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7:30 AM to 4:30 PM

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701-747-3241

After Hours Emergencies
701-747-6711

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Military & Family Readiness Center

The Military & Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) is your one-stop information and referral center! We provide free assistance to all active duty, guard, and reserve service members, retirees, DoD civilian employees, and family members of eligible users, helping to connect them to information, resources, and community support agencies.

If it has anything to do with your family’s readiness in terms of money, relationships, career, or health, the Military & Family Readiness Center has resources for you! Check out our many services below, or call to request advice from one of our many professionals!

Our Services

Air Force Aid Society

The Official Charity of the Air Force

The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) supports the mission of the Air Force by relieving the financial distress of service members and their families through education, assistance, and proactive programs. Below are the various programs Air Force Aid Society offers:

Emergency Financial Assistance

When unexpected emergencies arise or there is a financial need, The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) can provide no-interest loans and/or grants to help meet immediate needs and make a positive step towards a lasting financial solution. Interest-free loans/grants are available for:

  • Basic Living Expenses
  • Emergency Travel
  • Essential Car Repair
  • Natural Disasters
  • Dependent Funerals
  • Pay or Allotment Problems
  • Medical/Dental expenses not covered by TRICARE
  • Falcon Loans
Education Programs

The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program provides up to $4000 in grants for college education for Air Force family members. Applications can be submitted online: www.afas.org.

Community Enhancement Programs

Bundles for Babies: This program offers an educational parenting class for Active Duty members and their spouses. This class is facilitated by the Family Advocacy Nurse Specialist (FANS) and is geared towards new parents. The AFAS provides each participant with a $150 gift card to be used at the Base Exchange to purchase items for the expectant mother & their new baby.

PCS Child Care: This program provides hourly child care for Active duty members on Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders and transitioning service members on retirement orders. Care will be provided at the local CDC or School Age Care based on space availability. A copy of PCS orders is required to receive a certificate. Members can obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the M&FRC.

Give Parents a Break: The Give Parents a Break program provides free hourly childcare for eligible parents who are subject to the unique stresses of military life, including deployments, remote tours of duty, and extended working hours. The program is offered once a month (except June – August) to allow families a few hours break from the stresses of parenting. In order to receive free care, parents must have a referral on file with the Military & Family Readiness Center. Referrals may be obtained from your commander, first sergeant, base chaplain, medical group, family support center, or child & youth programs personnel. See the Child Development Center page for the current schedule and more information.

Respite Care: This program is offered to active duty Air Force families with a family member(s) enrolled in the EFMP program. The goal of the program is to provide a break for a few hours a week/month to families who have the responsibility of 24 hours-a-day care for an ill/disabled family member. AFAS assistance for respite is based on need.

Resources

Casualty Assistance & Survivor Benefit Plan

Casualty Assistance Program

Losing someone is never easy. The Air Force Casualty Services Program provides prompt and dignified notification, as well as compassionate, thorough, and efficient assistance to family members. The Casualty Assistance Representative (CAR) works closely with commanders at all levels to ensure the success of the program and with survivors of retired Air Force members to ensure potential benefits are explained and applied for. We provide limited casualty services to members of sister services, certain foreign nationals, and civilians.

Survivor Benefit Plan

The SBP protects a portion of the income a retiree receives and makes it payable to a surviving spouse or eligible children after death. SBP protection is provided for all active duty service members at no cost. If an active duty service member with a spouse and/or children dies, dependents will continue to receive 55% of the retirement income they would have received. At retirement, service members must elect to continue SBP coverage. After retirement, the government subsidizes a portion of the cost for SBP protection, but the service member is required to pay a share of the premiums equal to roughly 6.5% of the amount protected.

Resources & Downloads

Deployment Readiness

Preparing You and Your Family for Deployment

The Air Force is dedicated to ensuring the needs of deployed Airmen, Guardians and their families are identified and addressed. To assist commanders in this effort, we provide readiness briefings, deployment education, and support to military and eligible civilian personnel and their families at all phases of the deployment cycle.

Deployment-related programs deliver information, support and assistance, which foster competencies and coping skills to help deal with mission demands and family responsibilities. M&FRC services help reduce the stress of the military life cycle, increase morale and unit cohesion, and support operational and family readiness.

Resources
  • Pre-Deployment Briefing
    Tuesdays & Thursdays | 9am
  • Reintegration Briefing
    Tuesdays & Thursdays | 11am
  • Deployed Family Dinner
    2nd Tuesday of the month | 5pm
    Sign up required

Employment Assistance

Helping You Achieve Your Career Goals

The Employment Assistance Program (EAP) supports military members, retirees, family members, veterans, and DoD civilians in achieving their short- and long-term career & employment goals. We provide referrals to education,  training, and up-skilling opportunities to be competitive with civilian counterparts in the private and public sectors.

Stop in and see us and get access to information & education on readiness skills for job seekers, support for military spouses in finding & preparing for portable careers in the private and public sectors, as well as resources for self-employment, small businesses, and entrepreneurial efforts.

Resources

M&FRC Job Board

Exceptional Family Member Program

Supporting Families with Special Medical & Educational Needs

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) provides on-going non-medical case management services tailored to the unique needs of the family through needs assessments, community outreach, resources, deployment support, education, information & referrals and more. Services are open to anyone with base access.

EFMP 101 Orientation

Whether newly enrolled, a seasoned EFM family, or just curious about the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), join us in this 90 minute virtual session where you will receive information from the three components of EFMP: EFMP-Assignments, EFMP-Medical, and the EFMP Family Support office. This class will guide you in understanding how to enroll, where to find support, and what impact it may have on you and your family. Leaders are highly encouraged to attend to learn about requirements of the program and the resources available to their service members.

Grand Forks AFB Playgroup

Join us on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of every month from 10:15am to 11:15am at the Community Activity Center for playgroup, hosted by EFMP and Anne Carlsen Early Intervention! Enjoy free play, socialization, crafts, & more for children of all ages and abilities! Free developmental screenings will also be available upon request. Caregivers must be present throughout the entirety of playgroup.

Resources & Downloads

EFMP Program Overview
EFMP 101 Orientation
Grand Forks AFB Playgroup
EFMP & Me
Dept. of the Air Force Family Vector

Commander's Key Support Program

Connecting Spouses & the Squadron

The Commander’s Key Support Program (KSP) is designed to enhance readiness and establish a sense of community between the unit, military members, and their families. Key Support Liaisons are volunteers appointed by the Unit Commander and serve as a vital communication link between the unit and its families, as well as a peer-to-peer support system by providing information and referral assistance. Key Support Liaison volunteers can be spouses, DoD civilians, or military members.

Liaisons must attend a series of initial and annual training sessions with the M&FRC. For more information on program training dates, how to become a Key Support Liaison, or connecting with the Key Support Liaison for your squadron, please call or visit the M&FRC.

Loan Locker

Borrow Household Goods During Your PCS

The Loan Locker is offered by the Military and Family Readiness Center to help ease the transition of active duty personnel, Department of Defense civilians, and authorized tenant organizations and their families who may be experiencing a permanent change of station or retirement.

A PCS or retirement can be exciting, but it can also be stressful. Household items and other prized possessions have to be packed and shipped, and it can be difficult to identify what may need to be held back for further use.

Fortunately, the M&FRC assists families by providing temporary household items during relocations. The Loan Locker contains numerous items including folding tables, cookware, chairs, sleeping mats, coffee makers, crockpots, and more.

These items can be checked out free of charge for up to 30 days at a time. Call (701) 747-3241 for details.

Rent Games, Puzzles, and More!

The Loan Locker also has outdoor games, indoor games, and puzzles available to rent regardless of relocation status. Please stop by to check out what we have when planning your next game night with friends or quiet evening with a puzzle.

Military & Family Life Counselor

Free, Confidential Counseling

Military & Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) support service members, their families, and survivors with confidential non-medical counseling to address issues that occur with military life. Trained to work with the military community, Military & Family Life Counselors deliver counseling services, briefings, and presentations to the military community both on and off the installation.

Issues Addressed

MFLC’s can address issues such as relationship issues at home or work, stress management, adjustment difficulties, parenting, grief and loss, and more.

Issues Not Addressed

MFLC’s cannot address issues such as:

  • Active suicidal or homicidal thoughts
  • Sexual assault
  • Child abuse
  • Domestic violence
  • Alcohol/substance abuse
  • Serious mental health conditions

While the MFLC’s service is confidential and they can be trusted to keep your information private, they are required to report situations where you could be a danger to yourself or to others.

