WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --
The Air Force Materiel Command will host a virtual Spouse and Family Forum, May 3, at 1 p.m. ET, open to military and civilian family members across the enterprise.
Hanscom Integrated Prevention and Resilience personnel will host a watch party at the Military & Family Readiness Center for those with base access.
“This will allow Hanscom-based personnel the opportunity to watch the forum together, network, and allow Hanscom helping agencies to develop connections and share resources with spouses and families here,” said Kristin Wright, Violence Prevention integrator and Suicide Prevention program manager.
The forum will focus on the topic of family care throughout the life cycle, to include childcare, eldercare and the Department of Defense Exceptional Family Member Program, which supports military families with special needs. Department of the Air Force experts will be on the line to talk about available resources and answer audience questions related to the topic.
Dede Richardson, spouse of AFMC Commander, Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, will host the forum, which is part of the AFMC Family Connection initiative. The initiative is working to better connect uniformed and civilian family members across the command with support and resources in all aspects of life. This event is the first of three family forums planned for 2023.
“Personnel from Hanscom helping agencies will be at the watch party to represent areas within the Five & Thrive initiative and provide local resources for medical, housing, spouse employment, education, and childcare,” said Wright.
Agencies scheduled to attend include TRICARE, Military and Family Life Counseling, Sexual Assault and Prevention Response, Family Advocacy Program, Civilian Personnel Office, chaplain services, child and youth programs, EFMP, resident advocate, and the school liaison officer.
According to Wright, children are also welcome to attend the watch party, and food and refreshments will be available.
Officials will host the event on ZoomGov, with the invitation and link sent to employees via internal channels prior to the event. Uniformed and civilian Airmen are asked to forward this information to their family members to encourage widespread attendance. Unit key spouses and AFMC installation Family Readiness Centers will also have the link available for those interested.
To submit a question prior to the event and receive the ZoomGov link, email the AFMC Community Support Program team at afmc.a1z.ipr@us.af.mil.