AFRC Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program
Event Guidance
Integrated Delivery System Team, Wing level
The following guidance is provided for executing Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP) events as described in DTM 08-029 (Implementation of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program). Also, refer to AFI 90-501.
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Integrated Delivery System (IDS) team (OPR DCS)
- An IDS team will be in place at all Reserve wings and include Chaplains, Services, JA, SARC, and Family Readiness (and other specialties as needed) personnel. For purposes of this program, the IDS will report to a senior individual at the base. Recommend that the Vice Commander be given ultimate responsibility for this program.
- At host locations, recommend the Wing Commander appoint the Budget Officer to the IDS team, as well as a Contracting Officer and the Account Program Coordinator (APC) to oversee the valid use of contracts and the government purchase card.
- At tenant locations, recommend the Wing Commander appoint the Reserve Budget Officer, and request assistance and participation from the base APC and Contracting offices.
Obtaining Yellow Ribbon Funding at the Wing (OPR FMAO/FMAR)
Three months prior to entering an AEF cycle the unit will provide details to the DCS on program agenda, site selection, and budget for planned YR events. HQ AFRC/FMAO and FMAR will provide the YR Program Manager with a YR costing worksheet, who in turn will send it to the unit. The worksheet will be used to identify the unit's required budget details. Only costs approved by the AFRC/DCS-Yellow Ribbon Program Manager will be funded. To receive full reimbursement, all costs must be ESP coded "YR" in the accounting system. If required, funding can be received in advance of a planned event, but advanced funding will be pulled back if obligations fall below approved funded levels. Repeat: All YR costs must be DCS approved in writing and ESP coded YR or be listed under Training Category Code (TCC) LY for reimbursement. Reimbursements will be made on a monthly timeline.
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Event General Requirements/Information
All Yellow Ribbon events must be identified in advance, and an agenda and budget provided to HQ AFRC/DCS for approval a minimum of 30 days prior to the event. The Deployed Cycle Support (DCS) office is the Program Manager for this program. All scheduled events are required to occur within the YRRP deployment and reintegration schedule of pre-deployment; deployment; and post-deployment or reconstitution periods. The post-deployment/reconstitution activities are recommended events to be held 30, 60, and 90 days after a members' release from active duty following a deployment of 90 or more days. All training should be completed within 180 days of returning to home station. Family participation is highly encouraged during the pre-deployment and at the 30 and 60 day post-deployment/reconstitution events. Families may attend the 90 day event if they were unable to make earlier post-deployment/reconstitution events. Finally, it is important to note that medical and psychological health services offered are for education and information; they are not intended or designed to provide treatment.
Training locations
- Units will adhere to applicable JTR/JFTR, AFI, and AFRCI guidance on selection of training location and facilities. "Units should first determine if facilities are available on-base or at a government owned location nearby that can be used at little or no cost. If there is not a base facility that can provide the space needed for breakout areas for different small groups (necessary during post deployment events), then a cost comparison of alternative, privately owned facilities and hotels will be accomplished. AFRC/FM guidance on Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program events will be the final authority on selection of training locations and facilities.
- If the unit negotiates a contract for other amenities, such as meals for attending personnel, the ITAs will note what meals or other items were provided to the traveler at no cost.
- All requirements for the YRRP will be processed through your base contracting office. Purchases placed on the Government Purchase Card (GPC), must be coordinated with your Agency/Organization Program Coordinator (A/OPC) in advance. No exceptions! Additionally, the GPC can only be used for services costing less than $2,500. Requirements above this amount must be processed through your local contracting office.
Focus on providing education and ensuring the readiness of members, their unit, their families, employers, and affected community for the rigors of combat deployment and family separation.