Making Appointments

Currently, Grand Forks Air Force Base does not have an MFLC assigned for face-to-face adult appointments. However, to make a video or telehealth appointment, call 402-690-1509.

To make a face-to-face appointment for your school-age child, call (571) 648-8871.

Resources & Downloads

MFLC Program Information

Personal & Work Life

Programs & Counseling for Everyday Life

The Personal and Work Life program (P&WL) is committed to increasing military members and their family’s effectiveness of everyday living skills in learning to cope with life events and realize one’s personal potential resulting in an increased quality of life and resilience.

Program activities are educational in nature and offered in group or individual settings. Topics include (but are not limited to):

  • Interpersonal communication skills
  • Adoption
  • Relationship building
  • Maintaining long-distance relationships (ex. deployments or other separations)
  • Marriage preparation
  • Positive parenting
  • Eldercare
  • Time management
  • Team building
  • Leadership coaching

Check out our monthly calendar below to see workshops and programs available, or call the M&FRC at 701-747-3241 to speak to the Work Life Consultant for assistance in addressing any personal or work issue you may be facing.

Personal Financial Management

Financial Education & Counseling

The Personal Financial Management Program offers information, education, and counseling to help military members, DoD civilians, and their families improve financial literacy & stability, resolve financial problems, and plan for their futures.

Our certified Personal Financial Counselors can pull credit reports and credit scores at no cost or impact to our customers. They offer workshops and one-on-one counseling on a variety of topics including:

  • Personal budget counseling
  • Credit and debt management strategies
  • Understanding your credit report
  • Estate planning
  • Home and car buying
  • Investing in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
  • And much more!

Give us a call at 701-747-3241 to see how we could help build your financial future!

Relocation Assistance

Your PCS Resource

The Relocation Assistance Program is designed to ease the personal and family stressors military families experience with a PCS by providing assistance, counseling, and education throughout all phases of the relocation process.

We offer the following services to assist service members and their families moving to or from Grand Forks AFB:

Pre-Arrival Orientation

This one-hour virtual orientation offers an introduction to life at Grand Forks Air Force Base and Cavalier Space Force Station.  Hear about the local area, TMO, Tricare, employment, PCS finances, and more! For more information and registration, please contact the Military & Family Readiness Center at 319rw.mfrc.fsh@us.af.mil

Supplemental Sponsorship Training

This training is for those who have completed or will complete eSAT. Learn more about roles and responsibilities as a sponsor, resources, and practice scenarios to get prepared! Sign up is required. For more information and registration, please contact the Military & Family Readiness Center at 319rw.mfrc.fsh@us.af.mil

Newcomer’s Orientation

Newcomer’s orientation is offered the second Wednesday of every month beginning @ 7:45am. Sign-up is required and can be completed via QR code through your CSS or by calling the M&FRC at (701) 747-3241. Spouses are encouraged to attend!

Individualized Assistance

The Relocation Assistance Program is here to help with planning your PCS, accessing resources, community orientation, navigating housing, and sponsorship support. Please contact M&FRC to discuss your PCS to or from Grand Forks AFB or Cavalier SFS.

PCS Childcare Vouchers

See the M&FRC for PCS Childcare Voucher. PCSing members are entitled to 20 hours of free childcare beginning 60 days prior to a PCS and ending 60 days after a PCS.

Resources & Downloads

MilitaryINSTALLATIONS
Plan My Move
MilLife Learning

Transition Assistance Program

Preparing You for Life After the Military

Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is a mandatory program that provides information and training to ensure that service members, and their spouses, that are leaving the military understand the benefits and entitlements available to them and are prepared for their next step in life.

It is recommended to begin the TAP process within 18 months of separation or within 24 months of retirement. Regardless of status, service members MUST start the transition process no later than 365 days from their date of separation or retirement.

TAP is broken down into the following components:

Individualized Initial Counseling

This step begins the transition process. Service members will meet with the TAP counselor and complete their personal self-assessment tool to identify and develop a personalized plan for the transition process.

Pre-Separation Counseling

This informational briefing delivers detailed information on various benefits and services available to veterans, so service members can make an informed decision regarding their separation or retirement options.

