Fort Lewis MWR | Morale, Welfare & Recreation

Army Community Service

Army Community Service
Army Community Service is an Army-wide program that provides information, assistance and guidance to members of the Army community in meeting personal and family issues beyond the scope of their own resources. ACS offers a single, easily accessible office for those who need help, or wish to discuss their needs or issues confidentially. A follow-up is made to make sure appropriate services have been provided and the issue resolved.

The I Corps & Fort Lewis ACS is located in Waller Hall, Bldg 2140. Call (253)967-7166 or DSN 357-7166 or e-mail lewisacsweb@conus.army.mil for more information. ACS is open 0730 - 1700, Monday through Friday.

Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center in Building 4274, serves as the operations/synchronization center that coordinates Family Readiness Group requirements with garrison support functions. The FRC supports commanders with programs that enhance family readiness by providing resource support, semi-annual training and guides FRG leaders and members in implementing a unit FRG. The facility has meeting spaces for FRG meetings, projects and briefings. There is a self-help automated production center for the development of FRG unit newsletters. Staff is available for technical assistance. The FRC is located on the corner of 9th Division and Idaho Street and can be reached by calling 967-9496.
Fort Lewis Family Member Scholarship Fund Press Release

Army Emergency Relief
Army Emergency Relief (AER) is the Army's emergency financial assistance program that assists soldiers, active and retired, their dependents, their widow(ers),and orphans during valid emergencies that require immediate attention. Assistance is provided as an interest free loan, grant or a combination loan and grant. Any emergency must have originated from other than the soldiers own actions, i.e., AWOLs, Article 15, or civilian fines are not normally covered by AER. Active duty soldiers must apply for help on DA Form 1103 through their unit commander. Each AER request is personal and is considered on its own merit. AER also provides educational assistance for family members of active duty, retired or deceased soldiers. Loan and scholarships are available.

Army Family Action Plan
The Army Family Action Plan is a program that seeks input regarding the most significant issues that affect the well being of soldiers and Army families. These critical issues of concern are solicited directly from soldiers and family members, provided to leaders and worked toward resolution. It is a powerful tool, giving soldiers and families a voice, and leaders, real-time information.

Army Family Team Building
Fort Lewis AFTB is an all-volunteer led organization. The types of positions held by our volunteer staff include office staff, support staff, briefer and instructors. We have positions open that will fit most schedules, and all training is provided. Our volunteer program includes a Volunteer of the Month and a Volunteer Team of the Quarter award. Small incentives, such as pins, pens and mugs are given for specific numbers of hours volunteered. Bonus Bucks are symbolic points earned by volunteers for teaching, briefing, mentoring and performing office duties. AFTB volunteers are also recognized by the I CORPS Commander at a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner every year.

AFTB Volunteer Perks: Funded Childcare while volunteering, Networking, Learn/update job skills, Resume building opportunities, Professional development, Meet new people, Volunteer recognition-such as volunteer incentives, recognition dinner, and our Spring pot-luck get together, Have FUN!

Our volunteers are kept informed of all the happenings at AFTB through a monthly newsletter that is mailed out. Once a month AFTB volunteers meet for a fun activity such as bowling, skating, dinner, pumpkin patch & corn maze, cleaning toys at Santa's Castle, and holiday meals.

For more information on volunteer opportunities please call or visit our office at: Waller Hall, Room 106
253-967-2382. 2007 Class Info

AFTB Class Info
At Army Family Team Building we promote unit and family readiness. We offer three levels of classes that give Fort Lewis families the tools and resources necessary to be self sufficient and self-reliant. Our classes will help you understand the Army’s mission as well as how your family fits into the big picture.

AFTB classes offer many opportunities including: Free classes, Monthly scheduled classes, Great life skills training, Opportunity to make new friends, Networking opportunities, Funded on-site childcare, Off-site Unit classes, Classes offered in English, Spanish, and Korean, Opportunity for FUN!!!

Download: Class Level Descriptions

Online Course Information
For those who don’t have time to attend classes, AFTB Offers training online. It’s an easy way to start learning about how to survive and thrive in today’s Army. Level I and level II lessons are available online in both English and Spanish! It is also possible to download lessons and review them at your convenience. Simply visit http://www.aftb.org to find out more information on online training.

Family Advocacy Program
The Family Advocacy Program (FAP) is the Army's program to prevent spouse and child abuse, to encourage the reporting of all instances of abuse, and to treat all family members affected by or involved in abuse so that those families can be restored to a healthy state. FAP is a command-directed program under the authority of AR 608-18. Treatment services are provided by Social Work Services (SWS) at Madigan Army Medical Center (AMC). For additional information, call 967-5940.

