Army Community Service (ACS) Center

(706) 545-2536/7517/4043, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; closed on Federal/training holidays.   The office for the Director of Army Community Service (ACS) is co-located with managers for the Family Advocacy Program; Exceptional Family Member Program; Employment Readiness Program; Army Emergency Relief; Information, Referral and Follow-Up; Installation Volunteer Coordinator; ACS Volunteer Program; and ACS Deployment and Mobilization Readiness.

EMPLOYMENT READINESS PROGRAM (ERP)

Building 2624, Soldiers’ Plaza, (706) 545- 7517/4043/5516, Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm and by appointment, Closed Federal/ Training Holidays. The Employment Readiness Program (ERP) assists spouses and family members of Active Duty Service Members with employment services. The ERP provides a link between job openings in the local community and on-post. A current listing of over 1,000 employment opportunities is updated weekly. After a client’s needs and interests are determined through job strategy workshops and counseling, job referrals are made. Workshops are presented on various topics including: Resume Writing, Interviewing Techniques, and Self-Assessment.

Job Resources:

Click HERE for job listings, education resources, and additional Employment Readiness Program information.

Family Advocacy Program (FAP)

(706) 545-7517/4043, Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; closed Federal/training holidays.  Provides continuous education and training classes for all military personnel and their family members on child/spouse abuse prevention, safety education for children, and pre-deployment briefings for soldiers and their family members.  Classes are mandatory and are provided on an annual basis for all military personnel on the dynamics of spouse and child abuse, the availability of treatment services, and the Army’s policies regarding family violence.  Units may schedule briefings by calling the FAP Training Specialist or FAP Manager.  The FAP Manager may provide crisis intervention to Soldiers/family members in emergency situations.  Cases involving family violence intervention, that need long-term treatment and follow-up, are referred to Social Work Services, MEDDAC. 

Army Emergency Relief (AER)

(706) 545-2536/4043, Monday – Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; closed Federal/training holidays.  After hours call Staff Duty Officer, USAIC, at (706) 545-2218 for emergency leave, food, or imminent eviction/foreclosure.  AER provides emergency financial assistance and undergraduate scholarships for children of active duty, retired personnel and children of Soldiers who have died while on active duty.  Scholarship applications available Nov-Mar.  Internet address: http://www.aerhq.org/.

 Financial Readiness Program (FRP) & Utility Coordination Center (UCC)

(706) 545-5485, Monday – Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; closed Federal/training holidays.  FRP provides classes and individual assistance in all aspects of financial management to include check writing, budgeting, insurance, investing, credit management, home buying/selling, and financial planning for relocation, deployment, and retirement.  Individual assistance begins with intake held every Monday at 8:15 am.  The UCC is a phone center where Soldiers may initiate service with BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc., Columbus Water Works, Georgia Power Company, or United Cities Gas Company.  In most cases, a deposit is not required if the Soldier has good credit.

Information, Referral & Follow-Up (IRF)

(706) 545-2536, Monday – Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; closed on Federal/training holidays.  IRF provides information, referral, and follow-up on available resources in the Fort Benning tri-community area, ACS@benning.army.mil

Information and Referral
Army Community Service, (706) 545-3344 and 545-4043. DSN (835)3344.
Hotlines- Day/Night Phone Numbers:
CONTACT : (706) 327-3999/327-3999
MILITARY POLICE : (706) 545-5222 or 911
SOCIAL WORK SVCS (Child/ spouse abuse; rape, etc: (706) 545-1661/544-1502
COLUMBUS SPOUSE ABUSE SHELTER : (706) 324-3850/324-3850
PHENIX CITY SPOUSE ABUSE SHLTR: (205) 297-4401/297-4401
SUICIDAL/HOMICIDAL/PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESSES
Child or Adolescent : (706) 545-2587/544-1502
Active Duty Soldier : (706) 545-1717/544-1502
Dependents or Retirees : (706) 544-3590/544-1502
AMERICAN RED CROSS : (706) 545-5194/545-2218
ARMY EMERGENCY RELIEF : (706) 545-4043/545-2218
CHAPLAINS' FAMILY LIFE CENTER : (706) 545-2288/545-2218
Resources used to compile data in the SITES program:
Ft Benning Installation Guide/Telephone Directory Southern Bell (Columbus, GA) Telephone Directory USAIC Pamphlet 608-1 Georgia on My Mind (Official Travel Guide, State of Georgia) United Way/Human Services Directory Columbus, GA Chamber of Commerce
 

 Financial Readiness Program (FRP) & Utility Coordination Center (UCC)

(706) 545-5485, Monday – Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; closed Federal/training holidays.  FRP provides classes and individual assistance in all aspects of financial management to include check writing, budgeting, insurance, investing, credit management, home buying/selling, and financial planning for relocation, deployment, and retirement.  Individual assistance begins with intake held every Monday at 8:15 am.  The UCC is a phone center where Soldiers may initiate service with BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc., Columbus Water Works, Georgia Power Company, or United Cities Gas Company.  In most cases, a deposit is not required if the Soldier has good credit.  

Family Assistance Center (FAC)

(706) 545-2536/7517/4043, Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; closed Federal/training holidays.  In the event of a major deployment or crisis situation, the Garrison Commander may direct transition of the Army Community Service (ACS) Center to a Family Assistance Center (FAC), with extended hours.  When it is not necessary to fully activate a FAC, the ACS Center will provide information, referral, and follow-up and to meet the immediate needs of family members.  Soldiers (retired and active), National Guard, Reservists, and their family members with I.D. cards are eligible for services.  The toll-free line, 1-866-540-9800, is only for use by clients outside the local area network.  

Emergency Food Locker

(706) 545-2536/4043, Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; closed Federal/training holidays.  The ACS Emergency Food Locker may provide two days’ worth of food items from its existing stock. 

