New Guard Smart program provides assistance to Alaska National Guard families

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The Alaska Nationwide Guard is striving to make discovering solutions to questions in regards to the Nationwide Guard way of life simpler for guard members and their households.

“We name ourselves Google of the Guard,” Carissa Jones stated, who works with the Solider and Household Readiness program.

Beginning this month, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson will host quarterly conferences referred to as Guard Sensible, which embody quite a lot of brief shows on totally different facets of navy life.

“Guard Sensible is a brand new coaching program that we’ve for our relations — it will also be for our troopers and civilians — to supply them with all the knowledge that comes with being affiliated with the Alaska Nationwide Guard,” Jones stated. “All of those sources can be found to them, we wish to be sure that they’re conscious of what’s obtainable.”

This system hosted their first assembly on Nov. 4., touching upon matters resembling TriCare, and together with audio system from the ASYMCA and the Steven A. Cohen Household Clinic. The conferences, Jones stated, permit for households and repair members to get all their solutions in a single place and have an individual clarify and reply questions in realtime.

“A lot simpler, as an alternative of coming to us each time they’ve an issue if we’re in a position to present that data then in addition they know that we are able to present that data,” Jones stated.

In keeping with Jones, most Alaska Nationwide Guard members are primarily civilians who are available in for drill weekends. That transition, she stated, might be robust for brand new guard households who should not accustomed to the navy way of life.

“Family members aren’t essentially used to being a navy household. So it’s a bit bit extra disruptive to their schedule,” Jones stated.

Particularly when their guard members are away on drill weekends, or are activated in a assist standing for a mission.

“So if we’re there to assist them whereas they’re serving to their service member, it makes it just a bit bit simpler on them. Takes away a bit little bit of that stress of the unknown,” Jones stated.

Guard Sensible is ready to happen quarterly at JBER, with extra bi-annual conferences to be held at quite a lot of statewide places, supporting service members households it doesn’t matter what a part of Alaska they name house.

“In the event that they’re supporting the mission, our mission is to assist our troopers and relations,” Jones stated.

The following Guard Sensible assembly is ready for March 12 at JBER. The Alaska Nationwide Guard Youngster & Youth Packages can even be internet hosting a day camp for school-age youngsters for households who want childcare through the assembly. Ft. Greely will host their first assembly on Feb. 7, and Juneau will host a gathering on March 25.

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