Programs & Services Available:

Preventive Intervention Program (PIP)
PIP is a joint effort between MAMC SWS and FAP in which the main focus is on prevention. PIP has several counselors that work with soldiers and families to provide counseling on a variety of family issues. The program is aimed at high-risk people, those identified as having a difficult history or problems that could lead to abuse. Participation in PIP is strictly voluntary. Soldiers are not mandated to attend like they are with the FAP treatment programs. There are no negative reports to command or negative records that follow them from post to post. For more information, call 968-4159.

Foster Care Program (FC)
The Foster Care Program is designed to provide children with a temporary nurturing home in a situation where their natural family cannot care for them. The foster family is there to provide the necessary stability, security, and safety in home. The program seeks special people who care enough to help children in our community and who would like to join the family of foster parents. Foster parents must be over 21 years of age, in good health to care for a child and have an income adequate enough to meet the needs of their own family in addition to the foster child. There also must be enough room in the house for another child. Partial reimbursement is given by the state for expenses is based on how many children are cared for and the length of their stay in the home. For more information, please call 967-5901.

New Parent Support Program (NPSP)
NPSP is a program designed to help parents with parenting issues. Target population begins with pregnant moms and NPSP assist families with children through six years of age. Regular visitations are provided at the families' convenience, by appointment only and the service provided is confidential. NPSP employs social workers and nurses who specializes in "being there" as a support system, sound board, and special information resource person. They will educate you about what to expect during your child's growth and developmental stages and how to deal with it. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 0800 until 1630. For additional information, please call 967-7409. NPSP has two additional programs for parents support. They include Baby Brigade and P.T. for Baby and Me. Call 967-7409 for dates, times and details.

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
The EFMP is a Department of the Army program working in concert with other military and civilian agencies to service families with special needs. The EFMP is designed to provide a comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary approach for medical, educational, community support, housing, and personnel-type services to families with Exceptional Family Members (EFM's).

EFMP Manager offers administrative assistance to soldiers with EFM's in several areas; help with enrollments and updates, family travel requests, exceptions to policy, family readiness planning, and transition assistance to new medical and educational providers is given upon request. The EFMP Manager also maintains a Resource Library containing diagnosis-related information, a community resource directory, and research and advocacy organizations on the global, national, state, and local levels.
Soldiers on active duty enroll in the program when they have a family member with a physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual disability requiring specialized services so their needs can be considered in the military assignment process. For more information call 967-9704 or 967-9705.

Family Advocacy Program Life Skills Classes
FAP offers single and multiple session classes. Life Skills classes include stress management, anger control, and parenting. These classes are designed to help students develop skills that will benefit them in their daily lives and may help to prevent instances of family violence. All classes are free. Students may self-enroll or may be referred to classes by the chain of command or health professional.

The college also provides twenty hours of Family Anger Control Training (FACT) for soldiers and family members who have experienced domestic or workplace violence. All students enrolled in FACT class must be screened and referred by Madigan Social Work Service. For more information, call 967-7906. FAP also provides required annual prevention training to all units and soldiers at Fort Lewis.

Victim Advocacy Program (VAP)
The VAP currently has six Victim Advocates working on Fort Lewis. Their offices are located in building 2013, 3rd floor, room 334 and 335. The primary purpose of the Victim Advocate (VA) is to provide comprehensive assistance and liaison to and for victims of spouse abuse, and to educate personnel regarding the most effective responses to domestic violence on behalf of victims and at-risk family members. Military spouses who are victims of spouse abuse and are ID card holders are eligible for services of the VA. The VA will be available during the regular workday, Momday through Friday from 0730-1630. After hour reports will be made to the emergency hotline, 968-1390 located at Madigan Army Medical Center. For additional information, please contact 966-0363/966-1088/967-7906.

Relocation Readiness Program
Anyone who has moved more than once knows that each relocation brings unique challenges and rewards. Newcomers International Spouses Orientation provides a wealth of information on programs, volunteer opportunities, employment, schools, immigration, naturalization, and other resources. Call Relocation Readiness at (253) 967-3633/3628. Welcome Packets are given to each soldier during in-processing; if you are 50 miles from any installation contact us at (253)967-3550 to request a packet.

Loan Closet
The lending closet is a loan service of basic household items designed to assist active duty, reserve service members, and retired service members until arrival of their own household items or for departing personnel after shipment of household items prior to departure. Items are loaned out for 30 days for in processing and 14 days for out processing soldiers. You will need a copy of your orders and/or ID card. A list of items available can be picked up at ACS in Waller Hall, bldg 2140. For questions please call 967-3635/3645 or e-mail us.

Financial Readiness/Consumer Affairs
Financial Readiness and Consumer Affairs is located at Building # 2140, at Waller Hall. Hours of operation are: 0730 - 1630 Monday thru Friday. Call us at 253.967.7166 or e-mail at lewisdmwracsweb@conus.army.mil

Assistance provided includes: General Investment Advice, Budget Preparation, Debt Assessment, Consumer mediation with businesses.

