If you are interested in reading our newsletter, please visit: www.CoastGuardFamily.org for more information or email us to request a copy of the quarterly newsletter by sending your contact information to admin(at)coastguardfamily(dot)com
August 28, 2010
April 2, 2009
The Military Family: Living High and Tight
Charleston, SC – New military family group for fun, growth and a place where you will be understood! A Coast Guard couple has dreamt up this inspirational, Christ-centered group. The goal of the group’s founders is to minister to people, especially to those who are sacrificing for others.
The group sessions will be recurring. Each class session runs for six (6) weeks, give or take. All are welcome. No one is turned away.
The group will hold it’s first meeting on April 16, 2009, at 7pm at Faith Assembly of God on 337 Farmington Rd, Summerville, SC 29483.
Come as you are, free childcare will always be provided for all ages. This first meeting we will be having food and fellowship so participants can get to know each other. After that, the group plans on doing a military marriage study, along with some good laughter and a few other surprises.
This giving Coast Guard couple is working on a focus of the group which we will be filled with services and people that will provide for the basic needs that spouses always have like emergency childcare, someone who can help with necessary yard work, that oil change you forgot to take care of, etc.
January 12, 2009
HEART ACT – Applies to Reservists
FSAFEDS: Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act
(HEART Act)
December 24, 2008
Effective January 1, 2009, certain reservists who are enrolled in a health-care flexible spending account (FSA) will have an opportunity to apply for a taxable refund of their unused health-care FSA account balance. This is also known as qualified reservist distribution (QRD).
To be eligible for this refund, you must meet all of the following criteria:
-
- Be enrolled in an FSAFEDS health-care flexible spending account,
- Be a member of the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service, and
- Called to active duty for a period of 180 days or more, or for an indefinite period of time.
Listed below are further facts about the QRD refund:
-
- A QRD refunds the balance of FSAFEDS allotments in the requestor’s health-care FSA as of the date of the request.
- The return of funds is taxable income in the year in which it is received.
- Receipt of a QRD closes the FSAFEDS health-care account for that benefit period.
- When a QRD is received no additional claims can be made against your health-care FSA for that benefit period.
Time Limit to Request a QRD:
-
- A valid QRD can be requested during the period beginning with the date of the order or call to active duty and ending on the last day of the grace period for the FSAFEDS benefit period during which the order or call to active duty occurs.
- QRD requests will not be accepted before January 1, 2009, although the order or call to active duty can date back to June 18, 2008 (and possibly, before if the period of active duty continues after June 18, 2008).
How to Request a QRD:
-
- Call FSAFEDS toll free at 1-877-372-3337 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., EST, during the time period permitted for the request.
- Submit a copy of your orders or call to active duty to FSAFEDS.
Further detailed information and FAQs about QRDs will soon be available on the FSA Web site at www.fsafeds. com.
January 2, 2009
Military Education – Top Schools Supporting the Military
Military Advanced Education (MAE), a KMI Media Group publication, provided a list of the top 20 military–friendly schools.
For the entire article/list CLICK HERE.
December 6, 2008
CGFO Spouse Scholarship
Information for application for the Coast Guard Family Organization’s spouse scholarship will be posted on December 20, 2008. Please be sure to check back!
Please note that this scholarship is funded by private donations and is not supported nor endorsed officially by the USCG, DHS or any other federal or state agency.
November 29, 2008
Nominate a CG Family in need for Holiday Care Package
CGFO is looking for nominations for a CG family in need this holiday season. All nominations will be considered and then voted on by the Board at CGFO to determine which family shall be the recipient of a holiday care package.
Nominations are being accepted November 30th through midnight on December 13, 2008.
The CG member of the family must be an active or reserve (currently activated) CG member. Please provide your nomination essay in 1,000 words or less explaining why you think this family is most deserving.
Additionally, please provide the following:
-Your name and contact information and your relationship to the family.
-The name and rank of the USCG member and location of service (if known).
-The address of the family nominated (as always privacy will be respected of course and no third party shall ever receive said information).
-And any additional information you deem important.
