The U.S. Air Force Key Spouse Program (KSP) is an official Air Force Unit Family Readiness Program designed to enhance readiness, personal/family resiliency and establish a sense of Air Force community. Key Spouses are commander-appointed and serve as a vital resource to command teams in an effort to support Air Force families. The strategic vision is to increase resiliency and unit cohesion amongst military members and their families throughout the military life cycle.

This commander program promotes partnerships with unit leadership, Key Spouses, family members, the Military & Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) and other community and helping agencies. The KSP provides service-minded volunteers an opportunity to contribute to their communities, with a special emphasis on support to families throughout all phases of the deployment cycle.

WHY IS THE KEY SPOUSE PROGRAM IMPORTANT?

• Promotes individual, family, and unit readiness and resiliency
• Establishes and maintains continuous contact with spouses and families
• Encourages peer-to-peer Wingman support amongst spouses and families
• Builds family links to leadership
  Provides an informal sounding board to leadership
• Strengthens leadership’s support team

 WHAT ARE THE KEY SPOUSE PROGRAM OUTCOMES?

• Increased awareness of installation and community resources
• Identified/resolved issues at lowest levels
• Enhanced up and down information flow
• Prepared and supported families during separations/deployments
• Increased sense of unit support
• Improved quality of life amongst unit families
• Increased readiness and retention
• Enhanced individual and family resilience
• The goal is to have a cadre of trained volunteers who can support your unit’s military families in an official capacity.

The Key spouse program is always looking for energetic spouses that would like to volunteer. There is no experience necessary—only an interest in helping people, a commitment to the program goals and a positive attitude. There is an initial one year commitment which may be renewable based on unit commander’s needs. The Military & Family Readiness Center provides initial and annual training.

If you would like more information about becoming a Key Spouse, contact your unit Commander’s Section or First Sergeant.

The Key spouse program is always looking for energetic spouses that would like to volunteer. There is no experience necessary—only an interest in helping people, a commitment to the program goals and a positive attitude. There is an initial one year commitment which may be renewable based on unit commander’s needs. The Military & Family Readiness Center provides initial and recurring training. If you would like more information about becoming a Key Spouse, contact your unit Commander’s Section or First Sergeant.

Military & Family Life Counselors offer:

• Completely confidential and private sessions, except for duty-to-warn situations
• Services provided to individuals, couples and families
• They are mandated reporters of child abuse, domestic abuse and other duty to warn situations
• Individual unit briefings are available upon request (i.e. Commander’s Calls, Roll Calls, etc)

The M&FRC has an MFLC located in the center and typically available during normal hours of operation, Monday-Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm. To contact them directly to schedule an appointment, please call (605)846-3401.

There are currently 4 MFLCs embedded in squadrons throughout the installation.

Please contact the M&FRC for the name and contact information of an MFLC assigned to your squadron.

The Personal Financial Readiness program at the M&FRC provides a number of FREE Financial Education Courses and personal financial counseling to include creating a realistic budget. Assistance is also provided on understanding/improving your credit score, investing, identity theft, buying/selling a home, car buying and any other issues regarding your financial state. Call the M&FRC today to schedule an appointment with a Certified Financial Counselor or to sign up for a workshop.

The Personal and Work Life Program provides preventions/enrichment, education, and consultation designed to enhance relationships for individuals, couples, families, and work centers and build resilience skills that assist in navigating a mobile, military lifestyle. 

If you have orders to Ellsworth

If you have received orders to Ellsworth AFB, it is never to early to begin researching your PCS. You have several tools available to you in order to assist with your arrival and settling in.

1. A sponsor is your ticket to a smooth transition to Ellsworth AFB. If you do not know who your sponsor is, call us at (605) 385-4663 (DSN: 675-4663). Please include the unit you’ll be assigned to. We’ll send your information to your new unit to ensure your sponsor is aware that you’re trying to contact them.