Airman and Family Readiness
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Human Resources Development Council/Equal Opportunity
Provide sensitivity training
Military Personnel Flight
Provide Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) assistance
Psychological Health
- Conduct an informal needs appraisal of deploying members, groups, and sub-groups
- Provide psychosocial-educational training appropriate for YRRP attendees
- Provide a vast array of information, resources, and specific instructions on how
- members and their families can explore and/or access mental health services
- Briefly describe/cover the variety of in-theatre mental health services available
- Refer tYRRP Psychological Health Atch 3 and 4 for additional recommendations and a checklist
Public Affairs
- Provide Community Outreach
- Provide Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) information
- Provide assistance on dealing with outside media
- Refer tYRRP PA Outreach Plan (Atch 6)
Services (A1S)
- If childcare services are made available during the event, coordinate with AFRC/A1S for options (refer tServices, Atch 5)
- Contact State Operation Military Kids (OMK) team for youth/recreation activities during the event
- Provide standardized briefing on available child/youth programs for Reservists, including NACCRRA programs
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)
Provide sexual assault awareness and prevention information/training
Staff Judge Advocate
- Provide assistance for legal readiness (Will, Power of Attorney, Service members Civil Relief Act, etc)
- Ensure child custody & support arrangements are made
Unit/First Sergeant
Ensure family care plans are prepared
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- Conduct personal and family readiness pre-deployment briefing
- Work with DCS representative on inviting all deployers and their families
- Help with finding a location for event
- Help with arrangements for food offerings for the event
- Assist member and family in developing Family Care plan when needed
- Offer Air Force Aid Society financial assistance at stand-alone bases
- Offer phone cards and communication kits from AF Aid Society (if applicable), and promotional items (All low value promotional items, such as pens, pencils, magnets, key chains, etc are to be ordered by the Deployed Cycle Support (DCS) office at AFRC. Contact DCS at DSN 497-1298 for guidance.)
- Request Military Family Life Consultant for event
- Identify and incorporate a "Key Spouse Program"
- Provide information on maintenance of current licensure or certification, which may be conditions of civilian employment
- Liaison with Military OneSource
- Provide information on community and family life
Chaplain
- Provide assistance with:
- Single Service member concerns
- Marriage enrichment
- Family counseling
- Separation and Reintegration Issues
Deployment Cycle Support Representative (if serving on YRRP RPA days)
- Arrange for event location
- Invite deployed members, their families, and commanders (wing, group and unit)
- Arrange for food offerings for the event
- Coordinate with all members of IDS team for event requirements (technology)
- Prepare Invitational Travel Authorizations in coordination with FM for family members
- Coordinate with deployed members' unit for RPA orders
- Prepare required reports and send tAFRC DCS (refer tReports, Atch 1 )
Financial Management
- Advise on preparation of military orders or Invitational Travel Authorizations for family members
- Advise on the requirement or provide assistance on the preparation of travel vouchers (see FM, Atch 2)
- Provide interpretational guidance on funding or travel entitlement issues (refer tFM, Atch 2)
Health Services
Ensure TRICARE representative attends event
Focus on the members' and family's challenges and stressors associated with separation (especially those serving in a combat zone). Use National Guard and Reserve resources in coordination with ESGR, Transition Assistance Advisors (TAA), Military & Family Life Consultants, the VA, Veterans' Services Organizations (VSO), the American Red Cross, State Department of Health and Human Services, 4H, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, state and local university and community colleges, and other public and private organizations as appropriate.
Airman and Family Readiness
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Financial Management
- Provide advice on proper preparation of military orders or Invitational Travel Authorizations for family members
- Advise on the requirement or provide assistance on the preparation of travel vouchers (see FM, Atch 2)
- Provide interpretational guidance on funding or travel entitlement issues (refer tFM, Atch 2)
Psychological Health
- IN-THEATRE PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH PERSONNEL:
- Work closely with 1st Sergeants and Commanders (both in theatre and at home) tresolve the deployed member's concerns/problems prior ttheir return thome station
- Provide psycho-educational training (e.g., sleep hygiene) as indicated tmaintain optimal mental hygiene during deployment
- AT-HOME PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH PERSONNEL:
- Provide Psychological Health information or training and get involved with any local activities
- Provide a vast array of information, resources, and specific instructions on how members and their families can explore and/or access mental health services
- Remain visible and available tunits whhave deployed members
- Collaborate with IDS members, commanders, 1st Sergeants, and other unit members; receive "as-call" referrals, non-clinical consultations, and other relevant information
- Ask tbe apprised of members whhave returned early; screen for possible mental health concerns/issues
- Refer tYRRP Psychological Health Atch 3 and 4 for additional recommendations
- Forward any materials and resources currently not identified in the Psychological Health YRRP Supplement tHQ AFRC.
