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Bits & Pieces

 
American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross provides 24-hour communication services to assist service members and their families when a family emergency arises. Financial assistance in the form of no-interest loans or outright grants are made in conjunction with emergency travel and other selected emergencies.
 
In addition to emergency communications, the Red Cross, through the services of its volunteers, teaches Cardiopulmonary Recsuscitation (CPR), first aid, healthy pregnancy / healthy baby, swimming courses, life guarding, babysitting, basic aid training, and HIV / AIDs education.
 
Red Cross volunteers provide services to the Naples / Gaeta community in the hospital, dental clinic, schools, post office, disaster preparedness and service, youth, health and safety course, office/computer work, stork's nest, and international services.
The American Red Cross also provides the after hours emergency coverage for Navy Marine Corps Relief Society.
American Red Cross
PSC 810, Box 27
FPO AE 09619
DSN: 625-4788 / 4789
Commercial: 011-39-081-724-4788 / 4789
After hours call NSA Quarterdeck
DSN: 626-5547
Commercial: 011-39-081-568-5547
Auto Hobby Shop:
The Auto Hobby Shop in Agnano provides military members and their families a place to work on their cars with expert advice from their staff.  Oil is sold here and diagnostic machines are available to help you keep those famous “Naples cars” up and running.
Checking Account:
It's a good idea to find out what your mailing address will be while stationed in Naples and to have extra checks printed prior to transfer.
 
Child Care:
Child Care Development Centers:
The Child Development Program (CDP) operates for children of active duty members, DoD civilians, reservist, DoD Contractors, and retired members.  CDC program options offered meet the varied needs of our families to include full-day and hourly care services for children 6 weeks to 6 years of age.
 
The Child Development Centers provide developmentally appropriate activities in accordance with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) guidelines and principles.  We have designed an environment, developed a facility, trained staff and created a program of services to provide high quality child care.  Our CDCs model the Navy’s commitment to provide only the highest quality care for your child.
 
The CDCs are located across from the Supply building at Capodichino and in the Chapel Annex at Agnano. 
 
Full-day contract care is provided from 0630 to 1730, Mon.-Fri. at Agnano and at Capodichino.  Fees are based on total family income and are paid semi-monthly to coincide with military paydays.
 
Family Child Care (FCC):
FCC is provided by family members in government owned or leased quarters.  While each FCC provider is essentially an independent business enterprise, he/she does operate under the guidance of the MWR Child Development Program and Naval Support Activity (NAVSUPPACT), Naples.
 
Before joining the program, each potential FCC provider must be screened and approved by:  Preventive Medicine, CAAC, Family Services, Housing, Security, Family Advocacy, Safety, the Fire Department and the MWR FCC Director.  Final authority for certification rests with the NAVSUPPACT Commanding Officer.
 
The FCC program helps fulfill the needs of the community by providing children with individualized quality care.  Children are nurtured within the home environment by professionally trained and certified caregivers.  Providers offer services for children 6 weeks to 12 years of age.
 
Anyone interested in becoming a Family Child Care provider should contact the FCC Director.
 
Resource and Referral (R&R) Services:
The R&R Services coordinate the availability of child care beyond that which is provided by the Child Development Center and Family Child Care Homes.  R&R Services enhance the Child Development Program’s operations overall, and is often referred to as “One Stop Shopping for Child Care”.
 
The R&R Assistant provides military and civilian personnel with choices, options and availability of child care spaces in CDCs and FCC homes that meet the specific needs of each family.  The R&R Assistant provides information and quality control for both military, child development centers and FCC homes.  The R&R Assistant maintains a waiting list for enrollment and is the initial point of contact for all customers with child care needs.  The R&R Assistant serves as a representative for the Child Development Program attending Area Orientation and other community events.
 
Advance enrollment is accepted for families PCSing to Naples or for expecting families.   Information is also provided to help assist personnel at their next duty station.  For more information and assistance, contact the Resource and Referral Assistant at DSN 626-5126 or Commercial at (011)-39-081-568-5126.  
 
