Family Care Programs

FAMILY CARE PROGRAMS WARFIGHTER AND
FAMILY READINESS CENTERS
Army Community Service, Fleet and Family Services, and Airmen and Family Readiness Center have been incorporated into one agency known as the Warfighter and Family Readiness Center. DoD members and their families are encouraged to visit any of the three locations.

Leadership at all levels recognizes the special relationship between successful mission accomplishment and the quality of life of military families. Changes in family structure and lifestyles require increased focus on services and policies that foster a positive family environment.

The WFRC team is available to assist commanders and individual members of the armed forces with a wide range of services or referrals to other local and national community agencies. Services include Information and Referral, Relocation Assistance, Personal and Family Readiness, Family Life Education, Personal Financial Management, Air Force Aid Society, Career Focus/Spouse Employment, Transition Assistance, Exceptional Family Member Program, Soldier and Family Assistance Center, the Food Pantry, Computer Resource Center and Volunteer Resource Program.

Please call the following centers for further information:
McGuire WFRC
3011 Tuskegee Airmen Ave.
(609) 754-3154

Dix WFRC
5601 Maryland Ave.
(609) 562-2767

Lakehurst WFRC
488-2 Walsh Drive
(732) 323-1248

Information and Referral
Our Information and Referral service provides information about base and local community human service resources and links members needing assistance with the appropriate service providers.

Relocation Assistance
Relocation Assistance services ease the transition of a military move by assisting single and married members and their families with the various elements of relocation planning. WFRC staff provides worldwide installation information, specific overseas cultural and geographical information and access to Loan Closet. A variety of items for transitioning military families includes folding mats, pots and pans, small kitchen appliances and much more.

Personal and Family Readiness
Personal and Family Readiness provides support and services before, during and after a remote, deployment or extended TDY assignment. Personalized readiness briefings guide military members and their families through preparations needed before the deployment begins and provides information on services to assist with challenges faced during military separations. Additionally, the Hearts Apart Program provides on-going support through personalized assistance to family members during the deployment cycle or extended separation of family due to remote or extended TDYs.

Family Life Education
Family Life Education services assists single and married members, and their families, with adapting to current and future changes in their lives. Education services include marriage enrichment, assertiveness skills, stress/change management, self-esteem building and time management. These services emphasize coping techniques and skill development.

Personal Financial Management
Personal Financial Management services include information, education and personal financial counseling for long-term solutions to financial management. Individual assistance and seminars are available for money management, basic investment information, credit management, debt liquidation and checkbook maintenance.

Air Force Aid Society,
Army Emergency Relief and
Navy/Marine Corps Emergency Relief
The relief agencies all work closely with the American Red Cross and each other to offer emergency financial assistance to all active-duty and retired service members. AFAS, AER, and NMCER offer loans and grants to authorized persons in need of financial assistance, educational help, vocational and technical training support. Contact the nearest Warfighter and Family Readiness Center during normal operating hours for assistance. For emergencies after 4:30 p.m., contact the national office of the American Red Cross at (877) 272-7337.

Career Focus and Spouse Employment
The Career Focus and Spouse Employment service offers education and resources to enhance marketability and employment opportunities of military members and their families. Seminars include identifying skills and interests, career planning, improving job search skills, increasing employment opportunities or career changes, exploring the local job market and networking with agencies and employers.

Transition Assistance
Transition Assistance services provide separating or retiring members and their families with transition counseling, military career planning, development of job search skills, access to employment information and tools for re-entry into civilian life and second careers. This program also hosts a four-day, comprehensive workshop facilitated by the New Jersey Department of Labor which includes skills assessment, job search techniques, veteran's benefits, retiree affairs and more. In addition, the WFRC offers individual on-site appointments with Veterans' Affairs and Small Business Administration representatives.

Computer Resource Center
The Computer Resource Center offers access to computer equipment, software and more to assist with a variety of needs. Available software includes touch-typing tutor, word-processing, federal and nationwide employment opportunity databases and trip routing. College scholarship and grant program information is also available. Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Saturday and Sunday.

