Redstone Arsenal Army Family Action Plan Conference Oct

Participants Delegates from the following demographic areasDelegates from the following demographic areas: –Active Duty Military/Family Members –Retired Military/Family Members –National Guard –Reserves –Civilian Employees –Contractors Subject Matter ExpertsSubject Matter Experts

2 Work Groups of 12 delegates each 8 potential higher level issues were submitted for consideration. Four were forwarded to higher level. Work Group Requirements:  Brainstorm/Prioritize /Vote on Top Two Issues  Issues required a Title, Scope, Recommendation  Garrison Commander tasked groups with developing five local issues

A Commander’s Steering Committee is established to address the results of the various garrison customer feedback processes to ensure progress is made to resolve community issues.

1.Chaired by the Commander 2.Ensure the issues prioritized by the delegates at the annual AFAP Conference are entered into the installation tracking system, worked by the proponent offices, and tracked to resolution. 3.Meet quarterly to review active installation issues, provide guidance and direction, and decide on issue disposition. 4.Forward issues beyond the installation’s scope to the Installation Management Agency region AFAP program manager.

Each issue will be assigned a status as indicated below – (1) Active. (1) Active. Issues with developed action plans assigned to a lead directorate and/or agency and in the working phase of resolution. (Issues with objectives that are incorporated into another active issue may be placed in a “combined” status, which means that the issues are literally combined — the combined status is used for an audit trail and to track the number of issues adopted into the AFAP.) Completed. (2) Completed. Issues with completed action plans (resolved issues). Unattainable. (3) Unattainable. Issues that did not meet the requirements for validation or effectiveness, or could not be resolved because of cost, man-power, or concurrence of other organizations and/or services and were deleted by the Commander’s AFAP Steering Committee.

Active Issues will be managed and tracked a)Issues assigned to lead agency and/or Directorate for resolution. b)An action officer within the lead agency and/or Directorate assigned to develop and implement an action plan to resolve the issue.

Issue Status Four Issues Forwarded 10 Local Issues Reviewed

ISSUE: forwarded to next level TITLE: Military Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) Services for Military Retirees SCOPE: Military retirees and their beneficiaries do not have access to MFLC services; MFLCs provide free, short-term, non-medical counseling services to service members and their families. Mental health and general life issues are a growing problem in our society. Military families have unique stressors they have endured; they need continued access to free counseling services beyond their active duty commitment. Providing continued access to these services could improve the quality of life for military retirees and their beneficiaries, and also serve as a retention tool for the career Soldier. RECOMMENDATION: Extend MFLC services to include retired military personnel.

ISSUE: forwarded to next level TITLE: Military Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) Services for Retired Military Beneficiaries SCOPE: Military retirees and their beneficiaries do not have access to MFLC services; MFLCs provide free, short-term, non-medical counseling services to service members and their families. Mental health and general life issues are a growing problem in our society. Military families have unique stressors they have endured; they need continued access to free counseling services beyond their active duty commitment. Providing continued access to these services could improve the quality of life for military retirees and their beneficiaries, and also serve as a retention tool for the career Soldier. RECOMMENDATION: Extend MFLC services to include retired military beneficiaries.

ISSUE: forwarded to next level TITLE: Fitness Time Allowance During Work Hours for Civilian Employees SCOPE: Based on the OPM policy, the current administrative leave time for physical fitness is three hours per week for one six month period over the duration of a Civilian employee’s entire career. The existing policy does not adequately support the growing need for physical fitness within the workplace. Amending the current policy reduces employer and insurance medical costs due to lost productivity through; absenteeism, sick leave, and presenteeism. Potentially would create a secondary benefit with recruitment and retention and would foster a healthy lifestyle.

ISSUE: (continued) TITLE: Fitness Time Allowance During Work Hours for Civilian Employees RECOMMENDATION: Amend the current OPM policy for Civilian employees from a one time six month period of physical fitness to a three hours per administrative work week for their entire career.

ISSUE: forwarded to next level TITLE: Lack of Blue Cross/Blue Shield category options for Civilian employees + 1 SCOPE: There is not a category for an employee +1 (one dependant ). The lack of an employee +1 category creates an unfair financial impact. Because of the lack of categories, the present policy exhibits disproportionate cost sharing for civilian employee +1. RECOMMENDATION: Change the subdivision of family category and incorporate a premium group that proportionately reflects the new family categories.

