USS O'Kane

Family Readiness Group

 

What is the Family Readiness Group (FRG)?

The FRG provides its members with information and emotional support. The Family Readiness Group plans, coordinates, and conducts social, informational, care-taking, and morale-building activities to enhance family readiness and enables its members to meet mission and military family lifestyle challenges. The FRG is not just family members working together; it is also Sailors, community representatives, and the chain of command. Each of these groups benefit from the FRG. We recognize that your needs are important to the group. You can share or simply listen during meetings. We share news from our military men and women.  We will listen to you with care and respect.


What is the purpose of the FRG?

The purpose of the FRG is to promote and create a friendly and social relationship among its members, to fundraise for group oriented activities and to serve as best permitted the crew, family & the friends of the USS O'KANE. The Family Readiness Group will also serve the local Navy and Hawaii community to highlight volunteer activities in community and support of sister ships and other deployed sailor and families. 


Why participate in the FRG?

1) Through the involvement of families within the FRG, sailors are reassured that although they are separated from their spouse, parents, children, extended family and friends, their concerns for those they leave behind are taken care of.

2) We have a variety of events, ranging from Group meetings and guest speakers to social celebrations and gatherings for adults and/or children and charity projects.

 3)The Family Readiness Group is a "year-round" group - we meet whether the ship is at sea or inport once a month.


How can we contact the FRG?

You can contact the Family Readiness Group by e-mail to okaneohana77@yahoo.com or by calling the Careline at (808)-528-8510 ext. 3

Upcoming events are publicized in the FRG Update emails and on the USS O'KANE Careline, so please come to our next group meeting, get involved, meet new people, and have some fun with us. We are open to suggestions and comments at all times. Please feel free to contact us at your convenience.

 

  

Ombudsman

Aloha USS O'KANE Family members,

The Ombudsman is an appointed representative of the Commanding Officer (CO) and serves in two important roles as both a communications liaison/link between the CO and command family members, and as a professionally trained information and referral specialist for the command’s families. Being appointed by the CO and acting as your link to the command helps the CO gain insight on the pulse of the family members and then take appropriate and timely action on issues of concern. Command family members have an avenue to express their concerns through their Ombudsman. They will benefit from a well trained Ombudsman who can serve as an information and referral resource and address family issues with the command.

The Ombudsman Code of Ethics is the essential foundation upon which an ombudsman’s credibility is established and maintained. Ombudsman must remain committed to strict adherence to this code, Ombudsman shall:

a. Support the command’s mission.
b. Work within the chain of command as directed.
c. Maintain confidentiality.
d. Maintain the highest standards of professionalism. 

I can be reached via cell phone, the ship’s Careline, and email (listed below). If you are new to the ship; Welcome Aboard! Please contact me so that I can add you to the Ombudsman recall roster. This will enable you to receive ship updates and other useful resources that will come in handy, especially during extended underways and deployments. If you have been onboard for a while and you are not receiving information from me via email, I would ask that you contact me so I can update my records.

OMBUDSMAN INFORMATION LINKS:                          

Cell: 808-282-3351 

okaneomb@yahoo.com

 

 
Family
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an Ombudsman?
Every Command has an Ombudsman who is a spouse of a sailor at the Command. The Ombudsman serves as the liaison between the command and the families. The Ombudsman is the point of contact for the families. He or she can assist families with navigating through Navy life through resources and information.

How can an Ombudsman help me?
Navy Family Ombudsmen are key resources for family members, particularly during deployments. Ombudsmen maintain current resource files with information on military and civilian community agencies that can help families solve a variety of problems, and successfully meet the challenges they face before, during, and after deployments. In addition to providing referral information, Ombudsmen can facilitate communication between the Command and family members. Ombudsmen may publish or contribute to command newsletters or maintain care lines, which have recorded messages with information for command families that can be accessed 24 hours a day. Ombudsmen can also assist families in contacting the Command for a variety of reasons.

What is the role of the COMNAVSURFPAC Force Ombudsman?
The Force Ombudsman provides oversight and guidance for all the Surface Ship's Ombudsmen in the Pacific Fleet Area of Responsibility.  You can contact the Surface Forces Ombudsman at (619) 301-6983 or send an email to surforceombudsman@gmail.com

What is an IA assignment or tour?
An IA is an Individual Augmentee. A Sailor may receive orders to go IA and this means that he or she will deploy as an Individual, not with their command. Sometimes an IA will deploy and be stationed with another branch of the Military. http://www.ia.navy.mil/

What is NFAAS?
Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System. This is how the Navy will track your family and assess your needs during an emergency. https://www.navyfamily.navy.mil

How can I find out more about medical, dental or Navy family resources?
Contact your Command Ombudsman. He or she will guide you to your resources.

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