ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICES
Soldier and Family Services
Soldier and Family services on Fort Lee are provided mostly through the office of Army Community Service (ACS) or Child and Youth Services Division (CYSD). Both are branches of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR). FMWR is under US Army Garrison, but also receives guidance from the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC) which is headed by a general officer.
For more information on FMWRC and FMWR programs and opportunities Army-wide, visit the command’s homepage www.armymwr.com.
Location and Contact Information
Army Community Service
MAIN FACILITY
Bldg. 9023
1231 Mahone Ave.
Fort Lee, Va. 23801
Phone: 804-734-6388 or 1-866-507-7464
Fax: 804-734-6383
Hours of Operation
8 am - 5 pm
Army Community Service (ACS) Fort Lee assists commanders in maintaining readiness of individuals, Families and communities within America’s Army by developing, coordinating and delivering services which promote self-reliance, resiliency and stability during war and peace. ACS has innovative programming, strong community partnerships and is fully accredited. We promote and foster: Army Community Service – “Putting Soldiers and Families First!”
Army Family Action Plan (AFAP)
AFAP is a process that allows Soldiers and Families to say what’s working and what isn’t – AND what they think will fix it. It alerts commanders and Army leaders to areas of concern that need their attention and it gives them the opportunity to quickly put plans into place to work toward resolving the issues. Results include changes in legislation, policies, programs and services that strengthen readiness and retention.
Army Family Team Building (AFTB)
AFTB is an official Army training program that emerged as a result of lessons learned after the Gulf War. AFTB develops ready Families and Soldiers which improves unit readiness and empowers them to thrive in the Army community. AFTB is a tiered training program consisting of Army Basics, Management Skills, Leadership Skills and Instructor Training. Soldiers can earn promotion points by completing this training.
Employment Readiness Program (ERP)
This program provides information and referral services in the areas of employment, education, training, transition and volunteer opportunities. Providing Family members the competitive edge needed to secure employment. ACS resource room currently contains five computer work stations with access to internet for use in job assistance, on- and off- post job announcements, employment resource materials, education and scholarship information, volunteer opportunities, training videos and resume templates.
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
The EFMP is a mandatory program that provides comprehensive and coordinated medical, educational, housing, community support and personal services to Families with special needs. An Exceptional Family Member (EFM) is a Family member (child or adult) with any physical, emotional, developmental or intellectual disability that requires special treatment, therapy, education, training or counseling. An effort is made to assign personnel to areas that have the agencies and facilities necessary to meet the needs of the EFM. This in no way has an adverse effort on the Soldier’s military career. The EFMP provides assistance to all active-duty Soldiers and their Family members. EFMP provides information and referral about support services in the local community. Upon receiving your PCS orders, the EFMP Manager can be of service to you, assisting you with the future needs of your EFM. The EFMP has a sub-committee called the Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP) that can help you to find the appropriate childcare for your EFM. ACS offers support groups, training and quarterly newsletters to keep you informed of law changes and community resources. Free respite care services are available.
Financial Readiness Program
This program offers a wide range of personal financial services to assist Soldiers and their Families intended to strengthen the financial status of the Family. Education and prevention training to units is available upon request on managing personal finances, planning and budgeting. First-term training is conducted monthly and is mandatory. Unit training is available upon request. A yearly training schedule is available upon request for unit training.
Mobilization/Deployment Readiness Program
This program helps Soldiers and their Families deal with separation issues, before, during and after they occur. ACS offers training through Operation Ready materials to train Soldiers, Family members, commanders, unit leaders, Family Readiness Groups, rear detachment personnel, Reserve Components and volunteers. Classes/workshops are ongoing throughout the year on the operation of Family Readiness Group, pre-deployment/ongoing readiness, homecoming and reunion. Units and FRG’s can request classes by contacting ACS.
Fort Lee has a Soldier Readiness Program Center located within the Adjutant General’s Office. ACS provides overview of services available to deploying Soldiers. Service members complete the Family Assistance Sheet and receive deployment booklets and ACS staff assists Soldiers with all matters of concern.
Relocation Readiness Program (RRP)
The RRP provides information, services, guidance and assistance to reduce or eliminate problems arising because of frequent moves. The RRP program offers pre- and post-move counseling; welcome packets, overseas orientation, lending closet, Military Homefront, Army Sponsorship Training, Youth Sponsorship Training and classes for foreign-born spouses to include Cultural Adaptation and English as a Second Language.
The ACS RRP is the best place to receive relocation assistance and information as it is especially designed to make the transition into our community an easier and more pleasant experience for the newly-arrived Soldiers and Family members.
Lending Closet
Basic household items are available for the PCS’ing Family awaiting the arrival of household goods. Items provided include irons, ironing boards, pots and pans, dishes, silverware, toasters, coffee pots, car seats, strollers and futons. Linens, tables and chairs are NOT provided.