Services (A1S)
- If childcare is made available during the event, coordinate with AFRC/A1S for options
- Contact State OMK team for youth/recreation activities during the event
Staff Judge Advocate
Review any legal documents and provide preliminary legal advice
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Maintain telephonic or e-mail contact with families of deployed personnel every 30 days
- Offer:
- Personal financial management and financial counseling
- Air Force Aid Society financial assistance at stand-alone bases
- Spouse and family member employment
- Provide information regarding resources (tinclude state Department of Labor offices) available tassist with spouse and family member employment and employer support
- Information regarding deployed member tlocal school districts
- Provide assistance with understanding needs of wounded, ill, and injured such as medical holdover and the community-based health care organization and its requirements
Chaplain
- Provides Awareness of support available through religious communities
- Provides Response tfamily member inquiries
- Provides Contact with deployed members
Commander/Unit Recommended Actions
- Employer support
- Letter tall employers
- Outreach temployers
Deployment Cycle Support Representative (if serving on YRRP RPA days)
- Begin coordination with deployed unit/s for 30 day post deployment event
- Arrange for event location, date, and time
- Invite deployed members (at their deployed site), their families, and commanders (wing, group and unit)
- Arrange for food offerings for the event
- Coordinate with all members of the IDS team for event requirements (technology and speakers)
- Prepare Invitational Travel Authorizations in coordination with FM for family members
- Coordinate with deployed members' unit for RPA orders
- Maintain current list of attendees, send confirmation notices
| REDEPLOYMENT & RETURN TO HOME STATION |
Initial reintegration activities will begin by providing members with information about resources available ttransition them back tcivilian life, as well as connecting them with service providers whcan assist them in overcoming challenges of reintegration
Airman and Family Readiness
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Health Services
- TRICARE briefing
- Medical briefings (Deployment health surveillance)
Military Personnel Flight (MPF)
- Service member record processing
- Military career counseling
Psychological Health
- Review reunion expectations; focus on adaptation tnon-deployed environments and cultures, as well as initial transitional challenges (written materials or in-person training).
- Provide information, resources, and specific instructions on how members and families can explore and/or access mental health services
- Continue tcollaborate with wing leadership and IDS members tresolve acute Psychological Health challenges that are readily apparent or immediately reported
- Refer tYRRP Psychological Health Atch 3 and 4 for additional recommendations
- Forward any materials and resources currently not identified in the Psychological Health YRRP Supplement tHQ AFRC.
Safety Office
Conduct Supervisor safety briefings (occupational safety, reminder of local conditions)
Unit Commander Responsibility
- Welcome home activities (initial greeting at airport)
- Provide reintegration program schedule tmember
- Extend invitation tspouses and provide them with reintegration program schedule
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- Provide a briefing or one-on-one meeting transitioning the member back inttheir community and family life; identify resources available thelp in the reorientation process
- Provide briefings or assist with financial issues
- Assist MPF with Veterans Administration issues
- Veterans Health Administration enrollment
- Information regarding Veterans Service Organizations and Veterans counseling centers
- Transition Assistance Program
- Pre-separation counseling (mandated by Public Law for those activated for 180 or more days)
- Information on Department of Labor (DOL) support, tinclude briefings available through active-duty family centers and services at state DOL offices
Chaplain
- Provide support concerning reintegration issues
- Offer Chaplain services and support
Deployment Cycle Support Representative (if serving on YRRP RPA days)
- Meet returning members
- Ensure all members are aware of the 30 day post deployment event time, date, and location
- Coordinate with all IDS team members tensure they are available upon members' return thome station
- Ensure all IDS team members are aware of date, time, and place of arrival
- Provide information on date, time, and place of arrival tfamily members
Financial Management
- Provide advice on proper preparation of military orders or Invitational Travel Authorizations for family members
- Advise on the requirement or provide assistance on the preparation of travel vouchers (see FM, Atch 2)
- Provide interpretational guidance on funding or travel entitlement issues (refer tFM, Atch 2)
| POST-DEPLOYMENT OR RECONSTITUTION |
Reserve commands shall hold activities at approximately 30-, 60-, and 90-day intervals following demobilization or deployment
Activities shall focus on reconnecting members and their families with the service providers from the initial reintegration activity tensure members and their families understand benefits and entitlements, as well as resources available thelp them tovercome challenges of reintegration
Activities shall provide a forum for members and their families taddress negative behaviors related tcombat stress, post-traumatic stress, and the challenges of transition and return tfamily and civilian life, civilian employment, school, and other non-military activities
30-Day Event Activities and Service Providers
(Family members invited and encouraged tattend)
Airman and Family Readiness
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Health Services
- Brief TRICARE benefits
- Provide assistance with mental health and post traumatic stress symptom identification
Military Personnel Flight
- Provide information on educational benefits
- Coordinate with DCS representative or Airman and Family Readiness Director tinvite local colleges, universities, and technical schools tthe event
Psychological Health
- Provide psychosocial-educational training that addresses psychological, social, and emotional issues that research has shown are likely temerge at this phase of post-deployment
- Provide information and/or training that emphasizes how trecognize and reduce potential psychosocial or family problems
- Provide information, resources, and specific instructions on how members and families can explore and/or access mental health services
- Continue tcollaborate with wing leadership and IDS members tresolve emerging or potentially persistent Psychological Health challenges
- Refer tYRRP Psychological Health Atch 3 and 4 for additional recommendations
- Forward any materials and resources currently not identified in the Psychological Health YRRP Supplement tHQ AFRC.
