There have been some fantastic unit homecomings in the grand USCG this past week. I love homecomings. I am a sucker for them. They don't even have to involve me.
What can I say? I'm a hopelessly sappy romantic.
I hope everyone enjoys their reconnecting and makes the most of every moment. As we all know, the times between homecomings and subsequent deployments often goes all too quick.
One of my favorite homecoming was when my oldest daughter was six months old. Dad left when she was just about 3 months old. Now, for any of you parents out there, you know how quickly a new baby can change in a three month time period. Dad came home and was over the moon with his growing baby girl. She really had no idea who he was at that point, but the reunion was still momentous for us as a family. We realized that our life was about to change more than we expected.
I know two Coastie families just this past weekend who welcomed new babies. While I'm excited for them, my heart is a little blue because I know the dads will be waving goodbye in the all too near future as the moms are at home with the precious bundles.
You can endure times apart and you certainly miss your loved ones when they are gone, but you throw a kid in the mix and it's a whole new ball game. They grow so quickly and often the deploying parent misses not only holidays and birthdays, but also significant milestones.
In my family, we do our best update my man in blue via email and with photos when he's underway so he still feels included. We are very fortunate. I can remember days when the only communicating was done through snail mail. So, yes, I am thankful for technology.
Regardless of technology though, my man in blue is saddened by all he misses. His little ones are too. It's not an easy life. I will say, the kids have been resilient for the most part, but sometimes I think they are just putting on a brave face for mom who misses their daddy so much too.
I know that my husband is going to miss some pretty big life moments for us this year. Still, I am already looking forward to the homecomings and how I can make each one special for all of us.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
TRICARE for the South Region - Decreasing ER related costs
(Recent news from 12/2011) A friend shared the following information with us.
Did you hear that the TRICARE South department has decided to put on a demonstration for all of the AD CG members and their dependents with respect to decreasing ER costs? If you are in the South Region, chances are, you received this in a letter. For those of you who haven't here's the info:
The objective of this demonstration is to decrease Emergency Room (ER) costs, increase access to care, and improve patient satisfaction. What does this mean for you? If you are unable to get an appointment to see your Primary Care Manager (PCM) for acute/urgent care, you may utilize, with no out of pocket costs, a TRICARE South Network Urgent Care Center (UCC) for each member of your family. Each Active Duty (AD) service member and AD family member will be allowed up to four visits for acute minor illness and/or minor injuries in each period.
The first period begins January 1, 2012 and ends on September 30, 2012.
Your clock will restart for another four visits in the second period which begins October 1, 2012and ends on May 1, 2013.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! If this pilot program is successful, it may be extended to all servicebeneficiaries on a permanent basis. This program should significantly reduce the costs of healthcare for the Coast Guard and the U.S. Government and improve services to members and their dependents. Please utilize this opportunity and save yourself unnecessary wait times in ERs. Important Information: Active Duty members must schedule a follow-up appointment with their PCM following any UCC utilization and AD family members are encouraged to schedule a follow-up appointment with their PCM. Participating UCCs may be found by visiting Humana Military’s website (http://www.humanamilitary.com/) and additional information on the project is available at the following website link (www.humana-military/urgentcaredemo). General information, including governing documentation, about this demonstration may be found by visiting the TRICARE Regional Office-South website (http://www.tricare.mil/trosouth/).
Coast Guard Health Safety Work Life points of contact are:LCDR Leah Preston at (703) 681-8716 or Leah.Preston@tma.osd.mil.LT William Chew at (210) 292-3277 or William.Chew@tros.tma.osd.milLT Cory McCollow at (510) 326-4032 or Cory.J.McCollow@uscg.mil.Following your visits to an urgent care center, please give us your feedback at the followingwebsite: https://surveys.uscg.mil/Community/
Did you hear that the TRICARE South department has decided to put on a demonstration for all of the AD CG members and their dependents with respect to decreasing ER costs? If you are in the South Region, chances are, you received this in a letter. For those of you who haven't here's the info:
The objective of this demonstration is to decrease Emergency Room (ER) costs, increase access to care, and improve patient satisfaction. What does this mean for you? If you are unable to get an appointment to see your Primary Care Manager (PCM) for acute/urgent care, you may utilize, with no out of pocket costs, a TRICARE South Network Urgent Care Center (UCC) for each member of your family. Each Active Duty (AD) service member and AD family member will be allowed up to four visits for acute minor illness and/or minor injuries in each period.
The first period begins January 1, 2012 and ends on September 30, 2012.
Your clock will restart for another four visits in the second period which begins October 1, 2012and ends on May 1, 2013.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! If this pilot program is successful, it may be extended to all servicebeneficiaries on a permanent basis. This program should significantly reduce the costs of healthcare for the Coast Guard and the U.S. Government and improve services to members and their dependents. Please utilize this opportunity and save yourself unnecessary wait times in ERs. Important Information: Active Duty members must schedule a follow-up appointment with their PCM following any UCC utilization and AD family members are encouraged to schedule a follow-up appointment with their PCM. Participating UCCs may be found by visiting Humana Military’s website (http://www.humanamilitary.com/) and additional information on the project is available at the following website link (www.humana-military/urgentcaredemo). General information, including governing documentation, about this demonstration may be found by visiting the TRICARE Regional Office-South website (http://www.tricare.mil/trosouth/).
Coast Guard Health Safety Work Life points of contact are:LCDR Leah Preston at (703) 681-8716 or Leah.Preston@tma.osd.mil.LT William Chew at (210) 292-3277 or William.Chew@tros.tma.osd.milLT Cory McCollow at (510) 326-4032 or Cory.J.McCollow@uscg.mil.Following your visits to an urgent care center, please give us your feedback at the followingwebsite: https://surveys.uscg.mil/Community/
Friday, January 20, 2012
Breakings News at CGFO, Inc.
Jennifer Bassett is one of the top five finalists for Coast Guard Spouse of the Year and in the running for 2012 Military Spouse of the Year. If you would like to read about her commitment and work on behalf of CG and other military families, please visit her profile and vote at: http://msoy.milspouse.com/ViewProfile.aspx?id=144Voting runs through 11:59pm on 2/3. 2/6th-13th they will be announcing 1 branch winner per day. National voting runs 2/14 to 3/5.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Onward and Upward - Lots of news about CGFO!
Coast Guard Family Organization, Inc.
continues to do great things for you and your family!
BLOG - We are relaunching our blog, right here, in January 2012. We are so excited to share relevant and related stories with you.
HOLIDAY PROJECT - Right now, we are busy, busy, busy with helping Operation Homefront distribute some toys this holiday season to Coastie and other military kids.
COMING SOON - Roundtable discussions where YOU talk and we listen and report to the powers-that-be!
SCHOLARSHIP - Our spouse scholarship application period will be open December 31, 2011.And, last, but not at all least.
This is an organization by Coast Guard spouses for Coast Guard families. We are a volunteer led nonprofit group, honored to serve you ad your families with the support of Coast Guard Community Relations behind us.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
For a few years blogging was so very popular. Nowadays, most folks can be found reading their news, sharing photos, connecting with others and joining organizations on Facebook. We are there too!
Please join our Group on FB, if you have not already.
CGFO on FB
Please join our Group on FB, if you have not already.
CGFO on FB
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