FAMILY READINESS PROGRAM
The Marine Barracks Family Readiness Program shall provide support through proactive outreach in the form of the following functions:
• Official Communication
• Information, Referral and Resources
• Marine Family Readiness and Deployment Support
The Family Readiness Program is the responsibility of the Commanding Officer, Marine Barracks working in conjunction with the Family Readiness Officer (FRO). It is the responsibility of the FRO to carry out the vision of the unit commander relating to the program.
Working in conjunction with Henderson Hall, the FRO can provide information on resources available to support Marine Families regarding all aspects of the military lifestyle. Some of the particular resources relate to:
• PCS Moves
• Housing Information including the Military Set Aside Housing Program
• Personal Financial Planning
• Exceptional Family Member Program
• School Liaison Officer who works with area school systems.
• Family Member Employment Assistance Program
• General Counseling Services and Family Advocacy
• Substance Abuse Counseling
Marine Barracks, Washington, DC has a full time, civilian, FRO, dedicated to supporting the Family Readiness Program, please contact the FRO at anytime,
Family Readiness Officer
Marine Barracks Washington
8th & I Streets SE
Washington, DC 20390-5000
mbw_family_readiness_office@usmc.mil
Office: 202-433-4881
DSN: 288-4881
Volunteer Support
One of the duties of the FRO is to build and work with a cadre of volunteers from the barracks community to support the overall Family Readiness Program. The functions of these volunteers are to work in three primary areas.
Family Readiness Advisors: These volunteers are the experienced spouse or family member of an officer or enlisted member of the unit. Based on their experience, they offer valuable resources to our Marines and their families. These volunteers serve laterally with the Family Readiness Command Team. They contribute content relating to communications and strategies. They participate in planning the Unit Family Readiness Program, planning for family fun day events and they offer insight and feed back regarding all matters relating to the program and family well being.
Family Readiness Assistants: These volunteer are appointed by the commander to support the FRO and the Unit Family Readiness Program. Family Readiness Assistants may be a spouse, parent, or designated family member of any member of the unit, and they should be geographically proximate to the unit. The role of the Family Readiness Assistant is to:
• Welcome unit families
• Provide feedback from unit families
• Assist with Information and Referral Services
• Embody the unit commander’s family readiness goals and possess a desire to work with Marines and their families to improve quality of life within the unit.
Morale Support Volunteers: These volunteers are utilized to support specific, event driven, short-term unit morale events such as Family Fun Days, or other social activities. This is an ideal opportunity for a spouse, parent or family member to serve in a short term role. This is not a standing body of volunteers and will only be asked to serve as needed in support of specific event requirements. Morale Support volunteers are not trained or expected to advise family members regarding available resources. Formal resource information and referrals, and official communications will be handled through the FRO and the Family Readiness Assistants.
The Family Readiness Program works to support training programs for Marines and their families. These programs include the L.I.N.K.S. program for spouses and the newly expanded L.I.N.K.S Training for Teens and Children. Additional support is offered to ongoing educational programs such as CREDO and PREP and many others.
To get more information concerning the Family Readiness Program or to discuss the possibility of volunteering some of your time to support the program, please contact the FRO.