When the unthinkable happens and your Soldier is taken from you by war, the Army will be there for you.  On its commitment to the Families of the Fallen, the United States Army has launched a comprehensive Survivors Outreach Services (SOS) program.
SOS is a joint effort between the Installation Management Command, the Family and Morale, Welfare & Recreation Command and the Army Causality and Mortuary Affairs Operation Center (CMAOC).  Together they are dedicated to providing well trained staff that is knowledgeable about the many benefits available to our Survivors.
To ensure Survivors receive ongoing support, the SOS Program will be available through the Fort Polk, Army Community Service.  The program will consist of a Support Coordinator and a Financial Counselor.
The SOS Support Coordinator will serve as an advocate for Survivors and will assist each Family with implementing a plan of action, based on their specific needs. 
The SOS Support Coordinator will provide help throughout the grief process, coordinate support groups, provide information and referral services, coordinate respite child care as needed and provide other services as required.
The SOS Financial Counselor will help surviving Families in pursuing their financial goals by offering assistance with basic and complex financial affairs.
The SOS Financial Counselor is knowledgeable in the areas of government survivor benefits, budgeting, college savings plans, healthcare (TRICARE & MEDICARE), long term care insurance, assets allocation, retirement savings and life insurance, just to name a few.
Additionally, the SOS Financial Counselor will assist Survivors with safeguarding assets. They are skilled in estate planning and managing complex financial issues such as foreclosure, eviction, garnishments and repossession.
SOS is available to all Survivors, not just Survivors of the current conflict.  These services remain available until the Survivor desires to discontinue the service.
The SOS Program is hosting a Survivor focus group on Monday, November 17, 2008, for the Fort Polk service area. The purpose of the focus group is to provide Survivors the opportunity to voice their opinions on the current process and offer suggestions on ways for improving the process.
The focus group meets at the Fort Polk Family Readiness Center, Bldg 924, on the corner of Mississippi Avenue and BellRichard Avenue, on Monday, November 17th, 2008, from noon until 2:00 p.m. A light lunch will be served and FREE onsite childcare will be provided. 
To reserve your spot in the focus group and for more information, please call Cathy at (337) 531-4926.  If you would like the opportunity to participate but are unable to attend the focus group, your voice can still be heard.  Please call (337) 531-4926 for more information.