MilFam 101 curriculum was developed in collaboration with the Office of Military Community and Family Policy, the service branches, joint service providers and university partners.

The courses are designed to give a high-level overview of programs and services within the Military Family Readiness System, and provide core competency training for family readiness service providers and other personnel such as unit leaders, spouses and volunteers who support service members and their families. Course content encourages integrated service delivery, referrals and warm hand-offs.

MilFam101 is available online, at no cost, through MilLife Learning. There are 20 self-paced and engaging courses in all. You can participate in the full suite of courses or select certain ones based on your training plan, needs, goals or interests. Training action plans tailored to each course are available to extend your learning by helping you capture your goals and identify next steps, resources and people who can help you. The training action plan can be used as your own personal tool or can be easily integrated into your existing training or professional development plan.

Learn more about the MilFam 101 courses in the following descriptions.

MilFam 101 – 1.0 Introduction to MilFam 101

Wondering what the MilFam 101 courses can teach you? Take this introduction to learn about what the three distinct training tracks cover. Whether you are a new service provider, leader, unit volunteer or just interested in understanding military family readiness, this course is for you.

Length: 5 minutes

MilFam 101 – 1.1 Social Services Delivery Model

Learn how military family readiness addresses the complex challenges of military life. This course explores key components of the integrated social services delivery the Military Family Readiness System provides and how service providers support it.

Length: 40 minutes

MilFam 101 – 1.2 Performance Management Strategy

Learn about the performance management strategy, and how it contributes to consistency and quality of military family readiness programs. Explore how service providers fit into the equation.

Length: 10 minutes

MilFam 101 – 2.0 Introduction to Core Competencies

Are you a military family readiness service provider looking to increase your knowledge and skills but aren’t sure where to start? Take this to learn about the core competencies the MilFam 101 Track 2 courses cover. It’s a quick, high-level overview that can help you determine your next step.

Length: 10 minutes

MilFam 101 – 2.1 Communication

Communication is a critical skill. This course provides basic elements of effective communication you can use in both personal and professional settings. You’ll take away tips and techniques you can put into practice today.

Length: 30 – 40 minutes

MilFam 101 – 2.2 Intake and Assessment

Learn about skills to enhance your ability to understand your clients and their needs. This interactive course will help you develop skills to establish boundaries and rapport, understand your client, and use assessment strategies and tools.

Length: 30 – 40 minutes

MilFam 101 – 2.3 Crisis and Intervention

Crisis can result from a variety of life events. Military families live with the possibility of crisis on a daily basis. Learn techniques you can use to help you assess, stabilize, provide short-term crisis management, and follow up with clients in crisis.

Length: 30 minutes

MilFam 101 – 2.4 Collaboration and Relationship Building

Collaboration is key to integrated support and building community capacity. Help military families by learning how to develop your collaboration and relationship-building skills with this fun and interactive course.

Length: 30 minutes

MilFam 101 – 2.5 Compassion Fatigue

Caring for others draws on internal strengths and compassion. Providing care and support to others can be both rewarding and stressful. Discover the signs of compassion fatigue and learn how to prevent and address it.

Length: 30 minutes

MilFam 101 – 2.6 Facilitation and Briefing Skills

Take this course to enhance your skills in facilitation and briefing. You’ll learn about the adult learner, strategies to organize and create facilitations, and how to make the most of your presentations. If you want to learn about techniques you can use to engage more deeply with your audience, this course is for you.

Length: 60 minutes

MilFam 101 – 3.0 Introduction to Military Family Readiness Programs

Learn more about the MilFam 101 Track 3 courses with this introduction. You will learn how the courses help develop an understanding of programs that contribute to the integrated support the Military Family Readiness System provides.

Length: 10 minutes

MilFam 101 – 3.1 Emergency Family Assistance

Learn how military family readiness service providers contribute to Emergency Family Assistance. Explore the components of Emergency Family Assistance to include planning, coordination of services, activation of Emergency Family Assistance Centers, and educating the community.

Length: 45 minutes

MilFam 101 – 3.2 Exceptional Family Member Program

Learn about the Department of Defense commitment to providing consistent, high-quality support to military families with special needs. Explore the EFMP Family Support component to include services, strategies, family needs assessment and services planning. You will learn how these elements provide critical support to military families.

Length: 30-40 minutes

MilFam 101 – 3.3 Family Advocacy Program

Learn about the Family Advocacy Program, an integral part of the Military Family Readiness System. Explore how we all play an important role in preventing violence and abuse. You’ll learn about the continuum of services that build on individual and family strengths, increase protective factors and promote safety and well-being.

Length: 40-50 minutes

MilFam 101 – 3.4 Financial Readiness

Financial readiness is a critical component of military readiness. Explore financial readiness tools and services such as the financial action plan, mandatory education touch points, education and counseling and consumer protection and advocacy.

Length: 50 minutes

MilFam 101 – 3.5 Supporting Military and Family Transitions

In this course you will learn about military and family transitions. Explore programs and services that support three major military and family transitions — relocation, transitioning from military service to civilian life, and the phases of deployment.

Length: 45 minutes

MilFam 101 – 3.6 Volunteer Management

Learn how volunteers contribute to the military mission. Explore volunteer management principles, recognition and retention efforts, and the various aspects of recruitment, training and supervision.

Length: 30-40 minutes

MilFam 101 – 3.7 Non-medical Counseling

Discover how non-medical counseling services address personal and family issues so they do not detract from military mission readiness. Explore the strengths-based non-medical counseling support available to increase individual and family member competencies and confidence.

Length: 50 minutes

MilFam 101 – 3.8 Employment Readiness

Explore how employment-readiness resources help military service members and their families navigate the mobile military lifestyle, promote positive adjustment and contribute to financial readiness and military retention. Learn about services that help build employment-related skills, and assist with access to education, career planning, preparation and support.

Length: 40 minutes

MilFam 101 – 3.9 Information and Referral

Explore how information and referral, as a stand-alone or integrated throughout the Military Family Readiness System, is essential to helping develop new skills, address challenges and locate and utilize services to meet needs. Learn how information and referral connects people to resources and services both on and off installation.

Length: 30 minutes