Vermont State Family Program Director March, 2018

Wing Family

Readiness

2

Kitchen Spoons &

Combat Boots

(KS&CB)

2

Military OneSource 3

ESGR 3

Child & Youth 4

MOMC Patch

Contest!

4

CSFL—Career

Readiness Counselor

5

Vermont Veterans

Outreach (VVO)

6

Family Assistance 6

Small Business

Administration

Boots2Business Flyer

6

Family Readiness

Support Assistant

7

Add’l Kitchen Spoons

& Combat Boots

Event

7

Defenders Vs.

Enforcers Hockey

Game Flyer

8

Volunteer

Conference Flyer

9

VT Statehouse Invite 10

Contact Info 10

Inside this issue:

From the Homefront Page 1 March , 2018

LTC Dave Leonard

State Family Program Director

david.c.leonard3.mil@mail.mil

Vermont Military & Family Support Center(24/7): 1-888-607-8773

Remember to visit us at www.ngfamily.vt.gov

From The Homefront...

The Spring Equinox

According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the first day of spring in the

Northern Hemisphere will be Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Be sure to mark

your calendars for any signs of spring that day! This is also known as the

Vernal Equinox- the day where the amount of daylight and darkness is

about equal- 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. So, unfortu-

nately, it doesn’t have anything to do with potentially warmer tempera-

tures, the amount of green grass pushing up through the snow or when the

trees start to show buds.

Spring also brings for all those baseball fans the start of spring training. A time of unparal-

leled access to players, ballparks and up-close encounters with your favorite players….if you

live in Florida or Arizona that is. Vermont is not generally known as the go to place for

spring training. Nevertheless, if you are able to schedule a trip to your favorite team’s spring

training location with your families-you are bound to get ball or two signed.

I love the fact that Vermont has such distinctive seasons- I know winter can be long and ar-

duous, but it provides hours of conversation while waiting in line at the checkout or fillers

when you have an awkward silence you are trying to fill. Mark Twain said, “In the Spring, I

have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours”. I know Mark Twain was

from Missouri, but I would have sworn he was talking about Vermont.

Lastly, according to equinox folklore, you can stand a raw egg on end on the equinox with-

out it tipping over. Hmm. Try this yourself and be sure to let me know how it goes.

All the best,

Airmen and Family Readiness Manager

Page 2 From the Homefront March , 2018

Welcome to March… Spring is just around the corner! Our Airmen currently at

Nellis AFB in Nevada are doing a great job with their training. We will be seeing

all of them return by the end of this month.

Tax season is also upon us. I would like to remind you that there is FREE tax

preparation and filing services through Military OneSource’s website

(www.militaryonesource.mil). If you have any questions about locating the free

tax services, contact Marcie Caulfield, our Military One Source Representative at 802-338-3164.

Any Tax questions can be directed to Susan Kelly-Outten (802-338-3446) or Todd Domachowski

(802-556-1358). The Air Force Reserve/Air National Guard Teen Leadership Summit is a FREE week-long adventure

for 14-18 year old dependent teens of current or retiree Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard military mem-

bers. Teens will focus on leadership development and self-confidence, learn about programs and services available to

AF dependents, and build an appreciation for and sense of belonging to the AF community. They will be given a voice

to inform AF senior leadership of their top issues as AF dependents. At both Summits, leadership classes will be

taught throughout the week and teens will learn about the mission of the AFR and ANG. Summits also include mili-

tary traditions, community service projects, musical performances, and environmental education classes. They will

also have A LOT of fun with other military teens. The camp is FREE however parents will be responsible for:

•Getting their teen to/from the airport •All baggage fees •Spending money for snacks or souvenirs • Meals during

airline travel. Everything else - including airfare, transportation and all meals while at the Summit, camp registration

fees, and lodging are paid by the Air Force through a partnership with the University of Georgia/Georgia 4-H.

The 2 Camp opportunities are:

Classic Teen Leadership Summit - 8-13 July 2018 Wahsega 4-H Center: Dahlonega, Georgia

Adventure Teen Leadership Summit - 6-11 August 2018 Cheley Colorado Camps: Estes Park, Colorado

The website to gather further information and to register is http://georgia4h.org/AFRANGteensummit

For more information, please contact Casey Mull, Laura Goss or Marilyn Huff-Waller at 706-542-4444 or mil-

camps@uga.edu

Mary Mahoney - VTANG Airman and Family Readiness Manager - 802-652-8035 Mary.k.mahoney13.civ@mail.mil

Kitchen Spoons & Combat Boots March 7th at 7pm – It’s Your Future…Be There Happy and Healthy

Are you interested in learning more about nutrition? Have you been looking to increase your knowledge on movement

and how it helps you maintain a healthy brain? Come join us on, Wednesday, March 7th at 7pm, for the It’s Your Fu-

ture…Be There Happy and Healthy; conducted by Stacy Thrall, certified heath coach. Stacy will be giving us tips and

tools for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Still need help with your taxes? In case you missed the Tax Preparation webinars in February, we have one final training

for you to attend. Visit with us at the link below on Wednesday, March 21 from 12:30pm-1:30pm.

