Take advantage of 20 hours of free child care, per child, in a licensed Family Child Care home. Certificates are valid within 60 days of PCS.

Check out this month's Class Calendar!

Japanese for Busy People
Learning useful phrases and pronunciation can help you communicate more effectively while in Japan. These classes offer the basics of Japanese language and are an excellent way to discover how you can communicate in Japanese.

Japanese Kimono Wearing
Kimono is a Japanese traditional style of dress. You will learn not only the techniques on how to wear a Kimono, but you will also learn the history, protocol, and garment care. You’ll be able to take home pictures of yourself in an elegant Kimono. All materials are provided. 

Bi-Cultural Marriage Workshop
This workshop is designed for Japanese-born spouses to learn about the military and American cultures. Scheduled quarterly.

Japanese English Conversation Group 

Thursdays • 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Experience a language and cultural exchange between American and Japanese local nationals. Come and go as you please.

Employment

The M&FRC provides comprehensive services and assistance to aid employment.  Services include:

• Classes and individual consultation on career planning and personal development, resume writing, interviewing skills and all other phases of the job search process.
• Offers guided access to computers, printers, internet information on careers, jobs, and the development of job search skills.
• Individual career counseling and planning as well as career assessments.

Workshops

Understanding Spouse Employment

Looking for a job can be a daunting task, but you’re not alone when it comes to finding employment. The staff at the Military and Family Readiness Center is here to help you open doors! Our goal is to ensure you have the information needed to improve the effectiveness of your job search. You’ll be guided through the process from cover letters to how to conduct yourself in an interview. In addition to classes, you can schedule a personal consultation with one of our experts to assist you personally!

Federal Job Search and Résumé Writing

Navigating federal employment can seem overwhelming. Ever wonder why you aren’t getting referred for the job you want so badly? Let us guide you through the federal job search process and help you make your résumé stand out from all the rest.

Interviewing Skills

Most employers assess a candidate’s value within the first 30 seconds of an interview. We can teach you how to make those 30 seconds the key to opening up employment opportunities. First impressions matter.

Volunteer

The Volunteer Resource Program provides numerous opportunities for military members and their families  to experience new things while giving back to their communities and/or helping others

• The M&FRC collaborates with other base volunteer agencies to recruit, train, place, and recognize volunteer service.

Held every Thursday of the month. Please check and register on Tockify: https://tockify.com/kadenamfrc/pinboard for specific dates/location. Mandatory for all in-bound military members to Kadena. For questions, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

e-Sponsorship Application & Training (eSAT)
A great tool for sponsors! This computer based training module provides tips on how to make initial contact, assess member’s needs, and access to the Sponsorship Tool Kit is also available. Go to the Training Website (CAC enabled website) to complete the training.

Loan Locker
Visit the Kadena Loan Locker to borrow household items such as dishes, microwaves, cookware to use while you are arriving or departing the island. Items are loaned out for 30 days at a time and extensions may be requested. Please bring a copy of your PCS orders (must be within the last 60 days). The Loan Locker is open Monday – Friday from 0800 – 1600 and is closed from 1130 – 1300 for lunch.

Plan My Move
The workshop is designed to assist individuals and families departing from Kadena, by providing information that can help during the relocation process promote a smooth transition to their next duty assignment. Briefers include SME from the following areas: M&FRC, Traffic Management Office (TMO), Finance, Lodging, Housing, AMC Terminal, TRICARE, Vet Clinic, and DODDS.

Helpful Relocation Websites
Military OneSource
Military Installations
Plan My Move
Kadena Air Base
Air Force Housing
US Department of Defense Education Activity
Okinawa Conventions and Visitors Bureau

Pre-Separation Counseling
All separating and retiring service members must complete their Individual Counseling and Pre-Separation Brief at least 365 days prior to their last day of service. Pre-separation counseling consists of providing information, assessment, and referral to separating and retiring members. Topics include, but are not limited to, employment assistance, relocation assistance, education and training, health and life insurance, finances, and veterans’ benefits. Contact the M&FRC to make an appointment or to attend the group session.

Initial Counseling

Initial Counseling: The first step in starting your Transition Assistance Program (TAP) requirements is the completion of Initial Counseling. During Initial Counseling the Service Member will complete an assessment to assist in gaging their preparedness for transition in to the civilian sector. A TAP counselor will work with you to establish an individual focused plan to ensure you receive all needed and required transition assistance services.

Transition Assistance Workshop
The seminar covers career exploration, job search skills, stress management, resume writing, interview skills, appropriate business attire, educational resources, and more to help prepare for life after the military!

VA Benefits Briefing
A Veterans Affairs Benefits advisor is available for individual appointments every Thursday and Friday at the M&FRC. A group briefing is also available Monday – Friday, please call for an appointment or to reserve the group briefing. The Veterans Affairs Disability Claims representative will give a briefing on benefits during the Transition Assistance Program (TAP).

Résumé and Application Review
Transitioning military members and their spouses may bring in résumés and federal applications to be reviewed by a trained consultant. When customers bring in their applications or résumés, an individual appointment is scheduled to discuss the document in depth, which gives the consultants an opportunity to thoroughly review the document and research additional resources that might enhance it.

