Travis AFB Community

Family Resources

callan

In Solano County

Travis AFB Family Resources in Solano County

Picking up from one place and moving to another is always a hassle, especially when kids and pets are involved. Knowing whom to call or where to find information can help make the transition easier.

American Red Cross

www.redcross.org

The Red Cross helps members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to, the challenges of military service.

The American Red Cross offers confidential services to all members of the military, veterans, and their families by connecting them with local, state and national resources through the network of chapters in communities across the United States and offices on military installations worldwide.

Local Red Cross offices develop and maintain relationships with key community partners. Military families rely on the Red Cross to help them identify their needs and connect them to the most appropriate Red Cross and community resources. This key Red Cross service includes responding to emergency needs for food, clothing, and shelter, referrals to counseling services (e.g., financial, legal, mental health), respite care for caregivers, and other resources that meet the unique needs of local military members, veterans and their families.

The American Red Cross Emergency Communications Center is available to help 24/7. Call 877-272-7337 or submit an online request at https://saf.redcross.org/css.

Armed Services YMCA

www.asymca.org

The ASYMCA is made up of 13 branches and about 20 affiliate locations at local Ys and on some DOD facilities across the U.S.

It makes military life easier by providing programs and services to the young men and women of all five armed services: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.

ASYMCA programs, services and events are designed to help the family come together, stay together and have the ability to adjust, bounce back and thrive wherever the services send them — with a particular focus on junior-enlisted men and women, the individuals on the front lines of defending our nation. Programs are offered at low cost and require no dues or membership fees.

Signature programs include: Angels of the Battlefield Awards Gala, Art and Essay Contest, Military Family Month, Operation Hero, Operation Holiday Joy, Operation Kid Comfort, Operation Outdoors, Operation Ride Home, Parent and Me, Teddy’s Child Watch and YMCA/DOD Military Outreach Initiative.

Find ASYMCA locations by visiting www.asymca.org/locations.

Child Care Aware

www.childcareaware.org

Improving access to affordable, quality child care is one of Child Care Aware of America’s top goals. Search the site’s “State by State Resources for Families” to connect with national organizations and associations that provide information for families regarding child development, parenting, and child care concerns and questions.

The site has information on the different types of child care and how to choose the right child care for your family. Financial resources include a child care budgeting calculator and information on federal and state fee assistance. There’s also a special section for military and DOD families with links to military child care fee assistance. To speak with a specialist about military and DOD child care programs, call 800-424-2246, option 6.

California Department of Social Services

Solano County
275 Beck Ave.
Fairfield, CA 94533

365 Tuolumne St.
Vallejo, CA 94590

1119 E. Monte Vista Ave.
Vacaville, CA 95688…………………877-846-1602

www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/Guide

The California Department of Social Services works to protect adults and children who are at risk, safeguarding their rights and maintaining the integrity of families. The division’s services include assistance in adoptions, foster care, children’s services and child welfare.

Solano County Department of Health and Social Services

275 Beck Ave.
Fairfield, CA 94533 800-544-8696
www.solanocounty.com/depts/hss

Solano County’s Department of Health and Social Services provides care and support via its Child Welfare Services. The division’s website provides information on various family programs and services, including behavioral health, child welfare, employment and eligibility, older and disabled adult, public health and substance abuse.

Military OneSource

www.militaryonesource.mil

Military OneSource is your central hub and go-to-place for the military community. Get to know your benefits and prepare for the big stuff — deployments, reintegration, moves, parenthood, retirement and more. Browse by topic or search for that strangely specific question you want to know the answers to. No matter where military life takes you, with Military OneSource you will always be in the loop.

Operation Homefront

www.operationhomefront.org

Operation Homefront assists military families during difficult financial times by providing food assistance, auto and home repair, vision care, travel and transportation, moving assistance, essential home items, and rent-free transitional housing for wounded veterans and their families.

Helping military families gain long-term stability is a specific concern for Operation Homefront. Homes on the Homefront awards mortgage-free homes, impacting veteran families for generations to come. The caregivers for wounded warriors also need help and that is why Hearts of Valor w as formed.

Operation Homefront’s annual gala recognizes extraordinary military kids. The organization also hosts multiple Homefront Celebrations, Star-Spangled Baby Showers, Back-to-School Brigades and Holiday Meals for Military events each year to show appreciation to military spouses.

Visit Operation Homefront online for more information.

United Service Organization

www.uso.org

Since 1941, the USO has kept our military men and women connected to their families, home and country no matter where they are or under what conditions they serve. Programs for military families include Couples Seminars: Stronger Families, Comfort Crew for Military Kids, Operation That’s My Dress, United Through Reading, Baby Showers: USO and What to Expect Present Special Delivery and The Sesame Street/USO Experience.

The USO also provides transition services to support Americans’ return to civilian life after completing their military service. For more information, go to www.uso.org/programs/uso-pathfinder.

Visit the USO’s website to find a location near you.

Family, Children and Child Care Services

Babysitters, Nannies, Child Care and Senior Home Care

www.care.com

Find family care with this website that will allow you to search for local caregivers for children, adults/seniors, pets and even housekeepers for your home.

