THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, October 1, 1995                TAG: 9509290162
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER       PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   45 lines

BASE FACILITY OFFERS HELP TO FAMILIES SERVICES INCLUDE FINANCIAL COUNSELING

Personnel at the Naval Security Group Activity Northwest now have a new family service center to help them cope with the demands of a military career.

The base completed the facility last August, months ahead of schedule. The center offers programs and services such as family and financial counseling, pre-deployment briefings, education programs and crisis intervention.

``The military is a unique lifestyle which can be stressful at times,'' said Suzanne Tofalo, the service center's financial education specialist. ``Our job is to help with the unique circumstances of their career or refer them to someone who can.''

The NFSC opened two years ago at Northwest and was housed temporarily in a mobile home. Tofalo believes the center's new location at the front of the base will encourage military personnel to use their services.

``Our biggest challenge has been getting people to know what we do. To take advantage of our resources,'' she said.

In addition to family counseling and financial planning, the service center offers a transition program for personnel leaving the military for civilian life as well as computer job banks and resume help.

The family service center has more than 3,000 square feet and houses a staff of nine civilian employees. Tofalo said the added space will enable the staff to expand their services and provide office space for center volunteers. The center is already in the process of organizing a youth outreach program for the children of base employees.

The services of the NFSC are available to active duty and retired personnel of the Navy, Army and Coast Guard as well as civilian employees of the base.

The NFSC won't be the only new facility on base much longer. NSGA is in the process of building a day care center that will have slots for up to 125 children. The child care center is expected to be completed early next year.

NSGA has a staff of 600, and the base provides communications for the Department of the Navy and Defense Communications System. by CNB