Respite Care

The M&FRC and Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) have teamed up to provide those active duty Air Force families with ill or disabled family members who are in financial need, with respite care. This program is intended to provide a break for up to 40 hours per month, per child to include their non-EFMP siblings. This program is not an ongoing benefit, rather, assistance until a family can manage financially without the service. Contact the M&FRC for more information regarding the program and the referral process.

Resource Center
The M&FRC has an abundance of free reading materials available for checkout. Books cover topics such as IEPs, the Autism Spectrum, health-related issues, ADD/ADHD, parenting survival guides, and a large assortment of other medical, educational, and behavioral materials.

Referrals
Whether you are new to the island, have been here for years, or are about to PCS to your new duty station, your EFMP coordinator can help link you to services you and your special needs member may need, or not even know about! The EFMP coordinator can also give referrals for respite care through the Air Force Aid Society.

Identification & Enrollment Assistance
If you believe you or a family member should be enrolled, or if you’re unsure about your enrollment status, the EFMP-FS Coordinator can help refer you to EFMP-Medical. The EFMP-FS Coordinator and the EFMP-Medical Special Needs Identification and Assignment Coordinator work very closely to ensure you and your family will have access to the services your family needs at your current and future duty locations.

Workshops and Events
Exceptional Family Member Programs strive to be all-inclusive, or “purple.” Whether it’s a program on Kadena, Torii, Foster, or any of the other installations on island, we aim to include everyone and share our knowledge with special needs families.

Training
Enrollment in EFMP is mandatory and we want everyone to know this is to ensure all necessary members are enrolled. The EFMP aims to help active duty members to complete their mission while having the comfort of knowing their special needs family members will be taken care of no matter where they go. We strive to have educated commands, sponsors, and key spouses to spread the word about the program and available resources for our families.

EFMP-FS Coordinator
For assistance with any of the above information, or if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the Military & Family Readiness Center’s EFMP-FS Coordinator at 634-3366. It would be our pleasure to help you and your special needs family members while you live on Kadena Air Base and future duty locations.

Financial Management
One of the greatest challenges facing most individuals is managing finances and planning for the future. The Personal Financial Readiness Program offers the opportunity to learn the basics of sound financial management via classroom instruction or during individual consultations. From learning how to budget to planning for your retirement, let the experts at the Military & Family Readiness Center help you discover how to take control of your financial future.

Financial Foundations
Budgeting and goal setting are critical to your financial success. Learn to take control of your finances from the basics of budgeting through beginning investment strategies. We can help you with the following financial touch points listed below:

Here is a tool to help you develop a simple budget and work towards meeting your financial goals:
Click here for a simple budget worksheet!

Individual Assistance
If you would like individualized assistance, our staff of experts is available to assist you on an appointment basis. Individual appointments are recommended if you are facing particularly difficult financial problems. Our staff can assist with establishing a basic budget, managing debit cards/checkbooks, repairing credit, buying a car, buying a home, Thrift Savings Plans, and other basic investing information. For an appointment, call 634-3366.

Helpful Financial Management Links
myPay
SaveAndInvest.org
Annual Credit Reports
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Federal Register
Military OneSource
Air Force Aid Society
Service members Civil Relief Act

HeartLink Spouse Orientation
Are you an Air Force spouse that wants to expand your military knowledge? This spouse orientation offers valuable tools to help you successfully adapt to the military lifestyle. We provide a catered breakfast and lunch, guest speakers, games and a panel of community agencies/experts. If attending within 60 days of PCSing to Kadena you may be able to utilize your free childcare voucher (“Childcare for PCS” program). Registration required.

Give Parents a Break
This program is designed to give relief through free childcare while the military member is deployed or TDY for more than 30 days. This program is offered on the third Saturday each month at the Child Development Centers for children 6 weeks to 5 years old and the Himawari School Age Program for children 5 years (in kindergarten) to 12 years old. Vouchers are distributed at the Military and Family Readiness Center. Please bring a copy of your spouse’s deployment orders. Vouchers must be submitted to the CDC/SAP by noon on the Wednesday prior to the designated Saturday.

Hearts Apart
Join us each month for an fun filled deployed family activity. We will offer various activities dealing with the four pillars of wellness to help support spouses through the different stages of deployments. All deployed family activities are open to all spouses and children of a deployed or TDY service member from any branch of service. This is a great opportunity to network and meet other spouses.

Operation Rest
This program is designed to boost the morale of the entire family using a visual reminder of loved ones during separation. The Military and Family Readiness Center will provide personalize pillowcases or T-shirts with photo transfers of both military and family members.

Programs for Re-deploying/Returning Service Members

Returning Home Care Program
Air Force members returning from overseas deployments of 30 days or longer (not to include going to the states to attend school) are entitled to 16 hours of free child care under the Extended Duty Child Care Program. This program is available to active duty members and is designed to help returnees settle back into their home stations. The care must be used within 30 days of returning home from deployment. Service will be provided on a space-available basis. If care is not available when requested, the Family Child Care office will work to have it reserved for a later date. Contact the Family Child Care Program at 634-0514 to schedule an appointment regarding registration and child care providers.

Other Programs

Key Spouse Program
The Air Force Key Spouse program is a formal unit Commander readiness program designed to enhance family readiness and offers peer-to-peer wingman family support. Contact M&FRC for program information or to get connected to your key spouse.

Non Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO)
This program ensures SOFA personnel are prepared for emergency evacuation.