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Friday, July 03, 2009
Army Reserve Family Programs
www.arfp.org - Connections Monthly Hot Topic

CONNECTIONS - Monthly Hot Topic is a monthly spotlight on information that can be found through www.arfp.org and items of seasonal interest to Army Reserve Families. Come back regularly to keep up to date with the latest news and information. To receive an announcement each month about CONNECTIONS via email, please REGISTER for the site.


Monthly Issues   
June 2009 - Getting Involved

This month’s newsletter will highlight a few opportunities for involvement with organizations with a national or international footprint. Your Family Programs staff member can be a resource for identifying additional involvement opportunities locally.

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May 2009 - Programs for Spouses and Children

Celebrated on May 8th, Military Spouse Day is just one day of the year in which the immeasurable contributions spouses make to the true readiness of the force are recognized. Take the opportunity to formally recognize our Army Reserve spouses and show them our deep gratitude – for their service, their sacrifice, and for their unyielding devotion to our Soldiers and the Army Reserve.

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April 2009 - Month of the Military Child

The challenges that military children face by having a parent serve in the Armed Forces has led to the establishment of “Month of the Military Child”.

During the month of April, several organizations have partnered to provide fun and constructive activities for military children.

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March 2009 - Managing the Deployment Cycle

Military Families are in continual transition as they pass through the Train-Up, Mobilization, Deployment, and Post Deployment stages. As the Soldier progresses through the cycle, the needs and issues of Military Families change. This month's Connections provides information to assist in managing the deployment cycle.

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February 2009 - Financial Readiness

Army Reserve Families have more complicated financial situations due to the transitions from active duty to civilian employment along with a host of changes to benefit, child care, commuting and other impacts. Wherever your Family is in the cycle of deployment or mobilization, this month’s topic is designed to simplify the Financial Readiness process.

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January 2009 - Happy New Year

Army Reserve Families are adept at preparing a Soldier’s Readiness Plan or a Family Readiness plan, so why not use that expertise to work on a plan for a great 2009?

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December 2008 - Holiday Season

Having a Soldier deployed, receiving mobilization orders, or having a Soldier recently return from a deployment are all experiences that are unique to Military Families and each situation brings with its own set of impacts and challenges. This month’s Connections newsletter will share with you
some successful holiday strategies for Military Families.

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November 2008 - Military Family Month

November is Military Family Month, an annual tribute to the Family members who serve the country alongside their loved ones in uniform. The month-long observance, with events planned at military installations around the world and in communities nationwide, highlights the contributions and sacrifices military Family members make every day.

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October 2008 - Partnerships & Services

The signs of the changing seasons are around us. The leaves are beginning to change colors and drop from the trees. The sun is setting earlier and the nights are getting cooler. Homework routines and after school schedules are taking hold after another transition from summer vacations. For a Family with a deployed Soldier, there is the lingering thought of a Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas apart. While separations are part of Military life, there are a number of partnerships, services and agencies that can support Military Families.

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September 2008 - Support Agencies

For Families with school age children, September is another month of transitions. New routines, homework, after school activities are just a few of the changes. For a military Family with a Soldier Mobilized or Deployed, those transitions and stresses can be multiplied by a factor of ten.

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August 2008 - School Transitions

Life in a military Family often seems like an endless series of transitions. From mobilization, to deployment to reintegration, it is a continuous cycle which includes child care, school, after school activities, and play dates.

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July 2008 - After Homecoming

Every Soldier and their Family looks forward to a homecoming after a deployment. In today’s Army Reserve, the cycle of Mobilization, Deployment, Homecoming and Reintegration seems to be a continuous process, particularly for those Families with multiple Soldiers or deployments.

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ARFP Portal Launch  
ARFP Portal Launch Event - 27 June 2005

The Army Reserve Family Programs Web Portal had a ceremonial launch at the Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) conference held in San Diego on June 27th, 2005. Introduced by MG Phillips as "one of the most significant actions that we've taken in a long time," the launch was covered by the local FOX and ABC stations. One of the features of the Web Portal is the option to send video email to Soldiers. A cameraman was on hand to provide AFAP delegates and staff the opportunity to record messages to deployed Soldiers. Check out the links below to see the news coverage or some of the video emails.

Archives of Past Issues  
CONNECTIONS Archives
Read older issues of the CONNECTIONS Hot Topic.

The Connection
This publication was previously referred to as "The Connection". Read issues from 2005 and 2004.