TAP Workshop

This three-day workshop consists of courses facilitated by the Military and Family Readiness Center, Department of Labor, and Department of Veterans Affairs. Members receive information and tools that will help them be successful and thrive after their military careers. During this workshop service members will:

  • Identify their current skills and abilities and how they translate to a variety of occupations outside of the military
  • Assess future career goals and plans, and identify needs
  • Develop a financial spending plan for transition
  • Receive resources and training on searching the current job market, effective interviewing skills, and dressing for success
  • Learn about veteran’s benefit entitlements and VA services including GI Bill benefits, the disability claims process, VA healthcare, vocational rehab and more
Optional Workshops

Dept. of Labor Employment Workshop: This course covers best practices in career employment, including learning interview skills, building effective resumes, and using emerging technology to network and search for employment.

Managing (MY) Education: This course is designed for anyone interested in pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree, and includes information on choosing a field of study, selecting an institution, gaining admission, and funding your education.

Career & Credential Exploration (C2E): This course offers an opportunity to complete personalized career development assessments of occupational interests and aptitudes. Participants will then be guided through a variety of career considerations, including labor market projections, education, apprenticeships, certifications, and licensure requirements.

Boots to Business: This course is for those interested in exploring business ownership or other self-employment opportunities. Participants learn about evaluating business concepts, developing a business plan, the resources available to access technical assistance, start-up capital, contracting opportunities, and more.

Capstone

This one-on-one appointment with one of our trained M&FRC staff members will review the service member’s Individual Transition Plan and ensure Career Readiness Standards have been completed. Must be completed NLT 90 days prior to separation/retirement.

Volunteer Opportunities

Get Involved in Your Community!

The M&FRC provides volunteer information and referral resources, that equip military, retirees, family members, veterans, and DoD civilians with tools and resources to volunteer in their community and gain personal fulfillment.  We strive to support the community through volunteer recruitment, assignments/placements, training, and recognition.

There are two volunteer opportunities Military and Family Readiness is actively involved with:

  • Airman’s Attic: The Airman’s Attic is located in the M&FRC and is designed to assist the Grand Forks AFB Military Community, particularly Airmen in ranks E- 1 to E-5 and their family members, by providing free clothes, household goods, furniture, toys, and more. The Attic is managed and staffed by dedicated community volunteers who spend hours each week sorting items, stocking shelves and ensuring our customers are provided with friendly service. All items are donated by members of our community and are in new or gently used condition.
  • Commander’s Key Support Program:  Key Support Liaisons are volunteers appointed by the Unit Commander and serve as a vital communication link between the unit and its families, as well as a peer-to-peer support system by providing information and referral assistance to military members & their families. Volunteers can be spouses, DoD civilians and military members. Key Support Liaisons must attend a series of initial and annual training sessions with the M&FRC.

There are many more opportunities to grow whether you are active duty, a family member, civilian, or retiree! For more information on these opportunities & to get involved, check out our online job / volunteer board or give us a call at 701-747-3241!

Voting Assistance

Absentee Voting & More

The Voting Assistance Program works to ensure that service members, their eligible family members, and U.S. citizens overseas have the tools and resources to successfully vote from anywhere in the world.

We offer information and assistance with the following:

  • Registering to vote by absentee ballot and requesting an absentee ballot
  • Completing a back-up ballot in the event an official ballot is not received
  • First time voter registration
  • Help finding registration/voting deadlines
  • Voting while deployed overseas

You can receive direct assistance by visiting the Installation Voting Assistance Office located within the M&FRC, calling 747-VOTE (701.747.8683) or emailing 319rw.vote@us.af.mil

Resources & Downloads

FVAP.gov – Voting Information & Forms
Federal Post Card Application
Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot

Workshops & Classes

Sensory & Relaxation Room

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Stop by our Sensory & Relaxation room to refocus and recharge. The room features a massage chair, mini zen gardens, and soft lighting all in a calming environment meant to help you relax.

Stop by the M&FRC during business hours or call ahead to reserve the room for yourself.

Airman’s Attic

The Airman’s Attic is a volunteer-run, donation-based shop offering free clothing, household goods, uniforms, furniture, toys, and more to all Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve service members and their families that are in need. All items are donated by community members and are in new or gently used condition.

HOURS

Tuesdays & Thursdays | 10am to 2pm
Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for pop-up hours!