Life doesn't come with an instruction book.

Past experience, advice from others, and a little "trial and error" are what we typically rely on to handle our everyday challenges. To enhance effectiveness at home or work, the Fleet and Family Support Centers' professional counselors and educators provide services and programs that equip you with LIFE SKILLS that foster good relations, healthy families, and strong marriages. Life Skills Education programs are available to help active duty service members (single and married) and family members learn the skills and gain the confidence they need to face change, handle difficult situations, and make informed decisions. Take advantage of the opportunity to develop new life skills to help you navigate life. Some of Skills Training offered:
* * * *
Fleet and Family Support Center 101 Vernon Avenue Bldg 304/Room 121 850.235.5800/DSN 436.5800 Hours of Operation: Monday Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Life Skills

Anger management Parenting skills Conflict management Personal communication Couples communication Dealing with relationship change Adjusting to military life and spouse advancement Stress management And much more! Kandis R. Bainter, LCSW Clinical Counselor Family Advocacy Program Manager Fleet and Family Support Center NSA Panama City 850-636-6105 DSN: 436-6105 kandis.bainter.ctr@navy.mil

* * * * *

Also

In this Issue:

Coping & Adjusting

Page 2

Mid Year Financial Strategies

Page 3

Information & Referral

Page 4 Page 5

Community Corner
Naval Trivia
Page 6

Fleet and Family Support Center

August 2011

NEWSLETTER Coping with Stress

Page 2

It may seem that theres nothing you can do about your stress level. The bills arent going to stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day for all your errands, and your career or family responsibilities will always be demanding. But you have a lot more control than you might think. In fact, the simple realization that youre in control of your life is the foundation of stress management. Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun plus the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on. Stress management starts with identifying the sources of stress in your life. This isnt as easy as it sounds. Your true sources of stress arent always obvious, and its all too easy to overlook your own stress-inducing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. To read more about this article and how to cope with stress in your everyday life, visit http://helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm.

Adjusting to Military Life

The military lifestyle is unique. It offers travel to exciting destinations, opportunity to interact with diverse cultures, and life experiences that cannot be taught in the classroom. But, it can also be flavored with questions and uncertainty. What will our next duty station be like? Will my spouse be deployed all the time? What about my career? At times, it may seem like more than you bargained for. The Fleet and Family Support Center, (FFSC), was designed with YOU in mind. Trained professionals are available to offer assistance in helping you cope with the demands of living life in the military. The FFSC offers services and programs ranging from personal financial counseling to life skills training to making that next move a little smoother. Many of these services are available to retirees and DoD civilians as well.

Just Breathe
The FFSC also works in tandem with other organizations to offer services to military members and their families as well as other members of our Navy family. Some of these organizations include Military OneSource, Military.com, the Veterans Affairs office, and a myriad of local community services including the American Red Cross and Salvation Army. So, whether you are a military member, a retiree, a family member or a civilian employee, visit your local FFSC and see whats waiting for you.

http://www.military.com http://www.militaryonesource.com
http://www.va.gov/

http://www.redcross.org/

The only thing standing between you and the answers you need is you.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away.
Will Smith in Hitch

Fleet and Family Support Center

August 2011

NEWSLETTER
Mid-Year Financial Strategies

Page 3

Following the soot and ash of all the fireworks from this years 4th of July celebrations, one cant help but acknowledge that summers almost halfway over. Instead of feeling depressed and asking yourself where the summer has gone, we could look at the glass half-full and see that we still have almost half the year to accomplish many of the years goals and resolutions we set out to do. July and August are a prominent time for financial reviews among most financial planners, as it is a crucial point to analyze where your goals are midway through the year, and make the necessary adjustments. This is especially true for those of us who started out the year with financial aspirations to clean up our household balance sheets its crunch time! Here are a few pointers for you to finish the year with great financial success: 1) Remember, financial plans are only as good as the goals that define it Goals that lack specifics, such as the who, what, when, where, and why are also lacking the probability of finding success. It is important for us to define what specific details are involved in the broader layouts like I want to be debt-free, or I want my savings reserves to be built up. These thoughts wont get us to a final resting point, or a feeling of pure accomplishment. Explain and elaborate on the five Ws listed above to make an infallible plan, and secure a higher probability of succeeding. Make sure that the details reflect your short-term (5 mos.) and long-term goals.

