Service Member and Family Readiness


Article Body

LogoAI-generated content may be incorrect.

Service Member and Family Readiness Specialist (SFRS)

 

The SFRS team has two primary functions and focus, Family Readiness and Family Assistance.

  • The SFRS team is comprised of seven staff members.
  • The SFRS team is located in four communities:
    • Brookings
    • Mitchell
    • Rapid City
    • Sioux Falls
  • One-stop-shop This highly qualified team is your “Resource Headquarters.”
  • Providing customized, confidential and timely resources, assistance and referrals.
  • Support Unit Commanders for all things Family Readiness Group related.

What is Family Readiness at the unit level?

    • Centralized information networks for Soldiers and Families.
    • Opportunities for Soldiers and Families to be engaged and network with Unit and Command.
    • Strengthening Military life through education and information about benefits, programs, resources, and unit missions.

Service Member and Family Readiness Specialist serve as administrative support to Units.

  • Serve as unit commander’s liaison.
  • Provide training for SFRG Volunteers and Military personnel.
  • Track unit’s Family Readiness status and advise commander.
  • Provide assistance, advisement, and sustainment of the commanders SFRG.
  • Assist with required annual Family Readiness briefings.
  • Provide support to rear detachment commanders during deployments.

 

The SFRS team’s secondary function and focus is Family Assistance.  Family Assistance is customized resource, referral, education, and life skills to help with enhancing Military life.  SFRS team members are available across South Dakota to provide geographically disbursed Families access to closer resources. 

Family Assistance – Eight Essential Services:

  • Crisis Intervention & Referral
    • Providing assistance with the following:
      • Danger to Self and Others
      • Child Abuse/Neglect
      • Domestic Abuse
      • Abuse/Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult
  • Legal Resources & Referral
    • Information on Power of Attorney/Wills
    • Assistance with Service member Civil Relief Act
    • Referrals for ESGR
  • Financial Resource & Referral
    • Understanding Military Pay
    • Help with Financial education, financial assistance
  • Tricare Resource & Referral
    • Provide general information on benefits
    • Assist with TRICARE applications
    • Assist with writing appeal letters
  • ID Cards & DEERS
    • Provide information on DEERS Rapids Center
    • Assist with obtaining an ID Card
  • Community Information & Outreach
    • Provide an array of local Community resources:
    • Assist with Child Care resources and referral
    • Assist with referral to local financial resources
    • Help find a local Family Readiness Group
  • Exceptional Family member Program
    • Connect with ARNG EFMP Program
    • Assist with EFMP application & loan applications
  • Emergency Family Assistance
    • In a State of Emergency:
      • Provide information, referral & outreach services
      • Help Families regain normalcy & meet needs
      • Minimize impact of the event
Contact a Service Member and Family Readiness Specialist below

 


1.800.658.3930

 

Michele Anderson - SFRS Lead
Rapid City
605-737-6975 / 605-415-0471
michele.m.anderson.civ@army.mil 

Jay Schreiber
Rapid City
605-737-6079 / 605-789-8352
john.w.schreiber2.civ@army.mil 

Priscilla Harkin
Sioux Falls
605-357-2983 / 605-787-3313
priscilla.h.harkin.civ@army.mil 

Paul Mausbach
Sioux Falls
605-357-2942 / 605-415-2481
paul.g.mausbach.civ@army.mil 

Bill Flippo
Brookings
605-696-5416 / 605-415-1013
bill.m.flippo.civ@army.mil 

Ruth Ragels
Mitchell
605-995-1682 / 605-877-2517
ruth.e.ragels.civ@army.mil