• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Hotlines up for Soldiers, families hit by hurricane

September 2, 2005

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Sept. 2, 2005) - Families of Deployed Army National Guard Soldiers affected by Hurricane Katrina are asked to call 1-888-777-7731 so that Guard members can be informed of their family’s situation.

Army Reserve family members and Soldiers affected by Hurricane Katrina also have a newly created call center. The toll free number for the center is 1-877-464-9330, or from a military phone DSN 367-9330.

Any military members or families in need of counseling services may call the Military One SOURCE number, 1-800-342-9647.

Any military members or family affected by Hurricane Katrina who are in need of financial assistance can call the Army Emergency Relief. The toll free number is 1-866-878-6378.

Four ways for Guard to connect

Two National Guard brigades from Louisiana are currently in Iraq. If families of those Soldiers calling the National Guard hotline at 1-888-777-7731, officials said it will enable the Guard to tell the troops of their family’s current situation.

“There are four ways (for families) to connect with their service member," said Col. Anthony Baker, chief of the National Guard Bureau Family Programs. "Either through the Family Assistance Center, sate Family Program director, wing Family Program coordinator, or through the rear detachment of their unit.”

“We will bridge that gap for them by making sure they have all of the information necessary," he said. "In cases where they can’t make that contact, we will make it for them.”

Hotline works both ways

Deployed service members can also call the hotline to contact their families.

“If a service member calls in and asks us to find their family, we’ll call one or all of the services in that state and say, ‘please connect, find the family and get back to us,’ so we can let that service member know that they are all right,” Baker said.

If deployed service members cannot call one of the toll free numbers, they may be able to make contact through www.army.mil/ako or www.guardfamily.org Web sites.

Baker and his team of coordinators have already been successful in contacting deployed service members with family information.

Many services available via hotline

In addition to helping Guard families and service members make contact, operators at the hotline can assist families in getting help and services from federal, state and local agencies.

“Once they call the hotline, the person can expect a live person the answer the phone, listen to their issue or concern, provide information, or provide a referral or outreach to another agency,” Baker said. “Before we hang up the phone, we’ll contact the Family Program director or other assisting agency while they are still on line and let them know, what their issues are and what type of assistance they need. The two are then connected.”

The assistance provided through the hotline is very extensive and all encompassing, Baker said. He added that National Guard Family Program personnel are deeply connected with numerous federal, state and local agencies. This partnership allows them to assist families with those operating in the immediate geographic location.

No matter what the problem or issue, Family Programs has the ability to find, contact and connect the family with the proper service, officials said, such as the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, American Legion, Department of Veterans Affairs and other services operating in the area.

Aside from the hotline, Guard family members can contact their nearest Family Program Office by calling 1-800-342-9647.

Army Reserve hotline also 24/7

The Army Reserve call center phones will be manned 24 hours a day as of noon, Sept. 2, officials said. Operators will take down information to aid deployed Army Reserve Soldiers in determining the status and whereabouts of their families affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Additionally, callers will be screened to determine what other assistance they may need. The call center will have information and will help guide callers to specific resources.

In addition to the 1-877 phone number, there is a Web site established where families of deployed/mobilized Army Reserve Soldiers and Army Reserve Civilians may provide their current contact information. The address of the Web page is http://www.arfp.org. The Web site also provides information and links to the many agencies providing specific relief to those in need.

Army Reserve Soldiers and Army Reserve Civilians who have been dislocated as a result of the hurricane should also call the number, officials said, or log into the Web site to aid in establishing accountability.

Family assistance facts

The National Guard provided these additional facts about family assistance:

· Family Assistance Centers were established in 2003

· There are 430 FACs nationwide

· FACs provide services, support, information, referral and outreach efforts to families of service members.

· Centered around Joint Forces Headquarters in each state.

· Deeply connected with the local community and services

· Help is not limited to the National Guard. FACs will provide services to anyone

· If a service is not directly available through a FAC, the FAC coordinator will contact the proper servicing agency