Issue submitted but rejected as a “local issue” to be resolved at Redstone Arsenal TITLE: “Access To Care Standards” Appointment Times For Active Duty Soldiers SCOPE: From time of contact to time of appointment, soldiers may wait up to 28 days. There are inconsistencies in how appointment times are scheduled for Active Duty Soldiers. Delayed medical care has a significant impact on the soldier’s well-being and may further exacerbate a medical condition thus reducing Soldier/Unit Readiness. RECOMMENDATION: Reduce “Access to Care Standards” appointment times for Active Duty Soldiers as follows: Acute care – within 24 hrs Routine – within 3 days Wellness – within 14 days Issue submitted but rejected as a “local issue” to be resolved at Redstone Arsenal TITLE: “Access To Care Standards” Appointment Times For Active Duty Soldiers SCOPE: From time of contact to time of appointment, soldiers may wait up to 28 days. There are inconsistencies in how appointment times are scheduled for Active Duty Soldiers. Delayed medical care has a significant impact on the soldier’s well-being and may further exacerbate a medical condition thus reducing Soldier/Unit Readiness. RECOMMENDATION: Reduce “Access to Care Standards” appointment times for Active Duty Soldiers as follows: Acute care – within 24 hrs Routine – within 3 days Wellness – within 14 days

Work Group Local Issues 1 - Install ATM at main shoppette/express. Completed Result: Issue closed due to adequate ATMs and banking institutes nearby to service customers. PX also offers check cashing and cash back. 2 - Provide a class in long term retirement planning. This will help promote retention among the workforce to stay within the government system and the retirement benefits. Active Result: Confusion on what classes were being discussed. Civilian Personnel Advisory Center offers a preparing for retirement class to civilians. Transition Assistance Program offers preparing for retirement class for military and family members. Financial Readiness, Army Community Service, offers financial preparedness classes. Remain open until there is clarification.

3 - There needs to be a free facility available for organizational functions here on post. Active Result: Open issue referred to Community Health Promotion Council (CHPC) to research what is available and to see if there is actual need. CHPC will advertise what is available and point of contact. CHPC will research community need. 4 - More zumba/exercise classes during after-work hours. Completed Result: Completed issue. Class schedule is available for after-work hours classes. 5 - More restaurant options on post, and more healthy food options at available cafeterias etc. Active Result: Issue remains open while Post Exchange Manager reports on other food options coming. The Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation cafeterias are now offering more “healthy choice options”.

Work Group: Local Issues 1 - Revise CDC hourly care priority list in favor of active duty families. Active Result: Military are given priority, however a majority of the families already using child services are civilians with few vacancies occurring. Information is available in the Parent Handbook and published in the Redstone Rocket. Hourly care is currently a temporary problem because second Child Development Center is not operational with a scheduled completion date of 18 months. 2 - Revise current Fox Army Health Center policy on notification for parents to authorize 14 year old consent form before child’s 14 th birthday. Active Result: Alabama State law governs medical disclosure to parents after the child’s 14 th birthday. The FAHC Commander will insure a signed consent form will be put in the child’s file.

3 - Request Fox Army Health Center urgent care services and/or expand Occupational Health services to include flu shots for civilians. Active Result: FAHC Commander to report on providing flu shots for civilians. 4 - Would like an entertainment complex to include a cinema theater and recording studio for all individuals with access to RSA. Unattainable Result: Closed because of lack of community support and expense. Past efforts to provide service were not supported by the community. Off post options are available. Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers offers free movies on post. 5 - Request 24 hour shoppette and/or extended hours at all RSA shoppettes. Unattainable Result: Closed issue due to suggestion would not be cost effective. When the workforce leaves at the end of the day, patronage is reduced. There are other 24 hour shopping options available off post.

The Plan Status of AFAP issues will be publicized by: Redstone Rocket Article Article to discuss the top issue from each category and provide link for reader to get more information on all AFAP issues. Article in October 2014 Redstone Rocket MWR Website PDF of AFAP Issues Update the website quarterly after Steering Committee Meetings Garrison Website

The Plan Conference results will be publicized (continued): Team Redstone Social Media List the top issue per category Provide link for more information Promote future AFAP Conference MWR Social Media List the top issue per category Provide link for more information Promote future AFAP Conference

AFAP Steering Committee meeting April 23, 9 a.m. Commander’s Conference Room Bldg 4488 AFAP Steering Committee meeting April 23, 9 a.m. Commander’s Conference Room Bldg 4488

Feedback For more information, or to submit an issue, contact Mary Breeden On line submissions can be made at