And don't forget on April 4th, the featured webinar will focus on long term separation within the family and its effects

on youth. Special guest, Brian Stoudnour, State Youth Program Coordinator, will cover information specific to Deploy-

ment: Are Your Kids Ready? Hope to "see" you there!

These free "live" webinars are open to all who are interested in attending. Please feel free to share this information with

anyone who would benefit.

To join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone:

https://beaconhealthoptions.webex.com/join/MCaulfield

(please utilize the “chat box” to be heard)

To dial in using your phone: (877) 668-4493

Access Code: 641528295

Questions: Call Candice Bryan-Broe at 802-338-3652 or

Marcie Caulfield at 802.338.3164

Check us out online at http://www.ngfamily.vt.gov/ks_and_cb_page.html

See additional information on page 8

March , 2018 Page 3 From the Homefront

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Military OneSource

MilTax: Free Tax Services

Military OneSource MilTax, a suite of free tax services provided by the Department of Defense,

understands what military life means for taxes. Tailored for military life,

MilTax offers:

Secure and free tax preparation and e-filing software that’s designed to leave no military service

tax deduction or credit unclaimed.

Easy access to tax consultants with military expertise to answer your specific questions on military survivor tax

forgiveness, filing extensions and more.

Free in-person tax preparation and assistance through MilTax-designated Volunteer Income Tax Assistance offices.

Quick access to other valuable services and resources such as free financial counselors, helpful articles and online

resources

Multiple, convenient ways to access MilTax benefits and resources.

Free tax preparation and filing services

MilTax e-filing software walks you through a series of questions to help you complete your tax return. This self-paced

tax software allows you to access free technical assistance to complete and electronically file your federal return and

up to three state tax forms. Calculations are 100 percent accurate – guaranteed by the software provider. It’s designed

to address tax situations specific to the military. To access MilTax visit www.militaryonesource.mil or call 1-800-342-

9647 to seek assistance.

MARCH 2018 VT ESGR/ESP Blurb

Reminders from Vermont Employer Support of the Guard and Re-

serve and the National Guard Employment Support Program

Job Fairs and related events in March:

VTC Career Fair, March 7, 2018, Vermont Technical College, Randolph Center

Rutland Chamber Business Show, March 13, 2018; not a hiring fair but a good way to see who is out there!

Champlain College Spring Career Fair, March 26, 2018; primarily for students but also open to the public

Norwich University Spring Career and Intern Fair, March 28, 2018

No Town Hall Meetings as Previously Reported (Repeated for emphasis)

Contrary to what we reported in January, the 86 IBCT will NOT be holding a series of informational town hall meet-

ings for family members and employers this spring. Look for these to occur next year. Meanwhile, if you are a military

spouse, you know very well that when your husband or wife is gone for training or a deployment, you quickly become

a single parent. As such, your life can become more complicated in a beat, at least while your loved one is away. Your

employer, however, may not be so aware of those changes. Don’t be afraid to let your boss know what’s going on so

they better understand what you are dealing with and support you.

Need help with your employer or have another question?

Call us with any employment-related question at 802-338-4187 or 802-338-4190.

M a r c h , 2 0 1 8 P a ge 4 F r o m t h e H o m e f r o n t March , 2018 Page 4 From the Homefront

Thoughts From Our State Youth Coordinator Spring is just around the corner! For me this is the season of change.

Changes in; weather, terrain due to melting of the snow and thawing

earth, attitude with increased daylight hours, outdoor activities, garden

preparations, and more. With all of that we will need to adjust & adapt to

those changes and assist our children in doing so.

During times of change it can be easier to “go with the flow” which may find us falling into the same

traps with our thinking. This brings us to the fifth Resiliency Skill Avoid Thinking Traps and building

our Mental Agility. To begin we need to define “thinking trap”. The University of Pennsylvania’s Master

Resilience Course states “Thinking Traps are patterns in thinking that are not flexible and can cause us to miss criti-

cal information about a situation or individual.” They catch us when we are not thinking flexibly, accurately and thor-

oughly (F.A.T.). These rigid patterns of thought take effort to avoid. Having a clear understanding of the six most com-

mon Thinking Traps enables us to see them coming and modify our thoughts, which drive our emotions and reactions

(recall MRT Skill #3 ATC from the January Newsletter). Penn Master Resilience

Training has identified them as and provided us with tips on how to avoid them:

Jumping to Conclusions-believing one is certain about a situation despite having little

or no supporting evidence. When this occurs we should slow down and seek objec-

tive evidence for and against that thought.

