Soldier and Family Assistance Center completes first phase

Belvoir's Soldier and Family Assistance Center is completing the first phase of its move from the Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation building at 5820 21st St. to the Sosa building.

The move gives the SFAC more space to meet the unique needs of Warriors in Transition and their families, but it is not the final end-state for the center, according Robin Gilmore, the center's social services coordinator.

Gilmore said the second phase of the center will add a wing to Sosa designated solely for the SFAC. Currently, it shares space with Army Community Service. "We are tying to be a one-stop shop," Gilmore said. "(The new wing) will allow us to have the space we need specifically for Warriors in Transition."

According to the SFAC Web site (http://belvoirmwr.com/sfac/index.html), the SFAC's mission is to provide tailored, compassionate and coordinated services to WTs, retirees and family members.

Gilmore said the center doesn't replace other services already available, such as the Army Career and Alumi Program, but makes it easier for Wounded Warriors and their families to access these services.

"We refer WTs (to other agencies) but a lot of them have certain conditions that make it difficult for them to be in large groups. So, they can get more individual counseling through the SFAC.

"We also supplement," she said. "We supply a Veterans Affairs representative weekly. We have a guidance counselor on staff so WTs and spouses can work directly with them on education needs."

In addition to vocational and educational services, the SFAC provides information and referral services, entitlements and benefits counseling, emergency financial assistance, child care referral, substance abuse information and referrals, lodging resources, family services, social services assistance, crisis intervention, stress management, financial counseling and legal assistance.

"Anything non-medical is done through the SFAC," Gilmore said.

A new element offered by Army SFACs is the WT Card. Gilmore said each Soldier is given a card that gives them discounts to
certain FMWR facilities on post.

"We are very excited to be able to do that. It's such a help," Gilmore said. "We don't want some of our WTs, especially single Soldiers, to be isolated." She said, so far the feedback they have received about the card from the Soldiers has been positive.
For more information about the SFAC, visit the Web site or call 703-805-4590.