Family Support Programs

The Ombudsman Program and Family Readiness Groups (FRG) promote healthy, self-reliant families, and Fleet & Family Support is here to assist by providing Ombudsman and Family Readiness Group training and guidance. Fleet & Family Support Centers offer Ombudsman Basic Training and FRG training regularly. Both FRGs and Ombudsmen provide support to families before, during, and after a deployment and are essential to a well-balanced Navy. When family members have the resources they need to support themselves, service members can focus 100 percent on the job at hand—family readiness is directly linked to fleet readiness.

Contact Fleet & Family Support at 866-854-0638 or ffsp.cnrnw@navy.mil.
For general information and support: www.ffsp.navy.mil or www.militaryonesource.mil.

Ombudsman Program

The Navy Family Ombudsman Program promotes healthy, self-reliant families. Why the word Ombudsman? The word Ombudsman originated in Scandinavian countries and referred to safeguarding the rights of citizens. Today, the concept of the Ombudsman is widely utilized in the fields of government, business and healthcare.

The Ombudsman is a volunteer, appointed by the commanding officer, to serve as an information link between command leadership and Navy families. Ombudsmen are trained to disseminate information both up and down the chain of command, including official Department of the Navy and command information, command climate issues, and local quality of life improvement opportunities.

Ombudsmen also provide resource referrals when needed. They are instrumental in providing resources and guidance that resolve many family issues before they require extensive command attention. The command Ombudsman is appointed by, and works under, the direct guidance of the commanding officer.

Ombudsman Basic Training

Fleet & Family Support regularly offers Ombudsman Basic Training (OBT); day, evening and weekend classes are available. During this 16.5-hour course, attendees learn more about the Ombudsman program and focus on these specific areas: Ombudsman responsibilities, relationships, ethics, communication skills, information and referrals, crisis calls and disasters, and deployments and mobilization. Command Support Team members are highly encouraged to attend OBT. Please check the Events & Trainings tab for more information on times and dates for OBT, Call 1-866-854-0638 or contact your local FFSC at 360-396-4115 for more details.

Call your local Fleet & Family Support Program Ombudsman Coordinator for information.
Send a message through the registry (ombudsmanregistry.cnic.navy.mil) to your ombudsman, who will then contact you. If the command you are looking for does not have an ombudsman or is not listed in the database, you will be contacted by the Ombudsman Registry Administrator, who will assist you in contacting your command ombudsman.

Family Readiness Groups (FRG)

The purpose of a Family Readiness Group (FRG) is to help plan, coordinate and conduct informational, morale building, and social activities to enhance family preparedness and command mission readiness.

FRGs are an integral part of the military lifestyle. These groups address the needs of members by drawing upon shared experiences, particularly those pertaining to deployment. An FRG's purpose is to:

  • Prepare members for deployment and homecoming.
  • Provide family support during deployments.
  • Help families adjust to challenges and to support one another in times of personal, unit, or area crisis.
  • Welcome and mentor members who are new to Navy life.
  • Coordinate social events, such as holiday celebrations and homecomings.

Coping skills and resiliency are enhanced during deployments; anxiety is diminished when families of service members know their resources, have fun, and can draw on the strength of new friends!

Fleet & Family Support Centers offer workshops on establishing an FRG and board leadership, including: attracting and motivating FRG members; fundraising policies; event planning; and emergency response. For more information or to request training, please call 360-396-4115.

Upcoming Events & Trainings

Monday, April 3, 2023

FFSC CAPM: Go Big Blue & CAPM Spotlight

This event repeats every week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

FFSC CAPM: The Blue Bear Movement

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

1:00PM

FFS MBMF: 102 Mindfulness & Meditation

Fleet & Family Support Center BLUE

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

1:00PM

FFSC First Impression of the Resume Kind

Fleet & Family Support Center BLUE

2:30PM

FFSC Nailed It 20 Questions

Fleet & Family Support Center BLUE

Thursday, April 13, 2023

1:00PM

FFSC Lunch & Learn: Retirement Planning

Fleet & Family Support Center BLUE

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

1:00PM

FFSC MBMF: 103 Living Core Values

Fleet & Family Support Center BLUE

1:00PM

FFSC Home Buying

Fleet & Family Support Center BLUE

Thursday, April 20, 2023

11:00AM

FFSC CAPM: NPS Earth Day Plant a Seed and Watch Us Grow


2600 Ohio St.
Silverdale, WA 98315

Friday, April 21, 2023

9:00AM

FFSC Ombudsman Basic Training

Fleet & Family Support Center BLUE

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

1:00PM

FFSC MBMF: 104 Flexibility

Fleet & Family Support Center BLUE

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

1:00PM

FFSC Baby INDOC

Fleet & Family Support Center BLUE

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

1:00PM

FFSC MBMF: 105 Problem Solving

Fleet & Family Support Center BLUE

Monday, May 8, 2023

1:00PM

FFSC Infant Massage

Fleet & Family Support Center BLUE

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

1:00PM

FFSC MBMF: 106 Connection

Fleet & Family Support Center BLUE

1:00PM

FFSC PCS Touchpoint

Fleet & Family Support Center GOLD

Friday, May 12, 2023

9:00AM

FFSC Family Readiness Group (FRG) Training

Fleet & Family Support Center BLUE

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

9:00AM

FFSC Webinar: Welcome Aboard

120 S. Dewey, St.
Bldg. 491
Bremerton, WA

Thursday, May 18, 2023

9:00AM

FFSC Your Seabag for a Better Life

Fleet & Family Support Center BLUE

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

1:00PM

FFSC Lunch & Learn: Survivor Benefit Plan

Fleet & Family Support Center GOLD