JBER hosts third annual Joint Family Action Plan conference

  • Published
  • By Airman Ty-Rico Lea
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The JBER Community Education Complex hosted its third Joint Army Family Action Plan conference Nov. 20 through 22.

Formerly known as the Army Family Action Plan, the program was created in 1980 through focus groups.

The program then developed with the first official AFAP conference hosted in July 1983.
The conference has been active for 32 years, empowering leaders throughout the Army and joint bases.

"JAFAP is a grassroots level process that identifies issues or concerns from the global armed forces," said Anthea Acosta, JBER JAFAP program manager, during day three's closing remarks.

The feedback to leaders can lead to policy changes, which become tangible end-products at installations across the U.S.

JAFAP beneficiaries include all service members, retirees, civilian employees, surviving spouses and their family members.

The JAFAP program gives an individual in the JBER community the opportunity to influence his or her own quality of life.

Issues are discussed amongst the board and are then filtered through leadership channels to be addressed properly.

Leadership uses the information to influence change that improves standards of living and support programs.

These changes foster a satisfied, informed and resilient military community.
The program enlists representatives from around the world to identify and prioritize issues, which will improve the standard of living on the installation, as well as an organization as a whole.

Acosta said 683 issues have been identified during the past 30 years, leading to 126 legislative changes, 177 Army or Department of Defense policy changes, and 197 improved programs and services.

During the three-day event, focus groups had time to brainstorm various issues, ideas and answers concerning the joint base's well-being.

Representatives briefed 10 major concerns towards the end of the conference a few of which are as follows:

Title: Special Duty Pay Impacting Childcare Fees

Scope: The determination of total family income now includes special duty pay (flight pay, active duty demolition pay, and sea pay) for the fiscal year 2012-2013
Department of Defense childcare fees.

For example, an active duty E-6 receiving flight pay in 2011-2012 was category 3, but in 2012-2013, the same E-6 is category 5 paid an additional $120 a month; this is equal to 30 percent of SDP for one child.

The inclusion of special duty pay to TFI increases the fee category which could result in a financial burden, and could lead to the breakdown of morale for DOD members and families.

Recommendations: Remove special duty pay from total family income when determining childcare fee categories.

Title: Transition Unit for Involuntarily Discharged Service Members

Scope: Service members pending involuntary discharge from the military consume valuable time and resources of the leadership within the unit.
Current U.S. Army Alaska statistics identified on average 240 service members are being involuntarily discharged annually.

The complete responsibility of escorting the service members is being assumed by the unit - with the expectation that they will maintain a high state of readiness and unit morale.

This in turn causes strain on the unit, its members, and overall mission readiness.

Recommendations: Establish a transitional unit for service members who are being separated from the military involuntarily.

The JBER leadership has taken into mind what types of issues have ailed the community - and are working diligently to see them resolved in a timely manner.