Community Assessment Survey gateway to increased services

  • Published
  • By JBER Family Advocacy Program
  • News release
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The Integrated Delivery System Working Group is sponsoring the 2011 Community Assessment Survey of service members, spouses, reservists, spouses of Reservists and civilians. This survey is the best way for Air Force community members to make their opinions and needs known.

The results of the survey will be used by base leadership and the Air Force to target resources where they are most needed and enhance the well-being of the community.
Air Force community members at Air Force bases worldwide will be randomly selected to participate in the study.

A notification letter that includes a link to the Web-based survey will be sent out to the work e-mail address of each active duty member selected to participate (spouses will be sent a letter in the mail with the Web link). Participation is crucial to the success of the project; selected service members are strongly urged to take part.

"The 2011 Community Assessment Survey is a top priority," said Verna Loosli, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Family Advocacy Program Outreach manager and IDS chair.

It is the best way for us to listen to community members and then provide services to help them meet their needs and the needs of their families.

It allows them to express their opinions anonymously so participants can respond openly and honestly to issues that affect them every day."

Additionally, Air Force Reserve members will be randomly selected to participate in the study. A notification letter which includes a link to the Web-based survey will be sent out to the work e-mail address of each Reserve service member selected to participate. A postcard with the web address of the survey will be sent to the home addresses of reserve spouses who are selected to participate.

Participation is crucial to the success of the project, and selected service members are strongly urged to take part.

"The survey is the best way for us to listen to Reserve members and then provide services to help them meet the special needs of the Reserves and their families" Loosli explained.

In addition to surveying active duty members, spouses, and reservists, the Community Assessment will survey civilians. A census of appropriated fund civilians from each base will be conducted.

A notification letter which includes a link to the Web-based survey will be sent out to the work e-mail address of each civilian member to participate. Participation is instrumental to the success of the project, and civilians are strongly urged to take part.

"The 2011 Community Assessment Survey provides a unique opportunity for civilians to express their opinions anonymously about their workplace and the larger Air Force community in which they work," Loosli said.

Survey responses can directly influence family services and related support activities at local bases and throughout the Air Force. In fact, results from previous Air Force Community Assessments have impacted the policies and programs that support families at every level of the Air Force, to include:

Expanding financial counseling programs to members and their families

Develop a user-friendly support network for single parents

Set up marriage support seminars for junior enlisted members and their spouses

"The 2011 Community Assessment Survey provides community members a wonderful opportunity to improve the Air Force Community," Loosli said.

"We hope those selected will do everything they can to respond to the survey as quickly as possible."

This year's survey at JBER will be particularly important. As part of a Department of Defense sponsored initiative, this year's Community Assessment, along with some supplemental questions, will be used to direct additional resources to help service members and families base wide.

Base agencies will be working with researchers to ensure this year's survey results are used to maximum benefit.

For any questions regarding the 2011 Community Assessment, please contact Loosli at 384-2932.