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Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management
Building Resilient Soldiers and Families
Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management
Community Covenant
Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management
Purpose
To provide an overview of the Community Covenant program
Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management
“I want to say this to all of you: You have done everything that has been asked of you. The United States of America is proud of you. I'm proud to be your Commander-in-Chief….Your families will always be a priority of Michelle's and mine, and remain on our hearts and on our minds. And when our service members do return home, it will be to an America that always welcomes them home with the care that they were promised.”
President Barack ObamaTo Military Members and their FamiliesThe White House, July 4, 2009
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Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management
Community Covenant is a formal commitment of support by state and local communities to Soldiers and their Families – Active, Guard and Reserve
Community Covenant fosters and sustains effective state and community relationships to improve the quality of life for Soldiers and their Families
Tailored to the local level, with leaders at both local and state levels participating in covenant signing ceremonies recognizing the strength of Army Soldiers, their Families, and the support of the local community.
Community Covenant signings have led to new programs or initiatives of support for Service Members and their Families
Allows the sharing of “best practices” to assist communities find ways to support, and for Soldiers and Families to find access to additional programs
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Overview
Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management
April 17, 2008 – program is launched with signing ceremony in Columbus, Georgia with Fort Benning community
To date, 326 signing ceremonies in 46 states and 4 territories
Over 40 ceremonies scheduled, 200 planned into early 2010
North Dakota League of Cities – all cities are signing Community Covenants (accounting for 184 of the ceremonies)
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Signing Ceremonies
Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management
Beyond signing ceremonies – what’s next?−Increase support from community groups and volunteers−Help fill gaps and provide alternatives to Army services
Refining “Best Practices” – categories and criteria−Identifying new “best practices” and sharing across the Army−Criteria based on connection to Army needs
Linking community support to specific Soldier/Family needs−Programs that lessen stress of daily hassles and some chronic stressors−Finding new programs to support Guard and Reserve
Partnering with government agencies and nonprofit organizations−Community support – a key cog in support network to build resilience−Red Cross, VA, American Legion, private citizens making a difference
Community Covenant Web Site −provides linkages between Soldiers and Families with needed services
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Enduring Program
Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management
Deployed Soldier/Unit SupportAdopt a unit, Operation Gratitude, USO
Education SupportIn-state tuition, tuition assistance, Interstate Compact
Employment SupportHire a Hero, Spouses to Teachers, MilSpouse.org, Nurse Licensure Compact
Family SupportOur Military Kids, YMCA, Fisher House, Give an Hour, MCEC, NMFA
Financial SupportAER, USA Cares, American Red Cross, Operation Homefront
Surviving Spouses American Widow Project, HUGSS, TAPS
Wounded Warrior SupportBuilding Homes for Heroes, Intrepid Fund, Challenge America
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Best Practices
Categories and Examples
Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management
Bring awareness to existing programs − Soldiers, Families and community members
Soldiers and Families needs are met− Reaching geographically-dispersed Soldiers and Families
Share ideas among communities− To get involved with an existing program
− Replicate an idea in another community
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Impact
Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management
National Programs
State/Local Programs & Initiatives
Event Calendar
Social Media Links
Covenant Inspired News
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
www.army.mil/community
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Web Site
Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management
“I try to encourage every American to either call their National Guard unit, or their Army unit, or Marine unit in their area, and say what can I do to help? What that means is that when the families at home are taken care of, our soldiers can then concentrate and focus on the job they’re supposed to do.”
Dr. Jill BidenNBC “Today” ShowNew York City, June 4, 2009
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