The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force. The philosophy of AFAS assistance is to meet the needs in emergency situations as a step towards lasting solutions to a problem. The AFAS may help with assistance in the form of an interest-free loan, a grant or a combination of both for such things as basic maintenance, emergency leave, dependent funeral, essential car repair, fire or other disasters and medical/dental problems not covered by Tricare. To learn more, visit their website at https://afas.org/.

If you are interested in applying for Air Force Aid assistance, you may contact the M&FRC at 723-3950 to discuss your situation and options, or submit an application at: https://my.afas.org/MemberPortal/Login/Login.aspx.  Then contact the M&FRC to schedule an appointment. All requests for financial assistance will be made via the AFAS Portal. Emergency Travel requests will be made by calling the Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337 24 hours, 7 days a week. We recommend members contact the M&FRC during regular business hours for assistance with eligibility and documentation requirements.

FALCON LOAN
An interest-free loan of $1,000 or less that can be used for emergency needs such as basic living expenses (phone, rent, utilities, food and gas), vehicle-related expenses (payments, repairs, insurance), emergency travel, and medical/dental bills. Appointments are required to begin the application process. Please call the M&FRC if interested.

HEARTLINK/SPOUSE ORIENTATION
An activity-based, interactive “Right Start for Spouses” where attendees can learn about benefits, the local community, on and off base resources, AF protocol, and much more. The quarterly workshop provides participants with the opportunity to network with other spouses, and a unique forum to ask questions to our base leadership panel. See our monthly calendar or call the M&FRC for upcoming dates.

BUNDLES FOR BABIES
This class is for expectant mothers in their last trimester. It offers information on M&FRC programs and the financial impact of having a baby. A gift card is provided to attendees at the end of each class. Please see our monthly calendar or call the M&FRC for more information and the next available class date.

GIVE PARENTS A BREAK
This program is designed to provide relief for parents who are experiencing parenthood stress in their lives. This program allows the parent to receive four hours of free childcare once a month at the Child Development Center or Youth Center. A referral certificate is required for participation in the program. Agencies who can refer families to the GPAB program include the Squadron Commander or First Sergeant, doctor or other medical professionals, Family Advocacy personnel, a chaplain, Military & Family readiness Center Staff, or the Child Development Center or Youth Center Director. Please contact the M&FRC for more information and upcoming dates.

CHILD CARE FOR PCS PROGRAM
This program is intended to help families who are in the process of a PCS move. All ranks may be eligible for 20 hours of free childcare, per child, at both the base you are departing and the base where you are arriving for up to 60 days. Call the M&FRC for an appointment to obtain your certificate.

Provide compassionate assistance in applying for benefits in times of injury, illness or death of active duty members and their families. Provide assistance with the Emergency Family Member Travel program to ensure family members can be at the bedside of an active duty member who is seriously ill or injured. Provide assistance with all SGLI programs.

Casualty Assistance/SGLI
Office: 701-723-1444 • Cell: 701-721-7211

The Discovery Resource Center is the heart of the Military & Family Readiness Center, providing valuable resources that include FREE internet (Wi-Fi & PCs), fax, copier, scanning and printing. The DRC is also an Information & Referral resource, with a variety of brochures, maps and resources available for free.

The Military and Family Readiness Center also serves as the EFAC before, during and after times of local or national disaster/emergencies with a primary mission to integrate services that will address the practical and emotional needs of families through the provision of disaster relief, contingency information and services.

To reach the EFAC when activated, please call 701-723-4500.

One-on-one career coaching, job search, résumé writing, job application assistance, and interview skills appointments are available. The Discovery Resource Center has free internet service to assist with online job searches, résumé writing software, and a wide array of other library resources. Check out our Eyes on Jobs Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/minoteyesonjobs/ to see what positions are currently available!

FEDERAL & CIVILIAN RÉSUMÉ WRITING and INTERVIEW SKILLS WORKSHOPS
These workshops provide the tools necessary to write an effective federal Résumé and to interview successfully for any job. Call (701) 723-3950 for dates of next workshop dates and to sign up.

SPOUSE PREFERENCE INFORMATION
Provides a basic understanding and explanation of how to write a federal résumé, as well as the process for enrolling in the Spouse Preference program.

MY CAA
My Career Advancement (My CAA) is for eligible spouses of AD members who are interested in obtaining education toward a portable career. Up to $4,000 may be available to spouses for training or associate degrees. For more information go to https://www.militaryonesource.mil/education-employment/for-spouses/mycaa-scholarship/ to apply for My CAA.

