ACS

Overview

Army Emergency Relief is the U.S. Army's own nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating financial distress on the force. AER provides grants and zero-interest loans to Active Duty and Retired Soldiers and their Families. Over 4 million Soldiers supported since 1942. AER officers are conveniently located at installations around the world. Visit ArmyEmergencyRelief.org to learn more.

Education Programs

AER’s Education Program is a secondary mission to help Army Families with the costs of education. The three separate scholarship programs are:

Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program
• Applicant must be the Spouse or widow(er) of an active duty or retired Soldier and reside in the United States. 
• Stateside applicants must be full time students. 
• First undergraduate degrees only.
• Active duty military personnel are not eligible.

Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program Major General James Ursano Scholarship Fund for Dependent Children.

Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program 
• Applicants must be a Spouse of an active duty Soldier assigned in Europe, Korea, Japan, or Okinawa. 
• Applicants must physically reside with the Soldier at the assigned location. 
• First undergraduate degrees only.
• Off post students are not eligible.
• Spouses may be part time or full time students.

Major General James Ursano Scholarship Fund for Dependant Children 
• Dependent children, stepchildren, or legally adopted children of Army Soldiers on active duty, retired or deceased while in active duty or retired status.

The children of Grey Area Reservists/National Guard are eligible as well.

Scholarship awards will be awarded up to half the cost of tuition. Scholarship awards are based on financial need, as evidenced by income, assets, Family size, and special circumstances.

Applications and instructions are available for all the scholarships on the AER website at https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/resources/

View all AER forms. 

Contact: 570-615-6682

FAP Manager +1(570) 615-7509 or Patrick.d.lawrence.civ@mail.mil

FAP Case Manager +1(718)630-4242

FAP Victim Advocate +1(570) 615-7509 or Patrick.d.lawrence.civ@mail.mil

24/7 Victim Line +1(973)303-0890

The Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) is your platform to voice quality-of-life issues, feedback, ideas, and suggestions. It’s the best way to let Army leadership know about what works, what doesn’t, and how you think problems can be resolved. We give Active and Reserve Component Soldiers, Army Civilians, Retirees, Survivors, and Family members a primary tool to help identify issues and concerns and shape your standards of living.

You can submit issues at your garrison’s Army Community Service office or to a unit Family Programs liaison. Army OneSource also facilitates AFAP issues online and makes sure your concerns get the attention they deserve. The information you submit gives Army leadership insight and helps foster a satisfied, informed, and resilient Army Community.

AFAP makes a meaningful difference. Since AFAP was created in 1983, over 698 issues have been submitted, resulting in 128 legislative changes, 186 Department of Defense or Army policy changes, and 210 improved programs or services.

Here’s a sample of AFAP results:  

• Dedicated Special Needs Space in Child, Youth, and School Services (CYSS)
• Distribution of Montgomery GI Bill benefits to dependents  
• Annual Leave carryover increase from 60 to 75 days 
• Extended educational benefits for Spouses
• Dental and visual insurance coverage for Federal Employees
• Medical Coverage for Activated Reserve Component Families
• Military pay table (targeted pay raises) 
• Military Thrift Savings Plan 
• TRICARE for Life for eligible Retirees
• Funding for Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (B.O.S.S.)
• Active Duty Enlisted Soldier Compassionate Reassignment Stabilization
• SGLI increases
• Minimum standards for Army Child Care
• In-state tuition for Military Dependents

To submit an issue or suggestion, go to your local Army Community Service office or Army OneSource.

AFAP offers you, a member of the Picatinny community, the opportunity to improve life at our installation and the United States Army.

After you submit your issue, your issue is addressed through the AFAP process. During the year, it is sent to the agency or organization that can provide feedback about how to solve the issue. 

Here are some tips that will help to make your issue understandable:

• Be specific. You do not have to include great detail, but the more detail you provide the better we can address your issue.
• It is not mandatory that you include your name or email address. However, sometimes we may need additional information or clarification and may need to contact the individual submitting the issue. We are only able to do this if you provide that information to us. A first name and email address would be sufficient.
• Make suggestions for improvements. Your suggestions will help to clarify your issue.
• All issues are considered. However, it may take time for the results of your issue to be seen. 

List only one issue per form and please include your recommendation for a solution.

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) provides comprehensive support to Family members with special needs. An Exceptional Family Member is a Family member with any physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual disorder that requires special treatment, therapy, education, training, or counseling, and meets the eligibility criteria. EFMP pertains to active-duty Soldiers, US Army Reserve Soldiers in the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program, and Army National Guard AGR personnel serving under authority of 10 USC or 32 USC. Department of the Army Civilians do not enroll in the program.

EFMP takes an all-inclusive approach to coordinating military and civilian community, educational, medical, housing, and personnel services to help Soldiers and their Families with special needs. Enrollment in EFMP includes a wide array of benefits, detailed in the EFMP Benefits Fact Sheet.

EFMP enrollment does not adversely affect promotions, schools, or assignments. EFMP information is not made available to selection boards.

