Family care plan essential for deployers Published Feb. 16, 2010 By Maj. Belinda Petersen Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Peterson Airmen have seen a constant increase in deployments and must plan ahead to anticipate all contingencies while they are deployed. One plan that is required by all Air Force members with families is a family care plan that reasonably covers all situations, short and long term. Civilian and contractor personnel in emergency essential positions are also encouraged to establish family care plans. According to Air Force Instruction 36-2908, the only personnel required to develop a written plan are single military parents, dual military couples with family members, and military members with civilian spouses who have unique family situations. Written family care plans are maintained by the commander or first sergeant. "This program is extremely important and benefits the Air Force by ensuring we are taking care of our families," said Master Sgt. Patrice Levandowski, 21st Communications Squadron first sergeant. "It will detail and provide a smooth, rapid transfer of responsibilities to designees during the absence of the member." When developing these plans, caregivers are identified and agree to take care of family members during the sponsor's absence. But who takes care of the caregivers when a family care plan goes into effect? Airmen are responsible for taking care of their caregivers by providing them with everything necessary to care for their dependents, including powers of attorney and paperwork allowing base, commissary, medical and base exchange privileges. "As a commander's program, it is ultimately an individual Airman and their unit's responsibility to maintain updated family care plans in order to support and maintain family readiness," said Brenda Liston, chief of Airman, Family, Wounded Warrior, and Community Operations at the Air Force Personnel Center. Another resource is Peterson's Airmen and Family Readiness Center. The A&FRC staff members support caregivers by conducting pre-deployment briefings and ensuring that a comprehensive list of where to find resources is provided to Airmen and their designated caregivers. In addition to these resources, there is a wealth of information found on the Internet. One resource, http://www.militaryonesource.com, provides a 24-hour consultation service. Military One Source is a free service provided by the Department of Defense for active-duty, Guard and Reserve members and their immediate family members. The service is completely private and confidential, with few exceptions. "Immediate family member is defined as the spouse and children of the servicemember. In addition, anyone, blood relative or not, who has legal responsibility for a servicemember's child or children during deployment or separation from the family may use these services," said Arthur Myers, principal director of Military Community and Family Policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense. "Services include face-to-face counseling, short-term telephonic consultation, E-consultation, health coaching sessions, webinar training participation, document translation, and telephonic translation." Another resource, http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil, provides "Non-medical counseling to help with issues developing from a parent's absence," said Mr. Myers. "MilitaryHOMEFRONT contains excellent information about preparing for deployment in the 'Troops and Families' section of their Web site." Earlier this year, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley designated July 2009 to July 2010 as the Year of the Air Force Family, a year-long focus on Air Force programs highlighting the importance of and commitment to the entire Air Force family. "Taking care of families is a solemn promise we make to each Airman and family member," said Secretary Donley during his remarks to the Air Force Sergeants Association in August. "All Airmen should have the confidence that they can rely on their fellow wingmen and the Air Force to help care for their families when they are deployed." For general questions on family care plans or other personnel programs, contact the Total Force Service Center at (800) 525-0102.