Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Continuing family support through government shutdownPublished Oct. 3, 2013
                    
                    By Rosemary Freitas Williams
                    
                    
                    Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy
            **WASHINGTON (AFNS) --**Our service members, their families and survivors have responded brilliantly to all that’s been asked of them, especially since the start of combat operations well over 10 years ago.  They have and deserve our respect and support for continuing to serve honorably despite the many challenges associated with the vibrant military lifestyle.
Unfortunately, as we all are now aware, another one of those challenges that all of us will have to contend with is the government shutdown.
The government shutdown is affecting quality of life, family support, and child and youth programs that service members and families value. The purpose of this blog post is to provide guidance as to what to expect regarding the operating status of these programs while the government is shut down:
**Military OneSource**: The Military OneSource website and call center will remain fully operational. Military OneSource is a Defense-wide program that promotes the quality of life of service members and their families by delivering information, referrals, confidential counseling and other services in-person, online and by telephone. The service is available worldwide 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no cost to the user and regardless of the service member’s activation status. Visit their website or call 800-342-9647.
    **Child Development Centers (CDCs)**:  Contact your local CDC/installation for details/guidance.
    **Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA)**: Schools will remain open.
    **The Military and Family Life Counselor (MFLC) program:** Will continue uninterrupted. The MFLCs will perform routine functions. If an MFLC is unable to access the installation during a shutdown, they will work offsite until they are able to access the installation.
    **Military Exchanges** will be open world-wide.
    **Commissaries** will remain open overseas. Stateside commissaries, including Alaska and Hawaii, will be open for a full business day on Oct. 1 to reduce the amount of perishables on-hand. Read the press release from the Defense Commissary Agency for more details.
    **Airman and Family Readiness or Family Support Centers**: Staffing will be determined by installation commanders.
    **Family Advocacy Program:** Each service will determine staffing at each installation.
    **MWR – Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Programs**/nonappropriated fund activities/other operations necessary to support “excepted activities” (i.e. – activities/programs that will not affected by furlough/shutdown) will continue.  Examples of these excepted activities are:   operation of dining facilities, physical training, and child care activities required to support readiness.
    **Education Centers for family members and service members:**  Will be closed. This includes counseling services, testing centers, learning centers and computer labs.  Tuition assistance will not be authorized or granted for new classes.
    **My Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)**:  No financial assistance requests will be approved until further notice.  However, all spouses with an already approved financial assistance request prior to Oct. 1, 2013 will have their approved requests honored so they can attend class.
    **Spouse Education and Career Opportunities** counselors will continue to be available to provide comprehensive education and career counseling services.  Please call the SECO Career Center at 800-342-9647 or visit the SECO website and continue to monitor the MyCAA portal for updates regarding when financial assistance will once again be available for approval.
    **Financial and Legal Services** are available to federal employees through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Services' Employee Assistance Program. Please call 888-222-0364 or visit FOH4You.com.
    **Thrift Savings Plan**information is available on the impact of a Government Shutdown on the Thrift Savings Plan and the impact of furlough on your TSP contributions as well as alternatives for accessing TSP funds in the event of significant financial hardship.It’s important to keep in mind that operating hours and status may vary at the local installation level.  You can get addresses and phone numbers for installation and state resources available to active duty, National Guard and reserve service and family members at the Military Installations website.
We recognize the incredible commitment and contributions of our military families.  Here at Military Community and Family Policy, we are working with the Military Services to keep as many doors open as possible during the government shutdown, operating within the fiscal guidance passed down from the highest levels of DOD leadership, so families may continue to be empowered and thrive amidst these most recent challenges.*(Information originally published on DoDLive)*Air Force family 



government shutdown Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF Kendall visits Bangor ANG Base
                    
                    Vice President Harris congratulates USAFA Class of ‘24
                    
                    Senate confirms Melissa Dalton as next Under Secretary of the Air Force
                    
                    ‘One Team, One Fight’: SecAF visits Keesler AFB
                    
                    SecAF Kendall experiences VISTA of future flight test at Edwards AFBInnovation
                AFSFC reaches final phase of fielding Model Defender gear
                    
                    Around the Air Force: PCS Allowances, Air Task Forces, All-Volunteer Force
                    
                    AFIMSC focuses I-WEPTAC topics on GPC solutions
                    
                    Optimizing AI, Air University hosts Artificial Intelligence Symposium
                    
                    AFIMSC tools deliver data-driven solutions across DAFMAJCOM News
                AFMC to expand AcqDemo workforce
                    
                    AFMC empowers small businesses for Air Force reoptimization
                    
                    Acquisition Instructor Course Class 25A open for nominations
                    
                    Air Guard leaders host 2024 Wing Leader Conference
                    
                    Referral bonuses aim to help fill mission-critical vacancies
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil