Get Plugged in With Peterson AFB's Family-focused Deployment Web Page Published Jan. 20, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Stacey Haga 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- 'Okay, when I get home, I need to put out the chicken tenders to defrost. I need to pick up Christy from soccer practice by 5:30 p.m. Oh, Taylor needs help with his math homework. I was never good at math; I wish Justin was here, he's good at math. I wonder what he's doing right now; it's supposed to be over 120 degrees today in Iraq. Oh no, the oil change light just came on. Justin always changes it. I wonder if someone on base could help...' These thoughts, as random as they seem, may be very familiar to the spouse of someone who is deployed. It can be difficult for families of deployed Airmen to adapt to having one less parent around for an extended period of time. That is why Peterson AFB makes it a priority to support the families that support our warrior Airmen. The newest tool the base is using to support deployed families is a Web page on Peterson AFB's public Website called the "Deployed Connection," which features a wealth of information directed towards assisting the families of deployed Airmen. The Web page will be launched Jan. 23 and will provide information on: - Airman and Family Readiness Center and other base agencies' services for families of deployed Airmen - Activities and Events for families on base - Helpful tips and information focused on deployed life - Stories and photos - Frequently asked questions of deployed families - Beneficial links for military families and more Peterson AFB has several agencies here that provide many family-oriented services and programs, but sometimes these agencies find it difficult to get the word out about what they can provide to deployed spouses and families. This is where the Deployed Connection comes into play! It serves as a "one-stop shop" for information, services and events that benefit deployed families. "We want families to know what resources are available to them when their significant others are deployed," said Master Sgt. Spires, first sergeant advisor for the Deployed Connection. "Once an Airman deploys, the lines of communication between base and home are often lost. The DC will bridge that gap and allow families to stay connected with the base community." The DC emphasizes its purpose with the catch phrase: "getting plugged in." By locating the DC on Peterson's public Website, it is accessible to anyone with a computer at any time. "I think the ease of access will be the biggest value of the page," said Sergeant Spires. "The site can be accessed from anywhere at any time and will be a focal point of information," The DC isn't the first concept of its type to offer deployment focused information. Col. Jay Raymond, 21st Space Wing commander, challenged the wing to come up with a local deployment-based Web page after a briefing on the Virtual Family Readiness Group (vFRG), an Army-based Website. The Deployed Connection answered that challenge by taking the concept of the Army's site and localizing it to provide the most benefit to the families of Peterson AFB both local and outside the immediate area, said Sergeant Spires. By keeping a local focus, the Deployed Connection can easily evolve to meet the current needs of Peterson AFB's deployed families. New features for the page are already being considered to make the Deployed Connection more valuable to its visitors. "In the future, we hope to have an area where we can place pictures from home as well as from deployed locations so deployed loved ones and their families can share and keep in contact," said Tech. Sgt. Stacy Oliver, A&FRC content provider for the DC. "We also plan to create a 'Spouses' Corner' which will let spouses share their personal experiences during deployments so others can learn from their experiences and see they are not alone in what they are feeling and experiencing." Feedback from deployed families and leadership will be used to make improvements to the page. In essence, the families can shape the DC to meet their needs by voicing their concerns. "I take feedback from family members and significant others of deployed Airmen, as well as from the other first sergeants, to ensure the Deployed Connection's content is of value," said Sergeant Spires. "Information on the site will change quite often and I would recommend visiting it weekly." An important goal of the DC is to help with stressors and provide sources of help for families. "One great way to deal with stress is of course to make use of the Deployed Connection. The Airman and Family Readiness Center is also a great place to go to get resources to help with the stresses of day-to-day life," said Sergeant Oliver. "If the A&FRC can't help you, we will find someone who can." As part of the A&FRC, Sergeant Oliver has a lot of experience assisting deployed families. Sometimes, just having a source of information or someone to talk to can help ease someone's concerns. "I think most importantly families need to lean on their friends, families and community for support. Never be afraid to ask for help because there is always someone out there who can help you out," said Sergeant Oliver. The Deployed Connection can help connect you with that someone. '... I need to do something special with the kids this weekend; they are missing their dad a lot. Maybe the base has something we could do... I'll check the Deployed Connection when I get home.' Now that's getting "plugged in!" For more information visit the DC Website at http://www.peterson.af.mil/units/deployedconnection.asp