JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Mission readiness depends on many factors, including the emotional health of military members’ families.
A program offered throughout the Department of Defense, including Air Force installations worldwide, strengthens families through its mission of preventing maltreatment and supporting readiness and retention.
“The stated goal of the Air Force Family Advocacy Program is to promote both readiness and family wellness by enhancing the health, welfare and morale of Air Force families,” said Angela Nance, 359th Medical Operations Squadron Family Advocacy Program intervention specialist.
At Joint Base San Antonio, the FAP strives for family wellness through intervention in response to reports of maltreatment; the New Parent Support Program, which offers expectant parents and parents of newborn and young children under the age of 3 the opportunity to learn or improve parenting skills; and community outreach, a range of briefings, classes and services that focus on prevention.
As intervention specialist, Nance responds to reports of child and spouse or intimate partner maltreatment involving active-duty members and their families.
“Cases can be referred by anyone – the medical clinic, a neighbor, a commander, an active-duty member and others,” she said. “Anyone can report a case, and can do so anonymously. We have a number of cases – physical, emotional and sexual abuse – so it’s a needed resource here.”
When a report of suspected maltreatment is received, Nance consults with the 359th MDOS Family Advocacy officer to determine if the case meets the criteria for the FAP to look further into the allegations.
“If it meets criteria, the initial appointment with everyone in the family is made through the first sergeant or commander,” she said. “The family will then come in for an assessment – we are not here to investigate – to see what services are needed or how the FAP can assist the family regarding the allegations. Each family member will be seen separately by the Family Advocacy intervention specialist.”
The case then goes to the FAP’s Central Registry Board, a multidisciplinary team that determines whether maltreatment occurred, Nance said.
“If the case does not meet criteria, the case will be closed with services recommended, if needed,” she said. “If the case meets criteria, the family will be asked to return to the FAP to see what services the alleged offender can get involved in so that this issue will no longer be a problem.
“Services are also offered to the victim,” Nance continued. “Once all of the recommended services have been completed, the case will be closed as resolved.”
The FAP’s New Parent Support Program enhances readiness by helping couples who are expecting a child or have young children adapt to parenthood.
“The program ensures military members can focus on the mission while their families’ needs are being met,” said Audrey Thompson, 359th MDOS NPSP nurse.
The main focus of the NPSP is a voluntary home visitation program.
“Because it’s offered in the privacy of their home, parents will be more comfortable,” she said.
Thompson provides education on pregnancy and infant development, while a social worker addresses relationship counseling, stress management, depression, behavioral issues with older children and other topics. They are also available to answer parents’ questions about a variety of topics – from pregnancy and baby care to relationships and stress.
Other topics that are discussed include safety, nutrition, child-rearing and improving parenting skills.
Thompson typically spends an hour every two weeks with families who enroll in the program, but she said the needs of families determine the number of visits they require. She also said families and couples may visit her at her office in building 860, where they also have access to books, booklets, DVDs and other materials on parenting.
Another component of the NPSP is child car seat safety.
Connie Wilson, 359th MDOS Family Advocacy Program assistant and senior certified child passenger safety technician, presents two classes, “Car Seat 101” and “Curbside Car Seat Clinic,” that focus on safety.
In Car Seat 101, she educates parents and expectant parents on state laws regarding child safety restraints and gives them the tools to know if a car seat is safe, fits their child and vehicle and is easy to use. During the curbside clinic, Wilson shows parents how to install a seat correctly.
Prevention is another focus of the Family Advocacy Program.
“We focus heavily on prevention so that the treatment side is minimal,” said Gina Ramirez, 359th MDOS outreach/resiliency coordinator. “As we gear up for the new school year, September focuses on the parent-child relationship with the classes ‘Active Parenting of Teens,’ ‘Dangers of Social Media,’ ‘Fit Mom’ and ‘Infant Massage.’ These classes are designed to strengthen the bond of parent and child.”
Other classes scheduled for this month are a marital enhancement class, “Lasting Intimacy through Knowledge and Skills,” or LINKS, as well as “Stress and Time Management” and “Master Your Emotions.”
FAP professionals also provide outreach through briefings to commanders, first sergeants, squadrons and other organizations, Nance said.
“We talk about our program and who we are,” she said.
Emphasis months are another form of the FAP’s outreach efforts, Nance said.
“We focus on domestic violence awareness in October, teen dating violence awareness in February and child abuse awareness in April,” she said.
For more information on the FAP, call the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston office at 539-6350, the JBSA-Lackland office at 292-5967 or the JBSA-Randolph office at 652-6308.