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AFAP conference tackles Fort Benning issues

Nov 6, 2009

By Kristin Molinaro, The Bayonet

FORT BENNING, GA - Housing and the proposal of a high school on post were among the 73 issues addressed at the annual Fort Benning Army Family Action Plan Conference Oct. 27-29.

AFAP is an Armywide program that gives Army personnel and their families a forum to improve quality of life and make recommendations for changes.

As the post prepares for expansion and the influx of families, residents wondered about the feasibility of a high school being built.

Debbie Deas, an instructional systems specialist for curriculum, said construction of a high school (on post) would have to be approved at the Department of Defense Education Activity level.

"Currently, there are 11 public high schools that serve our students in the surrounding districts," Deas said.

The housing issues ranged from speed limits to establishing an educational program on basic allowance for housing, said Stacie Boyer, the AFAP program manager.

"A lot of housing issues were discussed in detail and most will be addressed locally," said Bob Chenowith, community director for Pinnacle.

Nine issues will be forwarded to the Training and Doctrine Command AFAP conference next year, Boyer said.

Bernard Goss, the Customer Services officer, will work the other issues for the installation.

The nine to go forward are:

Access to Routine Care Appointments

The medical and dental work group discussed a lack of access to routine and follow-up medical appointments at Martin Army Community Hospital primarily affecting dependants and retirees.

The recommendation is to establish an immediate referral system anytime a routine care appointment cannot be made within seven days or require hospital staff to provide individuals with information about the system in order to make a timely appointment.

Revision of Orthodontic Plan Coverage

The medical and dental work group discussed insufficient coverage of orthodontic treatment. The lifetime cap is currently $1,500 per family member. The issue read, "The existing lifetime cap does not accurately reflect 50 percent of coverage of orthodontic treatment. Military families are incurring exorbitant out of pocket expenses due to orthodontic treatment."

The recommendation is to eliminate the lifetime cap on orthodontic care or amend coverage to include a cap on out of pocket expenses that do not exceed 20 percent of orthodontic care.

Immigration and Citizenship fee exemption for dependants of military personnel

The family support and consumer services work group discussed paying citizenship and immigration fees for dependants of military personnel. The issue stated the result as an emotional and financial hardship for military families. The work group recommended an exemption of fees for dependants of military personnel applying for citizenship and naturalization who meet the basic requirements for citizenship and immigration.

Lack of Support and Communication for Family Members of Individual Augmentees

The family support and consumer services work group discussed the lack of support and communication to family members of individual augmentees. The work group recommended developing, implementing and funding a standardized program for augmentees and their families, or revising the deployment cycle support checklist to include support to family members of augmentees.

Interactive Town Hall Meetings

The housing and force support work group discussed impairment of attendance and participation at town hall meetings. The issue called for changes to allow greater community involvement.

The work group's recommendation was to establish and maintain a town hall Web site where archived, televised recordings and interactive questions and answers can be accessed.

Matching Funds for the Thrift Savings Program Contributions for Military Service Members

Service members do not receive matching funds for TSP contributions. "The Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act authorizes the Secretary of Defense to designate matching contributions to service members. Increased participation by those who serve less than 20 years will result in improved benefits toward personal retirement. Matching funds would encourage more participation in the TSP and provide an incentive for recruitment and retention," stated the issue. The work group recommended matching contributions to the TSP for service members.

Educational Program for BAH Distribution

The benefits and entitlements work group discussed the lack of knowledge surrounding BAH, leading to low morale, resentment and frustration. "Soldiers of different pay grades are living in the same housing division paying varied amounts for rent, which causes concern regarding BAH," stated the submitted issue.

The committee recommended establishing and implementing a program to explain how BAH is used.

Army Career and Alumni Program and Transition Services Awareness

The education and employment work group discussed the lack of education regarding ACAP and transition services throughout a Soldier's career, which can lead to difficulty transitioning out of the Army when they are not aware of the existence of transition services.

The work group's recommended incorporating mandatory ACAP awareness briefings at orientation, mid-level and career-level courses or implement ACAP awareness briefings at family readiness group meetings and Army family team building courses.

Funding for Military Impacted Schools Association Principal Workshops

The education and employment work group discussed the lack of sufficient funds to implement the MISA workshops, an existing program that fosters sensitivity and awareness among educators and school staff toward military children. The work group recommended funding MISA for the implementation of principal workshops.

The annual Department of the Army AFAP conference is in January.

Feedback and issues from the Fort Benning AFAP conference can be found at www.benningmwr.com. Feedback and issues from the HQDA AFAP conference can be found at www.myarmyonesource.com.