TEAMS
 https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/tap/teams-workshops

MySECO https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/

Udemy Learning Platform and FlexJob Subscriptions are now available for military spouses. Spouses can access these resources by connecting with a career coach on the MySECO Website or telephone line.

FlexJobs https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/article/Remote-and-Flexible-Jobs-for-MilLife-Get-a-Free-FlexJobs-Members

Udemy https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/article/udemy-free-online-courses

Do you own a Home-Based Business?  The M&FRC can assist you with the contract process that will allow you to sell your merchandise/services on base! 

SPOUSE REIMBURSEMENT FOR RE-LICENSURE/ RE-CERTIFICATION
This program provides reimbursement up to $1,000 for state re-licensing and re-certification costs due to PCS/PCA. The reimbursement is issued through Finance. Please contact us if you want more information.

Families with a special-needs family member can benefit from the Exceptional Family Member Program-Family Support services offered by the Military & Family Readiness Center. We can assist with on- and off-base information and referral on needs including parent training programs, support groups, relocation assistance, financial management, and school information. Check out https://efmpandme.militaryonesource.mil/ for more information or visit our EFMP Facebook Page at https://facebook.com/MAFBEFMPFamilySupport/

Financial Touchpoint training may be completed via MyVector. For those who would prefer in-person; the training is also provided by M&FRC.

UNDERSTANDING CREDIT
Learn how to build, maintain, and/or restore good credit, one on one consultations and classes are available.

THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN
One-on-one consultations and semi-annual workshops offer information about the Thrift Savings Plan, including types of investments available, rates of return, or limitations.

SPENDING, SAVING & DEBT REDUCTION EDUCATION
One-on-one consultations to help military members and their families with the various financial issues affecting their lives. Using a variety of tools, the object of these sessions is to help you evaluate where your money goes and help you develop a plan to maximize your financial potential.

MOVING OUT OF THE DORMS
These classroom sessions are for single first-term Airmen to assess their ability to afford to live off-base. Income, debt, and expenses are assessed, and a copy of the completed budget is provided to the member. The workshop is offered four times per month. To register, call or visit the M&FRC.

HOME BUYING SEMINAR
This seminar focuses on financial planning, shopping for a real estate agent, property evaluation checklist, preparing to complete a mortgage application, the various loan options, and other pertinent topics. VA counselors will be on hand to answer VA home loan questions.

The Key Spouse Program enables volunteer spouses from each squadron to learn all facets of support services available to assist families in their squadrons

MFLCs are here to listen and are available to help address deployment/integration, relationship, communication, stress anxiety, and daily life issues, etc. Consultations and training are free and anonymous. No records are kept.

Adult MFLC:  701-500-4826 and 701-409-3800
Child & Youth Behavioral MFLC: 701-425-7905
School MFLC (on base schools only during school year): 410-916-6458.

Self-development topics for Airmen and their family members include: Communication, Stress Management, Time Management, and Goal Setting. HeartLink Spouse Orientation is offered quarterly. 4-Lenses Temperament Assessment, a model for understanding yourself and others based on your personality traits, is offered periodically throughout the year, as well as to units and groups upon request.

All personnel who will be going TDY or to a Remote Assignment/Deployment for more than 30 days are required to attend a Pre-Deployment Briefing, held weekly at the M&FRC. Upon return to Minot, attendance is required at a Reintegration Briefing, held twice weekly, prior to R&R. Spouses are welcome and encouraged to attend these briefings. Please contact your UDM to schedule/attend the pre-deployment and reintegration briefings.

MILITARY INSTALLATIONS
Minot AFB | MilitaryInstallations (militaryonesource.mil)
This is the official DOD website for base information to assist you in your upcoming move. The site can be accessed from any computer. Click on Military Installations and type in the base you are looking for. From there you will find base information. A listing of the major units and contact phone numbers. Contacts, which is a mini phone book of the base services with phone numbers, websites and hours of operation. The site also contains photos of the base and surrounding areas.

MILITARY INSTALLATIONS/PLAN MY MOVE
Minot AFB | MilitaryInstallations (militaryonesource.mil) This service will give you 30, 60 and 90-day checklist and other useful tools. You can print calendars to track appointments. Proper planning is the key to every successful move. Get a jump start with Moving 101 that is available in the Plan My Move area or under the Troops and Family tab. You can check your entitlements and calculations to assist in the planning.

