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Family Advocacy Program

The U.S. Army Family Advocacy Program (FAP) helps Soldiers and Families recognize and meet the unique challenges of military lifestyles. Our services include seminars, workshops, counseling, and intervention to help strengthen Army Families, enhance resiliency and relationship skills, and improve quality of life.

We are also dedicated to helping Soldiers and Families with the complex challenges related to domestic abuse, child abuse, and neglect. We focus on prevention, education, prompt reporting, investigation, intervention, and treatment.

If you need help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at + 1(800)799-7233. You should also contact your installation’s Family Advocacy Program for more information.

Our additional programs within the Family Advocacy Program help with specific needs:

New Parent Support Program (NPSP): Expecting parents and parents with children ages 0-3 have special challenges, and NPSP has tools to meet them. Programs including home visits and parenting classes help caregivers learn to cope with stress, isolation, deployments, reunions, and the everyday demands of parenthood.

 

Transitional Compensation (TC) Program for Abused Dependents: Under a congressionally mandated program, abused dependents of military personnel may be eligible for up to three years of benefits and entitlements, including temporary financial compensation, medical care, and commissary and exchange privileges.

 

Victim Advocacy Program (VAP): Victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse have round-the-clock access to services, including emergency assistance, information, referrals, and ongoing support in accessing medical, behavioral health, legal, and law enforcement services on and off garrisons. Victim Advocates will discuss the option of restricted and unrestricted reports.

 

Seminars and Workshops

Seminars and workshops are available to you, your unit, or your Family support group. Topics may include:

  • Command and Troop Education
  • Community Awareness
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Couples Communication Skills
  • Stress Management
  • Prevention Programs and Services
  • New Parent Support Program
  • Parent Education
  • Domestic Violence Prevention
  • Victim Advocate Program
  • Relationship Support
  • Safety Education
  • Respite Care Program
  • Emergency Placement Care Program
  • Reporting Procedures

 

Contact your installation’s Army Community Service (ACS) Family Advocacy Program for more information.

 

You can also call Military OneSource for more information and referrals.

Catalog of Courses

Anger Management
This session is an overview of the main principals of anger management. In breaking down the process in which we allow ourselves to get angry, we can possibly intercept the emotion before it becomes an impulsive behavior with irreversible consequences. With helpful tips and Ideas of how to improve our self talk and make it more positive, participants can find their individual map to reducing anger in their lives. 

Stress Management
This one-hour class introduces participants to some of the main causes and consequences of stress in our lives. By looking at how we respond to stressful situations and the signals that indicate we are under pressure, we can learn to reduce the effects over time. Learn how to optimize the positive aspects of stress while minimizing the negative impacts of stress.

What to Expect Now That You're Expecting
This class will discuss what to expect as you prepare to expand your family to include pregnancy and financial expectations, adjusting to the role of parenthood and what Dads-To-Be need to know about how to support Mom during pregnancy and after birth. 

Baby Basics For New Dads
Learn the basics of infant development, baby safety, newborn care, community resources and more. Whether it's your first baby or third, this class is designed to be interactive and fun.  Network with other fathers, build confidence in your ability to parent, and enhance your nuturing side.

Couples Communication
This class assists couples with improving the quality of their communication to enhance their relationship. Each couple will learn to speak clearly, constructively and listen attentively, enabling them to transform potential conflict into collaboration.

Co-Parenting: Two Parents Two Homes (Virginia Court Approved)
This class is intended to help parents focus on the responsibilities of parenting from separate households and keeping children out of the middle of parental conflict. This curriculum meets the requirements for the Code of Virginia.  Advance Registration is required. 

Toddler Talks
Raising a toddler? Come learn about what to expect as your child transitions into toddlerhood. Topics covered are tantrums, picky eaters, toilet training, positive discipline and many more. Come network with other parents and learn some helpful tips to parenting a toddler. Children are welcome to attend!

A Look at Lactation: Providing Your Baby Human Milk
If you are planning to provide your baby with human milk by chest feeding, breast feeding, or exclusively pumping, this class is for you!  Come learn the basics of milk production, feeding basics, and how to start and maintain a healthy chest/breastfeeding relationship.  We will also discuss how to obtain a pump through TRICARE, using donor milk, and available local and online resources to support your feeding journey – no matter what path it takes!