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By Seaman Joseph Boomhower
SAN DIEGO - The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society welcomed a first-of-its-kind Budget Counseling Program at Naval Medical Center San Diego, Nov. 23.
NMCRS celebrated the new program with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony held in the NMCSD Armed Services YMCA office. The program’s primary objective is to provide wounded, ill and injured service members and NMCSD active duty staff and family members with spending plans and basic budgets.
The Budget Counseling Program was suggested by the Marine Wounded Warrior Battalion - West, NMCSD Detachment, and is part of a satellite office attached to Naval Base San Diego.
Barry White, director of NMCRS San Diego, coordinated with WWBn-W and hospital leadership to start the program. Led by Andrea Graves, director of patient relations , and the continued effort from the hospital staff, the program was able to establish office space to conduct budget counseling.
Budget counseling is performed by NMCRS case workers who are trained on how to complete a spending plan, know what resources are available in the San Diego area and how to connect with the service member. Currently there are two fully trained NMCRS volunteer case workers at NMCSD with four more in the training pipeline.
Commander, Naval Region Southwest Rear Adm. William D. French was on hand to celebrate the program’s grand opening.
“This is a world-class hospital with world-class volunteers who provide services to world-class sailors,” said French.
Budget Counseling Program Manager Diane Thompson is there to assist with budget planning..
“I’m not just doing it for them, I am teaching them to do it for themselves,” said Thompson.
There are currently five appointments per week set aside for theWWBn-W, NMCSD Det., but the office has the ability to see additional clients on Wednesdays and Fridays at 2:30 p.m.
Budget counseling is a part of the comprehensive recovery program provided for Navy and Marine Corps service members. Marines, sailors and NMCSD active duty staff and family members can be referred to the budget counseling program through WWBn-W detachment or from Recovery Care Coordinators.
NMCRS is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to assist sailors and Marines and their families in time of need.
The budget counseling program is one of many services offered by the NMCRS; other services include interest free loans and grants, visiting nurse services, thrift shops, infant layettes and food lockers.
In the coming months, the program hopes to expand their services as demand requires for active duty hospital staff.
“All the programs and services were designed to meet the needs of sailors and their families,” said White. “We are here to serve those who serve our country.”
| Date Taken: | 11.23.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 03.21.2011 15:26 |
| Story ID: | 67481 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 50 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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