“The provided resources are not meant to be exhaustive, nor does it constitute a Department of Defense or U.S. Army endorsement of any non-Federal entity listed. Those non-Federal entities listed will not receive preferential treatment from the Department of Defense or the U.S. Army as a result of being included in this website. Those non-Federal entities listed herein will not use platform in any way to suggest that the Army is endorsing or giving preferential treatment. Any of the views presented by the products, websites, or publications of the non-Federal entities listed are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense or U.S. Army.”

Yes. There are currently three methods that a Caregiver can receive financial support while caring for a wounded, sick, or ill Soldier. A Caregiver can and should work with their primary care team to apply and receive support during Step 2: The Inpatient Process as a Non-Medical Attendant (NMA) or during Step 3: The Outpatient Process through the Special Compensation for Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (SCAADL). Both of these programs are provided by the Department of Defense (DOD) and have specific applicant critria requirements. Caregivers can only be supported under one of these programs at a time. The third option available to a Caregiver are the various non-Army affiliated non-profit entities that work towards providing support to Wounded, Sick or Ill soldiers and families. You can find a list of these non-Army affiliated non-profits in our library under our Resource Directory. To learn more about the NMA and SCAADL programs use the following links:

Non-Medical Attendant (NMA)

Special Compensation for Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (SCAADL)

“The provided resources are not meant to be exhaustive, nor does it constitute a Department of Defense or U.S. Army endorsement of any non-Federal entity listed. Those non-Federal entities listed will not receive preferential treatment from the Department of Defense or the U.S. Army as a result of being included in this website. Those non-Federal entities listed herein will not use platform in any way to suggest that the Army is endorsing or giving preferential treatment. Any of the views presented by the products, websites, or publications of the non-Federal entities listed are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense or U.S. Army.”

Beneficiaries may qualify for Tricare’s Extended Care Health Option (ECHO). The primary care manager (TRICARE Prime) or the family provider (TRICARE Select) will need to provide a referral or prescription before obtaining services.

For more details visit: https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/SpecialPrograms/ECHO/EHHC

“The provided resources are not meant to be exhaustive, nor does it constitute a Department of Defense or U.S. Army endorsement of any non-Federal entity listed. Those non-Federal entities listed will not receive preferential treatment from the Department of Defense or the U.S. Army as a result of being included in this website. Those non-Federal entities listed herein will not use platform in any way to suggest that the Army is endorsing or giving preferential treatment. Any of the views presented by the products, websites, or publications of the non-Federal entities listed are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense or U.S. Army.”

Respite Care Benefits are available through Tricare which allows caregivers to take time to rest and return to their caregiving duties. This helps reduce the associated stress with care giving duties and can give the caregiver a needed break.

Tricare’s offers a program that provides up to 8 hours/day of respite care, 5 days a week for the primary caregiver of active duty, Guard and Reserve Service members injured in the line of duty.

“The provided resources are not meant to be exhaustive, nor does it constitute a Department of Defense or U.S. Army endorsement of any non-Federal entity listed. Those non-Federal entities listed will not receive preferential treatment from the Department of Defense or the U.S. Army as a result of being included in this website. Those non-Federal entities listed herein will not use platform in any way to suggest that the Army is endorsing or giving preferential treatment. Any of the views presented by the products, websites, or publications of the non-Federal entities listed are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense or U.S. Army.”

There is an incredible strain on families who do not live near an installation or medical care facility. Unlike the active component families who can turn to their local installation for assistance when needed, Army Reserve and Guard families often live far from an installation and may not know of the resources and services available to them. Their needs are the same, even if the support approach may be different. Listed below are a few resources and tools.

- Army Strong Community Center (ASCC) at www.arfp.org/index.php/programs/army-strong-community-center-ascc is an element of the virtual installation initiative to fill gaps for geographically dispersed families

- Joint Family Support Assistance program at www.jointservicessupport.org provides support to those far from military installations.

- The VA can provide resources for geographically dispersed families

“The provided resources are not meant to be exhaustive, nor does it constitute a Department of Defense or U.S. Army endorsement of any non-Federal entity listed. Those non-Federal entities listed will not receive preferential treatment from the Department of Defense or the U.S. Army as a result of being included in this website. Those non-Federal entities listed herein will not use platform in any way to suggest that the Army is endorsing or giving preferential treatment. Any of the views presented by the products, websites, or publications of the non-Federal entities listed are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense or U.S. Army.”

Eligible employees who are spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin of a covered service member may take up to 26 weeks of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave during a single 12-month period to care for the service member. It’s important to know that there are several eligibility criteria involved in the use of FMLA.

- Family Leave Provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) https://www.moaa.org/micro/caregiver/road-to-work/fmla-caregiver-employee-leave/

“The provided resources are not meant to be exhaustive, nor does it constitute a Department of Defense or U.S. Army endorsement of any non-Federal entity listed. Those non-Federal entities listed will not receive preferential treatment from the Department of Defense or the U.S. Army as a result of being included in this website. Those non-Federal entities listed herein will not use platform in any way to suggest that the Army is endorsing or giving preferential treatment. Any of the views presented by the products, websites, or publications of the non-Federal entities listed are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense or U.S. Army.”

Caregiving is not easy, but you’re not alone. When a Soldier returns from a deployment with a combat stress injury or post-traumatic stress disorder, it can affect everyone in the household. To do your best for the Soldier, and for you, learn about combat stress, your Soldier specific injury, available resources and most importantly, how to care for yourself. Listed below are a few resources and tools.

- National Center Health for technology

- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

- National Suicide Hotline

- Local Behavioral Health Services

- Local Chaplain’s Office

- Military and Family Life Consultant Program Personal Financial Counselors at www.mhngs.com/app/programsandservices/mflc_program.content

- Military OneSource (MOS) Military One Source: As a member of our military family, you are eligible to use this Department of Defense-funded program anytime, anywhere. Turn to Military OneSource for tax services, spouse employment help, webinars and online training, relocation and deployment tools, and much more. Make time for yourself. Step outside, go into a quiet place in the home or even sit in your car for a few minutes to breathe deeply and reset your emotions. Getting regular exercise, talking to those you trust, joining a support group are all positive, healthy way to cope with stress. Listed below are a few resources and tools.

- Yoga, Meditation, Exercise

- Local Faith services

“The provided resources are not meant to be exhaustive, nor does it constitute a Department of Defense or U.S. Army endorsement of any non-Federal entity listed. Those non-Federal entities listed will not receive preferential treatment from the Department of Defense or the U.S. Army as a result of being included in this website. Those non-Federal entities listed herein will not use platform in any way to suggest that the Army is endorsing or giving preferential treatment. Any of the views presented by the products, websites, or publications of the non-Federal entities listed are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense or U.S. Army.”

It’s important to understand that each situation is unique. Caregivers should seek help to assist their Soldier with this. Listed below are a few resources and tools.

- Chain of Command

- Encourage your Soldier to speak to those who know him/her such as close friends or their unit battle buddy.

- Local Behavioral Health Services

- Local Chaplain Services

- Military OneSource consultant at 800-342-9647.