2. Military Installations provides you with access to information about your entitlements and benefits, to points of contact, and information on education and employment. Military Installations will put you and your family in charge of a smooth relocation to your new duty assignment. Click on the link below to get started:

https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/

3. Check out the base’s Newcomer page for more information.

4. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions. Call (605) 385-4663 or DSN 675-4663.

Newcomer’s Page

SBP is a government program which makes it possible for retiring members to ensure that after their death, their eligible survivors will receive a portion of their military retired pay in the form of a monthly annuity. The SBP was structured so that a surviving spouse cannot outlive the annuity, and it has Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) incorporated so the annuity increases with inflation.

An active duty member who has eligible dependents is automatically covered by SBP at the maximum level at no cost to the member while he/she remains on active duty.

Prior to retiring, each member must decide whether to continue SBP coverage into retirement. The retired pay of those members who elect to participate is reduced by monthly premiums. The SBP is a unique plan: Government-subsidized premiums are deducted from a participating member’s retired pay before taxes. The SBP is the sole means for a member to continue a portion of their military retired pay to their eligible survivors. If a member chooses (with the concurrence of their spouse) not to participate in the SBP, an annuity cannot be paid.

The aim of the congressionally mandated Transition Assistance Program is to make the transition to civilian life a well-planned, organized, and thoughtful progression that empowers service members to make informed career decisions, be competitive in a global workforce and become positive contributors to their communities. The mandated components include Initial Counseling, Pre-Separation Counseling, TAP Workshop, and Capstone. Additional two-day tracks include the Employment Track: Employment Workshop, Education Track: Managing Your (MY) Education, Vocational Track: Career and Credential Exploration and Entrepreneurship Track: Boots to Business.

The transition process can begin as early as 24 months for those retiring and 18 months for those separating, but everyone must begin the process NO LATER THAN 365 days . Personnel must contact the M&FRC at 605-385-4663 to schedule an Individual Initial Counseling appointment to start the process, prior to scheduling any TAP briefings/workshops.

5 STEPS OF TAP

2024 TAP CLASS SCHEDULE

INDIVIDUAL TRANSITION PLAN

Additional Resources:

PRE-SEPARATION COUNSELING RESOURCE GUIDE

DOD MANAGING YOUR (MY) TRANSITION PARTICIPANT GUIDE

DOD MOC CROSSWALK PARTICIPANT GUIDE

DOD FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR TRANSITION PARTICIPANT GUIDE

DOD FINANCIAL SPENDING PLAN

VA BENEFITS & SERVICES PARTICIPANT GUIDE

DOL 1-DAY EMPLOYMENT FUNDAMENTALS FOR CAREER TRANSISTION PARTICIPANT GUIDE

EMPLOYMENT TRACK: DOL EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOP PARTICIPANT GUIDE

EDUCATION TRACK: MANAGING YOUR (MY) EDUCATION PARTICIPANT GUIDE

VOCATIONAL TRACK: DOL CAREER & CREDENTIAL EXPLORATION PARTICIPANT GUIDE

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) protects the right to vote for members of the Uniformed Services, Merchant Marines, their spouses and dependents, and United States (US) citizens residing outside the territorial limits of the US. It requires each Government department to distribute balloting materials and develop a program of information and education for all employees and family members covered by the Act. As the Presidential Designee for oversight of the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), the Secretary of Defense has directed commanders at all levels to support the FVAP and encourage maximum participation by Air Force personnel and their dependents, in exercising their right to vote.

The Air Force Voting Assistance Program is an ongoing program to assist military personnel, their family members and all other voting age citizens with access to the installation voter assistance office, regardless of MAJCOM or branch of service affiliation, to register and vote either at the polls or by absentee ballot. The mission of the program is to provide assistance for all elections, regardless of when they are held, with special emphasis on the period prior to general elections.

Your Installation Voter Assistance Office is here to help you exercise the very right you protect—your right to vote! We can help you register to vote, request an absentee ballot and notify your local election officials back home of a change of address.