Or you can post a caregiver job and then let the applicants find you — guaranteed responses within three days. Access to background checks, references and reviews helps you to make hiring decisions with confidence.

The site also provides helpful information such as how much to pay a baby sitter, how to interview a pet sitter and how to find a tutor or after-school activity for your student.

Active-duty military families receive a 25 percent discount on any subscription.

Child Care Aware

www.childcareaware.org

Under the site’s “Child Care 101” tab you’ll find information related to locating quality child care, the types of child care available to you and how to evaluate the child care providers you visit.

There’s also a special section for the military child on the website covering topics such as military fee assistance, payments and provider services.

California Department of Social Services – Children and Families Division

Solano County

275 Beck Ave.
Fairfield, CA 94533

365 Tuolumne St.
Vallejo, CA 94590

1119 E. Monte Vista Ave.
Vacaville, CA 95688 877-846-1602

www.childsworld.ca.gov

The California Department of Social Services – Children and Families Division works to protect children who are at risk, safeguarding their rights and maintaining the integrity of families. The division’s services include assistance in adoptions, foster care, children’s services and child welfare.

Solano County Health & Social Services

275 Beck Ave.
Fairfield, CA 94533
800-544-8696
www.solanocounty.com/depts/dcss/default.asp

Solano County’s Children Support Services provides care and support for youth and families. The division’s website provides information on various family programs and services, including behavioral health, child welfare, employment and eligibility, older and disabled adult, public health and substance abuse.

Pets

Travis AFB Family Resources Pets - Stock Photo

Moves can be stressful for everyone — including the family pet. Pets can sense stress and a change in routine can be difficult for them. If possible, keep your pets in a quiet, secure area while movers pack up or unload your belongings. Movers will have your door open while they move boxes and furniture, and a pet may slip out the door undetected. Make sure you keep a collar with an ID tag on your pet at all times. Ensure the tag has your current phone number on it. It is also a good idea to microchip your pets. Remember to keep the microchip’s contact information up-to-date. If your pet escapes during any part of your move, you want the animal shelter that scans the chip to be able to contact you.

Your pet may face many new outside dangers in Solano County, such as coyotes, mountain lions and rattlesnakes. Many people assume that coyotes don’t live in the area because they don’t see them. That assumption can be dangerous to your pet. Coyotes generally hunt small mammals such as mice and rabbits but will attack cats or small dogs if given the opportunity. Mountain lions have typically hunted deer, but as more people are moving into mountain lion territory, mountain lions have started hunting other animals. The best way to protect your pet is to only let them outside at night when you are with them and to keep their food and water inside. Another preventative measure is to install outdoor lighting so animals cannot approach the area unseen. Rattlesnakes are generally 2.5 to 4.5 feet long, have triangular-shaped heads and rattle if they feel threatened. Keep your dog on a short leash outside, and stick to walking in cleared areas.

Animal Services

California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Fairfield office 707-428-2002
www.wildlife.ca.gov

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife manages and ensures the long-term well-being of fish and wildlife, especially as humans encroach on wildlife habitats. The website offers tips about living with wildlife and how to report a wildlife incident or an injured or orphaned wild animal. The department promotes its Keep Me Wild campaign aimed at educating residents about safeguarding garbage and pet food so they don’t attract wildlife. If wild animals have access to human food and garbage, they will lose their natural fear of humans and could become aggressive. These animals might have to be killed. Whether you live in a city or a rural part of California, wild animals are your neighbors, and most will not bother you. They naturally fear humans and keep their distance as long as they remain fully wild.

Solano County Animal Services

252X10 Clay5 Bank Road
Fairfield, CA 94533 707-784-1356
www.solanocounty.com/depts/sheriff/animalcare/gi.asp

Solano County Animal Services provides a variety of services, including spay and neuter; investigation of animal neglect and cruelty; enforcement of county and state animal ordinances and laws; removal of animal remains; and issuance of rabies vaccines. For more information on the county’s animal shelter and pet adoption, visit the Solano County Animal Services’ website.

Veterinary Services

Veterinary services in Solano County are plentiful; see the Advertiser Directory in this guide to connect with local providers. Another source for connecting with a veterinarian is the California Veterinary Medical Association website at http://cvma.net.

Pets for Patriots

https://petsforpatriots.org

Pets for Patriots’ vision is to end animal homelessness in the United States while giving our military veterans and their families the greatest “thank you” of all: the extraordinary love of a companion pet. It makes this happen through its nationwide shelter and veterinary networks, military and veteran organizations, and a public that values the lives of both the vulnerable and heroic among us.

To learn more about adopting a pet, visit https://petsforpatriots.org/adopt-a-pet/how-it-works.

Safety

State of California

Department of Motor Vehicles

Nonemergency 800-777-0133
www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv

The California Department of Motor Vehicles handles driver’s licenses and vehicle registration for the 33 million registered vehicles and 23 million licensed drivers in the state.

Office of Emergency Services

Nonemergency 916-845-8510
www.caloes.ca.gov

The California Office of Emergency Services plans for and responds to natural and man-made disasters. The division’s sections include Preparedness, Response, Recovery and Mitigation. Visit the division’s website for videos and brochures containing information about keeping your family and pets safe during inclement weather, natural disasters or other emergency situations.