Thursday, February 04, 2010 — Sherri Brown, Senior Vice President for the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces, appeared before the Congressional Military Family Caucus today to explain how the Red Cross helps military families.

Brown outlined how the Red Cross is there for military families before the soldier is deployed, during their deployment, and after they return home. 

“Our organization was founded on our Service to the Armed Forces,” Brown said.  “We are congressionally chartered to provide services to the armed forces and their families, and have done so for more than 125 years.”

Before a soldier is deployed, Red Cross activities focus on preparedness and education, such as the “Get To Know Us Before You Need Us” program, which informs military families about the assistance, resources and opportunities available to them.  Briefings provide an overview of Red Cross services, including how soldiers and their families should initiate emergency messages.

Another program, “Coping With Deployments,” teaches military family members how to deal with the challenges of a deployment.

While a soldier is deployed, Red Cross Emergency Communications provides Red Cross caseworkers 24 hours a day to handle emergency messages, to provide referrals to services offered by other agencies and military resources, and to help with financial assistance through the Military Aid Society Referral Program.  Brown reported that last year the Red Cross dispensed $6.1 million to 5,400 families.

The Red Cross is also on the ground with members of the military in such places as Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait, helping to facilitate the 24-hour emergency messaging process.  Brown described how these Red Cross staffers operate lounges in each location where service members can rest, decompress, and use a computer with internet service and webcams.  They provide canteen services, including beverages, snacks, personal hygiene items and calling cards.

One of the most touching services offered through these remote Red Cross offices is Webcam Service for members to view the birth of a child while deployed.  The Red Cross enables a service member to arrange with their command to view the birth from our private space using a webcam.  Red Cross Chapters also provide computers and webcam technology for family members to use if they do not have a computer at home to communicate with their loved ones.

The Red Cross helps military families transition when a soldier returns from deployment, Brown said.  In cooperation with the Army National Guard, the Red Cross is piloting a program called “Coming Home,” which focuses on individual and small group coaching for families during reintegration.  The program is led by licensed mental health volunteers and consists of a number of topic areas including: reconnecting with others, managing anger, recognizing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and other relevant topics. 

Brown outlined how the Red Cross helps members of the military and their families with the support of the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs and other organizations that serve the military community.

The Congressional Military Family Caucus came into existence to work on child care, education, health and deployment issues.  Members of the House of Representatives formed the Caucus to identify and try to resolve issues affecting military families.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.