Federal Post Card Application (FPCA):

The FPCA can be used to register to vote while simultaneously requesting an absentee ballot. It can also be used to submit a change of address to your local election officials. You can now go online to https://www.fvap.gov/fpca-privacy-notice and use the FPCA Wizard that will help you register, request your absentee ballot and/or change your address while providing you with all of your state-specific information and requirements to vote!

Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB):

The FWAB can be used as a backup in case you have already registered to vote or sent in an FPCA to both register and request your absentee ballot, but you have not yet received your absentee ballot from your State. Like the FPCA, you can go online to fill in the FWAB at https://www.fvap.gov/fwab-privacy-notice and use the FWAB Wizard that will help you to vote in Federal elections, even filling in your candidate choices based on your State of residence!

Both the FPCA and FWAB Wizards will provide you with a filled in form. All you have to do is print, sign and date it, and return it to your election official via the directions provided (some States allow you to fax, and/or e-mail your signed form if you “PDF” and scan it to your computer).

National Mail Voter Registration Form (NVRF):

If you are separating/retiring, you’ll need to advise your local election official (LEO) that you will no longer be considered a military voter. The NVRF (or your state voter registration form) can then be used to notify your LEO of your address change. http://www.fvap.gov/military-voter/transition.

Resources:

Installation Voter Assistance (IVA) Office – The IVA Office can help you fill in and mail your voting materials if you need the assistance.

Military & Family Readiness Center
Rushmore Center, Bldg 2500, Suite 1500
Commercial Telephone: 605-385-5456; DSN Telephone: 675-5456
28FSS.Ellsworth.Voting@us.af.mil
Air Force Total Force Service Center (TFSC) – In the event you are unable to contact your IVA Office, 24-hour voting assistance is available from the AF TFSC at: DSN 665-0102, Commercial 210-565-0102 or Toll Free 1-800-525-0102.

Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) – You may access many additional voting-related questions and answers on the FVAP website at http://www.fvap.gov or the Air Force Voting website at www.afpc.af.mil/Air-Force-Voting.

FILLABLE FEDERAL POST CARD APPLICATION | FPCA FACT SHEET

FILLABLE FEDERAL WRITE-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT | FWAB FACT SHEET

Everyone faces tough challenges in life. That’s why the Air Force Aid Society AFAS is here. The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force. Through the years, AFAS has become increasingly effective in helping individuals with personal emergencies– as well as extremely useful when used by commanders to help solve personnel problems in their units.

All requests for assistance are now handled directing with AFAS case workers via online and phone. Personnel requesting emergency assistance for either a loan or grant must now apply online.

Apply Here

DO NOT use the “.mil” address when registering as you may not receive important emails regarding the application. Personnel will need to upload certain documents based on requested assistance. The AFAS office hours are 0800-1630 EST, any application submitted after 1400 MT will not be processed until the following day.

All Emergency Travel requests will now need to contact the American Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337.

Air Force Families Forever (AFFF) is a long-term survivor aftercare program established to provide support to family members of deceased Regular Air Force, US Space Force and Air Reserve Component Airmen and Guardians who died in an active duty, inactive duty for training, or annual training status. Long-Term support is provided to eligible next-of-kin (NOK) through Military & Family Readiness Centers at installations closest to where the survivor resides.
Types of Support Provided:

• Targeted contact and engagement for a lifetime, which is extended to all eligible NOK
• Installation access is offered to all eligible NOK regardless of the Airman or Guardians circumstance of death
• Utilization of installation approved Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities

Eligible NOK include: spouse (remarried or not); parents (natural, step, adoptive or in loco parentis), children (natural, adopted, or step) and siblings (natural, adoptive, half or step).

If you would like additional information please contact, your local Military & Family Readiness Center, or Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota Military & Family Readiness Center at 605-385-4663.

