Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) is an Army-wide program designed to provide dedicated and comprehensive support to survivors of deceased Soldiers.
Mission Statement
To Build a unified support program which embraces and reassures Survivors that they are continually linked to the Army Family for as long as they desire.
Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) is an Army-wide program that provides dedicated and comprehensive support services to survivors of deceased Soldiers. The program standardizes casualty assistance services and policies across the Army and provides additional staffing at Casualty Assistance Centers (CACs), Army Community Service (ACS) Centers, and Army National Guard (ARNG) and US Army Reserve (USAR) Family Programs.
The program is designed to ensure that the Army fulfills its covenant with survivors through:
• Sustainment of a comprehensive multi-agency program that improves Soldier and Family preparedness in the event of a catastrophic loss
• Maximizes cooperative efforts within the Army casualty and Family programs
• Extends support to Families both before and after a crisis by maximizing cooperation between government and non-government agencies
• Ensures survivors receive all benefits to which they are entitled
• Encourages survivors to remain an integral part of the Army Family for as long as they desire
SOS Offers Support Through:
Benefits Coordinators
Benefits Coordinators will provide expertise on local, state and Federal benefits. They also work with Casualty Assistance Officers, providing the Surviving Family with assistance to understand and apply for their benefits.
Financial Counselors
Financial Counselors provide assistance to Surviving Families through investment and estate planning education. Financial counselors work closely with Benefits Coordinators, Army Long Term Family Case Management, and legal assistance to address the needs of Surviving Families.
Support Coordinators
Support Coordinators function as the long term support personnel for Survivors. Support coordinators facilitate support groups, provide life skills education, and connect Survivors with counseling resources. These Coordinators work closely with Benefits Coordinators, Casualty Assistance Officers, and Army Long Term Family Case Management to ensure survivors receive their necessary services.
SURVIVOR ALERT
An organization called Veterans Affairs Services (VAS) is providing benefit and general information on VA and gathering personal information on veterans. This organization is not affiliated with VA in any way. See below link for more details.
Survivor Alert
Helpful Links:
Army One Source
Survivorsguide
Survivor Outreach Orientation
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). TAPS provides ongoing emotional help, hope and healing to all who are grieving the death of a loved one in military service to America
United Warrior Survivors Foundation. Organization exclusively dedicated to the serving the needs of the surviving spouses of Navy, Army, Marines and Air Force Special Operations personnel killed in the line of duty since September 11, 2001. Services provided include, survivor transition assistance, peer-to-peer support, financial planning and emergency financial aid and bereavement counseling. www.frogfriends.com.
Military Officers Association of America
Snowball Express: This website is for children of Fallen Soldiers. Provides weekend/express getaways for family and children to express grief and work through their healing with other children who have similar experiences. Non-profit organization which may fund one round trip for children of the Fallen to a snowball express experience. www.snowballexpress.org.
Military Child Education Coalition: This website is geared toward all children and all educational needs around the military child. There is a special section in education devoted to Living in the New Normal (LINN), which deals with “children thriving in good and challenging times.” The site offers a blog section, a question and answer section about education and many other links to reliable information. www.militarychild.org.
Army Long Term Family Case Management (ALTFCM): Developed to provide long term support for Survivors of Fallen Warriors, ALTFCM provides counseling, records information, and other services to assist the Survivors throughout their involvement with ALTFCM. The service is both phone in and website accessible. www.altfcm.army.mil.
My Army Benefits: website focuses on benefits that Survivors may receive after the death of their Soldier. Has a benefits calculator to figure current and future benefits as well as link to Survivor Information. www.myarmybenefits.us.army.mil.
For more information regarding the SOS Program at Baumholder, please contact the program manager at DSN, 485-8188 or CIV, 06783-6-8188.
