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Each major command in the Reserve Component sends volunteers and those working with the Family Readiness Program to training classes each year. The Family Program Academy is the primary method used to educate those soldiers and volunteers. The following is a list of each course and a brief description of its content. In general, volunteers are teaching classes and the instruction is from the volunteer's point of view. The 100-series classes are basic, and the 200-series classes are more advanced. The 300-series courses are multi-functional classes intended for experienced students.

NOTE: Each class will include a lecture followed by a discussion period where all students will discuss their experience, problems, frustrations, ideas, and so forth. The objective of all the classes is to provide a good forum for exchanging information and for learning from others.

FPA 100 - USAR Family Readiness Handbook: Your Tool to Unit Success
The USAR Family Readiness Handbook is a guide to assist in establishing a soldier and family support component at unit level. There are several publications that provide direction for family programs. This Handbook focuses on how to establish and maintain a viable unit family support group.

FPA 101 - Volunteer Positions & Record Keeping: Right From the Start
The U.S. Army Reserve Family Program values volunteers. This class is an orientation to volunteering for the unit Family Readiness Group (FRG). See which volunteer position fits your interests and talents. Learn about documenting your volunteer experience.

FPA 102 - Organizing Your Family Readiness Group for Success
This course provides an overview of the unit-level Family Readiness Group (FSG). The definition, goals, objectives, and responsibilities are outlined. Students will participate in a practical exercise to develop FSG operating guidelines.

FPA 103 - Volunteer Reimbursement: It's Pay Back Time!
This class provides guidance on the Family Support Non-Appropriated Fund (FS-NAF) reimbursement program. The FS-NAF can reimburse volunteers for official expenses associated with the USAR Family Program. This class focuses on the types of authorized expenses and how to apply for reimbursement. Participants will review several requests for reimbursement to determine payback.

FPA 104 - Volunteer Recruitment: A Talent Search
This course discusses ideas for involving families, retirees, and community members in the unit Family Readiness Group (FRG). It covers motivation, recruiting tools, and recognition tips for keeping people involved. Students are encouraged to share their experiences, innovative methods for recruiting, placing, and working with FRG volunteers.

FPA 105 - Volunteer Recognition: Formal & Informal Awards
A short "how-to" class for sustaining volunteer interest and support of USAR family programs. Discuss ideas for positive recognition and how to avoid pitfalls. Class is appropriate for all commanders, FRLS, FRG leaders, and other volunteer managers.

FPA 201 - Annual Mobilization Briefing: Ready or Not?
This class provides information on the regulatory requirements of the annual mobilization briefing for soldiers and family members. It also highlights how Family Readiness Groups can help soldiers and families prepare themselves for separation prior to an actual mobilization or deployment.

FPA 202 - Telephone Tree: Give It a Ring
The telephone tree is a tool for Family Readiness Groups to quickly pass information to unit family members. During this class students will become familiar with calling guidelines and Privacy Act requirements. Students will also learn how to identify the composition of a telephone tree and how to develop their individual unit telephone tree.

FPA 203 - Newsletters: A "Write" to Know
This class covers ideas for publishing FRG newsletters. Basic skills, methods, and how to tailor a newsletter to your particular unit and situation will be presented. Students are expected to discuss their own experience and ideas for publishing creative newsletters that work. Target audience: FRG volunteers and unit Family Readiness Liaisons (FRLs).

FPA 204 - Family Day
Commanders are authorized to schedule up to eight hours during unit drill to conduct family-oriented training activities each year. Family Days offer an opportunity to provide family members with the information and skills they need to be self-sufficient during military separation. This class is an overview of Family Day and how the unit can work with the Family Readiness Group (FRG) to encourage family interaction, offer meaningful training, and recruit FRG volunteers.

FPA 205 - Information & Referral: Accessing Local Resources
Family Readiness Group (FRG) volunteers and Family Readiness Liaisons (FRLs) are principle sources of assistance and support to soldiers and family members when situations arise and in times of crisis. This class is designed to provide students with tools for setting up a successful unit information and referral (I&R) program and establishing a useful resource file.

