Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ange Desinor | Kyle Jordan Day, a wheel vehicle mechanic from Kansas City, Mo., and his supervisor...... read more read more
FORT HOOD, Texas- Soldiers from various units here, take advantage of programs offered to them and their families, June 27.
One service the Army offers to Soldiers and their families is the Army Community Service.
“ACS is an Army organization agency that provides services to support our Soldiers, families, retirees, and Department of Defense civilians,” said Donna Morrissey, a native of Sanford, N.C., and the ACS director here. “The services range from a variety of social services that support the welfare of our Soldiers.”
Morrisey said ACS has methods of helping Soldiers who find themselves in difficult financial situations.
“We have a program that deals with finances which is known as the Financial Readiness Branch,” said Morrisey.
Army Emergency Relief is a nonprofit organization that provides emergency financial assistance to Soldiers and families through interest-free loans or grants offered through the FRB.
“ACS has helped me out in a bind where I needed financial support to take care of my family,” said Kyle Jordan Day, a wheel vehicle mechanic and a native of Kansas City, Mo. “The program makes me feel better. I’m not stressing over where I’m going to find financial support. I don’t have to ask my family [distant] for money. I can come here and get the financial help I need.”
Morrisey said ACS assists individuals who have children or family members with special needs through the Exceptional Family Member Program.
ACS offers a relocation program for families moving to the area. It supports their arrival to or departure from Fort Hood.
Jennifer Coombs, a spouse and a former resident of El Paso, Texas, said she wasn’t aware of the many services available to her and her family before she arrived here. She said she appreciates the friendly staff and their dedication. Coombs also has a child enrolled in EFMP. At first, her son’s school wasn’t aware that he was autistic, but the program made sure he was properly cared for at school.
Aside from EFMP, Morrisey said ACS also has a program in the Relocation Office for Soldiers or family members who want to become U.S. citizens. The program partners with the U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Office.
Fort Hood holds a naturalization ceremony at the III Corps Headquarters building and at the Oveta Culp Hobby Soldier and Family Readiness Center to naturalize new Soldiers in America, said Morrissey.
Not only does ACS provide programs to naturalize Soldiers or family members, they also offer a program that focuses on helping military spouses find employment through the Employment Readiness Branch.
Through finances and employment, ACS supports the wounded Soldiers and Soldiers who are ill, through the Soldier and Family Assistance Program.
“It’s particularly designed for the transitioning Soldiers,” said Morrisey. “There are some Soldiers that are going through the program that return to active duty and some exit the military.”
Morrisey also said there are many programs and activities available to wounded Soldiers. She also said she wants to assure them they are still part of the military community.
She recommends everyone visit the Survival Outreach Services because it has a hall of remembrance.
“That’s where a family would like their loved one’s picture hung who have died on active duty,” said Morrisey. “The families can come any time and see their loved ones picture.”
ACS offers a variety of programs at Fort Hood at several locations. The headquarters building offers financial, EFMP and relocation support, and is located at Bldg. 121 761st, Tank Battalion Avenue. They are open Monday through Fridays from 7 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. and closed on Federal Holidays. For specific locations or more information, visit www.Hoodmwr/acs.
| Date Taken: | 06.27.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.08.2014 16:42 |
| Story ID: | 135545 |
| Location: | TX, US |
| Hometown: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Hometown: | KANSAS CITY, MO, US |
| Hometown: | SANFORD, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 145 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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