School Age Care
The before and after school program is offered at both the Youth Center at Carney Park and at the Support Site in Aversa.  Each program provides school age children (age 6 - 12) with snack and homework time as well as free play, organized games, and arts & crafts.  Special groups, entertainers or community organizations - such as security and DARE - regularly visit the children to provide a fun alternative to learning, which  builds confidence and self-esteem as well as offer great learning opportunities!
 
 The center is closed on Federal Holidays, but does offer full day care on school holidays for a small, additional fee.  On these vacation days, the School Age Care program often takes field trips to great local spots.  In the summer months, MWR offers Camp Adventure, a day camp  open from 0600 - 1830, complete with skits, games and time at the Carney Park pool.  Children may enroll for the entire summer or individual weeks as desired.
 
Clothing:
Italians tend to dress much more formally than Americans. When downtown it is rare to see anyone other than teenagers in blue jeans, T-shirts, or sweatshirts. Men are normally seen in suits, top coats, and hats, depending on the season. We are not expected by the Italians to dress as they do, but if you wish to blend in, slacks, button down shirts or sweaters are best to wear. It is also rare to see an adult wearing sneakers. If in doubt as to what to wear, the best rule of thumb is to overdress.
 
Computer:
It would be a good idea if you have a computer to sign up for one of the free e-mail services, such as Yahoo, Hot Mail, Geocities, etc. If you would like to continue to use e-mail as a source of "keeping in touch" prior to the arrival of your household goods, moving into a home, and the connection of your telephone, there is an AT&T Cyber-Cafe located on base. You will need an Internet e-mail address though to retrieve your mail.
 
CREDO Retreats :
Naples provides a variety of personal and spiritual growth workshops, retreats and seminars to commands and personnel throughout the Mediterranean. Active duty military, authorized family members, DoD civilian employees and DoDDS teachers are eligible to use CREDO, Naples services. Our retreats are 48 to 72 hours in length and include Personal Growth, Marriage Enrichment, and Spiritual Growth (CREDO II) retreats. These are at no-cost to the participants and are held in peaceful settings outside of the Naples area.
 
CREDO is a special assistant to COMFAIRMED and is authorized to allow active duty personnel to attend our no-cost retreats on no-cost TAD orders or under liberty status. Transportation, food and lodging are provided.
 
Fitness Center:
The Capo Fit-Zone is the newest gem in Naples.  This 39,000 square foot facility has a 25 meter indoor lap pool, sauna and Jacuzzi, three racquetball courts, basketball/volleyball courts, sand volleyball court, aerobics room with suspended maple floor, cardio machines which connect you to the “Cardio-theater wall” so you can workout to your most motivating channel, Medex and Hammerstrength systems as well as free weights.  Instruction is offered throughout the week in a variety of fitness specialties and a weight trainer is available to help you meet you personal fitness goals.
 
Hand carry items during flight:
Hand carry these items with you when making the PCS move. Do not pack in household goods.

Legal Assistance:

The U.S. Naval Legal Service Office, Europe and Southwest Asia is a full service legal office for DoD personnel in the Naples area.
 
One of the first, and most important, services provided for new arrivals is assistance in obtaining the "sojourner permit." Italian law requires all foreign personnel entering Italy, other than active duty members under military orders, to obtain a sojourner permit in addition to a passport. Application must be made within eight (8) days of initial arrival in Italy. Sojourner permits are required for all military family members, all members of the civilian component (DoD civilians, NAFI employees, technical representatives, Red Cross, NFCU, USO, and employees of other organizations providing services to and enjoying a special status with the U.S. military) and their family members or accompanying relatives over 18. As part of the Area Orientation process, the Naval Legal Service Office assists in the preparation of sojourner permits for all personnel attached to U.S. Navy commands in the Naples area. NATO personnel stationed at AFSOUTH apply for sojourner permits through the AFSOUTH Provost Marshall Office in Bldg "L".
 