Mind Reading-assuming that you know what another person is thinking, or expecting

another person to know what you are thinking. When this occurs we should speak

up, be certain you have expressed yourself and ask for information.

Me, Me, Me-believing you are the sole cause of every problem. When this occurs we

should look outward for how others and/or the situation has contributed.

Them, Them, Them-believing others or circumstances are the sole cause of every

problem. When this occurs we should look inward for how you contributed.

Always, Always, Always-believing that negative events are unchangeable and that you

have little/no control over them. When this occurs we should regain control and

identify what’s changeable and what you can control.

Everything, Everything, Everything-believing that you can judge your/someone else's

character based on one event; or that what caused the problem will negatively im-

pact other areas of your life. When this occurs we should get specific with our behavior that ex-

plains the situation and other areas of life that may be impacted.

MRT SKILLS

Rationale: contribute to and

help build resilience

1. Hunt the Good Stuff

2. Goal Setting

3. Activating Event, Thoughts,

Consequences

4. Energy Management

5. Avoid Thinking Traps

6. Detect Icebergs

7. Problem Solving

8. Put It in Perspective

9. Mental Games

Brian Stoudnour

Lead Child & Youth Program Coordinator - Contractor O: 802-338-3369 | M: 802-310-6745 | brian.r.stoudnour.ctr@mail.mil

Send or Email your Patch designs to:

Military Kids Vermont

ATTN: MOMC Patch Contest

C/O VTNG CYP & Family Programs

789 National Guard Road

Colchester, VT 05446

Or

brian.r.stoudnour.ctr@mail.mil

Reminders:

Purple represents ALL

branches of military service

Please include you name,

grade (or equivalent), and

parent’s branch of service (if

applicable)

Rules for Patch Design:

Open to ALL youth ages 5-18yo (no military affiliation required)

1 submission per youth only

Poster must be NO larger than 11in x 17in

Designs must incorporate: 1)April is Month of the Military Child

2)Military Youth are Community Connected

All artwork must be original

Prizes and Recognition:

A prize will be awarded to the 1st place winner in each of these Grade

groupings:

K-2 3-5 6-8 9-12

All participants are invited to join us on April 3, 2018 at the Vermont

Statehouse to recognize and honor the MOMC Fine Print:

Patch designs will only be returned if a pre-paid, self-addressed envelope is included with submission

Deadline: All entries must be postmarked by: March 20th 2018

Page 5 From the Homefront March , 2018

Dear Vermont National Guard Members and Families,

Employment in Vermont, much like any state, has its own

climate. In this month’s article I want to share with you some of the labor data information that has

been published by the Vermont Department of Labor and how it stacks up against National figures.

As noted in Appendix A, the Vermont unemployment rate the end of 2017 was 2.5% while the na-

tional average hovered at 3.9%. The wages in Vermont also hover below the national average at a

steady 18% shown in Appendix B. This indicates that Vermonters are hard at work but earning less.

The last chart, Appendix C supports this information on the top six growing job fields. Vermont heav-

ily relies on retail and services, fields with lower wages.

So how can we use the above data to inform our job searches? Look for fields in demand that you can share your tal-

ents with and don’t be afraid to branch out into other industries attached to the service industry. Try to look for posi-

tons that support stores such as accounting, legal, and marketing firms.

Next month we will be doing an employer spot-light on a company that is military friendly and has positions available

with competitive wages and benefits.

Best regards

Nicholas A. Thomas

Citizen Soldier for Life

Career Readiness Counselor

Office: (802) 338-3709 Cell: (802) 310-5391 Nick.thomas@csfl.online

Citizen Soldier For Life - Career Readiness Counselor

M a r c h , 2 0 1 8 P a ge 6 F r o m t h e H o m e f r o n t March , 2018 Page 6 From the Homefront

Have you heard about the Strengthening Working Families Initiative (SWFI)? If you are

looking for a way to provide more stability for your family, or are thinking about start-

ing a new career, the VTC SWFI program may be for you. This program provides the

training and skills needed to build a career in manufacturing, at NO COST to qualified individuals. A

career in manufacturing could mean anything from making medical equipment and aircraft parts to

making products like cheese and ice cream, with many job benefits and career stability.

The SWFI program offers 7-week training sessions, 1 class per week, with various start dates and lo-

cations around Vermont. Graduates of the program receive nationally recognized credentials, and assistance with job

placement. SWFI also provides services for finding affordable child care, transportation, and resources pertaining to

financial literacy, housing, and food stability.

Who is eligible for the program? Custodial parents with one or more children age 13 or younger, or with a

child of any age who has a disability or developmental delay, who are eligible to work in the US, and are not already

working in the manufacturing field.

For more details and all of the up-to-date class information, visit the SWFI website at www.vtc.edu/swfi, or follow the

link on the VT FAC Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/VTNGFAC/.

Glory O’Neil

Family Assistance Center

Coordinator

Family Assistance Center

Gene Hitchcock is the Veterans Administration (VA) Liaison for the VT Veter-

ans Outreach Program. Gene served 6 years in the U. S. Navy and 22 years in

the Vermont Army National Guard. He retired in 2006, after completing 28

years of active duty. Gene deployed with the 131st Engineer Company during

Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm

Gene works at the VA Medical Center in White River Jct., He focuses on find-

ing ways the Outreach Team and VA can be mutually supportive in providing

the best in health care and benefits for Vermont's Veterans and military ser-

vice members. Gene is the primary point if contact for the VT National Guard in matters relating to VA policies and sup-

port, and also assists the Outreach Team with interactions between their clients and the VA.

Contact Gene at (802) 296-5151

Vermont Veterans Outreach

April 20 & 21, 2018

(Friday & Saturday)

Details:

Location: Camp Johnson -

Regional Training Institute

Colchester, Vt.

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30pm (both

days)

Registration & Point of Contact:

Chris Herriman

Phone Number: 802-828-4422

X206

Email: Chris.Herriman@sba.gov

Cost: Free

Sign up for Boots to Business, a free two-day course about entrepreneurship for transitioning service

members and their spouses. Learn the steps, stages and activities related to launching and growing a

business as a post-military career. The course is primarily for transitioning service members, but veterans

and their spouses and adult dependents may attend granted space is available.

Boots to Business is a component of the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program and is

sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

For more information, visit www.boots2business.org

March , 2018 Page 7 From the Homefront

Family Readiness Support Assistant

SUPER HERO REMINDERS

1. Record your volunteer hours in JSS or

email them to

candice.e.broe.ctr@mail.mil. Send them

in by the last day of each month.

2. Join us for the Kitchen Spoons & Combat

Boots webinar on the 1st Wednesday of

every month at 7 pm.

3. Sign up for the FRG Leadership Trainings

at JSS or with your FRSA. All trainings are

done via teleconference!

www.jointservicessupport.org

Forgot your login and password? Contact your FRSA

Check out the Family Programs website! http://www.ngfamily.vt.gov/

Dear VTNG Families and

volunteers, IT’S TIME FOR THE

2018 VTNG FAMILY PROGRAMS

VOLUNTEER CONFERENCE! This

year’s theme is “Volunteering is my

Superpower!” Tentative agenda will include Avengers

Team Building, Kryptonite Busters, and The Deadly

Villains of Recruiting Volunteers. Of course we will have

the annual awards ceremony, celebrating the super hero/

heroines who have worked so hard to maintain morale,

resiliency and self sufficiency within our military families.

We truly could not make this work without your support

and its time that we thank you! This conference is open

to all adult volunteers (aged 18 and up) who have

volunteered their time to VTNG Family Programs or

Family Readiness Groups in the past two years. Please

mark your calendars for the weekend of April 20-22.

We are still awaiting which location will be awarded the

contract...But that information will be coming soon!

Please remember that this event is reimbursable.

You will be required to pay for your room and board

yourself prior to the event, but funds will be

reimbursed back to your “Superhero wallet”

upon completion of a DD2793, TDY Travel

Advance Checklist and Form 1164. These

should all be signed prior to leaving the

event. Don’t forget to use your laser vision

to keep an eye out for invitations in the

mail, through JSS and email campaign. For

any questions, please contact me at

candice.e.broe.ctr@mail.mil

More News From KS&CBs

March 24th from 10am-2pm – Get Ready for Spring Workshop

The Kitchen Spoons & Combat Boots Team has been providing you with invaluable information via webinar for years.

You've connected with us online or on the phone and now...IT'S TIME TO MEET US IN PERSON!! On Saturday, March

24th @ 10AM the Kitchen Spoons & Combat Boots team will be hosting a "Get Ready for Spring" Workshop at the

Green Mountain Armory on Camp Johnson. This free event is going to be a lot of fun with hands on activities relating to

stress relief, living a healthier lifestyle while staying on a budget and getting to know your resources.

