Team works to promote myriad of installation health, wellness programs

Photo By Terrance Bell | Khalida Willoughby, Health Promotion Operations Office; Master Sgt. Glenore Reid-Swaby and Lt. Col. Melissa Squizzero-Lee, Fort Lee Ready and Resilient Campaign Office; and Claire Dermer, Health Promotion Operations Office; often collaborate during efforts to increase awareness of the many health and wellness programs and services available to community members.  

UNITED STATES

05.05.2016

Story by Terrance Bell  

Fort Gregg-Adams

FORT LEE, Va. (May 5, 2016) -- Obtaining health and wellness information from commercial providers these days comes at a premium. It is true the Internet is a valuable resource, but finding the right information can sometimes be time-consuming.

Fortunately, there’s a resource here that might be described as a one-stop portal for a wide a variety of health and wellness needs.

And it’s free to the consumer.

CASCOM’s Health Promotions Operations Office is a sort of clearinghouse that provides community members access to a plethora of instruction, services and programs available on the installation under the umbrella of the Army’s Ready and Resilient program.

Khalida Willoughby, health promotions program assistant, said the team primarily works to support the senior commander’s strategy to develop a healthy and resilient populace that includes military members, civilian employees and family members.

“We ensure all of their health, wellness, resiliency and holistic health needs are met by providing input and guidance to the senior commander in terms of what they need to improve their quality of life,” she said.

Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general, heads the Community Health Promotion Council charged with bringing together military and civilian leaders as well as health and wellness managers and service providers to discuss efforts, address concerns and share practices while also maintaining surveillance of high-risk behaviors and trends, said Claire Dermer, the office’s health promotions officer.

In addition to the council, a number of working groups function to identify issues important to community, council members and higher headquarters, and they make recommendations on courses of action.

In the conduct of their responsibilities, the office and its installation Ready and Resilient Campaign counterparts provide information briefings upon request, participate in working groups and attend a myriad of brigade-level health and wellness meetings. Dermer said it is a challenge making sure every community member is aware of all that is available.

“A lot of the commanders are not aware of some of the resources they have access to – not only for their Soldiers but their civilians and family members as well,” she said. “There’s a disconnect.”

Several programs offering valuable information are underused, especially wellness programs, according to Willoughby. They include the Youth Sponsorship program that connects incoming youth with a child already on the installation and who attends the same school as the incoming child; the Financial Readiness Program, which offers financial classes and services to Soldiers and family members; and the Army Family Team Building program that helps family members thrive in their Army communities.

There are several others as well, said Willoughby.

Nevertheless, much progress has been made during the past two years, said Dermer, noting there is more interaction and increased collaboration among the parties “and more reaching out for one another instead of waiting for people to find each other.”

Still, there’s much work to do, added Dermer. The program still longs for a total buy-in from community members and from leaders at all levels. She also said the program faces ongoing challenges relating to the mental health segment where a culture change is needed to erase the stigma associated with seeking help.

For more information, call [phone]. For a list of health-related and wellness programs and services available, visit www. lee.army.mil and click on “Fort Lee Community Resource Guide.”

• Date Taken: 05.05.2016
• Date Posted: 05.05.2016 11:56
• Story ID: 197393
• Location: US