AFAP Update for VMC (March 30, 2016)

AFAP Update 30 March 2016

USAG Italy was one of two Installations in all of Europe who held an AFAP Conference. In preparation for our conference and in an effort to connect with the community to understand current AFAP issues, along with electronic and hard copy issue submission options, we held six Focus Group Forums. In November, we held our Annual AFAP Conference with 56 delegates present, SMEs available from most Installation Directorates and a host of AFAP staff volunteers. Twenty-seven issues were addressed with a top pick of six issues.

The USAG Italy AFAP Steering Committee met 16 December 2015 and chose five Garrison Commander approved issues to send forward to Installation Management Command Europe (IMCOM-E) for their conference with Headquarters United States Army in Europe (HQ USAREUR).

Garrison AFAP Program Managers, including the USAG Italy AFAP Program Manager, submitted 14 Garrison Commander approved AFAP issues to the Region AFAP POC for review/coordination. The FY16 AFAP Executive Review Board, comprised of members from IMCOM-E and members of the USAREUR R2 Cell, met on 7 January 2016 to review the issues to validate they meet all of the screening criteria and conduct some more in-depth research on the actual issue. They then prepared a briefing for the USAREUR G1 and their Regional Director to decide which ones to elevate to Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA).

The AFAP Executive Review Board determined that six of the original 14 AFAP issues will be elevated to OACSIM (Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management), HQDA. The issues that are submitted for each cycle will be introduced at the following fall General Officer Steering Committee (GOSC). The USAREUR CG has a seat on the GOSC.

Below you will find four lists of USAG Italy AFAP issues.

1. USAG Italy AFAP issues selected by the USAG Italy AFAP Steering Committee to be sent to IMCOM-E.

2. USAG Italy AFAP issues selected by IMCOM-E/HQ USAREUR to move forward to HQDA.

3. USAG Italy AFAP issues not selected by IMCOM-E/HQ USAREUR to move forward to HQDA.

4. USAG Italy AFAP issues not chosen by the USAG Italy AFAP Steering Committee to be sent to IMCOM-E.

Please note, though I have given a brief explanation of the reason issues were not selected by IMCOM-E/HQ USAREUR, I await complete dispositions on all USAG Italy AFAP issues selected by IMCOM-E/HQ USAREUR which will give comprehensive information on justification in issue selection and non selection. Once these dispositions are received, I will compose the disposition papers and make them available to the community.

1. USAG AFAP Steering Committee Choice of issues sent to IMCOM-E:

#7 Lack of Awareness of Relocation Resources in Place. The suggestion is to add the DoD website address to PCS orders and LES. The website provides accurate and updated information for newcomers so they may be best informed on nuances, requirements and valuable information of gaining installation, etc...

#13 Appropriate Categorization for Gold Star/Surviving Spouses and Family Members. The suggestion is to create a separate category for this population for a temporary period of thirty-six months which gives appropriate level of support for services and benefit coverages for those affected by the loss of a military sponsor.

#16 Financial Support by Way of Wage Garnishment of Soldier Sponsor for OCONUS Spouses until Early Return of Dependents (ERD) Departure. The suggestion is to develop a policy similar to the policy currently in place for soldiers providing once ERDed dependents return to CONUS. There currently is a formula dictating exactly how much a Soldier should provide for dependents in such a situation, and it should be no different OCONUS. Allow regulation to garnish Soldier Sponsor wages to give daily provisions of food and other living essentials to each Family Member. This amount of money could be similar to the local per diem for each Family Member.

#21 Ineligibility for Spouses on Amended Orders to Utilize Military Spouse Preference (MSP). The suggestion is to provide access to MSP OCONUS for Command Sponsored individuals regardless of date the dependent is acquired by the Active Duty Sponsor.

#24 OCONUS Civilians Access to Military Family Life Consultants (MFLC). The suggestion is to provide SPACE Available Category for MFLC services to eligible civilians.

2. USAG Italy AFAP issues selected by IMCOM-E/HQ USAREUR to move forward to HQDA:

3. USAG Italy AFAP issues not selected by IMCOM-E/HQ USAREUR to move forward to HQDA:

(Reminder: Please note, although IMCOM-E has not selected Issues FY16-013, FY16-021, and FY16-024 to move on to the next conference level, the USAG Italy AFAP program is making further inquiries to the region regarding these issues.)

• IMCOM-E stated that this issue was not chosen because it is beyond the scope of the AFAP process in that it falls within the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).