2) Snowball It! Its a term used when referring to your debt pay down strategies eliminating the smaller debts first. In most cases it works great if you have more than one creditor. Therefore, it merits consideration for those of us with more than one line of consumer debt. Although financial names like Dave Ramsey or Suze Orman may claim it to be a part of their luminous creation, the concept has been around for almost as long as the U.S consumer debt. Taking a more aggressive approach on smaller debts first, will serve two purposes: you free up more disposable dollars as each smaller account becomes paid-off; and paying off an account, no matter the size, provides us with a sense of accomplishment that can be felt right away. Keep in mind, however, that an analysis of your unique debt makeup is required to see if it is worthwhile In some cases it could be better to target higher interest debts first and ignore the size of the account.
3) Review the first half of the year The saying, Those who are unaware of history are destined to repeat it sums up perfectly why financial reviews are so enlightening and important. A glance back into the first half of the year will tell you a lot about your financial behavior patterns, areas of strength and weakness, actual costs of variable goods (gas, utilities, etc.) and also be able to get you to a more accurate year-end number regarding your financial goals. It makes perfect sense that one should be more accurate in his/her 6-month projections than, compared to the 12-month projections regarding his/her financial lifestyle. To summarize, incorporating these mid-year thoughts and concepts should prove to be useful for almost anyone. If you are interested in working with a financial professional to discuss these topics further and conduct a mid-year review, please contact Mark Kinkade at 850.235.5611 or email at mark.a.kinkade.ctr@navy.mil.

Disaster affects hundreds of thousands of people every year. It may happen at your local Navy installation. It may happen to you. Whether youre part of the general Navy community, the Navys emergency management team, or a potential partner in disaster response and recovery, you have a role in planning for emergencies being prepared benefits you and your family. To learn more visit:
http://www.cnic.navy.mil/CNIC_HQ_Site/WhatWeDo/Emergency Management/OperationPreparedness/ index.htm

Do you have a dependent with special needs?

Debra Forand is the EFM Point of Contact and is available to help you find the services and support you need. You can contact Debra at 850.234.4898 or email her at debra.forand.ctr@navy.mil.

Fleet and Family Support Center

August 2011

NEWSLETTER

Page 4

The School Liaison Officer is the focal

point of contact between the military installation and the local school administration. The primary responsibilities of the School Liaison Officer, or SLO, include advising installation command on matters concerning student education and school operations, fostering a cooperative relationship between school representatives and the military community, and assisting military families with school transitions. The goal of the School Liaison Officer is to empower parents to be their childs best advocate in the education process allowing children of military families the opportunity to achieve their highest potential. For questions or concerns regarding K12 education matters, contact Lynda Kent at 850.774.7976 or email at lynda.kent@navy.mil.
Calling all Women Veterans
In June, VAs Women Veterans Call Center started to contact women Vets to educate them on VA health care and gender-specific services available at VA facilities. In the first month, the Call Center reached over 1,000 female Vets. Read more at the White House Blog

New Parent Support for new or expectant

parents. Rosemary Cunningham is an RN and directs the New Parent Support Program at Tyndall Air Force Base. The program offers education on care and discipline of children, self-care, and counseling as a preventive measure to domestic violence. Parenting can be overwhelming. Help is available. You can contact Rosemary by calling 850.283.7083 or emailing rosemary.cunningham@tyndall.af.mil

SPOUSE TRAINING RESOURCES AT YOUR FINGER TIPS!

As part of the Continuum of Resource Education (CORE) program, FamilyLIne offers a library of 'ready-to-teach' training modules to support spouses acting as mentors to other military spouses. Training modules are available for spouse groups, senior leadership and more. The CORE program offers training resources on listing under pressure, negotiating, dealing with difficult people and more. Simply click on our Putting on a Workshop tab and then the Training Modules tab in the left tool bar. If you have any questions, please email us at nsfamline@aol.com.

Kids Corner:

Tax Free Days

08/12/2011 - 08/14/2011
It's back to school time and a much needed break for parents! And to help with the relief on the pocketbook, Florida is having TAX FREE days! No sales tax or local option taxes will be collected on sales of books, clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $50 or less. School supplies selling for $10 or less are also TAX Free from Aug 12 to Aug 14. So, take it easy on yourself and shop TAX Free from for all your school needs this year.