Exceptional Family Member Program
The Exceptional Family Member Program provides information and referral, advocacy, training, and support services to military members and their families. During individual meetings, staff assists with finding individualized local services, community program availability, guidance on state laws, and review of individual education plans. Several family events and activities are scheduled throughout the year.

Food Pantry
(609) 754-3154
The Food Pantry provides emergency food supplies to eligible personnel and their family members. The Warfighter and Family Readiness Center is continuously improving their services in order to support the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst mission by enhancing the military lifestyle through information, education, and assistance.

Soldier and Family Assistance Center
(609) 562-6554
Soldier and Family Assistance Center staff provide a full array of programs and services to wounded warriors and their families. Military members and their families have access to certified personal financial counselors, an Army Career and Alumni Program counselor, and a wealth of local and national resources for assistance on various life cycle subjects. Military members and their families are encouraged to attend any of the classes or special events created or facilitated by the SFAC staff.

School Liaison
(609) 562-6271
School Liaisons are available to assist military members and their families with transitioning their children into one of the many school districts surrounding the installation. School liaisons interface with school officials to overcome any challenges of military children transitioning into their school district. They also meet individually with parents of military children to ensure parents new to the area understand state and local school district requirements.

Volunteer Resource Program
(609) 754-3154
The Volunteer Resource Program welcomes new volunteers willing to share their talents or develop new skills. VRP offers volunteers placement and training opportunities with base and community agencies. Eligible volunteers are provided with free childcare. Volunteering can be an excellent opportunity to meet new people and learn about Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

CHILD AND YOUTH PROGRAMS
Central Enrollment Registration
(609) 562-4702
Central Enrollment Registration is the focal point for initial registration of youth in the McGuire and Dix Child Development Centers, Youth Centers, School Age Programs, and Youth Sports Programs. CER is responsible for ensuring all parent information is accurate, parents are placed in the correct fee category, and all mandated requirements are met (e.g., youths' immunizations are current). To initially register your youth in any of our programs, please make an appointment with CER.

Child Development Centers
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst has one Child Development Center located on the Dix and Lakehurst locations and two on the McGuire location, four in total. Full day care is provided to children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. Parent fees are annualized and paid twice a month with limited drop-in care. To ensure quality care, each center has numerous child-care rooms and plenty of outdoor playing areas. Video monitoring systems in each facility provides simultaneous viewing of each room within the respective centers from each of the main offices. For reservations or information on the Lakehurst CDC, call (732) 323-2260. For reservations or information on McGuire or Dix locations, call Central Enrollment Reservations at (609) 562-4702.

Family Child Care Program
(609) 562-1312
The Family Child Care Program offers training, support, and licensing for homes on all Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst locations. Providers are private contractors who are trained and certified to provide quality developmental activities and programs in their homes. FCC providers offer a variety of options for care to include, but not limited to, Extended Duty Care and Returning Home Care. Current provider lists are at each CDC, WFRC, and Central Enrollment Registration.

Youth Programs
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst has youth facilities on all three locations. Lakehurst has a vibrant School Age Program which operates year round. The McGuire facility incorporates both Youth Center and School Age Program operations as well as the JB Youth Sports program. Dix youth programs are provided through their Youth Center, Teen Center, and School Age Program facilities. Each School Age Program is nationally accredited through the Council on Accreditation. Additionally, each of our centers is affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H which provides a wide variety of activities for youth to become involved in. Instructional courses are offered in ballet and karate, with other courses depending on instructor availability. A comprehensive youth sports program offers soccer, basketball, baseball, T-ball, girl's softball, junior golf and other seasonal sports. Trips are also scheduled to various areas. To initially enroll in any of our youth programs, call Central Enrollment Registration at (609) 562-4702.

THE ATTIC
(609) 754-8703
The Attic, located at 3446 Broidy Road, provides new and pre-owned items at no cost to JB MDL active-duty personnel, E-1 to E-4, and their families. Special circumstances may permit assistance to other servicemembers on a case-by-case basis. Active-duty personnel and family members must present a valid military identification card at time of service.

Donations of infant to size six children's clothing, infant care items, small and large appliances, furniture and other household goods are always welcome. Donations of furniture and other large items must be coordinated prior to donation off. Hours of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m.; and closed Sunday.