Services
- If childcare is made available during the event, coordinate with AFRC/A1S for options
- Contact State OMK team for youth/recreation activities during the event
- At either the 30 or 60 day event, provide a standardized briefing on available child/youth programs for Reservists, tinclude NACCRRA programs
Staff Judge Advocate
Provide legal information
Unit Training Managers - A1
Provide assistance with Service member issues concerning promotion, promotion testing, pay, training, etc.
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- Offer financial planning and counseling
- Provide employment assistance
- Mini DOL Transition Assistance Program employment workshop
- Information on web-based TurbTAP
- Schedule Joint Family Resource Center Resources for event
- Military OneSource
- Military and Family Life Consultant
- Assist with transitioning back tcommunity and family life
- Reconnecting with children
- Military OneSource
- Military and Family Life Consultant
- Liaison tVeterans Administration
- VA benefits and resources
- Veterans counseling centers and VSOs
- Veterans Health Administration
- Arrange for a Job fair
- Offer career coaching
- Liaison with ESGR resources
- Include "Key Spouse Program"
Chaplain
- Offers Single Service member workshop
- Offers Family counseling/referrals
- Offers Personal contact with returning members (further inftcome from AFRC Command Chaplain)
Deployment Cycle Support Representative (if serving on YRRP RPA days)
- Arrange for 30 day post deployment event location, date, and time
- Coordinate with State Guard DCS representative on possible collaboration
- Invite redeployed members and their families and commanders (wing, group and unit)
- Provide interpretational guidance for funding or travel entitlement issues
- Coordinate with MPF tinvite local colleges, universities, and technical schools
- Invite Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- Provide information on Benefits and Veterans counseling centers
- Arrange for food offerings for the event
- Coordinate with all members of the IDS team for event requirements (technology)
- Coordinate with FM for preparation of Invitational Travel Authorizations for family members
- Coordinate with deployed members' unit for RPA orders
- Maintain current list of attendees and send confirmations
- Report event attendance, etc. tNAF/DCS representative in order tobtain OSD required reporting data
Financial Management
- Provide advice on proper preparation of military orders or Invitational Travel Authorizations for family members
- Advise on the requirement or provide assistance on the preparation of travel vouchers (see FM, Atch 2)
60-Day Event Activities and Service Providers
(Family members invited and encouraged tattend)
Airman and Family Readiness
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Financial Management
- Provide advice on proper preparation of military orders or Invitational Travel Authorizations for family members
- Advise on the requirement or provide assistance on the preparation of travel vouchers (see FM, Atch 2)
- Provide interpretational guidance on funding or travel entitlement issues (refer tFM, Atch 2)
Health Services
- Offer assistance during event breakout sessions with anger management, substance abuse prevention, and compulsive behaviors prevention
- Offer TRICARE briefing during event
Psychological Health
- Provide psychosocial-educational training that addresses psychological, social, and emotional issues that research has shown are likely tsurface or persist at this phase of post-deployment.
- Review how trecognize behaviors, emotions, and thoughts that may be maladaptive; address the fact that readjustment issues should be resolving or fully resolved, as well as important transitional milestones should be realized or becoming apparent.
- Provide information, resources, and specific instructions on how members and families can explore and/or access mental health services.
- Continue tcollaborate with wing leadership and IDS members tresolve any current Psychological Health challenges; encourage a help-seeking culture.
- Refer tYRRP Psychological Health Atch 3 and 4 for additional recommendations.
- Forward any materials and resources currently not identified in the Psychological Health YRRP Supplement tHQ AFRC.