Email your submissions to admin@coastguardfamily.org.
Thank you.
Cape Cod Community College Signs Memorandum with USCG
From CapeNews.net (Nov 28, 2008), “Captain Dan Abel, commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, and Kathleen Schatzberg, president of Cape Cod Community College, signed a memorandum on November 20 to formalize an agreement that makes it easier for military members and their families to earn college degrees… Capt. Abel added that this memorandum demonstrates the level of commitment the Coast Guard has toward helping military members earn college degrees, and said he hopes it will open up more opportunities for more people. ”
To read the article in its entirety, visit: CapeNews.net
If you have more information on universities, colleges, and other educational institutions working with the USCG in some fashion, please share it with us as your information may help other CG members and their families. Email us at admin@coastguardfamily.org
October 24, 2008
Military Avenue
There are so many invaluable tools and resources that exist for military families. However, many people do not begin to know where to look for them. We will occasionally feature a resource/book/website in our newsletter in hopes of providing you with a solid foundation of programs and organizations that will/can benefit you and your family.
Military Avenue is one such organization. In fact, they have some sections broken down for the various military branches. Their website explains that, “At MilitaryAvenue.com, we know from personal experience that military moves, military travel, and frequent change is a part of our culture. Finding military-friendly businesses in new communities and resources that aid our mobile lifestyle can become an overwhelming task. MilitaryAvenue exists to attempt to ease these burdens!”
The Coast Guard is listed and you can access it via this link: http://www.militaryavenue.com/CoastGuard/4/InstallationSelect.aspx (If it doesn’t work, copy and paste the address into your browser’s address bar.)
Military Avenue recently launched a new aspect on their website wherein people can ask and answer questions. It’s called Military Avenue Answers.
October 18, 2008
Does TRICARE cover marriage counseling?
TRICARE’s website has some terrific information available to participants on it. One question that seems to come up time and again for spouses is whether or not marital counseling is covered.
Family therapy is covered (just not under the title “marriage counseling”). However, marital counseling appears to be in a slightly different category (behavioral health). TRICARE explains that marital counseling is only covered at such time that it is medically necessary to treat another diagnosis—one that is a behavioral health condition (conditions covered in the DSM IV). There are costs to consider which are associated with this type of care as well. The breakdown from the official TRICARE website is as follows:
|
Psychotherapy (Outpatient Mental Health) |
TRICARE |
TRICARE |
TRICARE |
|
ADFM |
None |
15% |
20% * |
|
Retirees and Others |
Individual/Family Therapy $25 |
20% |
25% * |
· TRICARE Standard beneficiaries may be required to pay up to 15% above the TRICARE allowed amount when using a provider that does not participate in TRICARE.
Individuals who do receive authorization for marriage counseling will likely be treated by a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). TRICARE explains that these care providers hold at least a Masters in counseling. LMFT’s do not prescribe medication as they are not doctors. Individuals requiring mediation for a behavioral health condition might be treated by a psychiatrist (and in some cases a Certified Psychiatric Nurse Specialist who can manage medications).
Also, TRICARE announced last December that, “Behavioral Health Provider Locator and Appointment Assistance Service is a dedicated toll-free telephone line at 1-877-747-9579.” However, it is important to note that, “[r]eferrals and prior authorizations may be required for behavioral health care depending on what type of TRICARE health care plan option you have. If you are seeing more than one provider, it is essential to keep all parties informed so that all are aware of any medications and treatment you may be receiving.” Be sure to check on your plan before contacting a provider to save yourself from hassles.
For more information on Behavioral Health Care, visit the TRICARE website: http://www.tricare.mil/.
Additionally, please read: http://www.humana-military.com/south/provider/tools-resources/Bulletins-Newsletters/I5-09/marriage-counseling-and-family-therapy.asp
October 13, 2008
Education Brief
Many may not be aware of the educational opportunties and resources that exist for Coast Guard dependents. Be sure to check out the following, if you haven’t already done so:
Skillport for Spouses @ USCG Learning Portal
(refer to ALCOAST 164/08)