Army Reserve Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP)

1. Army ReserveYellow Ribbon Program (YRP) Mr Terry Stegemeyer YR Program Manager AR G-1 Services and Support Division terry.stegemeyer@us.army.mil 910-570-9035

2. Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP) Overview • Definition: YRP provides information, resources, referral and support to Soldiers and Families throughout the deployment cycle. Unit planning must start at the ARFORGEN Synchronization and Resourcing Conference-Army Reserve (ARSC-AR) and continue through 90+ days after Release from Active Duty (REFRAD) • Policy Guidance: • NDAA 2008, Sec. 582 (Legislative mandate) • DoDI 1342.28 (Department of Defense policy) • OPORD 12-100 (AR YRP implementation guidance) • Systems: • Using DoD EventPLUS • Portal to schedule and • register for attendance • at events • The AR G-1’s automated • tracking tool helps • unit with registration • for events, orders, • and attendance at events • Metrics: • Scheduling of events • Event packet / contract submission • After Action Reports and statistical data from events • Cancellations and no-shows • Follow-up about 180 days after REFRAD • USARC Staff Roles • Attendance is mandatory • AR G-1 manages program policy and guidance • Interface with other directorates, staff sections, and other Services YR PMs • Oversight of budget and funds execution • Compliance with policy and guidance • O, F, T & S (incl. RSC) Commands’ Roles • Brief / talk up the program • Schedule events • Execute budget for YR events • Assure attendance at events • Conduct meaningful events • At each event • Soldiers attend on orders / Family members issued Invitational Travel Orders (ITO) -- from Yellow Ribbon funds, not unit monies • Child care and age-appropriate youth activities are contracted • Responsibility and accountability at events belong to Soldiers’ units of assignment / Chain of Command • Service Providers / Community Partners HUGE PART • Continue to get positive feedback • Web Links: • http://www.yellowribbon.mil/ • https://rcms.usar.army.mil/v3/ • https://arg1web.usar.army.mil/

3. Yellow Ribbon (YR) Program The Yellow Ribbon program provides resources and support to Family members and Soldier to assure they are prepared and able to cope with the difficulties of extended separation and deployment -- helping geographically dispersed Families network together, connect with each other and their unit/command leadership and Family Programs' staff. We attend to both the Family members' and Soldiers' physical, behavioral and mental health needs. This requires trained professional speakers and counselors to come to events to educate and assist attendees with information, knowledge, skills and practical hands-on participation throughout the deployment cycle. The Army Reserve is committed to providing its Soldiers and Families a level of benefits and quality of life that is commensurate with their service to the nation. When Families are supported, Soldier problems are lessened and Soldier retention increases.

4. YR Program Events • The AR conducts six (6) events – working toward a sequential, progressive, building block approach to address both DoD required and AR/Command suggested topics • 1 – prior to deployment for Soldiers and Family members – concentrate on coping with the difficulties of extended separation and deployment • 2 – during deployment for Family members only – concentrate on connecting and keeping the Families in contact with their unit/command and Family Programs office/staff and the network of others in the command • 2 – post-deployment for Soldiers and Family members – concentrate on assisting in their efforts to reunite, reconnect and reintegrate • The last event – 90 days or so post-deployment – Soldiers only – attending to the Soldiers' physical, behavioral and mental health • (PDHRA +)

5. Deployment Health Assessments (DHA) • NON-COMPLETION OF DHAs ARE NOT YELLOW RIBBON ISSUES !!! • Army Reserve G1 has partnered with the AR Surgeon’s Office to utilize Yellow Ribbon events as forums to assist in compliance with completing DHAs; as well as, identify other behavioral health issues and promote referrals for longer term assistance and treatment. • AR developing processes to ensure Soldiers have completed each DHA during an appropriate pre- and post-deployment YRRP event. • Event 1 (Pre-Deployment) provides an opportunity to validate the Pre- Deployment Health Assessment (Pre-DHA) DD Form 2795. This is just a validation to ensure the screening assessment was completed. Actual completion of the DD Form 2795 should have been accomplished during the Level II SRP to be finalized during the MOB site process. • Event 4 (REFRAD + 30 days) provides an opportunity to validate the Post Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA) DD Form 2796. This is just a validation to ensure the screening assessment was completed. Actual completion of the DD Form 2796 should have been accomplished during the demobilization process DEMOB site. • Event 6 (REFRAD + 90 days) provides Soldiers an opportunity complete the Post Deployment Health Re-Assessment (PDHRA) DD Form 2900 and also speak to a healthcare provider as a final check to identify any potential behavioral or physical health concerns that were not identified during the completion of the DD Form 2796. • LHI teams provide in-person PDHRA screening services during YRRP Event 6 • Soldiers can still complete DHAs using unit on-site screening or PDHRA Call Center

6. Army Reserve Yellow Ribbon Team • Mr Terry Stegemeyer, terry.stegemeyer@us.army.mil, • 910-570-9035 [[Program Manager at Ft Bragg, NC]] • Mr Bruce Townshend, bruce.townshend@usar.army.mil, • 910-570-8292 [[Contracted Project Manager at Darien, IL]] • Ms Shirley Martin, shirley.m.martin@usar.army.mil, • 910-570-8293 [[Contracted Project Manager at Ft Bragg, NC]] • Mr Richard Brocker, richard.brocker@usar.army.mil, • 910-570-8294 [[Contracted Program Coordinator at Ft Bragg, NC]] • LTC Wilfredo “Fred” Garcia, wilfredo.garcia@osd.mil, • 703-571-3172 [[Army Reserve Liaison Officer in OSD, Pentagon, Washington, DC]]