AFAP Conference set to discuss 88 issues

By FMWRC Public AffairsJanuary 25, 2011

AFAP Crest
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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Army News Service, Jan. 25, 2011) -- The annual Army Family Action Plan Conference will take place next week in northern Virginia to review 88 issues elevated from mid-level command conferences.

The 88 issues will be presented to conference attendees, who will be split into working groups such as Employment, Education & Awareness, Family Support, Medical & Dental, and Soldier Support, etc. The attendees will choose the two most important issues from their group to be forwarded for resolution.

At the end of the conference, the vice chief of staff of the Army, along with the assistant chief of staff for Installation Management, Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, will be briefed on the 16 new issues prioritized by the delegates.

Administered by the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management, AFAP is a year-round program that begins at the installation or unit level. It is the Army's grassroots process to identify and elevate the most significant quality of life issues impacting Soldiers (all components), retirees, Department of the Army civilians, and families to senior leaders for action.

AFAP is the pre-eminent means for commanders at all levels to learn about and seek solutions for the concerns of their communities. The changes made through the AFAP process are designed to foster a satisfied, informed, and resilient Army community.

To date, nearly 700 AFAP issues have resulted in 123 legislative changes,

172 Army and Office of the Secretary of Defense policy changes, and 192 changes to programs and services.

Soldiers, family members, retirees, survivors, wounded warriors and Department of the Army civilians - of all components - have the ability to search the database of active issues, review the status, and learn what is needed for resolution.

"Searching for active issues is simple and easy," said Shaunya Murrill of the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command's Family Programs.

"Simply visit Army OneSource at https://www.myarmyonesource.com, click on Family Programs and Services, click on Family Programs, and then click on Army Family Action Plan to access this new search application.

"Several filter options are available, allowing a search to be customized. Additionally, if an end-user has a question regarding an active issue, they can pose a question through e-mail and receive a response within 72 hours," Murrill said.

Related Links:

Army Family Action Plan (AFAP)

Survivor Outreach Services enters new era with first-ever AFAP issue development summit

STAND-TO!: 2010 AFAP Conference