October is National Work and Family Month. As highlighted in the Commandant Papp's State of the Coast Guard Address, 2011 will be the Year of the Coast Guard Family. Together we will improve the quality of life for our Coast Guard members and military families.

Follow up:

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SUBJ: NATIONAL WORK AND FAMILY MONTH

1. In the past several years, the Senate and the House have both passed resolutions designating October as National Work and Family month. These resolutions urge public officials, employers, employees and the general public to work together to achieve more balance between work and family life. The Coast Guard (CG) acknowledges the contributions and sacrifices that our active duty, civilian, reserve and auxiliary personnel make to sustain CG missions, and the important role that work-life programs play in supporting our workforce. While achieving a healthy balance between competing family and work demands is challenging, it is critically important to the success and well-being of the CG, our members, and our families.

2. The CG is a leader in programs and policies that support our workforce and their families. Our commands and members have at their disposal some of the most comprehensive work-life programs and services within the Federal government. During this year of the CG family, consistent with the commandants guiding principle of respecting our shipmates, it is particularly important that we foster a climate in which our members and their families are aware of, and encouraged to use, work-life programs.

3. Commanding officers and officers-in-charge are strongly encouraged to take time in the next few weeks to review and promote work-life programs with unit personnel and their families. Primary areas of emphasis should include:

a. Increasing awareness of the programs and services available and how to access them,
b. Reinforcing the fact that asking for help is a sign of strength and the first step in resolving issues that they may be facing, and
c. Communicating command commitment to support the use of these programs.

Providing each member of their staff, and to the extent possible, their spouses, with a copy of this message will help ensure that they have information on these programs and their accessibility.

4. To access information of CG work-life programs, go to:
http://www.uscg.mil/worklife. Descriptions of work-life programs and how to access them are available at this site. You can also obtain information on other CG support programs, and access military and government family support websites.

5. To locate the work-life staff at your regional health, safety and work-life field office (HSWL FO), simply dial 1-800-872-4957, and follow the prompts.
6. The CG employee assistance program and worklife4you resource and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-222-0364. Intake specialists will screen your call to determine how best to assist you, and arrange for individual counseling or support, as appropriate. Additional information on these services is also available at the work-life website and through your regional HSWL FO.

7. If you would like to receive periodic information on HSWL programs and initiatives, you can sign up for the HSWL listserve by registering at the following site:
http://cgls.uscg.mil/mailman/listinfo/healthsafetyworklife
(Note: this weblink must be entered into the browser in lower case letters). Listserve messages can be received at home and work computers.

8. The long term success of the Coast Guard depends upon its people and their level of expertise, creativity, commitment, and dedication. By working together to support and provide access to work-life programs, we can ensure that our CG family can balance the demands of work and family life, and in turn, enable our men and women to sustain superior mission execution. By doing so we will also solidify our status as profession of choice, today and in the future.

9. COMDT (CG-111) POC.
10. CAPT TIMOTHY M. MCGUIRE, ACTING DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND WORK-LIFE, SENDS.
11. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED