Pre, Post and Family Deployment Support

Dedicated to ensuring the needs of Airmen, Guardians, Civilians, and their families are identified and addressed through all phases of a deployment. The 319th Force Support Squadron's Military & Family Readiness Center is responsible for providing pre-deployment readiness briefings, post-deployment education and support to Airmen, and their families and resources for families during the deployment.

Current schedule for deployment related briefings and events:

  • Pre-Deployment Briefing Tuesdays & Thursdays beginning at 9am
  • Reintegration Briefing Tuesdays & Thursdays beginning at 11am
  • Deployed Family Dinner 2nd Tuesday of the month beginning at 5pm
    • Sign up required, call 701-747-3241 to RSVP
      • Families may attend 1 month before deployment, during the duration of the deployment, and 1 month after deployment.

Deployment Checklists

Military OneSource offers a variety of resources and checklists to help Airmen, Guardians and their families prepare for and thrive through all phases of deployments and separations.

Local Resources

Grand Forks AFB has a variety of helping agencies available to offer assistance:

  • Grand Forks AFB Community Action Team - There's no wrong door on Grand Forks AFB, you'll be redirected and/or referred to the agency that can best assist with your needs.
     
    • Grand Forks AFB Community Resource Guide - When you need assistance identifying which agency is best suited to assist with your unique needs and concerns.
       
    • Grand Forks AFB Spectrum of Care - There are a variety of mental and emotional support options for you and those you care about. This guide offers recommendations based on the level of distress you or someone you care about is experiencing.

Additional Resources

  • Zero To Three is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting infants and toddlers. Zero To Three has great military family resources for children and parents of young children. Visit their website to order books and learn tips to help your family through deployment and reunion.
     
  • The American Red Cross can help you communicate with your deployed service member in an emergency situation, connect you with community resources, and provide resiliency training.
     
  • United Through Reading is a free service that records service members reading a book to their children all through the convenience of the UTR App, so kids can experience mom or dad reading them a bedtime story even when they’re far away.
     
  • Sesame Workshop created the Sesame Street for Military Families initiative which includes videos, guides, and activities to support young children.
     
  • Our Military Kids provides grants to children of deployed Guard and Reserve service members. These grants allow children to choose activities, such as ballet, baseball or tutoring, that they enjoy. As a result, they experience higher self-esteem, reduced stress and improved school performance.
     
  • The National Military Family Association is a nonprofit organization that supports and advocates for the families of those currently serving, veterans, retirees, wounded service members and fallen service members across all branches of the U.S. military.

Families and Relationships

  • Relationship Resources – Free tools, coaching, counseling and more through Military One Source.
     
  • Parenting Through Deployment – Help each of your children plan and prepare for every phase of your deployment.
     
  • Military Child Education Coalition - The MCEC offers guides for parents of school-age children to help them through transitions related to all phases of deployment
     

  • Give Parents a Break - provides childcare reimbursement for eligible parents who are subject to the unique stresses of military life, including deployments, and remote tours of duty. In order to receive reimbursement for care, parents must have a referral certificate and request reimbursement on the AFAS portal.

    • Families may apply for reimbursement up to $40 per dependent child per month (for up to 3 months).
       
    • Referrals may be obtained from your commander, first sergeant, base chaplain, medical group, family advocacy personnel, or Military & Family Readiness Center personnel.
       

    • See the Child Development Center page for upcoming Give Parents a Break events and more information.

  • Deployment/Remote Assignment Child Care (DCC) - Families may receive 16 hours of pre-deployment and 16 hours of post-deployment care per child, as well as 16 hours of care each month during the deployment/remote assignment. DCC may be used once the member has orders and ends 60 days upon return from the deployment.

    • Open to families of Active Duty or Guard/Reserve member in active-duty status deployed in support of a contingency operation for a minimum of 30 calendar days or personnel who routinely deploy on a short-term basis (cumulative 30 days in a 6-month period).
       
    • To be eligible, there cannot be another adult in the household available to provide care.
       
    • Free Program: Contact the Family Childcare Coordinator office at 701-581-5627
       
  • Military Spouse Appointment Childcare - designed to provide childcare to allow spouses to attend approved appointments related to key aspects of military life. Open to spouses of Active Duty or Guard/Reserve members in an active-duty status, deployed or at home station.
     
    • Spouse must be attending an approved appointment. Examples: Medical appointments, classes offered by the Military and Family Readiness Center, appointments with the Chaplain, Family Advocacy, and Medical Agencies; employment opportunities, such as job interviews, initial job training/new employee orientation.
       
    • To be eligible, there cannot be another adult in the household available to provide care.
       
    • Free Program: Contact the Family Childcare Coordinator office at 701-581-5627

Financial and Legal

Mental Health and Wellness

  • Confidential Counseling – Log in to start a secure live chat with Military One Source or call to connect privately with an expert who you can talk to about whatever is on your mind.
     
  • Talk to a Peer – Discuss deployment, personal concerns, career aspirations or other military life matters with someone who's been there.
     
  • Chill Drills – Relax body and mind with this free audio mindfulness app.
     
  • Mental Health Matters in the Military – Recognize the signs of stress in yourself and others and learn how to help.
     
  • Getting Support for Feelings of Loneliness – Forge meaningful connections wherever you are in your deployment journey.
     
  • Give an Hour has mental health professionals who volunteer to give free counseling sessions to military families. The hour-long sessions are confidential and can be helpful during deployment.
     
  • FOCUS (Families Over Coming Under Stress) is a nationwide program available at many military bases through the Family Center. The program meets individually with families over a 1-2 month period.