A&FRC offers more than 30 services, programs

  • Published
  • By Maj. Thomas Abell
  • 436th Force Support Squadron
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  There are many aspects to readiness, and one of the most overlooked areas is family readiness. One of your first stops for your family readiness needs should be the Airman & Family Readiness Center. They offer more than 30 services and programs to assist you and your family when it comes to financial assistance, personal financial management, relocation, deployments, transition, employment assistance, and counseling. Allow me to share a few of these with you.

Air Force Aid Society: Provides emergency financial assistance to eligible military members for basic needs such as: basic living expenses, emergency leave, or unexpected vehicle repairs. Some community enhancement programs sponsored by this agency include the following:

· Bundles for Babies Program: Provides education and information for expectant mothers and fathers.

· Child Care for PCS Program: Within 60 days of arrival to or departure from Dover AFB, members can receive 20 hours of free childcare per child. Childcare provided by licensed on-base daycare provider.

· Nursing Mom's Program: Provides education and interest-free loans up to $200 for rental or partial payment towards purchase of breast pump for moms.

· Respite Care Program: Paid part-time care for an ill or disabled family member. A referral from the Family Advocacy Special Needs Manager is required.

· Falcon Loans: Provides a streamlined process for Air Force personnel to receive an interest-free loan of $500 or less, which is repayable within three to 10 months.

Personal Financial Management Program: Provides education, information and counseling on personal financial topics to include debt management, retirement planning, budgeting, investing, and purchasing decisions. These programs are provided as Lunch and Learn seminars to accommodate the ops tempo and include the following:

· Thrift Savings Plan: Provides information on varied investment options to enable you in making decisions for a better retirement.

· Debt Reduction: Learn how to be in control of your debts instead of having your debts control you.

· Daily Money Management: It's not the monthly budget that doesn't work, it's the daily expenditures. Learn new techniques to handle cash, debit cards, credit cards and loose change.

Relocation Programs: Provides all military and DoD members information to prepare for relocation to include planning moves, providing information about the new location, dealing with unique situations, and addressing concerns that may occur in the moving process.

· Smooth Move Workshop: Provides information and resource tools for members who are PCSing.

· Smooth Move 4 Kids: This workshop is specifically designed to help children deal with the stresses and challenges of a PCS move.

· Spouse Orientation Program (Heart Link): Designed to strengthen military families and enhance mission readiness by increasing spouse awareness of the Air Force mission, customs, traditions, protocol and available resources and services.

Deployment Programs: Provides opportunities for family members to keep in touch with the deployed members, as well as education and training to alleviate some of the family stressors associated with deployments, evacuations, and peacetime/wartime emergencies.

· Hearts Apart: Allows family members to stay in touch with deployed members through two 15-minute free phone calls. (Courtesy of DAFB operators).

· Pillow Case Program: All families members can receive pillow cases with the deployed loved ones picture on it free of charge. All you need to do is supply the picture.

· Give Parents a Break Program: A stress management initiative designed to allow spouses to take a "time out" from child care. This program provides free child care at the Child Development Center every second Saturday of the month from noon to 4 p.m. A minimum of eight people must sign up. Vouchers and a copy of your child's shot record needs to be dropped off to the Child Development Center (Bldg 212) by 4 p.m. the Wednesday prior to the event.

Transition Programs: Provides military personnel, their family members and DoD civilian personnel transition information on career planning and job search skills. There is also access to employment opportunities through workshops, seminars, and individual counseling sessions.

· Discovery Resource Center: For employment and career exploration, the Discovery Resource Center includes user-friendly computers, software applications, laser printers, fax services, a job board with local and long distance employment opportunities, periodicals, career/employment books, videos available for check out, and resume assistance services.

· Resume and Interview Assistance: Provides opportunity to learn the basics for writing effective resumes, as well as information on the latest in interview techniques.

Employment Assistance Programs: Provides individual assessment and career counseling to military families and DoD civilian personnel, in order to prepare them for future career endeavors, via education, job search, or self owned business objectives. The program provides a realistic view of long term/short term goals and promotes awareness to identify future job market trends.

· Dress for Success Workshop: Learn how to look extraordinary despite size, age, or budget. You will know the ideal look to convey a confident, competent and professional image.

· Small Business Workshop: Provides information on obtaining small business loans and marketing strategies.

· Volunteer Opportunities: Provides recruitment, placement, and recognition and training opportunities for base and community volunteers.

Military & Family Life Consultant (MFLC): Provides short term, situational, problem solving counseling services to service members and their families. The MFLC services augment existing military support services. All consultants are masters or doctorate level licensed clinical counselors. They work with families, individuals, couples and children to provide non-medical problem identification counseling services.

Again, these are just a few of the services and programs that the A&FRC provides. For more information, call 677-6930 or stop by Bldg 846 (on the housing side of base behind the Shopette). We look forward to helping you with all your family readiness needs.