FFSC is your one-stop shop for information, referral

The Fleet & Family Support Center provides Information and Referral (I & R) to all service members and their families.

I & R links people and services. It provides information about a broad range of community services that can enrich lives. It can open doors and pave the way into the community service system.

Some people aren’t able to obtain the services they need — not because they don’t know about them or because they’re non-existent — but because they are unable to state their case properly. When this happens, the person needs an advocate, someone who will state the case clearly and press the service system into working as it should. I & R specialists can provide that advocacy. An I & R program can be a valuable aid in the planning and provision of services.

By calling an I & R specialist with your questions, you’ll save a lot of time rather than trying to track down information yourself. We have answers to many of your questions at our fingertips, or we can refer you to a resource in the community.

We provide information and referral for the following:

Personal Financial Management program (PFM)

FFSC clinical counseling services

Deployment support

Transition Assistance Management Program (TAMP)

Family Advocacy Program (FAP)

Suicide/crisis intervention services

New Parent Support program (NPS)

Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP)

Relocation Assistance Program (RAP)

Sexual Assault Prevention Response (SAPR)

Ombudsman program

Support groups

Life skills and other classes

Recreation

Child care

Schools, libraries and other services

Call the FFSC at 982-5037 and ask for an I & R specialist or call our 24-hour toll- free number, (866) 923-6478, to make an appointment for the following programs: Clinical Counseling, Financial, Deployment, Family Employment Readiness Program, Relocation, and New Parent Support. You also have the option of contacting Military One Source at (800) 342-9647 24 hours a day or contact me directly at 982-5331.

— Janet Alvarez is an I & R specialist at the Naval Base Ventura County FFSC.