Army Community Service has a new resource available to assist military Families.

"We have a licensed clinical professional at the masters and PhD level available to provide short term care," said Vanessa Stanley, ACS chief, about the Military and Family life Consultant program.

The consultant arrived at the beginning of the year. Licensed personnel will rotate through the position on a regular basis.

"The on-going war on terror and the subsequent increase of deployments have heightened the stress placed on military Families. They struggle with issues including single parenting resulting from deployment, childcare, financial stability, fluctuating Family income, frequent relocations and more. In response, the Department of Defense established the Military and Family Life Consultant program to provide non-medical, short term, situational, problem solving counseling services," according to a brochure on the program.

Stanley said the therapist is arriving at just the right time as some personnel are returning from deployment as others are preparing to leave.

The consultant will be able to provide services on a flexible schedule on or off post and can provide support to individuals, couples, Families and groups.

"We are thrilled to have a Military and Family Life Consultant," she said.

Some of the services the consultant will provide include education on life skills such as anger management, conflict resolution, communications, parenting, relationships, decision making and work productivity. Also, they will help with issues specific to the military lifestyle such as deployment stress, reintegration: warrior to citizen, relocation adjustment, separation, coping, building resiliency, homesickness and loss and grief.

Stanley said the MFLC program has been on Fort Gordon through Child, Youth and School Services prior to the person coming to ACS.

To reach the MFLC, call (706) 288-5488.