When unexpected emergencies arise and there is a financial need, The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) can provide no-interest loans and/or grants to help meet immediate needs and make a positive step towards a lasting financial solution.

The AFAS may be able to assist with:

• Basic Living Expenses, such as rent or utility bills

• Medical or Dental Care expenses not covered by Tricare

• Funeral Expenses

• Respite Care

• Vehicle Repairs

• Travel Emergencies

• Pet PCS Transportation from or to an overseas assignment

• Exceptional Family Member grants

• Pay/Allotment Problems

• Disasters and other emergencies

Losing someone is never easy. The Air Force Casualty Services Program provides prompt and dignified notification, as well as compassionate, thorough, and efficient assistance to family members. The Casualty Assistance Representative (CAR) works closely with commanders at all levels to ensure the success of the program and with survivors of retired Air Force members to ensure potential benefits are explained and applied for. We provide limited casualty services to members of sister services, certain foreign nationals, and civilians.

The SBP protects a portion of the income a retiree receives and makes it payable to a surviving spouse or eligible children after death. SBP protection is provided for all active duty service members at no cost. If an active duty service member with a spouse and/or children dies, dependents will continue to receive 55% of the retirement income they would have received. At retirement, service members must elect to continue SBP coverage. After retirement, the government subsidizes a portion of the cost for SBP protection, but the service member is required to pay a share of the premiums equal to roughly 6.5% of the amount protected.

The Air Force is dedicated to ensuring the needs of deployed Airmen, Guardians and their families are identified and addressed. To assist commanders in this effort, we provide readiness briefings, deployment education, and support to military and eligible civilian personnel and their families at all phases of the deployment cycle.

Deployment-related programs deliver information, support and assistance, which foster competencies and coping skills to help deal with mission demands and family responsibilities.  M&FRC services help reduce the stress of the military life cycle, increase morale and unit cohesion, and support operational and family readiness.

The Employment Assistance Program (EAP) supports Military, Civilians and Family members in achieving short- and long-term employment by referring them to education and training opportunities, as well as helping to achieve personal career goals in the private and public sectors.

The M&FRC provides comprehensive services to ensure customers are equipped with adequate knowledge and assistance to aid in their job search, as well as for volunteer opportunities both on and off an installation.

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) provides on-going non-medical case management services tailored to the unique needs of the family through needs assessments, community outreach, resources, deployment support, education, information & referrals and more. Services are open to anyone with base access.

The Loan Locker offers a selection of household items for service members and their families to borrow while awaiting the arrival, or after the departure, of their household goods shipment.

Items may be checked out for up to 30 days and are open to all ranks.

Items available to borrow include:

Dishes and silverware, pots and pans, iron and ironing board, card tables and folding chairs, small electrical appliances, and more!

The Military & Family Life Counselor (MFLC) supports service members, their families, and survivors with non-medical counseling to address issues that occur with military life. Trained to work with the military community, Military & Family Life Counselors deliver free and confidential face-to-face counseling services, briefings, and presentations to the military community both on and off the installation.

Issues Addressed

MFLC's can address issues such as relationship issues at home or work, stress management, adjustment difficulties, anger management, parenting, grief or loss, and more.

The MFLC is available by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call 701-405-5894 and leave a message. The MFLC will return your call to set up an appointment.

The Personal and Work Life program offers programming and counseling services to increase the effectiveness of everyday living skills, learn to cope with life events, and realize one’s personal potential, resulting in increased quality of life and resilience for military members and their families.

The M&FRC is the focal point to assist all service members and their families, to include Department of Defense civilians, in easing their adaptation to the military lifestyle and enrichment of their personal and work life.

Check out our workshops and programs below, or call the M&FRC to speak to a Work/Life Consultant for assistance, information, and referrals for any personal or work issue you may be facing.

The Personal Financial Management Program offers information, education, and counseling to help individuals and families improve financial literacy, resolve financial problems, and plan for the future.

