Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/80536
FTCC Offers Educational Opportunities for Military Spouses by RICHARD PRICE The Department of Defense continues to support the popular Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program,which provides up to $4,000 (over 2 years) of financial assistance for military spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses, or credentials leading to employment in portable career fields, with several key changes in eligibility and dollar amounts. Here is a summary of the changes: • Be available to spouses of active- duty service members in pay grades E1-E5, W1-W2 and O1-O2 including the spouses of activated Guard and teserve members within those ranks. Spouses of Guard and reserve members must be able to start and complete their courses while their sponsor is on Title 10 orders. • Offer a maximum financial benefit of $4,000 with a fiscal year cap of $2,000. Waivers will be available for spouses pursuing licensure or certification up to the total maximum assistance of $4,000. • Require military spouses to finish their program of study within three years from the start date of the first course. • Be limited to associate degrees, certification and licensures. The MyCAA program does not include Coast Guard spouses. MyCAA Financial Assistance pays tuition for education and training courses and licensing/credentialing fees. This includes state certifications for teachers, medical professionals and other occupations requiring recognized certifications; licensing exams and related prep courses; Continuing Education Unit classes including those offered through professional associations; and degree programs leading to employment in Portable Career Fields. MyCAA also pays for high-school completion courses, GED tests and English as a Second Language classes. Alzheimers Walk Slated by ERINN CRIDER Memories are precious. Families spend substantial amounts of money to create memories. Powerful memories can elicit emotions years after the event occurred and some philosophers even hypothesize that memories are what make people individuals. Alzheimer's, the incurable and unfortunately common disease, robs people of their memories and ability to function. Alzheimer's is the nation's sixth leading cause of death, but communities across this nation have banded together in support of research, care, support and pursuing the end of Alzheimer's. The largest organization in the nation that supports this fight against Alzheimer's is The Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's, and on Sept. 8 local residents will join the fight as they walk to raise money for the cause. Since 1989, this organization has been walking and has grown from the first 1,249 walkers to last year's astounding 39,000 participating teams nationwide. Susan Thomas, the walk coordinator, says that this year, "Fayetteville hopes to have 40 teams walking on Sept. 8 and plans to raise $25,000. All monies raised support the Alzheimer's Association mission to 12 UCW AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2012 advance research, enhance care and support and advocate for Alzheimer's disease on both local and national levels." However the knowledge of the money raised Alzheimer's Disease." Alzheimer's has a wide reach; it is not even regulated by age. It could affect anyone in the community. That is why it is so pertinent that the entire community band together and contribute to finding a cure for all of its members. Thomas says that the most important way for the community to support this great initiative is to "come out on Sept. 8 and either walk or volunteer." The Walk to End Alzheimer's will pales in comparison to knowing how this association is helping individuals. Thomas comments that the most rewarding part of this fundraiser is "Meeting all the people that Alzheimer's has affected. Hearing every individual and unique story about some amazing and inspiring people … caregivers, family members, friends and meeting those people who have recently been diagnosed with begin at 10 a.m. Fo more information, Susan Thomas can be contacted at 703-2390 or Susan. Thomas@Century-Care.com. The website www.alz.org can provide more information. take place on Sept. 8, iwht a starting point at The Cottages at North Ramsey, 120 Nandia Court. The walk starts at 9 a.m. Registration is both online at www.alz.org/walk and at the walk itself. Registration opens and 9 a.m. and the walk and the opening ceremonies will ERINN CRIDER, Contributing Writer, COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM • MyCAA does not pay for education and training programs that include computers; application, graduation or membership fees; student activity cards; childcare; parking; transportation; or medical services. • If a spouse enrolls in a course without an approved MyCAA Financial Assistance document, the spouse will be responsible for paying course costs. • MyCAA does not provide reimbursements of any kind to spouses for any reason. • MyCAA FA payments are made benefit eligibility. Eligible spouses will be allowed to create the Career and Training Plan and request FA when within 30 days of course start dates. Additionally, spouses are responsible for applying to their selected school or program and enrolling in each course included in their approved MyCAA Career and Training Plan. directly to schools using MyCAA's electronic invoicing system. Eligible spouses can establish a MyCAA Account by visiting the MyCAA website at https://aiportal. acc.af.mil/mycaa. Once spouse profile information is provided, MyCAA will verify spouse DEERS Military spouses can help themselves by: •Visiting www.careeronestop.org to explore Portable Career Fields and find schools that have programs of study leading to licenses, certificates and degrees. • Finding their school in the MyCAA website using the School Search function. If the desired school is not listed, follow the directions shown at the end of the School Search. • Establishing and managing their MyCAA Account at https://aiportal. acc.af.mil/mycaa, use MyCAA resources to create a Career and Training