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The Kansas National Guard Family Program, directed by Mary Nesbitt, is a program that provides training and assistance to Guard families to help them with their quality of life, as well as with the pressures of separation and reunion.
The Family Program has six operating Service Member and Family Assistance Centers, which serve as a resource and referral. Though the Family Assistance Centers primary focus is Guard members and their families, they also cater to the needs of military families from all branches of services.
Family Readiness Groups are officially Guard sanctioned groups consisting of families and friends of the National Guard. Training is offered throughout the year to those families of deployed Guard men and women and other volunteers.
The Kansas National Guard Youth Program is designed to support the needs and development of youth whose parents serve in the National Guard and other branches of the military.
Personnel consist of one State Family Program director; two Airmen and Family Readiness Program managers; one Family Program specialist; one Family Program assistant; one Family Readiness assistant; two Family Readiness support assistants; two youth coordinators; one Family Assistance specialist coordinator (located in Hiawatha); five Family Assistance specialists, located in Great Bend, Iola, Ottawa, Salina and Wichita; one Military One Source consultant; one Military Family Life consultant; one Youth Military Family Life consultant; and one personal financial counselor.
Duties performed and support provided to Guard families:
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Facilitate discussion groups and peer support groups to assist family members in dealing with emotions and responsibilities that they assume when their Guard member is away.
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Crisis intervention and referral
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Financial assistance
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Legal assistance
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Community information and outreach
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ID cards
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Youth support
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Youth and Teen Camps
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Pre-mobilization support
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Reintegration support
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The main focus of the Family Program is on the Guard members and their success to their mission, knowing their loved ones’ needs are being met at home.
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