​What Is Military Family Assistance?

Military Family Assistance provides a focal point of information through Eight Essential Services. Family Assistance Centers are critical in providing help to all military families. This holds especially true for geographically dispersed families who are unable to access services at a local base, installation, or fort. In other words, Family Assistance personnel are the quick and easy way to get assistance and referrals for families.
 
The Eight Essential Services:

Crisis Intervention and Referral                                ID Cards and DEERS
1. Danger to Self and Others                                        1. Provide information on DEERS Rapids Centers
2. Child Abuse/Neglect                                                 2. Assist with obtaining an ID card
3. Domestic Abuse
4. Abuse/Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult                       Community Information and Outreach

Legal Resource and Referral                                      Provide array of local Community resources:
1. Information on Power of Attorney/ Wills                  1. Assist with Child Care resource and referral
2. Assistance with Service Members Civil Relief Act      2. Assist with referral to local financial resources
3. Referrals for ESGR                                                      3. Help find a local Family Readiness Group

Financial Resource and Referral                                Exceptional Family Member Program
1. Understanding Military Pay                                      1. Connect with ARNG EFMP Program
2. Help with financial education, financial assistance   2. Assist with EFMP application

& loan applications

TRICARE Resource and Referral                                Emergency Family Assistance Center
1. Provide general information on benefits                  In a State emergency:
2. Assist with TRICARE applications                              1. Provide information, referral & outreach services      
3. Assist with writing appeal letters                              2. Help Families regain normalcy & meet needs

                                                                                      3. Minimize impact of the event

1.800.658.3930

Sheri Bartunek ~ Coordinator               Corinne Mahlen ~ Specialist
Rapid City                                                  Watertown
605.737.6079 ~ 605.415.0471                   605.882.9375 ~ 605.415.0010
sherlyn.j.bartunek.ctr@mail.mil                 corinne.m.mahlen.ctr@mail.mil
 
Sarah Neugebauer ~ Specialist              TBD ~ Specialist
Rapid City                                                  Brookings
605.737.6975 ~ 605.786.8352                   605.696.5416 ~ 605.415.1013
sarah.j.neugebauer.ctr@mail.mil               jennifer.holien.ctr@mail.mil
 
Rachel VanderZee ~ Specialist               Ruth Ragels ~ Specialist
Sioux Falls                                                  Mitchell
605.357-2942 ~ 605.415.2481                   605.995.1682 ~ 605.877.2517
rachel.a.vanderzee.ctr@mail.mil                ruth.e.ragels.ctr@mail.mil