The Florida National Guard’s Military and Family Readiness staff consists of a network of military members, civilian employees, contractors and volunteers working as a team to support military families. The programs include Service Member and Family Readiness, Child and Youth, Transition Assistance Advisors, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and Survivor Outreach Services.
Soldier and Family Readiness Specialists are available to assist service members and their families in mitigating challenges and enhancing their ability to maintain readiness and well-being. Military and family assistance centers are located throughout the state to support military families during all stages of contingency and mobilization operations. The specialists connect service members and their families with resources from national and local community organizations. Services include legal referrals, TRICARE information, personal financial assistance and counseling, information on the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System and ID cards, employment assistance, and crisis intervention and referrals. All uniformed service members, retired service members and their family members, including surviving family members, are eligible for assistance. During state emergencies, the specialists staff the Emergency Family Assistance Center and are ready to assist service members and their families 24/7.
In fiscal year 2025, the family programs supported 583 events, including unit briefings, toy and food drives, Recruiting and Retention events, and Yellow Ribbon events. The team conducted 2,297 community outreach engagements to build relationships with resource providers, enabling it to resolve 1,052 assistance cases. The specialists provided information to 7,421 Soldiers and family members to answer questions or connect them with a resource or organization that could offer assistance.
The specialists support commanders in executing their unit family readiness responsibilities. This support consists of administrative and logistical assistance to develop a family readiness plan and manage volunteer soldier and family readiness groups. The specialists provide hands-on training and assist in family communication campaigns such as unit newsletters, websites and phone trees. They also assist in coordinating family day activities, providing information briefings and promoting resilience, well-being and readiness throughout the deployment cycle.
The Child and Youth Program supports the social, emotional and academic needs of military children and youths. It encourages the development of resilience, self-esteem, self-confidence, respect for self and others, team skills, life skills and leadership abilities through high-quality support services and enrichment programs. The program hosted many events for military youths, including residential camps, day camps, a military appreciation gala and the Youth Advisory Council.
Transition Assistance Advisors assist and support qualifying Guard and Reserve service members, veterans, spouses and families across a wide spectrum of benefits and resources. Assistance is available to service members transitioning from federal active duty, as well as their spouses and family members.
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve informs and educates service members and their civilian employers regarding their rights and responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994. The organization does not have enforcement authority but serves as a neutral, free resource for employers and service members. Its trained ombudsmen provide mediation of issues relating to compliance with the Act.
Survivor Outreach Services is part of the Army Casualty Continuum of Care. It is designed to provide long-term support to the surviving families of fallen soldiers. Its goal is to reassure survivors that they remain valued members of the Army family who deserve respect, gratitude and the best support possible.
Through these collaborative efforts and partnerships, the Military and Family Readiness Programs provide a focus on proactive outreach, community readiness, resilience, and individual and family readiness. These efforts ensure service members and their families are prepared for the challenges of daily life and the demands and responsibilities associated with supporting federal and state missions.
For more information, contact the State Family Readiness office at 800-226-0360.
