• Consumer and Contract Matters
• Automobiles
• Credit Card Fraud
• Identity Theft
• Service Contracts
• Warranties
• Creditor and Debtor Relations
• Adoption
• Real Estate
• Co-signing Loans
• Home Leases
• Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
• Tax
• Wills and Estate Planning
• Advanced Medical Directives
• Powers of Attorney

If you have been, or think you may have been sexually assaulted recently:

1. If possible, go to a safe location away from perpetrator. If in IMMEDIATE DANGER call 911 inside the U.S. For international emergencies, please follow protocol for international emergency procedures or contact local law enforcement.
2. Call your Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Victim Advocate Program Specialist (VAPS), Volunteer Victim Advocate (VVA), or go to any helping professional to preserve your Reporting rights.  
   • Please see the Glossary of Terms for more information concerning Restricted and Unrestricted Reporting
   • SARCs and VAPSs can help provide further support regarding medical care, forensic exams, and other next steps
   • More information can be found in the SAPRR Program Policy Manual. COMDTINST 1754.10F series found on the SAPRR portal page.  
      
3. The 24/7 DoD Safe Helpline also provides assistance. Users have three ways to access their services - "click, call or text" for confidential support, available 24/7 worldwide.  
   
   Click - Logging on to www.SafeHelpline.org or live, one-on-one confidential help with a trained professional.  
   
   Call - Calling the hotline at  8779955247 allows users to speak with a trained staff member for personalized advice and support to military and/or civilian resources.  
   
   Text - Texting a location or zip code to 55-247 (inside the U.S.) or 001-202-470-5546 (outside the U.S.) allows users to receive contact information for the SARC.

Sexual Abuse incidents occurring between family members shall be reported in accordance with the provisions in COMDTINST 1752.1 (series), Family Advocacy Program.

“Sexual assault is intentional sexual contact characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent. The term includes a broad category of sexual offenses consisting of the following specific UCMJ offenses: rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact, abusive sexual contact, forcible sodomy (forced oral or anal sex), or attempts to commit any of these acts.”

The Coast Guard’s Sexual Assault Prevention Response and Recovery (SAPRR) Program prevents sexual assault by implementing and sustaining comprehensive SAPRR strategies that focus on awareness, cultural change, prevention, response, victim support, intimidation-free reporting, and processes that protect the safety and well-being of all our active duty, Reserve, civilian, Auxiliary, cadet, and retiree shipmates and their families.

Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARC) and Victim Advocates (VA) are available in every district throughout the Coast Guard to assist victims of sexual assault. 

Service members (active-duty and reserve members on active-duty or in a drill status), civilian employees, adult dependents, and civilian visitors all may receive assistance from the SARC in the event of a sexual assault (e.g., crisis intervention, advocacy, resource referrals). Unrestricted and Restricted Reporting options are available when SAPRR services are elected, and both options come with entitlements designed to keep a member safe and provide advocacy through healing. If a sexual assault occurs between family members it is managed by the Family Advocacy Program (FAP); a Restricted Reporting option is available within FAP as well.

In addition to SARC assistance, the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline 800656HOPE, with secure instant messaging available at www.rainn.org, and offers immediate crisis intervention and support, as well as referrals to appropriate resources in the location needed. 

The Coast Guard Ombudsman is an official liaison between commands and families, who serves as a highly-trained volunteer providing support, referrals, and guidance to Coast Guard members and their families.

Through their efforts, an Ombudsman allows Coast Guard members to better achieve mission readiness by knowing their families have an available resource when issues or emergent situations arise.

It is important for all Coast Guard family members to be familiar with their ombudsman and ensure that their ombudsman has current personal contact information.

To contact your ombudsman, visit United States Coast Guard Registry (ombudsmanpfmpregistry.org) and click on "Contact Your Ombudsman."

Ombudsmen:

• Provide information and referral to military and civilian support organizations such as Health, Safety and Work-Life (HSWL) Regional Practice (RP), Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA), and employee assistance and counseling services (e.g. CG SUPRT, chaplains, etc.)
• Serve as the primary communication link between families and the command, and channel official information from command leadership to families
• Serve as primary point of contact for families
• Participate in official events (pre-deployment briefings, resource fairs, Yellow Ribbon events, etc)
• Advocate for families, using knowledge of the command and Coast Guard to access the appropriate level of the chain of command for intervention and to forward suitable requests or issues

Ombudsmen do NOT:

• Provide childcare
• Loan money
• Plan or hold social functions for the unit
• Act as a sponsor to transferring families (providing personal housing, transportation, etc)
• Serve as a spouse club/association officer
• Solicit for cash or non-cash donations from any non-federal source for the Coast Guard or any Coast Guard person
• Promote “for profit” business or entities
• Serve as a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) peer support person
• Perform case management or counseling services, even if professionally trained in these areas
• Serve as a victim advocate or attend victim advocacy training for sexual assault cases

Mission

The provision of effective and relevant safety and environmental health policies, programs, and expertise that enable the Coast Guard to achieve and sustain mission readiness and execution based on an operational risk reduction approach.

Vision

Align safety and environmental health programs with evolving mission needs and provide oversight of program implementation in support of all five Coast Guard mission sets, while cultivating a system safety culture embedded in mission execution.

Values

Prevention, Protection, Readiness, and Service

CG-1K3 Divisions

CG-1K3 is comprised of two divisions that coordinate integrated activities with the HSWL Service Center and other safety, environmental and occupational health specialists to support mutual goals through delivery of contributing safety policy, programs, systems and tools.

Safety Program Management Division (CG-1K31)
CG-1K31 ensures that safety and occupational health policies, procedures, standards and programs are aligned with the operational needs of the Coast Guard.

Safety Assurance and Risk Reduction Division (CG-1K32)
CG-1K32 maintains a safety management system using innovative analyses and tools to identify and mitigate system deficiencies and minimize loss from preventable mishaps.

Safety Management System

CG-113 works with the Health, Safety and Work-Life (HSWL) Service Center and other safety stakeholders to manage cross-cutting programs that the support Safety Management System (SMS) pillars of Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion.

For emergency Substance Abuse issues, please call the SAP Duty Line, 757-628-4329

If this is an emergency, call 911

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988   

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists (SAPS) are HSWL SC personnel assigned to detached duty at large commands. SAPS provide resources and assistance with prevention training, education, treatment options, and administrative processing that supports Coast Guard’s policy governing substance use, abuse, and chemical dependency.

SAPS are responsible for ensuring Command Drug and Alcohol Representatives (CDARs) receive the guidance, training, and support needed to manage any potential alcohol and/or substance use issues. They also assist CDARs in developing prevention plans and conducting general alcohol awareness and prevention education as well as provide guidance and support for aftercare plans.

SAPS advise and assist CG units on all matters pertaining to policy interpretation, substance abuse screenings, treatment, and aftercare. They facilitate any medical screenings for members and assist CG providers with finding appropriate treatment facilities. SAPS also provide unit training such as PRIME FOR LIFE (PFL).

USCG currently endorses the following initiatives:

1. “RETHINKING DRINKING”
2. “THINK BEFORE YOU DRINK”
3. “Zero, 1, 2, 3”

“Zero, 1, 2, 3” is an easy way to remember:

• Zero drinks when you must be alert and at the ready; e.g. driving, operating machinery, cleaning a weapon. 
• One drink per hour;
• two for any drinking occasion, and
• three, as in, never exceed three drinks.

Do you want to know how much you drink? Or, how it affects your life?    
Is drinking alcohol a choice or a habit? Get those answers and more with Rethinking Drinking and see if drinking is affecting your health. Discover the strategies that can help you reduce your drinking. http://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/

The SAPT has made every effort to base all of its programmatic decisions in state-of-the-art science. Using the Health Related Behaviors study, we now understand the science behind excessive drinking and drug abuse. Therefore,  we created a model based on demonstrated evidence.   

