Family readiness key to successful deployment

  • Published
  • By Rhonda Siciliano
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  The Airmen and Family Readiness Center has a number of programs in place to support families who have loved ones deployed.

"Just as Airmen must be ready for deployments, family members should familiarize themselves with the great resources and support networks available to help them while their loved one is deployed," said Col. Tom Schluckebier, 66th Air Base Wing commander. "We want our family members to know that they are never alone, help is always available to them. Deployments can be difficult but we're fortunate to have the best Airmen and Family Readiness Center in the Air Force here to ensure family readiness before, during and after a loved one's deployment."

Master Sgt. Donald Gonsalves, Family Readiness coordinator, works closely with deploying military members and their families. "Family readiness is important to a successful deployment. The more information people have the more prepared they will be to handle the separation," Sergeant Gonsalves said. "We prepare and support military families before, during and after a deployment. By ensuring that families know what to expect when a loved one is deployed we can help ease the transitions along the way."

Among the programs offered through the A&FRC are pre- and post-deployment reunion and reintegration briefings and assessments, tools to increase family communication such as free global, pre-paid phone cards and video-teleconferencing, Hearts Apart monthly activities and support groups for family members of the deployed, in addition to free child care one Saturday a month for four hours.

Additional programs offered through the A&FRC include: phone calls to waiting families during the separation period; morale calls using the military phone system; free digital cameras for loan; morale email program to send messages and even video emails to deployed member; Readiness Emergency Sleeping Tool pillow cases imprinted with a photo of the deployed member; "Table Talk," a tablecloth that families make notes on during the separation and then use at the reunion meal to more smoothly transition the parent back to family life; a "Bear Cares" teddy bear and a cloth doll of the deploying member for small children; a recordable picture key chain for the member; Car Care Because we Care which provides families with vouchers for a free 14-point vehicle safety check; free financial management counseling and emergency financial aid through the Air Force Aid Society.

"We also provide "family separation survival kits" prior to deployment and "welcome home bags" upon the service member's return," Sergeant Gonsalves said.

The A&FRC programs are available to all military personnel and their families. "Those who take advantage of these programs give them rave reviews," Colonel Schluckebier said.

For more information or for assistance contact the A&FRC at (781) 377-4222 or go online to http://www.hanscom.af.mil/66abw/afrc/index.asp.