SPA Service Delivery ToolkitImportant Notice: Effective August 15, 2020
Important Notice: Effective August 15, 2020, MHNGS will no longer be managing the MFLC Program.
MHNGS is immeasurably proud of our long history collaborating with the DoD to develop and manage the MFLC Program from the earliest pilot days in 2004. Our MFLC counselor network is second to none and provided the benchmark of quality support that our Service Members and their families have come to rely on throughout the Program.
As a member in good standing of the current MHNGS MFLC Network, there may be future opportunities available to support our Nation’s Service Members, Veterans and military families through programs outside of MFLC but managed by Health Net Federal Services. Therefore, we would like to stay in touch and stay connected to our valued Military Behavioral Health Counselors! Want to learn what Congress is debating on the senate floor this week? (Hint the National Defense Authorization Act). Wondering if Congress will tackle the issue of license portability for VTC/telehealth services in the behavioral health space, or what the long term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic might be on VTC telehealth demand? As we learn more, we would like to share those updates with you as a member of the MHNGS military behavioral health counseling network; please complete this brief survey if you are interested: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BH_network
In addition, the MHNGS leadership team encourages you to explore the Centene Career site for opportunities that may be a fit for your career goals: https://jobs.centene.com/
Need to meet continuing education requirements?
MHNGS understands the importance of maintaining continuing education requirements in order to remain compliant with clinical licensure requirements. Because of that, we have carefully vetted a comprehensive list of resources to support you – companies that offer CEUs relevant to MFLC work – oftentimes at no cost and available virtually. Check them out today: http://www.mhnmflcprogram.com/continuing-education/
MHNGS’ School-MFLCs
MHNGS’ School-MFLCs at Pensacola NAS, Florida are doing some outstanding work with Elementary and High School kids. Throughout February, our Elementary School MFLC has been reading biweekly to kids in her 1st and 2nd grade footprint about love and then together, they work on an activity to bring the subject to life. Valentine week, the focus was on loving themselves for all the special qualities about each individual and then they built the featured board together titled: “I love myself because I’m Me.” At the same location, the work our High School MFLC is doing is just as powerful: #Love Shouldn’t Hurt. The continuation of this message throughout a child’s life fosters a sense of self-love and confidence and can make a real difference as they grow.
Looking for meaningful work supporting America’s military families? Apply today: http://www.mhnmflcprogram.com/join-our-team/
2019 Novel CORONAVIRUS
First reported in December 2019 in Wuhan City, China, the 2019 Novel Coronavirus has quickly gained international attention as the number of patients affected by the virus continues to grow. Explore MHNGS’ Coronavirus resource page for access to daily updates concerning this situation – including travel advisories, tips on prevention and how to protect yourself. Link to Resources: http://www.mhnmflcprogram.com/resources/
Get Your REAL ID Today
The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005 in an effort to set minimum standards for license issuance and production as an important component of our national security framework. Namely, the purposes covered by the Act include: accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.
What does that mean for MFLCs? All MFLCs must possess a REAL ID no later than October 1, 2021 in order to access a military installation or board commercial aircraft. Please visit the Homeland Security Website for more information regarding the REAL ID Act: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id
How do I…? If you do not already have a REAL ID, please visit your state’s department of motor vehicles website for specific details on what you can do to become compliant.
Portal down for scheduled maintenance
The MHNGS portal [www.mhngs.com] will undergo scheduled maintenance and be unavailable between Friday, June 7th at 8pm PDT and Saturday, June 8th at midnight PDT.
This maintenance will impact your ability to enter activity forms and access other administrative functions through the portal. To prepare for this scheduled downtime, please ensure your activity forms, timekeeping, expenses and so forth are complete for the week prior to 8pm PDT on Friday, June 7th.
Thank you!
MHNGS Program Management
Honoring Memorial Day
On Monday, May 27, Centene will join communities across the country in recognizing Memorial Day, a federal holiday honoring the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. military. Centene is proud of the exceptional services Military & Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) provide each day at installations throughout the world, supporting those who serve and their families and those left behind by loved ones who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
This past weekend at Fort Bragg, MFLCs had the opportunity to support the Boots Memorial Display. This is an important and special event to Fort Bragg and the SOS program. Two of our MFLCs served on Sunday in hot temperatures during the middle of the day, though the experience and privilege to serve was worth the sweat and discomfort. Below is a snapshot from their experience.
From Joanne: I just wanted to let you know what an honor and a privilege it was to provide support at this event. I was there from noon until 4pm and it was great to listen to some of the stories of the survivors who lost loved ones. I could tell that the soldiers and family members truly appreciated an MFLC presence during the event. I had the honor of listening to one soldier share memories of a team member he lost last year, and with the death of the team member being so recent he could not believe how many more boots there were after him already (the boots were arranged in chronological order by date).
I’ll be honest and say it was a bit emotional for me as well, not only to hear those stories but because I personally knew 6 of the soldiers that the boots represent. So a bit of a tear-jerker, but I would provide support for and attend this event again in a heartbeat. It was HOT out, but so worth it!
From Monica: I just wanted you all to know that it was such an honor and humbling privilege to support the SOS today. I met a mother who was there and showed me the picture of her son, whose 19th birthday is today, I am going to be honest I was holding down the knot in my throat as I couldn’t help but think of my own son who is serving now. I remained strong and just asked her to tell me a little more about him, she did……. we smiled and she thanked me. I also spoke with a mother and daughter who were there for their son/brother. This mother actually said she used to volunteer at SOS just last year, she showed me his picture and we spoke about her son.
It was super-hot today but compared to what these families and friends have gone through, I would do it again no matter the temperature.
As Centene’s MFLC counselors, you all embody the company’s commitment to our active duty military and their families through the exceptional Military & Family Life Counseling services you provide on installations throughout the world.
Thank you all for your daily service and support to our service members and their families.
Respectfully,
Kathy Redd
President & CEO, HNFS
Military Child Education Coalition offers resources to support
Click on the following link for access to Month of the Military Child resources including printable posters, stickers and tons of ways to celebrate the military child:
https://www.militarychild.org/MOMC_Toolkit
April is Military Child Month!
Rachael Vaphides, School MFLC for Naval Base San Diego in California worked with the children at her school to create this beautiful representation of military children. The children traced their hands and then used stickers to represent deployments, currently deployed parents and the number of different schools they have attended. They decided how it would be displayed (by grade level) and counted all the stickers to give us an accurate portrayal of how these children’s lives have been impacted by deployment.
VIRTUAL MILITARY SPOUSE SYMPOSIUM
Wednesday, April 24 & Thursday, April 25, 2019, the
Department of Defense Spouse Education and Career Opportunities team is hosting the 2019 Virtual Military Spouse Symposium.
This two-day virtual event will feature eight interactive sessions designed exclusively for military spouses. For more information on this important resource for military spouses, please click here.