The Navy and Marine Corp have also adopted PFL as their intervention for those members in need of alcohol education. The Zero, 1, 2, 3 philosophy establishes responsible drinking behaviors based on low risk choices versus high risk choices.

If you are in emotional distress or have a suicidal crisis: Call 988

If you have an emergency Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room/hospital.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour/ 7 days a week, toll-free/text free suicide prevention service available to anyone in a suicidal crisis. You can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or by visiting their website at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org     

The Suicide Prevention program is available to all Coast Guard active duty, civilian, and reserve personnel. Dependent family members are also eligible.

The Suicide Prevention program seeks to identify and assist persons who have contemplated or attempted suicide. The program’s main purposes are to prevent suicide and to mitigate problematic issues prior reaching a point of distress. The primary prevention strategy is to educate Coast Guard personnel and their families on the warning signs and situations that might indicate suicidal behavior. Education also addresses what actions can be taken when the behavior is identified, including how to support the person. For those who have contemplated or attempted suicide, the program links individuals to psychological assistance.

Although suicidal behavior cannot be predicted easily, there are a number of associated risk factors:

• Occupational/Command challenges
• Financial/Legal pressures and stress
• Physical/Medical illness or pain
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Marital/Relationship issues
• Loss, shame, guilt and anger
• Psychological injury
• Emotional distress
• Substance abuse
• Mental Health disorders
• Spiritual conflict

Warning signs include:

• Appearing sad or depressed most of the time
• severe depression: deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating that doesn’t go away or continues to get worse
• Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep (not getting out of bed)
• Neglecting personal welfare, deteriorating physical appearance
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and society, or sleeping all the time
• Losing interest in hobbies, work, school, or other things one used to care about
• Severe substance use (e.g., drinking, drug use)

If you, or know of a friend, loved one, co-worker, or family member who is in distress or exhibiting suicide related behavior (i.e., saying “I do not want to live anymore”, “I want to kill myself”, drinking to the point of blackout), bring it to the attention of someone. Don’t keep it a secret. If the person is on active duty, informing the chain of command is essential, particularly if the person is not seeking help on his/her own. Another option is connecting them to a Chaplain, Employee Assistance Program Counselors, CG Support, local military medical/CG clinic, Work-Life related staff and/or local support providers.

Leaving the military is not just a matter of changing jobs. It is a total lifestyle change that can bring unnecessary stress if a service member is not properly prepared. Civilian life and the military life can seem like two different worlds, especially if a service member’s entire working career has been in the military. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is intended to provide information and assistance to all separating and retiring members to help them make an effective transition from military to civilian life. An integral aspect of this goal is to ensure that separating members are made aware of, and have access to, the numerous programs and services available to assist them in the transition process.

TAP Employment Workshops are designed to provide service members with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to plan and execute a successful job search. Department of Labor instructors conduct the three day TAP workshops, focusing on subjects such as skills identification, post-military goals and ambitions, conducting job searches (both federal and civilian career opportunities), writing a resume, preparing for an interview and dressing for success in a new career.

The core TAP curriculum also includes presentations by the Department of Veterans Affairs on VA benefits and information on disability transition assistance.

Regional HSWL Work-Life transition assistance professionals can provide additional employment assistance and resources. While services will vary by location, they often include individual counseling, job fairs, search libraries and access to employment listings, automated tools and personal assistance for preparing resumes, cover letters and federal job applications; and guidance in preparing for interviews.

Why is it important to me?

It is important for Coast Guard members to be aware of the benefits available to them upon leaving the military, and there is a need to translate military employment into civilian terms in order to increase marketability.

What services are provided by TAP?

• Pre-separation counseling
• Benefits and financial considerations during career change
• Employment assistance
• Relocation assistance for Sailors separating from overseas

TAP workshop topics include:

• Employment skills verification
• Individual skills assessment
• Pre-separation counseling
• An understanding the civilian workplace

Job search process

• Federal employment opportunities
• Financial management during career change
• Interview techniques
• Resume Preparation
• Networking
• VA benefits eligibility
• Salary negations
• Job training opportunities
• Educational opportunities
• Spouse employment
• Relocation assistance