Services
- If childcare is made available during the event, coordinate with AFRC/A1S for options
- Contact the State OMK team for youth/recreation activities during the event
- At either the 30 or 60 day event, provide a standardized briefing on available child/youth programs for Reservists, tinclude NACCRRA programs
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- Offer financial planning and counseling
- Offer Employment Assistance
- Mini DOL Transition Assistance Program employment workshop
- Information on web-based TurbTAP
- NOTE: A Job Fair is not cost effective for employers' tsupport if there are small numbers of members seeking civilian employment at wing level
- Schedule Joint Family Resource Center Resources
- Military OneSource
- Military and Family Life Consultants
- Assist with transitioning back tcommunity and family life
- Reconnecting with children
- Military OneSource
- Military and Family Life Consultant
- Contact and invite Veterans Administration representatives tthe event tdiscuss
- VA benefits and resources
- Veterans counseling centers and VSOs
- Veterans Health Administration
- Contact and invite other state and community resources as needed
Chaplain
- Offer tprovide:
- Marriage Enrichment Workshop
- Personal contact with returning members (further inftcome from AFRC Command Chaplain)
- Family counseling
Deployment Cycle Support Representative (if serving on YRRP RPA days)
- Arrange for 60 day post deployment event location, date, and time
- Coordinate with State Guard DCS representative on possible collaboration
- Invite redeployed members, their families, and commanders (wing, group and unit)
- Coordinate with MPF tinvite local colleges, universities, and technical schools
- Invite Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- Provide information on:
- Benefits and support
- Veterans counseling centers
- Arrange for food offerings for the event
- Coordinate with all members of the IDS team for event requirements (technology and speakers)
- Prepare Invitational Travel Authorizations in coordination with FM for family members
- Coordinate with deployed members' unit for RPA orders
- Maintain current list of attendees and send confirmations
- Report event attendance, etc. tNAF/DCS representative in order tobtain OSD required reporting data
90-Day Event Activities and Service Providers
Airman and Family Readiness
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Health Services
- Provide briefing on the Deployment Health Surveillance Program
- Provide briefing on Post Deployment Health Reassessment
- Provide briefing on Deployment associated medical testing and services including Line of Duty Determination
- Provide briefing on TRICARE
Psychological Health
- Provide psychosocial-educational training that addresses psychological, social, and emotional issues that research has shown are likely tpersist at this phase of post-deployment
- Briefly review readjustment techniques and common maladaptive behaviors, but alsconcentrate on wellness as indicated by key transitional milestones that should be readily achievable at this point in time.
- Provide information, resources, and specific instructions on how members and their families can explore and/or access mental health services
- Continue tcollaborate with wing leadership and IDS members tidentify and resolve persistent or new Psychological Health challenges
- Refer tYRRP Psychological Health Atch 3 and 4 for additional recommendations.
- Forward any materials and resources currently not identified in the Psychological Health YRRP Supplement tHQ AFRC.
Public Affairs
- Offer appropriate warrior recognition programs
- Refer tPA YRRP Outreach Plan (Atch 6)
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- Transition Assistance Program
- Briefing on VA
- Benefits
- Veterans counseling centers
- Offer financial planning and counseling
- Assist with the transition back tcommunity and family life
- Reconnecting with children
- Military OneSource
- Military and Family Life Consultant
Chaplain
- Provide follow-up contacts with returning members
- Contact First Sergeants and Commanders of returning members
Deployment Cycle Support Representative (if serving on YRRP RPA days)
- Arrange for 90 day post deployment event location, date, and time
- Invite redeployed members, their families, and commanders (wing, group and unit)
- Invite Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- Provide information on:
- Benefits and support
- Veterans counseling centers
- Arrange for food offerings for the event
- Coordinate with all members of the IDS team for event requirements (technology and speakers)
- Prepare Invitational Travel Authorizations in coordination with FM for family members
- Coordinate with deployed members' unit for RPA orders
- Maintain current list of attendees and send confirmations
- Report event attendance, etc. tNAF/DCS representative in order tobtain OSD required reporting data
Financial Management
- Provide advice on proper preparation of military orders or Invitational Travel Authorizations for family members
- Advise on the requirement or provide assistance on the preparation of travel vouchers (see FM, Atch 2)
- Provide interpretational guidance on funding or travel entitlement issues (refer tFM, Atch 2)
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