Assistance with preparing or filing a formal complaint is available. Service is on a walk-in-basis.
The Debt Liquidation program is managed by Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS). A counselor is available at Fort Lewis in the ACS building. This walk-in service is provided on Wednesdays, 0900-1530.

Daily Basic Budget class is taught to arriving personnel E-6 and below 0930-1130 in BLDG 5218 (behind Waller Hall). A limited number of walk-ins may attend the class including spouses -- NO CHILDREN.
The Remedial Check writing class is conducted daily 0900-1130 (Basic Budgets/Check writing) in conjunction with the Mandatory Personal Financial Readiness Class for First Term Personnel. The class is held in BLDG 5218 (behind Waller Hall). Walk-ins are welcome class size is limited to 35 persons including spouses -- NO CHILDREN. Mandatory Personal Financial Readiness Program for first term soldiers is held every Wednesday 0900-1700 in BLDG 5218 (behind Waller Hall). First Term Personnel have priority, walk-ins are welcome class size is limited to 35 personnel including spouses -- NO CHILDREN.

Units may schedule a class, by prior notice. Classes should be requested 30 days in advance however classes can be scheduled 7 days in advance if available. No classes can be scheduled on Wednesdays. All classes are two hour blocks. The classes available are: Basic Budget, Checkbook Management, Credit & Dept Management, Investment / TSP, and Insurance. For information or to schedule a class email gary.wertz@conus.army.mil or call 967-3525

One on One financial counseling time slots are available 0800 - 1500 Monday through Thursday, budgets on Fridays are limited to AER emergency cases only. For information or to schedule counseling time email gary.wertz@conus.army.mil or donna.arias@conus.army.mil or call 967-9917

Employment Readiness Program
The Employment Readiness Program services are available to active duty family members, retired military, civilian employees and their family members. Services include: Resume and Professional Portfolio Development, Job Application Assistance, Centralized Job Bank, Executive Level Portfolio and Application Guidance, Career Skills Assessment and Counseling, Interview Skills Development, Resume, Job Search, Career Dress/Grooming and Interview Classes, Career Transition and Career Dress Advisory.

Computer and programs are available for client use in preparing a resume, cover letter, and other job search documents. Employer Fact Sheets, agency business cards, information regarding work skills classes and recruitment flyers are provided for your use.

You are welcome to walk into the Employment Readiness Program office; no appointment is needed. If you need assistance to develop a resume or professional portfolio from "scratch", we recommend calling ahead to determine availability of staff or to schedule appointment time.

The ACS Employment Readiness Program Center is located in Waller Hall, Bldg 2140. Call us at 253.967.3538 or DSN 357.3538 There is voice mail so you can leave a message if necessary or e-mail us at lewisacsemploymentreadi@conus.army.mil for more information. ERP is open 0800 - 1700, Monday through Friday.

Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator
Throughout history, volunteers have played an integral role in the life of soldiers and their families. Soldiers, civilians, retirees, spouses and youth provide aid to schools and hospitals, donate their time on sports fields, and volunteer in many other organizations and offices. Through their dedicated service, volunteers transform military installations into communities.

VOLUNTEER TODAY
Explore a new career, develop skills, network with other professionals and create opportunities for yourself.

Volunteer Positions	Volunteer Organizations
Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers Protestant Women of the Chapel Army Family Team Building Army Community Service Health Services Auxiliary Officers' Spouses' Club Enlisted Spouses' Club Family Readiness Groups Child & Youth Services Retirement Services Carousel Preschool Chapel Programs Santa's Castle Boy/Girl Scouts Fisher House Thrift Shop Red Cross Library Schools	Records Keeper Secretary Hospital Worker Library Assistant USO Helper Teachers Aide File Clerk Sports Coach Camp Counselor Scout Leader/Aide Religious Teacher/ Aide Disaster Assistant Youth Coordinator Receptionist Store Clerk

Volunteer Registration Form, Volunteer Hours Card, Monthly Volunteer Hours Summary

Forms may be faxed to the Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator - 967-9648 or mailed to Family Resource Center, Box 339500, MS 112, Fort Lewis, WA 98433

Private Organization Coordinator
The office of the Fort Lewis Private Organization Coordinator is located in Building # 4274. You can call at (253) 967-3910.Private Organization Coordinator Office provides the following services:

Assists private organizations and family support groups in obtaining permits to conduct business on post.
Serves as Post Exchange & Commissary liaison regarding responses to inquiries, complaints, &/or comments.

All private organizations & informal funds (Cup & Flower, Family Support Groups, etc.) must request permission to exist & operate on Fort Lewis.
Yearly revalidation is required.
Occasional fund raisers may be held with permission.
All forms may be obtained at the Private Organization Coordinator office