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 Family Support Network
"Standing ready to assist you and your family as you serve our country."
The American Legion Post, in its infancy, was very much a "community" post.
Made-up of friends and neighbors, members knew everyone else in the post, their
families and friends. The post was the focal point when a veteran or family
member was in trouble and help was always ready and available to everyone
associated with the organization. It was a network of friends and comrades that
cared for each other and responded when a need was known.
The Family Support Network is very much the same concept developed in those
early days. The difference lies in the expanding population and the loss of the
close neighborhood relationships of today's posts.
The name of The Family Support Network and
development of the concept came during the early days of Desert Shield and later
Desert Storm and the Persian Gulf War. For the first time in American history,
the "total force concept" was activated without much advanced notice or
preparation. While the Reserves and National Guard units activated were ready
for the military mission before them, the military was not effectively prepared
to deal with or support the thousands of families left behind during the
mobilization. Paychecks were often lost, not forwarded to the family, or not
even generated. This was especially true in the Reserves and National Guard.
As a result, the families of these men and women
found themselves unable to meet normal monthly expenses and assistance was
needed for a variety of everyday chores. These tasks included grocery shopping,
childcare, mowing the grass, fixing the family car and a multitude of routine
household jobs.
To address these issues, The American Legion implemented a 24-hour nationwide
toll-free telephone number, 1-800-504-4098, for service personnel and their
family members to call for assistance. Calls are referred to The American Legion
Department (state headquarters) in which the call originated. The Departments
relay the collected information to a local Post. The local Post contacts the
individual to see if assistance can be provided locally. Since the inception of
the Family Support Network, thousands of Posts have responded to meet the needs
of these families.
Posts are reminded that families in financial need, with minor children, may
call on the Temporary Financial Assistance program at the National Headquarters
to assist. Otherwise, it will be up to the Post to provide or develop the
resources necessary to meet the need.
The Family Support Network only works if Legionnaires at the Post level respond
to the increasing needs of comrades and their families. As the nation's largest
veteran's organization, our commitment to our men and women in uniform and their
families never wavers. Together, we must act to ensure that no family endures
hardships caused by military service alone. By doing so, we ensure that The
American Legion is "Still Serving America."
Current Family Support Network Procedures:
1. The call is received at the toll-free number: 800-504-4098
2. The name, address, telephone number of the caller, and reason for the call is
collected.
3. The call is referred to the Department.
4. The Department refers the call to a local post.
5. The local Post contacts the family and provides the assistance if resources
are available or refers the family to other local agencies.
6. In case of financial need, the Post provides the necessary funds or assists
the family in applying for Temporary Financial Assistance if there are minor
children in the home.
The American Legion
Family Support Network
P.O. Box 1055
Indianapolis, IN 46206
800-504-4098
familysupport@legion.org
The American Legion
Department of Iowa
720 Lyon Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
800-365-8387
programs@ialegion.org
Family Support Network Brochure (PDF)
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