• On 7 March 2016, I received communication from IMCOM-E, which referenced the Army in Europe Pamphlet 600-8-1:

o *Widows, widowers, and other eligible Family members are issued an active duty/deceased ID card when their military sponsor dies. Widows, widowers, and other eligible Family members must apply for a new ID card to show their eligibility as a Family member of a deceased Service member, rather than of an active duty Service member. In Europe, a surviving spouse and qualified Family members are eligible for continued individual logistic support for up to 90 days. After 90 days, unmarried widows and widowers are eligible for commissary and exchange privileges (excluding rationed items) only if they have a host-nation customs certificate that was obtained through the customs office. Other Family members who remain in Europe after the death of their sponsor may not be authorized purchasing privileges unless approval is granted by the Customs Executive Agent, Office of the Provost Marshal, HQ USAREUR. In the United States, an unmarried surviving spouse and eligible Family members may shop at military commissaries and exchanges indefinitely.

• I had a verbal conversation with the regional AFAP coordinator. She informed me that this issue had initially made it through the HQ USAREUR Conference, but when it went before the USAREUR Executive Committee, it was decided that this issue would not move forward to HQDA. Command sponsored spouses on amended orders are able to use Family Member Spouse Preference. I am currently awaiting a complete disposition from HQ USAREUR for justification of non-selection of this issue.

#24 OCONUS Civilians Access to Military Family Life Consultants (MFLC). The suggestion is to provide SPACE Available Category for MFLC services to eligible civilians.

• IMCOM-E stated that this issue was not chosen because it is beyond the scope of the AFAP process in that it falls outside of the Department of the Army purview as it is managed by the Department of Defense.

• On 7 March 2016, I received communication from IMCOM-E:

o Employee Assistance program: The MFLCs work directly with Army Community Service (ACS), Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS), DoD Education Activities (DODEA), Local Education Agencies, Service Members and Families of the active duty, National Guard and Reserve regardless of activation status, Coast Guard and their Families when activated for the Navy, and members of the Civilian Expeditionary Workforce and their Families. Non- expeditionary Workforce civilians have other options on and off base for similar care.

 DoDI 6490.06 (Counseling Services for DoD Military, Guard and Reserve, Certain Affiliated Personnel, and Their Family Members) specifies counseling services for DoD civilian personnel designated as Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members pursuant to DoDD 1404.10 (Reference (b) and their family members.

4. USAG Italy AFAP issues not selected by USAG Italy AFAP Steering Committee to be submitted to IMCOM-E:

#1 Full-time/extended Hours Childcare on Ederle for Infants and Pre-K Children.

• Status: Unattainable. Leadership is being made aware of by command groups.

#2 Full APO Mail Privileges for Retirees, or at least Full Mail Receive Privileges.

• Status: Unattainable. Request JAG statement.

#3 Inability for Retirees to Cash U.S. Government Securities.

• Status: Attained. See SME response.

#4 Payment and Reimbursement for Medical Costs of Retirees/Civilians.

• Status: DOD issue due to TriCare. Unattainable in current form.

#5 Lack of a Common Access Card Prevents Retiree Access to Official Military Government Computer Access.

• Status: Unattainable. See SME response; CAC for working.

#6 Disconnection Between Army Garrison and Retiree Community.

• Status: Attainable. Job of KSO.

#8 Quality and Price of Haircuts.

• Status: Active. Connect to CSM. Surveys not surveying correct information.

o Update from CSM Dennison on 17 Feb 2016:

 "I personally will attend the survey when AFEES goes out into the economy to conduct the survey; I will have in attendance a splice of the community Soldiers-Spouses."

 " I have already contacted AFEES military leaders and the AFEES CEO

equivalent so they the issue we are having in Italy."

#9 Timeliness of ETS Orders.

• Status: Attained.

#10 Petty Theft within the Barracks.

• Status: Unattainable.

#11 Space Available Travel for Gold Star Dependents on AMC flights to/from CONUS.

• Status: Unattainable.

#12 Full Postal Privileges for Surviving Dependents.

• Status: Ask for legal statement .

#14 Abandonment and rehoming of pets by military families OCONUS.

• Status: Active. Cara Panzarella-Tarr (CPT) to work separately with public command.

o Update from SGT Stieler on 17 Feb 2016:

 "The veterinary clinic NCOIC, SGT Stieler, has met with CID about the pending legal part of our pet abandonment issue in our community. Unfortunately, there was not much contact after the meeting between CID/Italian Law Enforcement and the veterinary clinic. We continue to reach out to the community about the repercussions that will fall upon them if any pet(s) are left behind during deployment/PCS. The repercussions include, but are not limited to: notification from the MPs to the Soldiers new/old unit, fines, other financial responsibilities."

 "There is much information about what to expect when arriving with a pet(s) to

Italy and when out-going/PCSing with a pet(s). This page (Newcomer's link in the Garrison's website) is extremely helpful towards in community. I state that fact because we have had many clients arrive to us with much more knowledge about both processes."

