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The FFSC FocusThe FFSC Focus

The Fleet & Family Support Center Naval Air Station JRB Bldg. 555 504.678.7569 Toll Free: 1.888.304.1939

MAY 2014

IN THIS ISSUE Mapping Out A Job Search Plan P.1

Tips for Parents of Children with Special NeedsP.2

Military Spouse Appreciation P.3

May Calendar of FFSC Events P.4

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Coming Next Month:

Our Special

Hurricane Preparedness

Issue!

Watch for it!

Mapping Out A Job Search Plan

The search for a new job has begun, so where do I start? Start by developing a well-planned job-hunting schedule, which includes the following 14 steps throughout your week: Read The Help Wanted Ads – Don’t limit

yourself to the Classified Ads in the Sunday newspaper. Remember the internet is swarming not only with information but with job opportunities as well.

Share Plans – Keep your family and friends

in the loop. Even if they don’t have any job leads, they are your biggest supporters.

Relax – Take time each day to rejuvenate

by engaging in a leisure activity. Plan The Week – Break down a schedule

into thirty-minute and/or one-hour ses-sions with specific tasks to accomplish. Don’t forget to schedule your relaxation time.

Talk With People You Know – This is your

time to network and use your sources, which may include: former coworkers, alumni offices, and of course, the FFSC Employment Specialists.

Review Mail And Respond To Ads – Check your e-mail daily just in case a potential employer is requesting additional infor-mation or wants to set up an interview.

Make Luncheon Contacts – Research a

restaurant that is frequented by business people and strike up a conversation.

Contact Employment Agencies – Headhunters are an additional source for finding a job but make sure to contact them weekly for progress.

Schedule Interviews – Once you start

getting requests for interviews, try to schedule only one interview per day.

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RAO NEEDS YOU!!!! The Retired Activities Office is looking for volunteers to provide assistance to ensure retirees receive their entitled rights, benefits, and privileges. The Retired Activities Office is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 0900 - 1200. Contact Lynn Ingraham at 504-678-7564 or stop by the Fleet and Family Support Center, Bldg. 555, for additional infor-mation.

Tips for Parents of Children with Special Needs

Surprise. Concern. Confusion. These are among some of the many emotions parents feel when they first learn that their child has a special need. Often fathers and mothers respond differently to such news. Sometimes parents tend to focus on needs and services, but it is also important to pay attention to the child’s strengths and interests in order to find activities to do together and enjoy time as a family. Maybe you are wondering: What is available? Where are the resources? How do we do this? Here are a few key tips that other parents of children with special needs have found helpful: Be informed and ask questions. It is important to get as much information as possible. The more you know, the better you will be able to support your child and your family. Face reality. You get to a point where you have to stop being in denial. There are always going to be well-intentioned people in your life who will tell you there’s nothing wrong. But if you listen to them, you may delay getting your child the help they need. Pursue early intervention. If you are wondering about your child’s behavior, you need to get it checked out. Have high expectations. It’s important not to use special needs as an excuse. When dealing with an exceptional child, it’s often easier to assume that they can’t do something than it is to let them struggle. Kids need to be pushed sometimes. Do everything you can for your child. The whole goal of parenthood is to help your kids reach their full potential, whatever that may be. Look forward, not backward.

With information, planning, and access to sup-port and services, families can learn to nurture new hopes and expectations while celebrating growth and accomplishments along the way. The Exceptional Family Member Program provides information, referrals, emotional assistance, and support to families with special needs. For more information, please contact Loretta Shepherd, Work & Family Life Consult-ant, at the FFSC at 678-7569.

Did you know?

There’s a National

Historic Park dedicated to Jazz

located in the New Orleans French Quarter?

Find out more at http://www.nps.gov/jazz

Lagniappe (A little something extra)

Did You Know?

Jazz was born in New Orleans

at the turn of the 20th century—

a blending of musical styles

such as blues, gospel,

and ragtime.

Memorial Day 2014

Monday 26 May (Observed)

Friday 30 May (Traditional)

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Friday 9 May 2014 Is

Military Spouse Appreciation Day!

