DEPLOYED UNIT CONTACT OFFICER
Fleet commanders have been directed by the
Chief of Naval Operations to ensure that an
officer is designated by the type commander to
act as a point of contact for the spouses and
families of deployed members. The deployed
unit or “homeport” contact officer provides
families of deployed members assistance in times
of emergency. The contact officer promulgates
information at regular intervals to the desig-
nated family Ombudsman and other representa-
tives of each deployed unit.
The information disseminated may include
the accomplishments of the unit, unclassified
port visits, scheduled return and welcoming
plans, etc. In addition, the commanding officer
of a deploying unit normally sends a Family-
gram to the spouse or parents of deploying
members regarding the length of the deploy-
ment; the name, address, and telephone number
of the assigned contact officer; the name of the
family Ombudsman; and the complete mailing
and telegraph address of the command.
THE COMMAND
FAMILY OMBUDSMAN
The Navy has long recognized the role that
families play in the accomplishment of the Navy
mission. The Navy of today has developed a
systematic approach to becoming aware of, and
addressing the needs of Navy members and their
families. The establishment of the Navy Family
Ombudsman Program in 1970 was a milestone in
the Navy’s approach to the family-related prob-
lems of its members,
The command family Ombudsman serves as
a liaison with officials of the Navy for
the families of Navy personnel who are
deployed. The command family Ombudsman is
aware of the avenues of assistance available
to Navy families and can provide members
assistance in obtaining help. The commanding
officer normally selects the family Ombuds-
man from among command spouses who have
demonstrated the ability and willingness to
represent the families within the command.
The Family Support Program Branch
(OP-152) is responsible for policy and plans
related to the Family Ombudsman Program.
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 1750.1 series contains
detailed information concerning the Family
Ombudsman Program.
The family Ombudsman for the various
commands for which the chaplain is responsible
should be listed within the I&R Directory.
THE NAVY FAMILY
SUPPORT PROGRAM
The Navy Family Support Program Branch
(OP-152) was established in January 1979. Its
purpose is to:
Improve the Navy’s awareness of, and
access to reliable information, resources, and
services that support and enrich the lives of
Navy families and Navy single service members.
Heighten awareness of the importance of
the family to the mission of the Navy.
Increase the coordination and utilization
of Navy and civilian family support resources
and services.
Serve as a catalyst and resource for all
Navy field units with respect to the family sup-
port and enrichment programs.
Review, analyze,
and utilize findings
from previous Navy and non-Navy family
research and evaluation efforts.
Ensure that appropriate data is obtained
on a systematic basis to document the develop-
ment and effects of Navywide, family-related
efforts and build a solid knowledge base to guide
future efforts and policy regarding family sup-
port.
Immediately following the establishment of
the Family Support Program, planning for a
network of Family Service Centers was begun.
Navy Family Service Centers form the nucleus of
the Navy’s efforts to establish a more aggressive
role in meeting the personal and family needs of
its members. In essence, the Family Service
Center is meant to be a local, one-stop center
where Navy members and their families can
obtain reliable information and assistance
in areas of importance to them. Each Family
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