Soldiers with Exceptional Family Members are required to register for EFMP and keep enrollment information current. That way, Family needs will be considered during the OCONUS assignments process. If you’re eligible for EFMP services, Family members must be screened and enrolled when they accompany authorized Soldiers on OCONUS assignments. Screenings include a medical records review for all Family members and developmental screening for all children 72 months and younger. (Special education needs are considered only in assignments outside the United States. Assignments within the US and its territories are not based on the educational needs of children.)

For more information about EFMP and helpful articles about the program, look at the Enterprise EFMP site. After that, contact the installation EFMP manager at your local Army Community Service (ACS) office. To learn more about medical enrollment, see the Program Overview.

EFMP Resources

Here are some helpful resources for EFMP Families.

(Government Links)

• Systems Navigators. Systems navigators are ACS EFMP staff members available on most Army installations. They assist EFMP Families with navigating through the available systems of care.​​​​
• EFMP Newsletter. The Exceptional Advocate is the DoD’s EFMP newsletter, which includes helpful information and resources.
• Military OneSouce. Military OneSource’s EFMP & Me tool allows Families to explore the details of EFMP benefits and processes.
• DirectSTEP. DirectSTEP® eCourses are available for free to Soldiers and Family Members, Army EFMP staff, and Special Education staff associated with teaching military children. DirectSTEP® eCourses teach staff, parents, and educators how to handle critical education issues to obtain positive outcomes.
• Respite Care Support. The Army’s Respite Care Support services provide a temporary rest period for Family members responsible for regular care of persons with disabilities. Care may be provided in the EFM respite care user’s home.

(Non-Government Links, No Endorsement Implied)

• Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR). CPIR serves as a central resource of information and products to the community of Parent Training Information (PTI) Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers, so they can focus their efforts on serving Families of children with disabilities. 
• American Camp Association (ACA). The ACA is a community of camp professionals who join together to share their knowledge and experience and ensure the quality of camp programs, including those for Exceptional Family Members.

Call EFMP coordinator at 570-615-7509 or email questions or concerns.

SNAP Contact info call 570-615-7509 or e-mail questions or concerns.

Army Family Team Building (AFTB) empowers you, through self-development and leadership skills, basic Army knowledge and specialized training, to maximize your personal and professional potential. 

• AFTB (Level I) Military Knowledge (K) Modules train basic information about the Army: You’ll learn about Army life and how to manage daily challenges by discovering how to decipher Army acronyms, use community resources, attain better financial readiness, and understand the goal and impact of the Army mission on daily life.

• AFTB (Level II) Personal Growth and Resiliency (G) Modules train personal growth skills: Learn how to improve your personal relationships, communication and stress-management skills. Discover how teams form and grow, how to solve problems, and how to resolve personal conflict. You’ll also learn about Army traditions, customs, courtesies and protocol.

• AFTB (Level III) Leadership Development (L) Modules train leadership skills: Thrive in the Army and civilian life by expanding leadership skills. You'll learn effective communication techniques and how to mentor others into leadership positions. You’ll understand the different leadership styles, how to run an effective meeting, manage group conflict, and how to be an effective coach. 

AFTB improves personal and family preparedness. It enhances overall Army readiness and the ability for America’s Army to adapt to a changing world.

For more information, contact your Army Community Service Family Program office or Army OneSource.

Contact Isabelle Yaroch for more information: 973-724-7247

Moving is a part of life for Soldiers, civilian government employees and their Families. The Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program is here to help with a comprehensive support system, whether it’s your first move or the last of many. We have all kinds of information and resources to help you and your family navigate your next military move.

Your first stop should be your local Army Community Service Family center to meet with a Relocation Readiness Program Manager who can get you started.

Please contact Linda Kerr for more information: 570-615-6682

Sponsor Training 

Lending Closet

The Lending Closet loans a wide variety of household items to all incoming personnel for up to 30 days. Basic items forloan include dishes, pots and pans, sleeping mats, folding tables, folding chairs,  irons, ironing boards, toasters, coffee pots, crock pots, baby items, vacuum cleaners, cooking utensils and baking pans.  Major appliances, microwaves, linens and furniture are not provided.  A copy of PCS orders and ID card are required to borrow items from the lending closet. Upon request, items may be extended for another 30 days. 

The Lending Closet is currently at the Housing Office. Please contact your housing official for more information and availability. 

Lending Library: ACS has a selection of books, CDs, and videos available to check out for a 30 day period. Visit our ACS Center to browse our selection.

Computers Work Stations: ACS has two computer stations available for use by the Picatinny Community. Please call ahead for availability.

Local New Jersey Resources:

NJ 211

American Red Cross

Volunteers must log their hours in the VMIS system. 

REGISTER AS A VOLUNTEER THROUGH MYARMYONESOURCE.COM

Why Volunteer?

Build New Friendships

Achieve New Goals

Learn about the Army

Learn about the Picatinny Community

Acquire New Skills

Gain Work Experience - Logged Volunteer Hours Count as Work Experience on Resumes!

Network

Be Recognized at the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event!