 Respite Child Care

Respite Care is temporary child care for the purpose of relieving parental stress and to provide a nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment.  Families may receive respite care when both Soldier and spouse attend parenting classes or counseling.  Respite care will not be used in place of foster care or abandoned children.  This program provides child care relief for families who are stressed because of a family problem and who are participating in treatment programs.

Victim Advocacy

The Victim Advocacy Program provides support and assistance to each person who is a victim of domestic violence through the victim advocate coordinator.  The advocate provides direct services to individual victims of spouse abuse.    Victim Advocacy Criminal Law Division at 545-3185. After duty hours, assistance may be obtained by contacting the Installation Staff Duty Officer at 545-2218.

 New Parent Support Plus/First Steps Program

The New Parent Support Plus/First Steps Program provides emotional support, parenting education, referrals to community resources, and follow-up contact to parents of newborns, thereby helping develop healthy family relationships to reduce the risk of child abuse/neglect.  The FAP funds the New Parent Support Plus/First Steps Program, located in Martin Army Community Hospital (544-2020).  Each first-time mom receives a tote bag filled with educational materials.  Volunteers are assigned to work with new parents for up to one year after the baby is born.   

Crisis Intervention/Hotline

The FAP Manager provides immediate intervention to family members on the resolution of an immediate child abuse/neglect or spouse abuse problem, protecting the victim and preventing further maltreatment through the use of community, medical, and legal resources.  CONTACT Helpline of Chattahoochee Valley (24-hour hotline) services the tri-community, telephone (706) 327-3999.

Relocation Readiness Program (RRP)/Lending Closet

(706) 545-4485, Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; closed Federal/training holidays.  RRP focuses on ensuring that support and assistance are available for Soldiers and family members moving to or arriving from another military duty station.  Newcomer Family Orientations and Tours are offered several times a year; all newly assigned personnel and their spouses need to attend. Other relocation services include:  Moving Checklists, Welcome Packets, Sponsorship Information, Waiting Family Program, English as a Second Language information, and the Standard Installation Topic Exchange Service (SITES) www.dmdc.osd.mil/sites.  The SITES program provides up-to-date information on Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine installations.  Soldiers/families relocating to new duty stations have access to information to help them plan successful moves.  The ACS Lending Closet provides irons, ironing boards, kitchen utensils, cookware, cots, infant items, and other household goods.  These items are loaned to families awaiting shipment of their household effects. 

Deployment and Mobilization Readiness

(706) 545-7517/6957, Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; closed Federal/training holidays.  The ACS provides deployment and mobilization assistance to deploying active duty Soldiers, reservists, National Guard, civilians, and their family members.  The ACS Mobilization/Deployment and Outreach Coordinator is the central point of contact for all pre-deployment briefings and mission readiness materials for family members.  Family Readiness Group (FRG) Leaders may also schedule briefings through the MOB/Deployment and Outreach Coordinator.  The Coordinator provides information on family readiness to FRG leaders, especially during mobilization and deployment.  FRG  and Mandatory Rear Detachment Commander (RDC) Training sessions are conducted quarterly for appropriate personnel.   Operation Ready Deployment Tools are available at http://www.goacs.org/.

Employment Readiness Program (ERP)

(706) 545-4043/7517, Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; closed Federal/training holidays.  ERP provides a link between job openings in the local community and on-post.  A current listing of employment opportunities is updated weekly.  After a client’s needs and interest are determined through job strategy workshops and counseling, job referrals are made.  Workshops are presented on various topics including:  Resume Writing, Interviewing Techniques, and Self-Assessment.

 Army One Source (AOS)

1-800-464-8107  AOS may be reached by calling the toll-free line anytime of the day or night.  In addition you may contact AOS by utilizing the website http://www.armyonesource.com/.

The Family Unit Network (FUN) Center serves as an information resource center for Commanders, Rear Detachment Commanders and Family Support Group Leaders on matters relating to family support through the Family Support Group (FSG) Coordinator's office, which is housed in the FUN Center, and also promotes volunterrism by recruiting, training, and recognizing Fort Benning volunteers. The FUN Center provides an auditorium for support group meetings and a resource center equipped with a copier and computer for use by support group leaders and volunteers. The FSG Coordinator serves as a liaison between unit representatives and installation agencies as appropriate and offers quarterly training and monthly workshops to all FSG volunteers, commanders and family members involved in the family support program. Additionally, offices for the Chief of the Family Support Division, the Installation Volunteer Coordinator, the Community Life Officer and the Child Development Services Coordinator are also housed in the FUN Center. (See each branch/section for specific phone numbers.)

Installation Volunteer Program

(706) 545-4043/3016, Monday – Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; closed Federal/training holidays.  The IVC is always recruiting volunteers for installation agencies/programs outside ACS, i.e. American Red Cross, Chapels, Child & Youth Services, Schools, etc.  Contact the Installation Volunteer Coordinator at 545-4043/3016.

ACS Volunteer Corps
(706) 545-4043/2536, Monday – Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; closed Federal/training holidays. We are currently recruiting volunteers to assist ACS/FAC in providing information and referral to family members. We also use volunteers in the Financial Readiness Program, with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, during the tax season. The Family Advocacy Program has the New Parent Plus/First Steps Program, which utilizes volunteers at Martin Army Community Hospital.

Army Corps Volunteer (AVC) Program for Fort Benning
(706) 545-4043/3016, Monday – Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; closed Federal/training holidays. The AVC is always recruiting volunteers for installation agencies/programs outside ACS, i.e. American Red Cross, Chapels, Child & Youth Services, Schools, etc. Contact the Army Corps Volunteer Coordinator at 545-4043/3016.