AF Community Assessment Survey to begin April 28

  • Published
  • By Rhonda Siciliano
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, MA --  The 2008 Air Force Biennial Community Assessment Survey will take place from April 28 to June 30 and Hanscom's Integrated Delivery System team is seeking help to make it a success.

"This survey is the best way for you to make your opinions and needs known, albeit anonymously," said Dr. Sondra Albano, Airman and Family Readiness Center flight chief. The results of the survey are used by base leadership and the Air Force to target resources where they are most needed to enhance the well-being of our community.

The survey incorporates service members, spouses, reservists and Air Force Materiel Command civilians. Air Force community members at bases worldwide will be randomly selected to participate in the study. A notification letter that includes a link to the Web-based survey will be sent to the work email address of each individual selected to participate, on or about April 27. Spouses will be sent a letter in the mail with the Web link which will activate on or about April 28.

"Participation is crucial to the success of the project; selected community members are strongly urged to take part," Dr. Albano said.

"The Community Assessment Survey is important," said Col. Tom Schluckebier, 66th Air Base Wing commander. "It is a structured way for us to listen to community members and then provide services to help meet the needs of our personnel and family members. All responses are completely anonymous so participants can respond openly and honestly on issues that affect them every day."

The Community Assessment survey responses can directly influence services and support activities at Hanscom and throughout the Air Force. In fact, results from previous Air Force Community Assessments have impacted the policies and programs that support all members of the base community at every level of the Air Force, to include: 

-- Adjusting childcare and other support services to better match the needs of the community 

-- Increasing opportunities for single members to participate in on- and off-base activities 

-- Implementing free health and wellness "check-ups" for all AF community members 

-- Providing a "family day " allowing members to spend more time with their families 

-- Creating special activities to help children handle their parent's deployment 

-- Increasing spouse-to-spouse support, especially during times when a service member is deployed or TDY 

-- Increasing job opportunities for AF spouses 

"We hope those selected will take the time to respond to the survey, it's a great opportunity to have a voice in what happens here and across the Air Force," Colonel Schluckebier said.

Dr. Albano noted that this year's survey at Hanscom will be particularly important.

"As part of a Department of Defense sponsored initiative, this year's Community Assessment, along with some supplemental questions, will be used to direct additional resources to help service members, families and civilians base wide," she said. "Base agencies will be working with researchers to ensure that this year's survey results are used to maximum benefit."

The 2008 Community Assessment points of contact for Hanscom are Dawn Andreucci and Dr. Sondra Albano of the Airman & Readiness Center, for more information they can be reached at 781-377-4222.