Family Care Plan Regulation. Is there a group I can reach out to?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 00:53:37 -0400

I am a soldier married to a civilian. The understanding I had was that a family care plan is usually only required for dual military parents and for soldiers married to individuals who cannot look later themselves. I don't fit into either category. I also understand it's at the commanders discretion meaning I have no recourse. I am struggling to find someone to fill the short term care provider as it is just myself and my husband out here. I was advised I cannot use another soldier from another unit, which I did not see outlined in the regulation. Can I get recommendations on where to go to find a short term care provider and what is the definition of short term care. Is it a day, a week, a month? I am reaching out to a few individuals that I trust, who are also married to civilians, but I feel like a burden asking. Thank you for any responses that are provided in advance.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Aug 5 at 2019 1:07 AM

CPL Gary Pifer — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 01:07:33 -0400

Your spouse is considered a dependent and not a Civilian. I always used a relative.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2019 2:39 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 02:39:28 -0400

Have you tried googling "Family Care Plan Regulation"? The answer is right there. In fact, if you google Army Family Care Plan you can find any number of example FCP packets provided by installations.
As for your care provider, your husband is perfectly allowed to be your child's provider unless he's incapable of being the provider (not around, frequently gone, disabled, etc). In fact, he would have to sign off on you designating someone else as a temporary guardian, which is not something that any commander has the ability to direct.
When a commander designates an FCP, it's just a plan for when you have to stay late or are deploying and has all your necessary documents. For instance, signed POA's, signed ID Card forms, or anything else. Your spouse would usually be the primary care provider, and no commander can dictate who your provider will be, or demand that you/your spouse allow for someone else to be a legal guardian, even temporarily.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Aug 5 at 2019 2:45 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 02:45:58 -0400

Honestly, and I'm not saying this to be simplistic or facile about it, I'd genuinely go over to the chaplains by you or their staff...clerics, I'd observed, are often quite handy for such social-work type questions, honest, they have a way of opening doors others often can't, just something I'd seen over a fairly protracted period, honest...just a thought I'd figured you might perhaps find useful, honest....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2019 8:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 20:04:37 -0400

I feel like I’m missing something here. Unless you’ve had a history of not being able to perform duty or field problems, then I’m not understanding why you would have to have a family care plan if your spouse is a civilian.

When I was a dependent spouse, my ex never had to do a family care plan. Did I miss something? Are you dual military because I’m not understanding why you would need one. The regulation states who and what situations required a FCP....