AUTOMATED PLAN MY MOVE
Plan Your Move • PCS Checklist • Military OneSource
Are you ready to PCS? Training is mandatory for all members PCSing from Minot. Simply go to AF Portal: Bases orgs>My Base. Remember, at the end of the training it will ask you to send a
confirmation email to the M&FRC. This is what we will use to clear VMPF. This training will familiarize you with Military Installations and other useful links.

AUTOMATED HOUSING REFERRAL NETWORK
AHRN.com is sponsored by the Department of Defense and is designed to improve the process of securing available housing for relocating military members and their families. A trusted source for finding housing fast!

The unit Commander Support Staff will register you upon arrival on station. This Intro Program is designed to inform newly assigned personnel of services and resources available on base and in the surrounding area. Newly assigned military/civilian personnel are required to attend. Spouses are highly encouraged to attend. First Term Airmen are not scheduled to attend Right Start,
they will receive all briefings/information during FTAC.

https://millifelearning.militaryonesource.mil/ Sponsors provide assistance to service members and their families who are changing duty stations. Training for effective sponsorship is available online via the eSponsorship Application & Training Course, which is located at the website above.

Additional resources for sponsors, including dates/times for in-person supplemental sponsor training,  can be found on the M&FRC sharepoint site in the Sponsorship tab at: https://usaf.dps.mil/teams/Minot/wing/5bw/5msg/aafrc/_layouts/15/start.aspx#/SitePages/Home.aspx

Spouses Welcome on the Road is an awesome opportunity for new Minot AFB spouses to learn more about the base, check out available opportunities, and get a driving tour! Check out our Spouses Welcome on the Road page below for even more resources!

Spouses Welcome On the Road

Provide a one-on-one briefing to all retiring members and their spouses ensuring they understand the Survivor Benefit Plan and the benefits that it can provide in estate planning. Ensures completion of proper documentation for establishing retirement pay and deductions, designation of beneficiaries for unpaid retired pay, and Survivor Benefit Plan elections. For additional information, please contact the Casualty Office at 723-1444.

In accordance with Public Law, the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) will begin as soon as possible during the 18-24 month period preceding an anticipated separation/retirement date but NLT 365 days before separation/retirement. Members who plan on re-enlisting must begin the process and continue until a new date of separation is attained.

The components of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) are as follows:

Initial Counseling enlightens members on TAP requirements and gives an opportunity to make informed decisions for their future. This is required NLT 365 days prior to separation/retirement and must be conducted face to face with an M&FRC counselor.

Preseparation Counseling provides counseling on various benefits, programs, services, tools and other important resource entitlements members may be authorized. This is required NLT 365 days prior to separation/retirement.

Three Day TAP Workshop – The goal of the TAP Workshop is to prepare service members with the tools necessary to pursue their post-transition career goals. The week consists of Department of Defense (DoD) –Training Day, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) –Benefits and Services, and Department of Labor (DOL) Employment. This should be completed within 6-9 months prior to separation.

Two Day Track should be completed within 3-6 months prior to separation.

• • Employment -Service members wishing to enter the workforce post-transition will learn various job search techniques, labor market information, resume and interview skills, and much more.
  • Vocational – Service members pursuing further technical training will receive guidance and help in selecting schools and technical fields.
  • Entrepreneurship – Service members pursuing self-employment in the private sector will learn about the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, the benefits and realities of entrepreneurship, and the steps toward business ownership.
  • Education – Service members pursuing college education will receive guidance to prepare for the college application process, identifies educational goals, education funding, and researching and comparing institutions.

Capstone Review is the culminating activity to verify whether Service members have/have not met their required CRS. This should occur NLT 90 days prior to separation/retirement from active duty.

Members who are within the 18-24 month period prior to their date of separation (DOS) must begin the TAP process.  For members that are planning on extending/re-enlisting they must go through the process until a new DOS is attained.

Limited in person and virtual appointments with a VA representative are available.  For local assistance M-F, 0730-1630 call 701-723-4728 or email glenn.bowers.CTR@vatap.calibresys.com.  VA distance support is provided M-F from 0730-1630 by calling 1-571-461-8562.  Additional information can be found at www.va.gov

Volunteer on- or off-base to gain job experience and help the community. If you are looking for volunteers for your event, please send an email to 5fss.family.support@us.af.mil.  Each Wednesday, the M&FRC sends out a consolidated volunteer request email to base leadership.  Note:  the M&FRC does not coordinate the volunteers, they advertise the opportunities and volunteers are directed to the appropriate POC for additional details and scheduling.