Army Volunteer Corps (AVC)
This program provides assistance in the recruitment, training and recognition of Installation volunteers and maintains a job bank for volunteer positions available on the Installation. The IVC links together Army volunteers throughout the community.
Army Emergency Relief (AER)
Emergency financial assistance is available to all military personnel, active and retired, and their Family members in the following categories: food, rent, emergency travel, utilities, essential car repairs, funeral expenses, emergency medical/dental assistance and essential needs in the event pay is not received. Eligibility includes active-duty military, ARNG and USAR Soldiers on continuous active duty for more than 30 days, military-dependent Family members and surviving spouses and orphans of Solders who died while on active duty or after they retired.
AER has an additional category of assistance entitled Commander’s Referral. Active-duty Soldiers lacking the funds to meet their monthly obligations may request AER funds up to $1,000 by submitting a completed DA Form 1103 to their immediate commander. This lack of funds could be for a myriad of complex reasons or as simple as having overextended themselves the previous month. Whatever the basis, the company commander or first sergeant must be satisfied that the Soldier’s request is reasonable, justifiable and needed. If the commander approves the Soldier’s request, under this category, they will complete item 19 of DA Form 1103 and write in Commander’s Referral next to the approved box. The request is then taken to the local AER section along with the current leave and earnings statement and a copy of DA Form 31. The commander and first sergeant are the approving authority, not the AER representative. The following conditions apply:
- AER representative will confirm eligibility for assistance under this category prior to issuing a check.
- Repayment must be by allotment. The ARNG and USAR Soldiers must continue to submit requests for AER assistance through the commander or first sergeant to the AER officer due to inability to set up allotment for repayment. Loan must be paid before additional assistance in this category is authorized.
- Repayment must be prior to ETS, but no more than 12 months.
- In additional to emergency financial assistance, AER provides food vouchers as a short-term solution for Families experiencing financial difficulty/inability to provide food for themselves or their Family.
NOTE: Family members must have a Power of Attorney to receive AER financial assistance.
Family Advocacy Program (FAP)
Located on Lee Avenue, Building 4310, Fort Lee, VA 23801
(804) 734-6381
The Family Advocacy Program (FAP) supports readiness, builds healthy Families and sustains strong communities by providing comprehensive approaches to prevention, identification and intervention.
FAP promotes public awareness within the military community and coordinates professional intervention at all levels within the civilian and military communities, including law enforcement, social services, health services and legal services.
Prevention Core Programs of FAP include the following: Community Education, Commander Education, Troop Education, Education for Professionals, Parent Education & Support, Safety Education, Spouse Abuse Prevention, Victim Advocate Services and Family Life Education.
The Empowerment Program at Fort Lee assists those who are victims of domestic violence including active-duty members, retired Army members, Reserve components on continuous active duty in excess of 30 days and all Family members. The Empowerment Program serves military Families living on and off the installation. Services include the following: crisis intervention; safety assessment and planning; support for victims in pursuing legal, financial and medical matters related to domestic violence; education on military and civilian protective orders; information on transitional compensation; military and community resource coordination; briefings and trainings for commands and troops and information and referral.
ACS has two Victim Advocate Coordinators who ensure advocacy services are available to victims 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whether through face-to-face or telephonic contact. Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program reinforces the Army’s commitment to eliminate incidents of sexual assault through a comprehensive policy that centers on awareness and prevention, training and education, victim advocacy, response, reporting and follow-up.
Fort Lee has the New Parent Support Program which offers services from a licensed professional to expectant parents and parents of newborns up to three years of age! Services include standardized risk assessment; periodic assessment during service delivery; intensive and comprehensive home visiting; provision of health and child development services; intensive role modeling and mentoring to change skills, respite support and other concrete services as needed and a variety of parent classes such as 1-2-3-4 Parents, Positive Parenting, Baby Basic Training, Daddy Boot Camp and Mommy Boot Camp. Other services offered are weekly Play Mornings and bi-weekly developmental play groups.
The Treatment Program at Fort Lee includes intervention and therapeutic services designed to prevent repetition of abuse and to restore the health of victims and innocent Family members who have suffered physical or psychological damage from abuse. Treatment includes crisis intervention, educational programs, short-term counseling, marital and Family therapy and support groups. Currently, the type of groups offered are children who witness domestic violence, parenting, a group addressing issues for men and the same for women.
Survivor Outreach Services (SOS)
Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) connects survivors with people who can help you move forward and find strength. Many times after you have lost a loved one, there are unresolved issues or questions that may surface months or years after the loss. We are there to help and provide you with needed resources. SOS demonstrates the Army’s commitment to Families of the fallen.
