ATLANTA, Ga. (March 25, 2010)-Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC) official Lynn McCullum kicked-off the 2010 U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) conference, here, Wednesday morning as the keynote speaker during the opening session.
McCullum, FMWRC director of family programs, sought to inspire conference delegates to continue doing good work, such as with their promotion of Army Family programs and also in their participation during the week-long conference.
"Ordinary people like us...can accomplish awesome and extraordinary things," she said. "That is really what you're here about today-and during the next couple of days-is that you will accomplish extraordinary things."
McCullum told the delegates that they "may not feel the impact" of the work that will be accomplished during this week, but members of the Army Family in years to come will see the impact of their hard work.
The AFAP process is the Army's principal program that Army leaders use as an information channel to hear about quality-of-life issues within the Army community and to receive suggested resolutions to enhance the quality of life for the total Army Family.
"AFAP is about having a voice," McCullum said. "Where can you go in America and have the kind of voice that the Army provides to you at a conference like this."
About 56 delegates comprised of Active and Reserve Component Soldiers of various ranks and marital status; military and civilian leaders; Family members; retirees; DA civilians and survivors were organized into five workgroups. Each workgroup will review about 14 of 72 quality-of-life issues identified command-wide prior to this year. After the work group sessions end March 25, delegates will brief FORSCOM Commander Gen. Charles C. Campbell March 26, on the top 10 prioritized issues.
There are five categories in which the 72 quality-of-life issues are aligned under-Benefits and Entitlements; Child, Youth and Schools Services; Family Support/Civilian; Force Support and Medical and Dental.
McCullum ended her presentation by highlighting the progression of Army services since 2007 when the Army Family Covenant was first initiated.
The following are a few updates she provided concerning support to Army Families since 2007:
Aca,!Ac About 477 Army Community Service staff positions were created to meet operational demands and staffing shortfalls
Aca,!Ac More than 1600 chaplain-led "Strong Bonds" marriage and Family enhancement retreats have been conducted.
Aca,!Ac U.S. Army Medical Command funded about 46 Marriage and Family Therapist positions
Aca,!Ac The number of Military Family Life Consultants within the Army have increased to 672-430 for Army Community Services and 242 for Child, Youth and School Services.
Aca,!Ac About $8 million has been procured for Exceptional Family Member Respite Care. These funds provide up to 40 hours of care and other programs for Families with exceptional Family members.
Aca,!Ac About 97 Child Development Center and 23 Youth center construction projects were funded between Fiscal Year 2008 and 2009.
Aca,!Ac The Army Spouse Employment program, a partnership with Fortune 500 companies and government agencies to provide employment opportunities for military spouses, helped place over 41,000 spouses since its inception.
For more information about the Army Family Action Plan process, contact your local AFAP program manger through the post Army Community Service Program or contact Mrs. Pamela McBride, FORSCOM Well-Being specialist at Pamela.mcbride@us.army.mil.
For more information about Army provided services, visit the ArmyOneSources Web site at www.myarmyonesource.com.
Social Sharing