[email protected] 485-8188 Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) Basil A. Forrest SOS Coordinator USAG Baumholder ACS [email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Mar 06, 2016
[email protected] 485-8188
Survivor Outreach Services (SOS)
Basil A. Forrest
SOS Coordinator
USAG Baumholder ACS
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
What Is Survivor Outreach
Services? Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Many times after a loved one is lost, there are unresolved
issues or questions that surface months or years later. The
Army, in its dedication to providing support services to its
Surviving Families, created Survivor Outreach Services (SOS)
• SOS connects Survivors with local support services that
include but are not limited to grief counseling, financial
counseling, benefits coordination, support groups, & Garrison
and surrounding area events
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
“ Embrace Survivors and give them reassurance that they are connected to the Army
Family…for as long as they desire.”
SOS Mission
Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Survivor Outreach Services
EligibilityBuilding a Better Tomorrow….Today
• All active duty and retired military personnel & their Family
members, if otherwise eligible for services
• Surviving Family members of military personnel who died while
on active duty, if otherwise eligible for services
• Surviving Army civilian appropriated fund (APF) & non-
appropriated fund (NAF) Family members, if otherwise eligible for
services
• Family members of prisoners of war or personnel missing
in action, if otherwise eligible for services
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
SOS Program Phased Strategy
Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Short – Term Assistance (Immediate)
• Provided by the Casualty Assistance Centers (CACs) through the
Casualty Assistance Officers (CAOs)
• Long – Term Assistance (Enduring)
• Provided through Long Term Family Case Management. Depending on
the needs of the Survivor, Families are provided with assistance
pertaining to reports, benefits & other services
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
SOS Program Flow Chart
Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
Casualty Occurs
Casualty Notification Officer (Immediate)
Primary Next of Kin (PNOK) is notified
Casualty Assistance Officer (Immediate)
Survivor Outreach Coordinator (Enduring)
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
• Spouse
• Children
• Parents
• Persons in Loco Parentis
• Siblings
Survivors Defined
Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Types Of Support (1 of 4)
Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Benefits Coordinators
• Financial Counselors
• SOS Coordinators
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Types Of Support (2 of 4)
Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Benefits Coordinators
– Provide expertise on local, state & Federal benefits
– Work with Casualty Assistance Officers, providing the Surviving Family
with assistance to understand & apply for their benefits
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Types Of Support (3 of 4)
Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Financial Counselors
– Provide assistance to Surviving Families through investment & estate
planning education
– Works closely with Benefits Coordinators, Army Long Term Family Case
Management, & legal assistance to address the needs of Surviving
Families
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Types Of Support (4 of 4)
Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Support Coordinators
– Function as the long term support personnel for Survivors
– Facilitate support groups, provide life skills education, and
connect Survivors with counseling resources
– Work closely with Benefits Coordinators, Casualty Assistance Officers, &
Army Long Term Family Case Management to ensure Survivors receive
their necessary services
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Family Readiness Plan (1 of 2)
Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Prepared & Accessible Documentation
– Bills
– DD Form 93
– Financial Account Number & Institution Address
– Passports
– Power of Attorneys
– SGLI
– Wills
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Family Readiness Plan (2 of 2)
Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Prepared & Accessible Documentation
– Child’s Favorite Toys
– Direction to Residence
– Family Members Special Need Requirements
– Medication
– POV Registration
– Schools Attending & POC
– Spoken Language
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
Pitfalls of Being Unprepared
Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
• Additional Stress
• Benefits/Entitlements Delayed
• Communication Difficulties
• Educational Challenges
• Financial Accessibility
• Medical Emergencies
• Travel Restriction
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
• Survivor Outreach Services website: Provides links & information
about all aspects of the Army, Guard & Reserve. Information about Survivor
Outreach Services, Mission & contact information. Has resource column for
related readings pertaining to grief & survival after a loved one has
passed.
• Army Long Term Family Case Management (ALTFCM):Provides long term support for Survivors of Fallen Warriors, counseling,
records information, & other services to assist the Survivors throughout their
involvement with ALTFCM. www.altfcm.army.mil
• My Army Benefits: Benefits that Survivors may receive after the death of
their Soldier. Has a benefits calculator to figure current & future benefits as
well as link to Survivor Information.
Helpful SOS Websites (1 of 2)
Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
www.myarmybenefits.us.army.mil
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
www.myarmyonesource.com/familyprogramsandservices
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). TAPS provides
ongoing emotional help, hope and healing to all who are grieving the
death of a loved one in military service to America, regardless of
relationship to the deceased, geography or circumstance of the death.
TAPS provides peer-based support, crisis care, casualty casework
assistance and grief and trauma resources www.taps.org
• Snowball Express: This website is for children of Fallen Soldiers.
Provides weekend/express getaways for family & children to express
grief and work through their healing with other children who have
similar experiences. Non-profit organization which may fund one round
trip for children of the Fallen to a snowball express experience
www.snowballexpress.org
Helpful SOS Websites (2 of 2)
Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
• SOS Coordinator
Basil A. Forrest 485-8188 or 06783-6-8188
• Financial Counselor
Mary S. Johnston @ 485-8188 or 06783-6-8188
• Benefits Coordinator
Jodi Motszko@ 379-8610 or 06202-80-8610
Contact Information
Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188
• Questions?
Questions
Building a Better Tomorrow….Today
[email protected] DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188