As military families we are no stranger to struggles of military life, but the only thing scarier than the deployments and hardships of military life if the unknown of life after the military. We’ve all heard stories of families struggling after the military – I’ve even had some friends ETS only to return to military service after a failed try at civilian life.
That’s why the launch of NCServes caught our attention at Fort Bragg. NCServes joins a growing number of communities across the country that have implemented the AmericaServes Program with some success (NY, PA, NC, SC, VA, WA).
The largest military base in the world will now be part of the regional NCServes Network bringing together Raleigh, Durham and Fayetteville areas’ human service providers across the state to more effectively manage medical, financial, employment, housing and other resource requests from veterans and their families.
NCServes is part of the Institute for Veteran and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University’s national portfolio of America Serves programs that has connected thousands of veterans, service members, and military families to more than 6,300 types of comprehensive services in less than two years.
NCServes will enable local service members, veterans, and their families easy access—online or in person—to a comprehensive array of services, resources, and care organized specifically around their needs. By linking local providers, it is designed to ensure that positive and quality referrals are made.
Individuals looking for services can engage the NCServes RDU/Fayetteville network four different ways:
1. By phone at the network’s toll-free number 1-800-459-8387 where they can speak with a qualified professional to secure a referral for services and the commitment for follow up.
2. Online via the NCServes website at NCServes.org.
3. In-person at the NCServes RDU/Fayetteville participating NCServes regional providers.
4. Via North Carolina’s State resource line: NC4Vets.com and (844) NC4-VETS
“After 26 years in the Army, I’m proud to bring an effort like this home to Ft. Bragg, where it belongs,” said retired Army Colonel Jim McDonough, Managing Director of IVMF and a former Director of the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs. “After years of ground work with really dedicated partners, and working closely with NCDMVA Secretary Wilson, the Governor and the State of North Carolina, we are proud to see this initiative grow from Charlotte, to Raleigh/Durham, and now Fayetteville.”
In November, NCServes Coastal will launch the network to the US Marine Corps and Air Force installations of the Carolina Coast, tying in to adjacent networks in South Carolina and Virginia.
