Wing leaders maintain Community Action Information Boards Published Sept. 21, 2010 By Air Force and 21st Space Wing Public Affairs reports Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Although the Year of the Air Force Family came to a close in July, wing leaders continue to provide avenues to care for Airmen and their families through a variety of methods including the Community Action Information Board. The CAIB is a senior leadership body that provides an important opportunity for wing leadership to come together and discuss a wide variety of individual, family and community issues such as deployment and reintegration support, personal finance and substance abuse. "The CAIB is intended to identify and resolve issues that impact the readiness of Air Force members and their families, while promoting the avenues that make the Air Force experience a positive one for members and families alike," said Maj. Mark Ingles, former 21st Space Wing CAIB director. The CAIB, now directed by Rex Jones, operates at three levels: installation, major command and headquarters Air Force. On Peterson Air Force Base, the CAIB is chaired by Col. Stephen N. Whiting, 21st Space Wing commander, at the wing level. The idea is to use a grass-roots approach to hear concerns with emphasis on positive actions and programs that strengthen force readiness and assist Air Force families in successfully managing the demands of military life. At the wing, the CAIB oversees a multi-agency working group called the Integrated Delivery System. The IDS, the action arm of the CAIB, is comprised of various helping agencies to develop initiatives to present to the CAIB. Some of these agencies include Airmen from the medical group, the staff judge advocate's office, the chaplain's office, the public affairs office, child and youth programs, Airman and Family Readiness Center and other agencies designed to assist people. "The Community Action Information Board takes a strategic, cross-functional look at quality of life, personnel readiness, and community issues to formulate long-term solutions," Major Ingles said. "The CAIB approach to community problem-solving takes a broad perspective to integrate and synergize efforts to address community concerns." The installation CAIB identifies individual, family, installation, and community concerns. When appropriate, these are forwarded to the major command CAIB for resolution, Major Ingles said. The CAIB also approves a Community Action Plan (written by the IDS) every two years to guide the CAIB's activities and to establish priorities for the organizations participating on the CAIB. Past initiatives include improving support to families during deployments, an integrated community approach to suicide prevention, improved and added programs for youth, as well as enhanced and integrated services for members dealing with a variety of life stressors. Much of the emphasis this past year has been connected to the year-long campaign called the "Year of the Air Force Family," which showcased programs and events focused on what the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force refer to as the four pillars of excellence: health and wellness; Airman and family support; education, development and employment, and Airman and family housing. The campaign highlighted the many successful programs already in place for families, Spouse/Parent Support groups; the DePLAYment program, which provided a 'pass' to many programs and activities; Operation Cookie Drop that brought thousands of treats to Airmen; and, the base holiday tree lighting and party. Other initiatives included a stronger emphasis on suicide prevention to address rising suicide trends and the promotion of the new Bystander Intervention Training program. "Countless Peterson [AFB] members and families have benefitted from the awesome assortment of special events, family programs, trips, support groups and various other initiatives that are offered throughout the base," Major Ingles said. "These initiatives have resulted in Peterson members and their families embracing a significant improvement in their quality of life, community health, and connection to those around them." (The 21st Space Wing Public Affairs Office and Beth Gosselin, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, contributed to this report.)