National Guard Family Program

The Defense Department issues eligible dependents an identification card authorizing them to receive certain uniformed services benefits and privileges. Normally, reserve component family members and other dependents receive a DD Form 1173-1, the DOD Guard and Reserve Family Member ID card.

These ID cards do not authorize eligibility for medical benefits. They will assist family members in accessing these privileges when accompanied by a copy of the service member’s orders to active duty.

These ID cards do authorize access to commissary, exchange and certain MWR privileges. The DOD Guard and Reserve Family Member ID card serves as proof that the individual has been pre-enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. This is an important first step in obtaining family member and dependent medical treatment when the service member is called to active duty for more than 30 consecutive days.

When the reserve component service member is called to active duty for more than 30 consecutive days, part of the processing for entry on active duty should be the completion of DD Form 1172, Application for Department of Defense Identification Card-DEERS Enrollment, for each eligible family member.

This application, along with the DD Form 1173-1, will allow family members and dependents to receive the DD Form 1173, Uniformed Service Identification and Privilege Card. This card will authorize appropriate medical benefits and privileges for the period of active duty specified on the member’s orders.

The Defense Department has implemented smart card technology in a department-wide Common Access Card. The CAC is the standard identification card for active-duty military personnel, selected reserve, DOD civilian employees and eligible contractor personnel. It is also the principal card used to enable physical access to buildings and controlled spaces and for access to defense computer networks and systems.

Depending on the service member’s duty status, family members may be eligible for TRICARE. TRICARE is the DOD health care program that provides medical and dental care services for eligible uniformed service members and other eligible DOD beneficiaries.

Eligibility for TRICARE is determined by the uniformed services and reported to DEERS. All eligible beneficiaries must have their eligibility status recorded in DEERS.

Programs for youth include:

• Instructional programs. Instructional programs provide opportunities to develop new skills and learn in hands-on, informal settings. Programs cover a wide range of topics including photography, woodworking, science and technology, gardening, health and safety.
• Recreation sports programs. These programs are typically offered through the installation youth center. A year-round program of team sports provides numerous opportunities for youth to challenge themselves physically while developing life skills, such as good sportsmanship and the value of teamwork.
• Recreation programs. Recreation programs are geared toward individual interests and skills such as golf and tennis. These programs may be offered through a variety of MWR and service facilities, such as the golf course, bowling center and youth centers.
• Educational and youth development programs. These programs are focused on citizenship, character building, public speaking and leadership.

The services and the Defense Department (including the Office of the Secretary of Defense with Child and Youth Programs) also recognize the importance of providing families with access to quality, affordable child care programs, because child care is a workforce issue that directly impacts the efficiency, readiness and retention of the total force. The services provide child care through a portfolio of programs:

• Child development center program. This program is designed for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years offering full-time and part-time care.
• School-age care program. The SAC program provides care to children from kindergarten to 12 years of age before and after school and during holidays and summer vacations.
• Family child care/child development home program. This program provides care for children ages 4 weeks to 12 years of age in a home-based environment.
• 24-7 child care. This program meets the needs of eligible parents who require child care services for their infants through school-age children during non-traditional hours on a regular basis. This care type is designed to support watch standers or shift workers who work non-traditional, and/or rotating schedules (i.e., weekends, overnights, and evenings) and is often used in lieu of other types of care. Proof of work schedule is required to qualify for this care type. 24/7 Care is available in 24/7 Centers or from FCC providers.
• Community child care program. This program provides care for children ages 4 weeks to 12 years of age in state-licensed and nationally accredited programs operating in community child care facilities and homes.
• Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood. If on-installation child care is unavailable, you may be eligible to receive fee assistance through MCCYN. To apply, visit Child Care Aware of America.

Check out the National Guard Teen Panel »

The ARNG Exceptional Family Member Program is a Defense Department program that works with civilian and military agencies to provide comprehensive support services to family members with special needs. EFMP provides a defined process to screen exceptional family members (children and adults). To ensure the availability of care during the assignment process, CONUS and OCONUS, soldiers must enroll exceptional family members with special education and medically-related service needs and support.

Find out how the National Guard Family Program helps families prepare for what lies ahead. Let us show you how to be “Always Ready, Always There.

These organizations support veterans and service members:

• Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW
• American Veterans, AMVETS
• Disabled American Veterans, DAV
• American Legion
• United Service Organizations, USO
• America’s Adopt A Soldier

The Defense Department’s Safe Helpline is a groundbreaking crisis-support service for members of the DOD community affected by sexual assault. Safe Helpline provides live, one-on-one support and information to the worldwide DOD community. The service is confidential, anonymous, secure and available worldwide 24/7 by click, call or text — providing victims with the help they need anytime, anywhere.

Strong Bonds is a unit-based, chaplain-led program that assists commanders in building individual resiliency by strengthening the Army family. The core mission of the Strong Bonds program is to increase individual soldier and family member readiness through relationship education and skills training. Strong Bonds is conducted in an off-site retreat format in order to maximize the training effect. The retreat or “getaway” provides a fun, safe and secure environment in which to address the impact of relocations, deployments and military lifestyle stressors.

The Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders. through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 988 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Support for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing is available.

In some instances, callers may experience difficulty connecting with the Veterans Crisis Line. If you have trouble reaching the call line, please connect to chat, or text 838255 for immediate support.

Vets4Warriors’ mission is to provide 24/7 confidential, stigma-free peer support by veterans to active-duty, National Guard and reserve service members, veterans, retirees and their families or caregivers.

Family Assistance Centers provide a variety of referral-based services to geographically dispersed families and retirees from all military components. Services include, but are not limited to, ID cards and Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System enrollment, TRICARE and military medical benefits education, emergency financial services, legal information and referral, crisis intervention and referral, and community information and referral.

TRICARE is the health care program for service members (active, Guard/reserve, retired) and their families around the world. TRICARE is a major part of the Military Health System that:

• Combines the resources of military hospitals and clinics with civilian health care networks
• Provides access to high-quality health care
• Supports military operations

Purpose

Child and Youth Services is an integral component of the National Guard’s comprehensive approach to family readiness. CYS operates in 54 states, territories and the District of Columbia, offering outcome-based activities for National Guard children. The program focuses on fostering positive development, addressing unique challenges, and promoting resilience, positive coping strategies and leadership potential.

Age-appropriate activities and support services are offered in four service delivery areas:

• Art, Recreation and Leisure
• Sports, Fitness and Health
• Life Skills, Citizenship, Character Development and Leadership
• Academic Support, Career Development, Mentoring and Intervention

Learn about opportunities and support Family Programs provides for National Guard kids of all ages.

Mission statement

To promote and sustain the quality of life and resilience of National Guard children and youth by providing secure, timely, flexible, high-quality support services and enrichment programs.

Eligibility

CYS is available to school-age dependents, ages 6 to 18 years, of National Guard soldiers and airmen – regardless of deployment status, including traditional drilling guardsmen – survivors, and active component soldiers and airmen geographically separated from installation-based program support.

Core program elements

National:

• Guard Teen Panel
• National Youth Symposium

State:

• State Teen Panel
• State Youth Symposium
• Youth Development Programming
• State Opportunities and Military Youth Adventure Camps
• Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Support

For more information, contact the program manager at 703-607-3012 or visit the Army National Guard Child and Youth Services website for additional information on upcoming events, activities and resources.