 "CPT Yolles and myself, SGT Stieler, are working diligently to revise outdated policies regarding how to care for pets. We are also working with legal, housing, the Italian Law Enforcement and CID to build an SOP from scratch regarding the pet abandonment issues. Soldiers are often not reprimanded when they abuse/abandon their pet(s). This issue will be resolved; however, it takes much time and effort--- CPT Yolles and I are willing to exhaust all resources to make a much needed program."

#15 Permanent Change of Station (PCS) OCONUS with pets.

• Status: Attained. Many sites available with information (i.e. Volunteer Pet Project).

#17 Behavioral Health Staffing.

• Status: Attained. Increasing Behavioral Health staffing.

#18 Teen Driver's Education.

• Status: Unattainable.

#19 Hourly Compensation for Non-Spouse Dependents OCONUS

• Status: Unattainable. Eric has to add some SME information. CPT to work with CPAC.

o Response from CYSS Coordinator, Eric Weisel, on 17 Feb 2016:

 "Unfortunately, local CYSS has no power in determining the availability of jobs, wages and regulations for youth employment. The Army was aware of the lack of paid job opportunities for youth and about four or five years ago established a CYSS/MWR Partnership Youth Apprenticeship Program call HIRED!, in which youth 16 to 18 years of age in most garrisons throughout the Army were able to enroll in youth apprenticeships in various MWR facilities for a period of 12 weeks (fifteen hours per week) and receive a stipend of approximately $500 upon successful completion of the apprenticeship. Unfortunately the funds for that program are no longer available so youth no longer receive the stipend and have largely lost interest in this program. Youth may still volunteer their time and receive volunteer credit for the apprenticeship on their resumes."

#20 Access to and Availability of Laptops for High School Students.

• Status: Unattainable.

#22 Employment for Spouses/Family Member Citizens of Non-NATO Countries.

• Status: Active.

o Update 3 MAR 2016, CPT McIntosh (JAG): We are staffing these requests internally and will reach out again if we have additional questions. Our response may take awhile -- we want to be sure we engage the right people in formulating our response. Thanks in advance for your patience."

#23 Civilian Retirees' Access to OCONUS Installations.

• Status: Unattainable.

o MAJ Mumphrey, 22 Feb. 2016, from Access Control Office in Germany: "DoD Civilian Retiree are not authorized physical access to the installations for the use of Financial Institutions. In Fact, DoD civilians who retire and live in the EU do not have individual logistical support (ILS) and cannot be issued an IACS Installation Pass to visit an on-base financial institution or for any other reasons. Since the individuals do not have ILS, the civilian retiree ID card or CAC will not be registered in the IACS system. On a case by case basis, a USAG commander may approve an installation pass for a retired DoD civilian based on their unique and extenuating circumstances."

#25 On-Post Medical Care for DA Civilians OCONUS.

• Status: Active. Initiated email communication with USAHC-V Commander on 17 FEB 2016 to discuss status of this issue and prior proposal of adding 1-2 healthcare providers to 0USAHC-V staff; awaiting reply.

o At 2 MAR 2016 InfoX session, LTC Bender presented following information: DoD Civilian Hiring Action Update:

 Hiring new Family Nurse Practitioner, new Orthopedics Physician Assistant, two new Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) and one Nurse Case Manager, and increasing the number of appointments per day.

o Update 29 MAR 2016:

 Via email communication, LTC Bender confirmed that USAHC-V received approval in November 2015 to hire one new provider; currently attempting to gain final approval on family physician (vs. family nurse practitioner or physician's assistant). USAHC-V also received approval to hire one RN, two LPNs, and a front desk clerk. LTC Bender states USAHC-V will begin hiring process next.

#26 Permanent Change of Station Orders for Soldiers Assigned to Camp Darby, Italy to Reflect Arrival to Pisa, Italy.

• Status: Misinformation. Attained. Hope to be ameliorated with Issue #7.

#27 Translator Services for Appointments OCONUS.

• Initiated communication with Jenny Sposato, ACS Relocation Program Manager, on 4 MAR 2016, to discuss possibility of re-initiating TIPS at ACS.

For More Information on HQDA AFAP Issues:

ACS maintains two HQDA AFAP Issue Update Binders at their office on Caserma Ederle, Building 108. One binder contains the HQDA AFAP Issue Update Book, Active Issues. The second binder contains the HQDA AFAP Issue Update Book, Completed and Unattainable Issues. Both books were last updated in September 2015.

These books can also be accessed on the Army OneSource webpage by clicking the link on the right.

AFAP Update for VMC (March 30, 2016)

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AFAP Update for VMC (March 30, 2016)

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