When a Loved One Deploys
As a military spouse or Family member, you make tremendous sacrifices, too. Seeing
a loved one embark on a long separation isn’t easy, and you shouldn’t try to go
it alone. That’s why the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program isn’t just for Service
Members – it’s for Families too, providing services, resources, and information
to help you handle deployment and weather the challenges that arise when there is
one less parent, spouse or provider in your household due to deployment. In fact,
During Deployment Events are made just for you.
Who qualifies as “Family”?
For purposes of attending a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program event, Family includes
the Service Member’s spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and/or significant
others. Funding may not be available for all types of Family members, so it’s important
to check with your Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Event
Coordinator to:
a) see if you may attend as a Family member, and
b) find out if your attendance will be funded.
Some things you can expect from attending a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program
event are:
- Points of contact to valuable resources in your community
- Coping strategies and tips for dealing with your loved one’s separation
- Information about benefits and entitlements you may have earned through your loved
one’s service
- Connecting with other Families who share the same experiences
- Awareness and information you can use as you help your loved one reintegrate into
civilian life after deployment
In a special initiative for National Guard children, the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration
Program has partnered with Sesame Street to bring “Listen, Talk, Connect” to local
Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program events! Learn more about Sesame Street’s military
outreach program click here.
Attending a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program event can strengthen your Family
for the changes that occur while your loved one is deployed and after they return.
To learn about the Deployment Cycle and how it may affect your Family,
click here.
AfterDeployment.org
AfterDeployment.org provides information on a wide variety of topics. A few highlights are re-connecting with family and friends, kids and deployment, depression, anger, and stress management. Each topic has four components: Assessments (no personal identification required), Workshops, Spotlight Clips and Resource Library.