AFAP Issue Management AFAP Program Overview

1. AFAP Issue Management AFAP Program Overview

2. AFAP – What is it? • AFAP support the Army Family Covenant by giving commanders and leaders insight into current satisfaction detractors, quality of life needs, and expectations of Army constituents (Soldiers, Families, and DA Civilians). • The AFAP is a formalized process through which Army constituents identify, prioritize and elevate quality of life issues to units, command, and HQDA leaders for resolution. • The Army is the only military service that has institutionalized a customer- centric process to elevate quality of life issues. • Leaders trust/support AFAP because it provides real-time information that enables commanders to rapidly resolve problems and implement good ideas. • The AFAP was started by Army spouses in the 1980s. The first HQDA AFAP Conference was held in July 1983. Over 667 issues have entered the DA AFAP, resulting in 117 legislative and 162 policy changes and 178 program improvements. • There are currently 86 active HQDA AFAP issues; 61% impact all Services.

3. Evolution of the Army Family Action Plan • In the early 1980s, spouse action groups met at Army garrisons and commands to identify Family concerns, bringing issues to national symposia in 1980-1982. First HQDA-sponsored AFAP Conference, July 1983. The 25th Anniversary of AFAP was celebrated last year across the Army. • AFAP General Officer Steering Committee established in 1984 – as the result of an AFAP issue! • AFAP evolved into a three-level, grass roots process to identify and resolve issues at garrison/unit, mid-level (Command), and HQDA. • Original guidelines in a DA Pamphlet (1984) • Current guidelines in AR 608-47 (Army Family Action Plan) • AFAP will be incorporated into AR 608-1 (Army Community Service) • AFAP involves all demographic groups and addresses a wide range of quality of life topics. Issue focus evolves with changing times: • 1983: Family Support (29%); Relo (27%); Employment (12%); Child &Youth (12%) • 2008: Soldier Support (28%); Wounded Warrior/Survivor (28%); Medical (22%) • 2010: Medical (31%); Force Support (26%); Relo (23%); Family Support (12%) The People’s Priorities

4. Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) Process • NEW issues enter AFAP via a three-tier grassroots process that prioritizes and elevates quality of life issues (AFAP Conferences) • Issues are resolved via a protocol that tasks resolution of issues, reviews action plans and progress, and directs new courses of action (AFAP Steering Committees) Issue Submission Process HQDA Issue Resolution Process HQDA AFAP Conference (Jan 10) New issues added Army Staff works issues In Process Review (Mar 09) New Issues Mid-Level /Command AFAP Conferences (Mar 09-Jun 09) GOSC Meeting (Jan 10) GOSC Meeting (Jul 09) Garrison/Unit AFAP Conferences (Oct 08 – Jan 09) Army Staff works issues In Process Review (Sep 09) Issue Updates

5. Status of AFAP Issues 2000-2010 2010 2005 667 AFAP Issues 200 2000 175 2010 2010 150 2005 2005 2010 2005 2000 125 2000 2000 100 2010 2005 2000 75 50 25 0 Force Support Medical Relocation/Facilities Family Support Child & Youth 86 Active 458 Completed 120 Unattainable 2010: 3 Issues Combined 117 Legislative changes 162 DoD or Army policy/regulatory changes 178 Improved programs or services/funding

6. In the past, reserve issues part of the larger active Army AFAP. 1-5 May 2010 – First National Guard AFAP Issue Deadline 2 April Two issues submitted by WI Reimbursement for gym memberships for Soldiers who maintain and exceed physical readiness standards. Translations services for non-English speaking family members at deployment briefings, phone tree messages, and other family events. National Guard AFAP

7. Diversity of HQDA AFAP Issues • High visibility/wide impact AFAP issues • Distribution of Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) Benefits to Dependents • Family Readiness Group Support Assistants (FRSA) Positions • Low cost AFAP issues with a high quality of life return • Convicted Sex Offender Registry (active issue) • Family Care Plan Provider Access to Installations • Paternity Leave for Soldiers • Creation of Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) • Creation of Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) • Timely/relevant AFAP issues • Shortage of Providers in Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) (active issue) • Availability of Authorized TRICARE Providers (active issue) • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Rehabilitation Program (active issue) • Issues that create parallels to civilian standards of living • In-state College Tuition (active issue) • Re-engineering of household goods program (active issue) • Audio/Video Surveillance in Childcare Centers

8. Conference Issue Solicitation • Sell the value of AFAP • Marketing • Successes at Unit, Command and HQDA levels • Leaders are listening! • Issue solicitation • Know your audience! • How to get issues • When to get issues • Where to get issues • Best practices??

9. Recent AFAP Successes • PL 110-314 (Higher Education Opportunity Act) • Mandates states charge no more than in-state tuition rates for military personnel and their dependents, effective July 2009  • PL 110-245 (Heroes Earning Assistance and Relief Act of 2008 (HEART Act)) • Tax credit for employers who pay a salary differential to mobilized reservists  • Executive Order (spouse employment) • Noncompetitive appointment authority for spouses of active duty (AD), disabled service members (SM) and unremarried widow/widower of a SM killed on AD   • Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 • Distribution of Montgomery GI Bill benefits (MGIB) to dependents • MGIB for Veterans Education Assistance Program Era Soldiers • MGIB expiration date • FY09 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) • Paternity leave • Chiropractic treatment for active duty • Professional weight allowance for military spouses • Education and training for portable careers for military spouses 

10. The AFAP process is an avenue for Soldiers and family members to make a difference and have a voice. Many of you in this room are the eyes and ears of the garrison level soldiers. Collect ideas throughout the year. The Family Program Office will review requests and format them for submission. Why Care

11. COLLECTING AFAP ISSUES Participants Include • Soldiers • Active and Reserve • Single and Married Sole Parent and Dual Military Enlisted, Warrant Officer, and Officer • Family Members • Active and Reserve • Enlisted and Officer • Retirees • Civilian Employees

12. Issues may be resolved at the state level. Investigate the value of hosting state boards. FRGs, SAC, YAB, and other avenues Refer issues to National Guard AFAP Issues identified as new and resolvable. Issue should be measurable, affects readiness or quality of life, and requires action to resolve. Identify issues that can not be resolved. Collected AFAP Issues

13. Final Issue Paper Title: Wounded Soldier Updates Scope:Army families are experiencing difficulty obtaining timely and accurate updates on their wounded Soldiers.Communication breakdowns and information delays occur between the time of injury and arrival in CONUS. Rear detachments have limited involvement in the current system.The lack of timely and accurate information on wounded Soldiers causes undue stress on both Family members and Soldiers. Recommendation: 1. Appoint a trained rear detachment person as a local point of contact for families of wounded Soldiers. 2. Create a toll-free number for tracking and updating information on the Soldier’s status from war zone to CONUS. Note: Repetition of demographic group (wounded Soldier) and topic (updates)

14. Mrs. Lisa Kluetz State Family Program Office 608-242-3470 lisa.kluetz@us.army.mil Point of Contact