Bereavement Resources | Today and Tomorrow | The Days Ahead

The Casualty Assistance Representative (CAR) provides prompt and accurate casualty reporting, dignified and humane casualty notifications, and ensures efficient, thorough and compassionate follow-on assistance to the next-of-kin.

REPORT AN ACTIVE DUTY DEATH
If you are aware of an Active Duty Death, immediately call the 28th Bomb Wing Command Post at 605-385-3800. Do not discuss the death to anyone else until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.

REPORT A RETIREE DEATH
To report a retiree death call 605-385-1382/4663. If no answer, leave a message and the Casualty Assistance Representative will call you back. The Casualty Assistance Representative (CAR) will assist with all Retiree Survivor Benefits and assist with applying for those benefits. The CAR will require the deceased retiree’s social security number to look information in the Retired Pay System and DEERS ID Card System. OR You can also call Department of Finance and Accounting (DFAS) at 1-800-321-1080. DFAS will mail out applicable claim forms to the beneficiary on file. The beneficiary will have to fill out the claim forms and mail them back to DFAS

OBTAIN RETIREMENT and SBP ESTIMATES
Click on the Link to get Information about MYAFBENEFIT and what it has to offer. One of the features is the Retirement Calculator to figure what your retired pay estimate. From the retired pay estimate screen, you can figure the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Premium cost and benefit.

Get on the Link to go straight to the MYAFBENEFITS web page.

My Air Force Benefits

VRED
Great Video about your Record of Emergency Data (RED)

If you have questions about your RED, please call the Casualty Assistance Representative at 605-385-1382.

TSGLI
What is TSGLI?

The Personal and Family Deployment Readiness program is here to assist Military and their Families that are either experiencing a deployment now; getting ready for a deployment; or have just come home from a deployment. Whether single or married; with children or without; routine deployment or something more stressful, deployments have an impact on how we live, work, and on our relationships. We can assist with those in various stages of deployment and emotional cycles of deployment.

Are you Deploying or Going TDY for more than 30 days?
Whether you are Single or Married, if you are deploying or going TDY for more than 30 days all Air Force personnel must attend this mandatory (IAW AFI 10-403, 1.6.2.2) briefing.

Understanding the normal emotional reactions to deployment and family separation is crucial to successful coping. Learn about the readiness programs available at the M&FRC. Please call (605) 385-4663 to schedule the next available Pre-Deployment briefing. Family members are encouraged to attend!

Predeployment briefings are held at 1300 on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month.

Returning from a Deployment?
The Reintegration Briefing is mandatory (IAW AFI 10-403) within 7 days return from a deployment longer than 30 days or to a combat zone. Briefers from the M&FRC, Chapel, Mental Health, Military Family Life Consultant and Child & Youth Behavioral Military & Family Life Consultant will speak on topics such as your deployment experience, stress, signs and symptoms of PTSD and more. The briefings are held at 1330 hours every Tuesday and Thursday at the Military & Family Readiness Center. Please call (605) 385-4663 to register. Family members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Hearts Apart Events
Hearts Apart activities and events are held at least quarterly if not more often and they help bring deployed families together. They are a great way for spouses of deployed/remote members to enjoy activities together and connect with other families undergoing similar situations. All families that are experiencing a deployment or are within 30 days of an upcoming or 30 days following a return from a deployment are eligible to attend. Stop by or call the M&FRC for a list of upcoming events!

The Employment Assistance Program supports military and family members, retirees, and DoD civilian employees in achieving short- and long-term employment and career goals through employment skills counseling, resources for self-employment, and education and training resources. We offer labor market information, employment trend tracking, skills development workshops, job referrals, alternatives to paid employment (volunteerism opportunities), networks to local employers and on- and off-base resources. Call the Military and Family Readiness Center to find out more about the Employment Assistance Program.

