As teachers, counselors and administrators you interact daily with our children and the families we serve across the Pacific.  The school’s efforts coupled with the many partnerships we maintain within the military communities have the potential of making a real difference in the lives of our students and families.

One partnership I would like to draw your attention to is Military OneSource.  Military OneSource is a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week, toll-free information and referral telephone service available worldwide to active duty, Reserve, and National Guard service members and their families; and to deployed civilians and their families.  DoD civilians are eligible to use Military OneSource if working in community operations offering support services to military members and their families (FSC, ACS, etc.), or while deployed and up to 180 days upon return from deployment.  While DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam employees do not meet the eligibility requirements for use of OneSource ourselves, we can facilitate the use of the service for our students and their families. 

Military OneSource provides information on a range of topics from everyday concerns to deployment-related issues.  Also, if there is a need for face-to-face counseling, Military OneSource can provide a referral to professional civilian counselors for six sessions per issue at no cost to the service member or family member in the United States and Puerto Rico.  Overseas, Military OneSource can help access the existing services provided through the Medical Treatment Facilities.

In addition, Military OneSource offers a Web site at www.militaryonesource.com for information on a variety of topics and issues.  Users may also use the Web site to order educational materials (booklets, CDs, etc.) at no charge and access consultants on-line on a 24/7 basis.

Registration is not required in order to call into the service.  When a user goes online, he will be required to become a member, or personalize the Web site.  This is a brief, one-time process that will not require an individual to disclose personal information other than branch of service and unit/location.  Members of the Military OneSource community have access to all of the great resources offered to nonmembers, and have access to the entire Web site and all content.  Members will also be able to subscribe to the numerous newsletters designed for specific interests, such as parenting, single military life, and healthy living.

Keep in mind there are no limits on the number of times a person can call, e-mail, use the Web site, or order material.  There is a limit of one legal issue per consultation, but the same person may call again with other legal issues.  Face-to-face counseling is limited to six sessions per person per issue.

From the U.S.: 1-800-342-9647
Outside the U.S.: (country access code) 800-3429-6477 (dial all 11 numbers)  Or call collect from outside the U.S.: 484-530-5947
TTY/TTD: 800-346-9188
En espanol, llame al 877-989-5392

Telephones are answered live, without any automated system.  There is no cost for any Military OneSource service: telephone calls, online services, educational materials (no shipping or handling charges), or face-to-face counseling sessions.

Military OneSource can provide help with parenting and child care, education, relocation, financial and legal concerns, everyday issues (finding services in a local community, consumer issues), emotional well-being, health and fitness, addiction and recovery, adult or child special needs, military life (pre/post deployment, reunion, etc.), work concerns, crisis support, elder care, TRICARE, and much more.  The service provides “warm transfers” to appropriate resources and a variety of prepaid materials on these topics.

Another feature, which may be helpful in the Pacific, is that Military OneSource offers both verbal and written translation services.  Consultants can assist by facilitating a three-way phone call with an interpreter to ensure communication between the individual and a third party. Military OneSource document translation services will also translate, notarize, and accompany written documents with a certificate of authenticity.

Organizations like Military OneSource reaffirm my belief that the partnerships we have established enhance the best educational experiences for the children and the families we serve.  As professionals we play a critical role in helping military dependents locate and access resources such as Military OneSource.  I ask you to be attentive when working with our young people, and provide encouragement and support by helping them utilize Military OneSource and other community agencies that may enhance their lives.

Nancy C. Bresell
Director, DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam