WASHINGTON -- The Defense Department's Military Community and Family Policy office is adapting how it executes its programs in an effort to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
DOD is closely monitoring the impacts of the coronavirus disease outbreak on service members, their families and their survivors, said Lee Kelley, the department's director of military community support programs.
Resources and services offered through Military OneSource, the Military and Family Life Counseling program and the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program will continue to serve the military community, Kelley said.
''We are working hard to provide timely and accurate updates and helpful resources for our service members and their families,'' said Kim Joiner, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy. ''Our families can feel confident about finding official information and guidance on our websites and social media platforms. While we have made necessary changes in response to this pandemic, one thing remains the same: our commitment to serving our military community.''
What's New
A dedicated section is available on Military OneSource to keep service members and their families informed about the impacts of COVID-19 on the military community. Military OneSource also offers nonmedical counseling video sessions for children and youth who may feel overwhelmed by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Military OneSource will be live on Facebook Mondays through Fridays at noon Eastern time to highlight available resources. All videos will be available for on-demand viewing.
What's the Same
Military OneSource is available around the clock every day to help service members and their families with stress management and challenges related to COVID-19, as well as to provide nonmedical counseling and support.
People in the continental United States can call 800-342-9647 or connect through live chat. People overseas also have calling options. Military OneSource also offers specialty consultations, such as:
- Relationship support, new ''MilParent'' support, health and wellness coaching and more;
- Financial counseling and ''MilTax'' services;
- Language services, including real-time interpretation and translation services;
- Access to resilience tools, including ''CoachHub,'' ''Moodhacker'' and ''Love Every Day''; and
- Access to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Digital Library, including many education and entertainment resources.
In addition, Spouse Education and Career Counseling coaches remain available. In the continental United States, call 800-342-9647 or connect through live chat to schedule an appointment. People overseas also have calling options.
Online SECO tools and resources remain available, including My Individual Career Plan, or MyICP, the Research Occupations Tool, the Scholarship Finder, the College Scorecard Tool, MySECO Resume Builder and more.
SECO online events and webinars are still active, including the Military Spouse Employment Partnership Partner Connect discussion and the Virtual Military Spouse Symposium.
What's Changed
Nonmedical Counseling: While Military OneSource continues to offer nonmedical counseling by telephone and online via secure chat and video, in-person counseling may be affected or unavailable, depending on state and local policies. Families should check with their local providers to confirm availability.
Military OneSource is a DOD-funded program that is both a call center and website that provides comprehensive information, support and resources on every aspect of military life.
Service members and the immediate families of active duty, National Guard and Reserve (regardless of activation status) service members, survivors and DOD expeditionary civilians are eligible for Military OneSource.
Veterans and their immediate family members are eligible for Military OneSource up to 365 days post-separation or retirement. All services are available at no cost.
(Courtesy of the Defense Department's Military Community and Family Policy office.)