Airman and Family Readiness Center supports deployed servicemembers and their families

  • Published
  • By Airman Brigitte Brantley
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center offers many services and activities available to the military community, but there are some dedicated to specifically serving the families of deployed and remote personnel.

"The Hearts Apart programs are specially designed to help active-duty military members and their families with the stresses and challenges that come from being separated," said Master Sgt. Stanley Byron, 23rd Force Support Squadron Readiness noncommissioned officer. "Once the member steps out of the role they play at home, some families need help picking up the slack. They need more of a road map, and our job is to facilitate that."

The Hearts Apart program briefing, held in the A&FRC conference room every Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., is mandatory for all military personnel who are scheduled to deploy for more than 30 consecutive days. Family members are also encouraged to attend.

"I understand there might be people at units working different shifts who can't make it to these scheduled meetings, so I'm available to do extra briefings for those individuals, even if it's early in the morning when they get off their shift," said Sergeant Byron.

The A&FRC also offers briefings for the spouses of military members who are deploying.

"We provide the spouses separate briefings so we can tailor it to them," Sergeant Byron said. "We're letting them know exactly what they're entitled to, and it lets the families know we're here for them."

The program that is most commonly used is the Family Morale Call. It is available to spouses, family members, parents and significant others and allows for one phone call per week to be made to the deployed servicemember. It can last for up to 15 minutes and must take place between 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Another popular program is the Car Care, Because We Care program. Spouses of deployed members are given a free oil and filter change and an 18-point safety inspection for their primary vehicle.

In addition to programs geared towards spouses, the A&FRC provides two programs that focus on helping young children cope while their parent is away.

Military members or their spouses can bring in their child, along with a family photo to be transferred to a T-shirt or a pillow-case using the facility's hot press machine.

Additionally, the Read Aloud program allows all deploying members the opportunity to create a video made of themselves reading their child's favorite storybook. This video is then burned onto a DVD and given to the child, who can watch it while their parent is deployed.

The A&FRC also provides two child care programs available during and after a deployment.

The Give Parents a Break program offers eligible parents free child care provided by the Child Development Center or Youth Center. This program is funded by the Air Force Aid Society and gives the spouses of deployed military members a break from "single" parenting. There are no rank restrictions to this program, but the children must be between the ages of six weeks and 12 years old.

When the military member returns from a deployment they are eligible for the Returning Home Care program. Members are eligible for 16 hours of free child care for each child between the ages of two weeks and 12 years old.

In addition to family-oriented and child care programs, the A&FRC also works with Valdosta Technical College to provide technical assistance.

Home electrical problems (not including appliance repairs), heating and air conditioning problems and simple automobile repairs can all be taken care of. The labor is free and individuals are only required to pay for the cost of the parts and the repairs are made under the direct supervision of a VTC instructor.

The newest program is the Hearts Apart Dining. Spouses and family members of deployed military members can meet at the Georgia Pines Dining Facility from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday.

"This is one night a week where you can just take your kids to eat and watch a PG movie and not have to worry about cooking or doing the dishes," said Sergeant Byron. "It also helps the spouses network. They can share who they have doing their plumbing or mowing their lawn, and they can just help each other out."

For more information, call the A&FRC at 257-1609.

The A&FRC staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Don't let the hours posted on the door dissuade you," said Sergeant Byron. "If you need help, don't wait. We're here for you."