We frequently hear of the sacrifice made by military personnel around the world, as well as the

honorable jobs they perform protecting our nation. However, all too often we forget about the support network which keeps the military working—the families at home waiting for them. Those families have little control over things like where they live, and often must take on additional household responsibilities, which could mean putting their own education and career dreams on hold. Military spouses play

a huge role in in the lives of our dedicated men and women in the Armed Forces. They do it willingly, supporting their spouses wherever their military life takes them. It’s an admirable quality, and one for which we here at the FFSC hold a great deal of respect. Friday 9 May is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. It originated in the United States during the 1980s as a way to recognize family mem-bers who help support military personnel. We thank the men and women who are military spouses for their ongoing service.

Research Businesses – It is important to do research on the company. This is your chance to see if the company is right for you, and knowing a company’s background will be helpful during an interview.

Check and Rearrange Plans – This will help

manage your time and avoid over extend-ing and overcommitting yourself.

Follow Up Leads – Return all telephone messages and e-mail correspondence in a timely manner, the same day if possible.

Visit A State Employment Agency – These

organizations provide many job services. The Louisiana contact is:

LA Works: 392-5803/www.laworks.net Give Yourself Time Off – Make Saturday or

Sunday your day off from your hustle and bustle schedule of the week.

Job searching is a full-time job. Keep this in mind when developing your well-planned job-hunting schedule. Please feel free to contact an FFSC Employment Specialist at 678-7569 for more information on Job Searching, Resume Writing, and Job Inter-viewing Skills.

(Continued from page 1)

Mapping Your Job Search Plan

To sign up for Military Spouse Orientation, or for other information, please stop by the FFSC in Bldg. 555, Mondays–Fridays (0730–1600). Contact Kim Andres, Life Skills Educator, at 504-678-2559 to find out about related workshops.

Upcoming Event:

Celebrating

Mother's Day

and

Military Spouse Day

May 9th

Navy Exchange

1100-1400

More Info for Spouses of

Service Members

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MAY 2014 FFSC EVENTS

All workshops and classes are held at the Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base,

Fleet & Family Support Center (FFSC), Bldg. 555, unless otherwise noted.

To register for classes, or for additional information about FFSC events and services,

please call 504-678-7569.

FEDERAL RESUME WRITING Friday 02 May 2014 0900-1200 Learn how to write an effective Federal Resume and navigate the Federal hiring process.

STRESS MANAGEMENT Wednesday 14 May 2014 0900–1100 Stop by to determine what is stressing you out and the skills you need to handle it.

ACTIVE PARENTING Tuesday 06, 13, & 20 May 2014 0830–1030 Healthy families aren’t born; they’re made one day at a time.

MOMMY & ME (NASJRB Chapel) Wednesday 14 & 28 May 2014 1000–1130 Playgroup is for moms and kids who want to make good friends and have a good time.

OMBUDSMAN ASSEMBLY Tuesday 06 May 2014 1700–1800 Provides knowledge and skills to effectively handle the roles and responsibilities.

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT Monday 19 May 2014 0900–1100 Use effective communication as a vehicle to enhance relationships at work and at home.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION Wednesday 07 May 2014 0900–1100 Develop skills to foster effective verbal and written communication skills.

SMOOTH MOVE Tuesday 20 May 2014 0900–1000 Get the answers and resources you need to complete a successful and stress-free move.

TRANSITION GOALS PLANS SUCCESS Monday-Friday 12-16 May 2014 (5 Days) 0800–1600 Information and training to make informed decisions as you transition out of the military.

ANGER MANAGEMENT Wednesday 21 May 2014 0900–1100 Discover your own coping strengths and develop new anger management skills.

MILITARY SPOUSE ORIENTATION Monday 12 May 2014 0900–1100 New spouse or not, stop by to get great information and resources.

BUDGET FOR BABY Wednesday 21 May 2014 1000–1100 Get money saving ideas and receive “Baby’s First Seabag” filled with baby items.

SPONSOR TRAINING Tuesday 13 May 2014 0900–1000 Get trained to provide proactive assistance to newcomers and their families.

NEWCOMER’S ORIENTATION & TOUR Thursday-Friday 29-30 May 2014 (2 Days) 0800–1600 Everything you need to know about base services and the New Orleans community.

Friday 9 May 2014 Is

Military Spouse Appreciation Day! (But we appreciate you EVERY day!)