RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Randolph leadership this month is taking the opportuni ty to raise awareness of problems that affect mission readiness and members of the base community.
April is now recognized at Randolph as Month of the Military Child, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Alcohol Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, with the theme, "Hurts one. Affects all. It's everyone's duty."
Col. Scott Peel, 902nd Mission Support Group commander, met with organization representatives for the signing of the proclamation March 21, in front of the Taj Mahal.
The proclamation addresses these issues as ongoing psychosocial problems in our society which greatly affect the community. The Randolph Family Advocacy Program, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program, Sexual Assault Prevention
and Response Program, Airman and Family Readiness Center and other integrated delivery system agencies will work collaboratively as the action arm of the community to implement and promote prevention and support programs to curb incidents of, and risk for, child maltreatment, alcohol abuse and sexual assault.
"This is part of something the Air Force is emphasizing as a whole," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Hornberger, 359th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health flight chief. "We need to make responsible and proper risk-mitigating choices. Don't put yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"The proclamation signing for Sexual Assault Awareness Month dedicates the month of April to officially recognize the problem of sexual assault within our mAir Force, offering support and information to service members and their families on our programs here in hopes mof preventing sexual assaults from moccurring," said Jacqueline Shiflet, Randolph Air Force Base, sexual assault response coordinator.
All month long, events are planned to promote awareness and offer education. Starting today, information booths are open at the Rambler Fitness Center and Randolph Clinic.
In addition, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program presents Dr. Christopher Kilmartin, a comedian and professor of psychology at the University of Mary Washington, for a mandatory briefing for all airmen to staff sergeants and first and second lieutenants at the base theater Tuesday at 10 a.m. However, all others are highly encouraged to attend, Ms. Shiflet said.
The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program will also be at Kids Day in the Park along with many other helping agencies San Antonio-wide.
The event, hosted by the San Antonio Association for the Education of Young Children, is a fun-filled day promoting happy, healthy families to reduce the number of children at risk for abuse or neglect. This year's event will again be held at San Pedro Springs Park April 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Members of the child care, arts, cultural, health and social service communities will provide free, fun, developmentally appropriate activities and events for young children and their families, said Mitzi Wood, family advocacy intervention specialist. There will be many new and exciting booths this year, with art projects, games and special activities, as well as many performances and many other surprises.
Last year, more than 10,000 people attended.
"All of these programs are here to ensure people are mission ready," Ms. Wood said. "The emphasis of the Month of the Military Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month is to encourage parents to spend time with their kids. See what they are doing. Make that extra effort to build a relationship with your kids. This will increase trust."
Also in attendance at Kids Day in the Park will be representatives from the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program.
"We are trying to stress responsible drinking," Sergeant Hornberger said. "Plan accordingly before going out. Remember 0013: zero drinks if you're under the age of 21, zero drinks if have to drive driving, and no more than one drink per hour and three drinks per setting."
For more information on events happening this month or details, contact the base organizations featured.
"Create better lives for our military families. Make responsible choices to ensure the Air Force continues to thrive," he said.