Our certified Personal Financial Counselors offer workshops and one-on-one counseling on a variety of topics including:

• Budgets, Spending Plans, & Financial Education

• Debt Consolidation

• Credit Card Usage

• Free Credit Scores

• Moving Out of the Dorms

• Relocating/PCS Finances

• 529 College Savings Plans

• Car Buying

• First Time Home Buyer/VA Loans

• Traditional/Roth IRAs

• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) assistance for Active duty, Guard, Reserves, Civilian workforce, USPS, US Border Patrol, TSA, and ROTC Programs

• Air Force Aid Society Emergency Travel, Grants and Loans

• First Duty Station Officers' Finance Briefing

The Relocation Assistance Program is designed to ease the personal and family stressors military families experience with a PCS by providing assistance, counseling, and education throughout all phases of the relocation process.

We offer the following services to assist service members and their families moving to or from Grand Forks AFB:

Destination area information

Including moving costs, housing costs and availability, childcare, spouse employment opportunities, and community orientation.

Counseling

In financial management, home buying and selling, renting, stress management, property management, and shipment and storage of household goods, motor vehicles, and pets.

Settling-in services

Including information on available government living quarters, private housing, finding childcare, spouse employment assistance, cultural adaptation, sponsorship training support, and community orientation

Home finding services

Helping you find adequate, affordable temporary and permanent housing

Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is a mandatory program that provides information and training to ensure that service members, and their spouses, that are leaving the military understand the benefits and entitlements available to them and are prepared for their next step in life.

It is recommended to begin the TAP process within 18 months of separation or within 24 months of retirement. Regardless of status, service members MUST start the transition process no later than 365 days from their date of separation or retirement.

TAP is broken down into the following components:

Individualized Initial Counseling

This step begins the transition process. Service members will meet with the TAP counselor and complete their personal self-assessment tool to identify and develop a personalized plan for the transition process.

Pre-Separation Counseling

This informational briefing delivers detailed information on various benefits and services available to veterans, so service members can make an informed decision regarding their separation or retirement options.

TAP Workshop

This three-day workshop consists of courses facilitated by the Military and Family Readiness Center, Department of Labor, and Department of Veterans Affairs. Members receive information and tools that will help them be successful and thrive after their military careers. During this workshop service members will:

• Identify their current skills and abilities and how they translate to a variety of occupations outside of the military

• Assess future career goals and plans, and identify needs

• Develop a financial spending plan for transition

• Receive resources and training on searching the current job market, effective interviewing skills, and dressing for success

• Learn about veteran's benefit entitlements and VA services including GI Bill benefits, the disability claims process, VA healthcare, vocational rehab and more

Optional Workshops

• Dept. of Labor Employment Workshop: This course covers best practices in career employment, including learning interview skills, building effective resumes, and using emerging technology to network and search for employment.

• Managing (MY) Education: This course is designed for anyone interested in pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree, and includes information on choosing a field of study, selecting an institution, gaining admission, and funding your education.

• Career & Credential Exploration (C2E): This course offers an opportunity to complete personalized career development assessments of occupational interests and aptitudes. Participants will then be guided through a variety of career considerations, including labor market projections, education, apprenticeships, certifications, and licensure requirements.

• Boots to Business: This course is for those interested in exploring business ownership or other self-employment opportunities. Participants learn about evaluating business concepts, developing a business plan, the resources available to access technical assistance, start-up capital, contracting opportunities, and more.

Capstone

This one-on-one appointment with one of our trained M&FRC staff members will review the service member's Individual Transition Plan and ensure Career Readiness Standards have been completed. Must be completed NLT 90 days prior to separation/retirement.

The Voting Assistance Program works to ensure that service members, their eligible family members, and U.S. citizens overseas have the tools and resources to successfully vote from anywhere in the world.

We offer information and assistance with the following:

• Registering to vote by absentee ballot and requesting an absentee ballot

• Completing a back-up ballot in the event an official ballot is not received

• First time voter registration

• Help finding registration/voting deadlines

• Voting while deployed overseas

You can receive direct assistance by visiting the Installation Voting Assistance Office located within the M&FRC, calling 747-VOTE (701-747- 8683) or emailing 319rw.vote@us.af.mil