Programs:
• Developing a Career plan
• Resume writing – Federal and civilian
• One on one resume review
• Job referrals
• Interview preparation
• Spouse Licensure, Re-certification and reimbursement program

Resources

USA Jobs | Career One Stop | O-Net Online | My Next Move | Department of Labor (SD)

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a Department of Defense program offered by all branches of the military. It’s a mandatory enrollment program for all active duty service members who have a special needs family member. EFMP provides comprehensive support to Family members with special needs by taking an all-inclusive approach to coordinate military and civilian community, educational, medical, housing, and personnel services to help service members and their families with special needs.
The program has 3 separate components:
• Identification & Enrollment
• Assignment Coordination
• Family Support

EFMP Family Support plays a critical role in helping families navigate the Identification and Enrollment and Assignment Coordination processes. They also connect families with resources and support — helping them to become their own best advocate — with services including:
• Information and referral for military support providers and community services
• Referral to other Military and Family Support Warm handoffs to the EFMP at the next location
• Non-clinical case management

EFMP Family Support also provides assistance with referral to support groups, educational and informative classes, workshops, outreach services, recreational activities and outings and understanding Respite Care options.

Who is an Exceptional Family Member?
An Exceptional Family Member is an adult or child with any physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual disorder that requires special treatment, therapy, education, training, or counseling, and meets the eligibility criteria. This may include family members that
• Require special medical services for a chronic condition such as: asthma, attention deficit disorder, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, etc.
• Receive ongoing services from a medical specialist
• Have significant behavioral health concern
• Receive early intervention or special education services through an individualized education program or individualized family service plan

EFMP Family Support can support you by completing a Family Needs Assessment. This standardized planning tool is available across the Services to provide your family focused and consistent EFMP family support, regardless of where the military may take you.

How the EFMP Family Needs Assessment works

The EFMP FNA to helps you identify your family’s needs and organize and prioritize this information in a way that is easy to understand. The EFMP FNA has three main components, which are completed by installation EFMP Family Support (me) in collaboration with your family:

1. The Family Needs Assessment – I ask questions to gain an understanding of your family’s needs to provide context for services.
2. The Family Services Plan – This section organizes your family’s strengths and goals while outlining strategies to meet those needs.
3. The Inter-Services Transfer Summary, or ISTS – Lastly, the Inter-Services Transfer Summary provides losing and gaining EFMP Family Support offices a standardized way to communicate to one another when you are PCSing to a Sister-service location.

Based on the information gathered, the EFMP Family Support Coordinator will assist you in connecting with military and community resources so that you and your family can gain the care and support you need. Best of all, you will have a written plan that you can take with you and refer to whenever and wherever you have questions.

The EFMP FNA provides enhanced standardized support for families seeking assistance during life changes including:

• Enrollment in EFMP
• Requests for new referrals to available community support services
• PCS
• Births or deaths
• Pending separation from the military

Maintain your military family’s support throughout any life change – Call (605) 385-4663 to make an appointment today!

Links:

Air Force AFPC EFMP – https://www.afpc.af.mil/Airman-and-Family/Exceptional-Family-Member-Program/ 
Army EFMP – https://www.armymwr.com/programs-and-services/personal-assistance/exceptional-family-member-program 
Navy EFMP – https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/family_readiness/fleet_and_family_support_program/work-and-family-life/exceptional_family_member/ 
Marine EFMP – https://usmc-mccs.org/services/family/exceptional-family-member/ 
Military OneSource Special Needs – https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/special-needs/ 
Military OneSource EFMP & Me – https://efmpandme.militaryonesource.mil/ 
MyVector – https://daffamilyvector.us.af.mil/membersite/ 

Department of the Air Force Exceptional Family Member Program Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AirForceEFMP/ 
Ellsworth EFMP FS Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ellsworthefmpfs 
Ellsworth School Liaison Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ellsworthafb.slo/ 

Helpful resources:

Asperger/Autism Network – https://www.aane.org/ 
Child and Adults with ADHD – https://chadd.org/ 
Autism Society of the Black Hills – https://autismsd.org/ 
South Dakota Parent Connection – https://www.sdparent.org/