Assessment to grade Army Family Covenant success

By IMCOM-Europe Public AffairsJuly 13, 2009

Assessment to grade Army Family Covenant success
From mid-July through September, The United States Army in Europe and Installation Management Command Europe Region will join forces to evaluate just how well the Army Family Covenant is meeting the needs and expectations of Soldiers and families in ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HEIDELBERG, Germany - From mid-July through September, The United States Army in Europe and Installation Management Command Europe Region will join forces to evaluate just how well the Army Family Covenant is meeting the needs and expectations of Soldiers and Families in Europe.

The Army Family Covenant Assessment (TAFCA) in Europe is the first initiative of its size and scope in the Army. It is a holistic approach designed to study and evaluate the effectiveness of the full range of AFC programs and services. The goal is to maximize the positive impacts for Army Families in Europe.

The Army Family Covenant Assessment begins in July with pre-defined focus groups drawn from the seven garrisons across Europe that have been most impacted by recurring, extended deployments: U.S. Army Garrisons Wiesbaden, Stuttgart, Ansbach, Schweinfurt, Bamberg, Grafenwoehr and Vicenza.

On-site facility visits and interviews will be conducted spanning a wide range of uniformed and civilian individuals represented in Family Readiness Groups, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers programs, and commanders and command sergeants major.

The focus group assessment will be followed up in August with an online survey that anyone in Europe will be encouraged to complete. The survey will focus on gauging community satisfaction with all aspects of Covenant-related programs and services, from health care, housing, and youth services, to single Soldier programs and other Morale, Welfare and Recreation and quality of life programs.

For those stationed in Europe, stay tuned for more information at your garrison, which will direct you where and how to access the survey to ensure your voice is heard to improve future programs and services.