MILITARY AND FAMILY LIFE CONSULTANT (MFLC) …

1 MILITARY AND FAMILY life CONSULTANT (MFLC) PROGRAM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: If I am selected for MFLC program participation, where will I go for assignments, and when? Could I choose my assignment locations? A: Assignment specifics vary greatly, but we can give you some general information. We currently work with Army, Air Force, Marines and National Guard, and assignments may involve any base or installation associated with these branches of service throughout the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii, Europe and the Pacific Rim, Korea, Djibouti, Turkey and the US Territories.

2 (If you d like further information about MILITARY installations, you might use Internet resources; would be a good place to start.) As a rule we staff locally whenever possible. Certain types of assignments require specific training; for example, Air Force and Marine assignments have training and/or experience requirements. This training is supplied (in online modules) by MHN GS once the MFLC application and selection process is complete. The training is only available online and is not available outside of the program. Other assignment locations require bilingual (English/Spanish) MFLCs.

3 Still others for Child and Youth Services placements require solid child and adolescent practice experience, particularly experience with young children. School based assignments require verifiable professional experience in a school setting. New MFLCs are assigned according to program needs; in other words, it s not usually possible for us to place you wherever you d like to be, although we accommodate requests as we can. Flexibility is key in this program! As consultants gain experience, more opportunities become available since we have a greater breadth of assignments for experienced consultants.

4 Q: How is MFLC consulting different from counseling or psychotherapy? A: MFLCs provide informal support and outreach for Service Members and families. MFLCs work exclusively with V-codes; they do not diagnose or treat mental disorders. (Mental disorders are referred to MILITARY Mental Health resources or other professional resources.) MFLCs may facilitate groups, but these are not therapy groups. MFLC contacts are completely confidential; records are not kept and details of interactions are not shared. Page 1 of 5 Q: What is MFLC work like? A: Consultants in the program find MFLC work tremendously gratifying and rewarding.

5 MFLCs offer short-term, solution-focused support, often during scheduled appointments, sometimes much more informally (when Service Members approach on the installation, for example). The CONSULTANT s day might include individual meetings or sessions, meetings with key personnel in order to promote the MFLC program and services, and delivery of presentations (either psychoeducational presentations, or briefings to describe the program to the population of the installation) or other types of outreach/promotion of the program. The MFLC work week is typically 40 hours; however, consultants typically are called upon after hours to participate in special events, meet Service Members returning from deployment, or attend scheduled meetings.

6 Q: If I am selected and I want to fill assignments in Europe, is there anything special I should know? A: Europe assignments often require experienced consultants; new consultants will likely need to complete several US assignments before they are eligible to be considered for Europe assignments. Consultants traveling to Europe must, naturally, have a valid passport; Europe assignments also require an international driver s license and ability (and willingness) to drive a manual-transmission automobile. Q: Do you send consultants to Iraq and Afghanistan? A: No. We have sent consultants to installations throughout the continental , Alaska and Hawaii, Europe and the Pacific Rim.

7 Q: Can MFLCs assigned overseas travel locally while on assignment? A: On scheduled days off, consultants are free to travel or use the time as they choose. Q: What is the MFLC application process? What are the timeframes? A: Within 10 business days of your initial inquiry we will ask you to submit our MHN GS MFLC Questionnaire and your resume. Applicants will be asked to sign a release for Criminal History Background Check and will be sent contracting materials to be signed and returned. If you are not credentialed for MHN network participation, we will send you a network application as well.

8 The credentialing process generally is completed within 30 days; however, individual credentialing issues may delay the process. Credentialing is a requirement for MFLC network participation. Q: I notice that your program uses an e-mail address as a contact for application information. If I do not use e-mail or the Internet, how shall I contact you for program information? A: As our program works with consultants in many different areas and time zones, e-mail is a primary form of communication between MILITARY & FAMILY life Consultants and MHN GS. A current, valid e-mail address and frequent e-mail access are program requirements.

9 Program materials and communications are sent using e-mail. Page 2 of 5 Q: I have a Private Practice and can only be available Thursday Sunday, but I m very interested! Are there still opportunities if I can t travel on a 45 to 60-day rotation? A: Yes, though opportunities may be limited. On Demand assignments take place on weekends, occur year-round and include non-medical counseling support and psychoeducational presentations, dealing with issues such as deployment and reintegration, communication, and grief and loss. These services primarily support National Guard /Reserve Component Service members and their families, and are typically required on weekends, also throughout the year.

10 Services are most often delivered in National Guard Drill Centers or Reserve Centers. Again, On Demand assignments are staffed using consultants local to the On Demand event; therefore opportunities are limited to specific geographic areas (and therefore On Demand opportunities may be limited in general). Q: Do MFLCs receive healthcare benefits? A: No. MFLCs are Independent Contractors. This is not a salaried, benefited position. (Note that HealthNet does offer some salaried MFLC positions; for these positions, the hourly rate quoted above does not apply. Look for more information about these positions at Search by state location.)