Innovation, Efficiency & Partnership in Community Support for Service Members and Families

2. Innovation, Efficiency & Partnership in Community Support for Service Members and Families Army Community Covenant

3. ACSIM Mission “Our mission is to provide Soldiers, Civilians and their Families with a quality of life commensurate with the quality of their service.” “Join me in making sure we do all we can do to support the courageous men and women who fight our Nation’s wars and preserve our freedom. They have earned our best efforts.” Lieutenant General Rick Lynch

4. Army Community Covenant We can do this. In every community, every day, we can find concrete ways to show our military families the respect and gratitude that each of us holds for them in our hearts. They deserve our support long after the welcome home ceremonies are over. You don’t have to come from a military family, have a base in your community, or be an expert in military issues to make a difference. “ First Lady Michelle Obama & Dr. Jill Biden September 3, 2010 4

5. Background • Community Covenant is a formal commitment of support by state and local communities to Soldiers and their Families – Active, Guard and Reserve • Community Covenant fosters and sustains effective state and community relationships to improve the quality of life for Soldiers and their Families • Tailored to the local level, covenant signing ceremonies recognize the strength of Soldiers, their Families, and the support of the local community • Allows the sharing of local programs to assist communities find ways to support, and for Soldiers and Families to find access to additional programs • It is an Army program that includes recognition of all Service Members and their Families • Program launched April 17, 2008 with a signing ceremony in Columbus, Georgia, with the Fort Benning community

6. Program Strategy Inspire state and local communities to develop a comprehensive local support network and delivery system to enhance Soldier and Family resilience • Turn Community Covenant signing ceremonies into action • Reconnect with partners and covenant signers for “what’s happening” • Communicate with local/regional collaborative groups to strengthen and focus their efforts to help Soldiers and Families • Document success stories and share local initiatives • Use Community Covenant platform to inspire and organize comprehensive community support network of organizations – regional collaborations

7. Framework • Local leaders from government, non-profit, education, social service, faith based groups, and private citizens inspired to support and assist Service Members and their Families in the local community • Key players establish a collaborate group/committee to coordinate efforts • The committee works with local military leadership and/or directly with military Families to identify needed programs and services • The committee works on local solutions to assist military Families in their community • After the committee identifies needs and potential assistance, a Community Covenant signing ceremony is a way to formalize the commitment. The signing is purely symbolic, but carries a deep moral commitment to support military Families in the community • Celebrate Success!

8. What We Have Done • To date, 650 covenants have been signed in all 50 states, three territories, the District of Columbia, Korea, and Europe • Categorized community-based programs of support based on Army needs • 110 national programs • 290 state-level programs • 220 local programs outside the gates of Army installations • Dozens of collaborative groups have formed in communities around the nation to support local military families • Strengthened and formalized collaboration with key partners; Army One Source Community Support Coordinators, Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army, Reserve Ambassadors, and Army Wounded Warrior Advocates • Developed “Enhance Community Outreach” portion of Installation Management Campaign Plan including metrics

9. Success Stories • Brownsville, Texas • Grassroots effort supporting local Guard and Reserve • Born out of relationship with Army Chaplains/marriage counseling • Direct link from individuals to specific Family needs • Utah National Guard • Formed 7-member Community Covenant team • Inspired 7 signings since April 2010 • Utility abatement program for Families of deployed • Massachusetts • State legislature signed a covenant in Boston on 28 June • Agawam formed a committee headed by mayor • Groton created a Military Community Covenant Task Force • National Guard forming comprehensive “net of care and services”

10. www.army.mil/community • National Programs • State/Local Programs & Initiatives • Deployed Soldier/Unit Support • Education Support • Employment Support • Family Support • Financial Support • Survivor Support • Wounded Warrior Support • Social Media Links • Covenant Inspired News • Resources

11. Educates the public about military life and the effects of deployments on Families Helps fill gaps and provides alternatives to Army services; builds capacity Finds new programs to support geographically dispersed Soldiers and Families Links community support to specific Soldier/Family needs Impact Community Covenant – An Enduring and Necessary Program