Enclosure (1) to COMDTINST 5400.20A
Chapter I Introduction
101 Function Statement
1. Mission: Establish and manage the regional infrastructure for delivering Work-Life
services to Coast Guard employees and their families.
2. Functions: The primary function of the staff is to provide Work-Life information to
Coast Guard employees, including direct and indirect referral and training. The
GOAL is to get the RIGHT information to the RIGHT people at the RIGHT time.
The staff members provide information and resources while ensuring that the
customers receive the services that best meet their needs. Regional staff areas of
responsibility are generally parallel to District boundaries. Under the general
direction of the Integrated Support Command/Headquarters Support Command
Commanding Officer and Executive Officer, and under the direct administrative
supervision of the Work-Life Supervisor, the regional Work-Life staff shall:
a. Establish and maintain a standardized infrastructure for delivering Work-Life
services throughout their assigned area of responsibility. Part of the focus is on
the reduction of collateral duty tasking to the units.
b. Create and aggressively advertise a network of individuals and organizations both
willing and able to provide support for our employees and their families. Where
possible, include reservists and auxiliarists in that network.
c. Actively promote communications and marketing of the Work-Life philosophy
and services, including providing information and support to the District Public
Affairs staffs for the development of Work-Life articles.
d. Through individual interviews and general field contact, continually assess
current and future Work-Life needs of Coast Guard employees and their families
within the geographic Area of Responsibility (AOR).
e. Using the completed assessments per 2.d., evaluate the service delivery system
and recommend, through the Headquarters Program Managers, changes to the
delivery system that enhance customer service and improve system efficiency.
f. Critical incidents (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, vessel/aircraft casualty,
suicide, mobilization, etc.) can adversely impact the stability, mental health, and
operational readiness of Coast Guard personnel and their families. Work-Life
staffs are not crisis action teams. Their focus should be on managing the stress
and post-stress associated with a critical incident, not managing the critical
incident itself. They should develop and maintain contingency plans that outline
their full range of capabilities (focusing on, but not limited to, their primary role
of referral) and how they could expand those capabilities in times of emergency.
Plans should address ability to extend "office hours" (up to 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week) and shift "office" location to a specific unit or location to ensure a person
with the ability to listen and assist is available when and where the need is
greatest. When requested, provide debriefings at units experiencing a critical
incident.
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