This Dad captures his daughters in the most interesting ways. For more pictures of these precious little cherubs and the creative ways he photographs them, go to http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/a-father-whocreatively

Famous Quotes:
A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life. - Charles Darwin

Fleet and Family Support Center

August 2011

NEWSLETTER
August Calendar of FFSC Events
Monday 1 2 Tuesday 3 Wednesday 4 Thursday 5 Friday 6

Page 5

Sunday

Saturday

Basic Resume 1000-1100

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Stress Management 1000-1100

14 15 16 17

VA Pre-Sep Medical Claims 0830-1530

Budgeting Techniques and Strategies 1000-1100 20

EFMP Working Focus Group 090021 22 23

Managing Change 1000-1100

18 19 Car Buying Strategies ___1000-1100___ Home Buying Strategies 1400-1500

Calculating Your Inheritance Needs ___0900-1000 ___ IA Discussion Group 1200-1300

28 29 30

24 25 26 Operation Prepare VA Pre-Sep Advanced Resume ___1000-1200___ Medical Claims Workshop Improving Your Credit ___0830-1530___ ___1000-1200___ Scores IA Support Committee Money and the Move 1500-1600 1300-1400 1400-1500

27

Family Readiness Brief 1000-1200

Dates and times of programs are subject to change. Please call the number listed for each program for confirmation. Registration is required for all events. Events will be cancelled if no participation.
Kandis Bainter
Clinical Counselor/Life Skills Contact at 636.6105 or email kandis.bainter.ctr@navy.mil

Michael Jordy
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Contact at 235.5459 or email michael.jordy.ctr@navy.mil

Mark Kinkade
Personal Financial Manager Contact at 235.5611 or email mark.a.kinkade.ctr@navy.mil

Tim Bowers
Work and Family Life Consultant Transition Assistance/Employment/Ombudsman Contact at 235.5587 or email timothy.t.bowers.ctr@navy.mil

Debra Forand
Deployment Specialist/Disaster Coordinator/ Exceptional Family Member POC Contact at 234.4898 or email debra.forand.ctr@navy.mil

The training offered at the Fleet And Family Support Center has been color coordinated in an attempt to save space in the newsletter. If you are interested in any of the classes featured in the calendar, simply contact the Program Manager whose name corresponds with the color of the class on the calendar. We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this may cause our readers.

Girl Scouts need You!

If you are interested in being a Girl Scout leader or want to volunteer, contact: - - - - Rosanne Kelly - - - Girl Scouts of the Florida Panhandle @ 850873-3999.

Fleet and Family Support Center

August 2011 Page 6 NEWSLETTER Whats Happening in and Around Panama City
Groovin on the Green Music Series performed on the Village Green at Carillon Beach every Monday night from 7-9pm. For details, call 850.234.7819.

Bay County Fair

August 9 13
Cotton candy, Ferris wheels, balloons, ring toss, funnel cake, stuffed animal prizes and more! For more than 20 years the Bay County Fair has featured fun for the entire family. Entertainment includes children's activities, crafts, livestock competitions and exhibits, music, commercial vendors, a wide variety of food and lots more.

Drive-in Movie in Downtown Panama City beginning Friday, August 12 at 7:45

pm. The Panama City Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is hoping to bring back the fun and nostalgia of going to the drive -in movies by hosting a movie night at various locations the 2nd Saturday of each month. For complete listing of movie times, please contact the CRA office at 850-215-3869 .

Backstage Pass at Marina Civic Center by Bay Arts Alliance continues through August 26. Backstage pass allows the audience to appear on stage with local area musicians. Participants are also eligible for a raffle of a trip to New York to be awarded on February 16, 2012. For more information, visit www.bayarts.org or call 769.1217.

For more information on upcoming events, call 235.5800

September
Ombudsman Your Direct Link

October Domestic Violence

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response

Join us on Facebook for the latest Fleet and Family news and information. Be part of the conversation! Use this link to stay connected http://www.facebook.com/pages/FFSCPanamaCity/187350194633211#!/pages/FFSCPanamaCity/187350194633211

Naval History: The Navy Ball

Over ninety years ago, the Washington auxiliary of the Navy Relief Society hosted the first wooden or steel beam in Navy Ball. This event was one of the premiere social events of the year, attended by elite ship for bearing stress government, diplomatic and society leaders of the time. Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Assistant Secretary of Navy, at the time, and Admiral George Dewey were guests at this first Ball. Throughout the years, the Navy Ball became known as a glittering social event where screen stars and entertainers from Hollywood and New York could be seen. With the onset of World War II, the Navy Ball was cancelled for the duration of the war. The annual fundraising event resumed on January 22, 1948 and was described by a Washington columnist as dazzling, the assemblage was resplendent in full dress uniform and with the full array of miniature medals In the year 2000, the Navy Ball became known as the NavyMarine Corps Ball to reflect the joint participation of both services in this worthy endeavor.

Keelson - lengthwise