FAMILY CARE BRIEFING - The family Care Program is governed by AFI Who must have a Family Care Plan? -- All AF members with families - Who must complete the AF Form 357, Family Care Certification? -- Single military personnel with family members -- Dual military couples with family members -- Military members with civilian spouses who have unique family situations

FAMILY CARE BRIEFING - Commander and First Sergeant Responsibilities: -- Review all AF Form 357’s and Family Care Plans quarterly -- Conduct annual Family Care Plan briefings -- Take disciplinary actions when members fail to comply with AF requirements governing family care responsibilities. This could include involuntary separation. - Your responsibilities: -- Provide adequate family care for your family. This will include arrangements to provide for your family during TDY’s, exercises, & Contingencies -- Keep the commander and first sergeant informed of any changes within your family status.

FAMILY CARE BRIEFING - Explanation of Terms: -- Caregiver/Designee - An individual, not a member of the Armed Forces, at least 21 years of age, capable of self-care and care of children and agrees in writing to care for your family during your absence. -- Family Care Plan - Document that outlines service-specific forms the person providing care needs during the members absence. It designates arrangements for the member’s family care and should be specific enough to cover all situations while providing a smooth, rapid transfer of responsibilities. -- Unique Family Situation - Member has a civilian spouse not capable of providing care for family members themselves. Examples include but are not limited to: illness, disability, limited English, etc.

FAMILY CARE BRIEFING - All military members must notify the commander or first sergeant within 30 days if one of the following applies: -- Birth or adoption of a child -- Loss of a spouse through death, separation, or divorce -- Spouse enters the military and you become a dual military couple -- Assumption of sole care for elderly or disabled family member -- Absence of a spouse through career/job commitment or other personal reason -- Any other reason you feel a Family Care Plan may be required

FAMILY CARE BRIEFING - How to develop a Family Care Plan: -- Consult with the following agencies to assist in setting up a viable Family Care Plan: Staff Judge Advocate MPF Customer Service Element Financial Services Office Chaplain Family Support Center Child Care Center Unit First Sergeant

FAMILY CARE BRIEFING - How to develop a Family Care Plan (cont.): -- Things to think about: --- Arrangements must cover all reasonably practical situations, both short- and long-term --- Make arrangements for the designee or caregiver to have access to adequate funds to support family members during your absence --- Single parents will consult with an attorney prior to designating the non-custodial parent as the short- or long-term designee or caregiver --- Ensure the designee or caregiver can use base facilities --- Ensure the designee or caregiver knows about the behavioral changes of your family members

FAMILY CARE BRIEFING - How to develop a Family Care Plan (cont.): -- Things to think about (cont.): --- Execute a Power Of Attorney (POA) for your designee or caregiver to allow for medical care, enrollment in school, etc --- A copy of the POA must be included with the AF Form 357, you retain the original --- Consider a POA to act as loco parentis --- Designate an individual to assume temporary custody when your primary caregiver won’t be available --- Designate an individual in the event of your death or incapacitation to assume temporary custody until a legal guardian is appointed --- SGLI, recommend maximum coverage--Who is the Beneficiary?

FAMILY CARE BRIEFING - Complete or revise your Family Care Plan and AF Form 357: -- When you arrive at a new unit -- When you re-enlist or extend your enlistment -- On notification of a PCS -- Complete the AF Form 357 before departure and hand-carry overseas to your new first sergeant -- When your personal status or family circumstances change - When to implement the Family Care Plan: -- Whenever you are required to be absent from your family members -- Whenever single parents or military couples are assigned to family-member restricted areas