FPA 206 - Is It Legal?: Volunteer Use of Government Resources
This course provides students with a basic understanding of the rules for volunteer use of government resources. As a general rule, government resources are to be used for "official" purposes only, but under certain circumstances, personal use may be authorized. Target audience is volunteers and government employees who supervise volunteers.

FPA 207 - Protocol: An Adventure in "Social Studies"
This class provides information about the basics of military protocol in social settings. The information presented is intended for all Family Readiness Group volunteers.

FPA 208 - Activity Planning: Involve the Family
This course provides an overview of activity planning for a Family Readiness Group (FRG). Ideas for activities generally come from networking with soldiers and their families or by surveying the interests and needs of unit members and their loved ones. A brainstorming session on FRG activities is also included. The discussion portion of this class is particularly important as your experiences and ideas will help generate plans for success for your unit's next activity.

FPA 209 - Fund Raising: Bringing in the Bucks
Fund raising is a way for the Family Readiness Group (FRG) to pay for FRG activities. This course will address the rules for fund raising and use brainstorming to identify various fund-raising activities.

FPA 210 - Informal Funds: Managing Family Readiness Group Assets
This course focuses on how to manage the informal funds for the Family Readiness Group (FRG). FRG informal funds consist of money derived from fund-raising activities plus donations to the FRG.

FPA 211 - Family Sponsorship: Off to a Good Start
This class explains how to establish and operate a Family Sponsorship Program within the unit Family Readiness Group (FRG). Discussion will focus on making contact, determining needs, and getting new family members involved in FSG activities.

FPA 212 - Group Focus: Building Unity
This class explores the "inner workings" of groups and demonstrates how team building techniques can be applied to unit Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) to keep them running effectively. Various concepts will be discussed, with emphasis on sharing student ideas and suggestions for FSG success.

FPA 213 - Keeping Your Family Readiness Group Energized
In this class, students will learn about the elements of good health, what should be covered during the annual FRG checkup, and what remedies may be recommended for full recovery if your FRG has been "under the weather." Students will be encouraged to share what remedies have worked for them in energizing their own FRGs.

FPA 301 - Command Responsibilities
Command support and emphasis directly impact on the USAR Family Program. Commanders at all levels are responsible for creating a climate of care and concern for soldiers and their families. This class provides commanders with an understanding of the importance of developing self-reliant family members. This class is required for all commanders and fmily readiness liaisons, but is appropriate for unit administrators, and Family Readiness Group (FRG) volunteers.

FPA 302 - Role of the Family Readiness Liaison: The Connection
This course addresses the duties and responsibilities of the FRL. This position is key to the efficient operation of the unit FRG. The FRL serves as the commander's designated representative for family program matters.

FPA 303 - The Chaplain: Another Unit Resource
This course outlines the Chaplain's role in unit operations, with emphasis on the Chaplain's specific responsibilities in the USAR Family Program.

FPA 304 - Publicity & Media Relations
This class is about effectively marketing your Family Readiness Group (FRG) and how to deal with the media - during peacetime as well as during periods of mobilization and family separation. Learn how to get the good news out and how to avoid potentially embarrassing situations.

FPA 401 - Benefits: Yours for the Asking
This course provides an overview of the benefits available to soldiers and family members. Information includes benefits available during peacetime, extended active duty, and periods of mobilization.

FPA 402 - Entitlements: They're Yours!
This course provides an overview of entitlements available to USAR soldiers and their family members. The course information covers entitlements during all phases of a reserve soldier's military career.

FPA 403 - Legal Assistance: Your Personal Affairs
This block of instruction is designed to provide an overview of free legal assistance available for soldiers and their family members from the reserve Legal Assistance Office during peacetime and mobilization.

FPA 404 - Reserve Retirement: What to Expect
This course provides a basic overview of what to expect when it's time to retire. Planning and preparations for health coverage, finances, benefits, and entitlements are discussed.

FPA 405 - Unit Funds: An Untapped Resource
Special funds are available to support off-duty recreational activities. This class discusses those funds - what they are and how to apply for them to enhance soldier and family programs at unit level.