Volunteers needed for Caring for People forum

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
Volunteers are invited to participate in a Caring for People forum March 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hanscom Conference Center to collect community feedback on issues that affect personnel here.

According to organizers, the goal of the forum is to strengthen base family support services and improve quality of life for members of the community and their families.

Scheduled to speak at the event is retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Dana H. Born, who has completed her master's degrees in experimental and research psychology and now lectures on public policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.

"We are very fortunate to have General Born come and speak on the importance of community and family within the military," said Linda Ambard, 66th Air Base Group community support coordinator and forum coordinator. "Because it's more than just the member in uniform, it's the entire military community that this event aims to grow stronger."

The Caring for People forum is an opportunity for members of this military community to discuss topics such as family and deployment support, health and wellness, special needs family support, single airman support and more.

"Volunteers are invited to participate in this event in order to better identify Hanscom-specific issues that impact our base," said Ambard.  "We are in need of volunteers who are military members or spouses of a military member, Department of Defense civilians and retirees."

The top issues will then be forwarded to local senior leaders for discussion between the Community Action Information Boards and Integrated Delivery Systems and their communities. Local issues will be given to the appropriate agencies to work on and find solutions. Air Force-level issues will be forwarded to Air Force Materiel Command and possibly to the Air Force Community Action Information Board for consideration.

Organizers are calling on those interested in making a difference in the community to participate.

"This forum is your platform," Ambard said. "Program organizers can't meet the community needs if they don't know what those are ... the whole idea is to come together and identify what it is that people need and want."

The Caring for People forum is an Air Force-mandated effort. Last held in 2012, organizers hope this year's event is the start of helping shape future programs at Hanscom.

The 2011 Caring for People forum, the first held at Hanscom, identified two issues that were later considered at Air Force Materiel Command.

As a result of previous forums, the Air Force established the Single Airman Support Program, assigned school liaison officers to all Air Force bases and enhanced services for exceptional family members.

This year's topics offer a wide variety of choices for discussion. The health and wellness focus group will not be limited to exercise and eating right, Ambard explained. Sample topics may include physical, spiritual, psychological or financial health; safety issues; social networking and wellness; or recreation and leisure.

The family support group discussions could include spouse education and employment, financial readiness, elder care, emergency resources, relocation issues, child care, work environment or retirement.

Both military members and spouses can participate in the deployment focus group. Sample topics could include any aspect of the deployment cycle, information and resources for family members of single airmen who deploy and wounded warrior support.

The single airman support group is not just for military members residing in the dorms, although participants must be single airmen. The discussion may center on sponsorship, single parent programs, dorm life, recreation or mentorship.

Finally, the special needs family member support group is looking for families that have a member with special needs. Topics may include the assignment process, respite care, school issues and resources.

Those interested in participating or offering a discussion topic should contact Ambard by emailing linda.ambard@us.af.mil or calling 781-225-1771.