Airman & Family Readiness Program Command Staff Briefing Nikki Wajer Airman & Family Readiness Program Director This briefing will give you a broad overview of the Airman & Family Program to include the core programs and resources we can provide Airmen and Families

Key Missions Our Mission “Provide targeted Airmen and Family support and services, contributing to the mission readiness, resiliency, and well-being of the Air Force community.” Communication The Right Information, the Right Way Involvement Volunteerism/Feeling a Part Support/Sponsorship At the Beginning of Service and In Times of Need Training Not Just on Guard Issues but on Life Issues

Information/Referral Services Maintain knowledge of the following programs and resources and offer referral services to Airmen and Families Wounded Warrior ID cards/TRICARE Support Exceptional Family Member Program Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Financial Wellness Strong Bonds/Marriage Enrichment Counseling Resources Military OneSource, Military Family Life Consultants, DPH There is a wide range of programs available to our Airmen and Families. These are just a few of that we’d like to highlight. We can also provide information on military discounts, scholarships, child care and employment resources.

Deployment Cycle Support Provide Airman & Families Pre, During, and Post Deployment Support Deployment Briefings Collect Forms Family Data Sheets, Statement of Understanding, Personal Readiness Inventory Educational Materials Morale/Welfare Contacts/Hearts Apart Family/Community Events Its important we make sure our families are ready in times of deployments and feel confident that they can take care of their family matters while their Airmen are away.

Readiness: Personal, Family, Unit, and Community Sustain support services for Wings, GSU’s and all Branches of Service Newcomer Briefings/Educational Materials Communication- Newsletters, Social Media and Email Campaigns Participation in emergency preparedness programs and exercises Emergency Family Assistance Center

Life Skills Education, Consultation and Transition Guidance Provide resources and opportunities for awareness and application for programs such as Financial Wellness Education Resiliency/Stress Management/Traumatic Stress Response Pre-separation Counseling Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW)/ Veterans Employment Initiative (VEI) 180+ consecutive days Title 10 orders

Community Outreach and Cooperative Interface Interface within Wing and Local Community to identify/ share resources and trends Participate in CAIB/IDS Joining Community Forces/ISFAC State Family Program Office Veterans Service Organizations Employment/Education Agencies (Dept of Labor, Workforce Centers, State/Community Colleges)

Volunteer Communication, Direction and Guidance Key Volunteer Program Membership includes Airman, Family Members, Retirees, and/or Community Members Act as a Force Multiplier, attending Roll Calls, contacting families, assisting with events, etc. A&FRPM provides training/ and guidance for Volunteer program

Other Air Force Base Resources Child Care Facilities (Active Duty, ANG has HCC) Civilian Personnel Office Health and Wellness Center Services Squadron (MWR) Legal Base Exchange (BX) Base Gym Chapel (Strongbonds, Family) Commissary (Active Duty) Hospital (Active Duty) Veterinary Clinic (Active Duty) Volunteer Resource Program Family Services Program Wives’ (Spouses’) Clubs Youth Activities (youth camps, day camps)

Mission of the NG Psychological Health Program To advocate for and support NG members and families by promoting mental fitness and personal readiness for operational readiness. To build until and community capacity by promoting and empower the creation of a culture of mental fitness, as well as providing active outreach and networking.

Mission of the NG Psychological Health Program Provides each ANG Wing and ARNG Surgeon’s Office a Director of Psychological Health to serve as a behavioral health consultant, subject matter expert, and advocate for psychological health.

Director of Psychological Health Provide leadership consultations on behavioral health concerns and be the SME Provide crisis response to SM’s and/or units experiencing distress Conduct assessment and referral to appropriate care providers Provide short term solution focused support

Confidentiality Services are confidential. We do not have access to read or enter any information into the medical record. Sexual assault victims retain their ability to file a restricted report or no report if they desire. Duty to Warn situations trump confidentiality

Referrals SM’s must voluntarily seek out the DPH We can’t do “cold calls”, contacting the SM’s first Okay for leaders or peers to refer, suggest, or encourage a SM to see the DPH, as long as it is purely voluntary

What DPH’s don’t do Conduct command directed evaluations Determine fitness for duty Place or remove member from medical profiles Perform court-ordered evaluations Make deployability decisions Perform psychological autopsies

Updated Laws DoD is seeking to work with states to remove unnecessary barriers and improve the quality of life for military families. Current Activities: Legislators passed 63 bills in 2014 and brought the current list of key issues to the following status: • 50 states have approved the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children • 50 states have approved one or more of the eight initiatives supporting absentee voting, and 13 states have passed the Uniform Military and Overseas Voter Act • 49 states have passed one or more of the six initiatives supporting protections for service member for child custody decisions • 48 states have established policies in one or more of four initiatives supporting licensure for separating service members • 47 states have established policies in one or more of three initiatives supporting license portability for military spouses • 45 state have approved unemployment compensation for military spouses who had to leave employment because of a military move • 45 states have supported quality child care through annual inspection or background checks • 45 states have established policies to comport state rules on disposition of service member remains with Federal rules • 37 states enforce the DoD regulation on predatory lending or otherwise prohibit payday and vehicle title loans • 36 states support Veterans Treatment Courts • 33 states support in-state tuition for transitioning service member • 10 states have approved tracking military children in state school databases, and • 5 states allow military families to establish eligibility for Home and Community Based Services for the family member with special needs so that care will be available when the family separates or retires

Contacts Nikki Wajer- Airman and Family Program Director Office-(605)988-5962 Cell phone-(605)310-6487 Nicole.Wajer@ang.af.mil Char Skovlund- Director of Psychological Health Office- (605)988-5539 Cell phone- (605)413-0768 Char.Skovlund.ctr@ang.af.mil