Family Advocacy Program Frequently Asked Questions

The Family Advocacy Program provides services to active-duty military service members, their spouses, partners and families. Watch this video to learn more about the range of services offered through the New Parent Support Program and the Family Advocacy Program.

The range of services expands from working with those welcoming new children into their families to advocacy and supportive counseling and treatment when there is risk of, history of, or active abuse.

FAP’s mission is to prevent adult-initiated abuse, ensure victim safety and provide support for those impacted by abuse through advocacy, counseling and educational services that promote healthy relationships and parenting.

When it comes to relationships and family, the Family Advocacy Program offers a ready line of support designed to help strengthen relationships, build family bonds and ensure a safe home environment. The program’s services are available to all service members and military families, including spouses and children. FAP can also provide advocacy services to the nonmarried intimate partners of service members.

If someone is in an unhealthy relationship or experiencing abuse, support is available. When there is immediate danger, always call 911 or military law enforcement. Ensuring a person’s safety is the No. 1 priority. Contact your nearest Family Advocacy Program to learn which services are available 24/7.

For those experiencing domestic abuse, support is available and you will never have to face a situation alone. Abuse can affect anyone, and Family Advocacy Program staff can help. Victim advocates offer assistance to include safety planning and risk assessment during times of need, and are a trusted first line of information. Counseling and medical care may also be available.

You will never be forced to share more than you are comfortable with. To connect with help and find a nearby advocate, start by visiting the Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator.

Deciding if, when or how to report domestic abuse is not easy. But support is available. There are two ways to make a report of domestic abuse in the military: restricted and unrestricted. To learn more about reporting options, whether you are experiencing abuse or know someone who is, connect with a nearby advocate. Start by visiting the Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator.

Choosing to report domestic abuse can be difficult. But knowing what to expect can help. In the military, there are two reporting options: restricted and unrestricted. This video is about restricted reporting. For those seeking to address their situation privately, a restricted report could be an option. To connect with help and find a nearby advocate, start by visiting the Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator.

Unrestricted reporting offers victims safety planning, clinical counseling and medical care, and notifies a service member’s command and the appropriate law enforcement organizations of the incident for a potential investigation. An alleged abuser will also be provided with services when there is an unrestricted report.

Federal law defines child abuse and neglect as “any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical injury or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents imminent risk of serious harm.” Watch this video to increase your knowledge about child abuse and neglect and to learn how you can help prevent it.

This video provides up-to-date guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help make sure every baby is as safe as possible during sleep times.

• Always place babies on their backs to sleep.
• Use a firm, flat sleep surface.
• Practice room sharing, not bed sharing.
• Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the sleep area.
• Don’t let your baby get overheated.