All adults are welcome; you do not have to be affiliated with the military in any way to come. Bring your friends, spouses,

siblings, or parents! No reservation required, but highly suggested.

Register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GetReadyForSpring

Questions: Call Candice Bryan-Broe at 802-338-3652 or Marcie Caulfield at 802-338-3164

From the Homefront Page 8 March, 2018

From the Homefront Page 9 March, 2018

Holy Strawberries

Batman! We’re in a

JAM! The VTNG

Volunteer Conference

is starting April 20th!

Quick Robin!

Get the

Batmobile...

...And find

my utility

belt

The 2018

Conference theme:

Volunteering

is my SUPER POWER!

Are you a Family Programs Volunteer? Are you faster

than a speeding bullet and more powerful than a lo-

comotive? Did you log your volunteer hours with

your Family Readiness Support Assistant AKA Super

FRSA? You are and you did...GREAT! Then please

join us at the 2018 Vermont National Guard Family

Programs Volunteer Conference. We will be

honing our super skills with, Team Building, Art Pop

Activity and Professional Development. Please save

the dates: April 20th thru the 22nd for this

extraordinary and mind-blowing opportunity.

Contact Info

State Family Programs Director: LTC Dave Leonard, david.c.leonard3.mil@mail.mil cell: 802-598-0140

Airman & Family Program Manager: Mary Mahoney, mary.k.mahoney13.civ@mail.mil cell: 802-598-0202

Vermont Veterans Outreach: Andre Wing, andre.d.wing.ctr@mail.mil cell: 802-881-5057

Family Assistance Center Coordinator: Glory O’Neil, glory.d.oneil.ctr@mail.mil cell: 802-338-0563

Lead Child and Youth Program Coordinator: Brian Stoudnour, brian.r.stoudnour.ctr@mail.mil cell: 802 310 6745

Family Readiness Support Assistant: Candice Bryan-Broe, candice.e.broe.ctr@mail.mil cell: 802-316-6342

Family Readiness Support Asst: 86 IBCT: Candice Bryan-Broe, candice.e.broe.ctr@mail.mil cell: 802-316-6342

VT Veterans Mental Health Counselor, Charlene Caiano, charlene.a.caiano.ctr@mail.mil Ph 802-338-3445

Survivor Outreach Services: Tammie Conner, tammie.l.conner.ctr@mail.mil cell: 802-881-6632

Transition Assistance Advisor: Ronnie LaBounty, ronnie.m.labounty.ctr@mail.mil cell: 802-399-6401

VT Veterans Personal Financial Counselor: Susan Kelley-Outten, susan.kelley-outten.ctr@mail.mil cell: 802-338-3446

Citizen Soldier for Life - Career Readiness Counselor: Nick Thomas, nick.thomas@csfl.online cell: 802-310-5391

Air Wing Integrator, Yellow Ribbon Program: Kelli Langlois, kelli.j.langlois.ctr@mail.mil cell: 802-751-5856

Army Director of Psychological Health, 1LT Matthew Emelett, matthew.j.emelett.mil@mail.mil cell: 802-760-9223

Air Director of Psychological Health, Trish Dempsey, LICSW, trish.a.dempsey.civ@mail.mil cell 802-557-7368

From the Homefront Page 10 March, 2018

Date Event Location

Mar 10 6th Annual NEK Veterans Summit Lyndon State College

Mar 17 15th Annual Defenders vs Enforcers Charity Hockey Game Essex Jct skating

Facility

Mar 21 Kitchen Spoons & Combat Boots - Tax Prep - 12:30PM Webinar

Mar 24 Kitchen Spoons & Combat Boots Meet & Greet

Get Ready for Spring Workshop 10:00 AM Camp Johnson GMA

Colchester, VT

Apr 3 Month of the Military Child Recognition at VT Statehouse Montpelier

Calendar of Events

Please Join Us

In Celebrating

“April is Month of Military Child”

Tuesday 3 April 2018 from 0930-1200 Vermont Statehouse 115 Statehouse St., Montpelier This event includes a proclamation signing by Governor Scott in his Ceremonial Office, going

onto the House Floor for the passing of a House Concurrent Resolution, and special guest

speakers from the VTNG, and State & National Legislatures, as well as awarding the winners

of MKVT’s Patch Design Contest.

Please RSVP to Brian Stoudnour, VTNG Lead Child & Youth Program Coordinator (contractor)

O: (802) 338-3369 | M: (802) 310-6745 | F: (802) 338-3115 brian.r.stoudnour.ctr@mail.mil

See Child/Youth page in this newsletter for details!!!!!