The Claims Department of the Naval Legal Service Office adjudicates personal claims for Navy personnel in the Naples area under the Military and Civilian Employees' Personnel Claims Act. Should you incur a loss, the Naval Legal Service Office can provide all necessary claim forms.
 
The Legal Assistance Division of the Naval Legal Service Office offers many services, including tax advice and tax forms, powers of attorney and notary services, wills and "Living Wills," consumer law advice and assistance, and landlord-tenant advice. Wills are prepared in a single appointment, lasting approximately one hour. Other legal assistance is provided by both appointment and on a walk-in basis during regular working hours. Services are free to members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, DoD employees and family members.
 
The Naval Legal Service Office is located on the second floor of Edilizia II.
 
Library:
The NSA library is currently located at building 50 at Agnano, by the Country Store.  The new facility at Capo opens in late 1998.  The library offers books and videos for check out, as well as periodicals and computer use on site.  Story time is offered weekly for children 3-8 years old, and each month the library presents extended information on various ethnic and cultural events.
NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY:
The Naples auxiliary of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) provides financial, educational and other assistance to Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their family members throughout the Naples-Gaeta area. Support to Army and Air Force personnel may also be available.
 
The Naples auxiliary, located in the Admin. II Building in Capodichino, makes available interest-free loans or grants to help with emergencies such as: funeral expenses; emergency transportation; food, rent and utilities; disaster relief assistance and essential vehicle repairs.
 
The NMCRS also offers a Spouse Tuition Assistance program to the spouses of active duty service members. This is a grant program which provides partial assistance for higher education tuition.
 
NMCRS holds a Budgeting for Baby workshop on the third Wednesday of each month. The workshop gives expectant parents the opportunity to review their budget with the help of a trained financial counselor who offers valuable cost-cutting information. All eligible participants will receive a Layette (junior seabag) filled with more than $100 worth of new baby necessities.
 
The Naples auxiliary also offers a Visiting Nurse Program. Our volunteer nurse provides home nursing visits to active duty and retired Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Air Force personnel and their eligible family members.
 
NMCRS has trained volunteers and counselors who are familiar with the special conditions of service members. They are available to help give budgeting advice to pull you out of deficit budgets and into a savings plan.
 
NMCRS is always looking for a few good volunteers. If you join our volunteer team you can help others, develop new skills, improve existing talents and make new friends. You can obtain training for the jobs you perform, and get reimbursement for mileage and child care expenses. To become a NMCRS volunteer, simply contact our office.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
After normal office hours, contact the American Red Cross.
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
PSC 810 Box 14 - FPO AE 09619-1000
DSN 625-4139; COM 724-4139
After Hours: DSN 626-5547; COM 568-5547
Post Office:
Provides, general delivery service, customer complaints & inquiries, mail receipt and mailing services, US Postal Service Money Orders, stamp sales, USPS claims and inquiry services. You must be sure to inform anyone you are corresponding with of your correct military address. It normally takes an average of between 5 to 10 days for first class mail, the further West you mail from the East coast of the US the longer it takes. The fastest way to get packages back and forth is to always use Priority Mail, this also normally takes between 5 - 10 days. Holidays must of course be taken into consideration. SAM or PAL tends to take around six weeks from the states to Naples.
 
Uniforms:
COMFAIRMED is the area coordinator for the Med, and sets the Navy uniform policies for the Naples area. Uniforms are seasonal, with changes taking place in October for winter uniforms, and April or May for summer uniforms. Many commands do allow "casual dress Friday's" to support MWR and command functions.
 
 
Weather:
We do have four seasons in Naples. Temperatures are very similar to southern Virginia. They tell me it snows here occasionally, but in the two winters I've been here I haven't seen any. I have seen snow on top of Mt. Vesuvius at times, but her peak is at a much higher altitude than we are.