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    FAP ensures well-being of Airmen and families

    FAP ensures well-being of Airmen and families

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Arielle Vasquez | The 21st Medical Group Family Advocacy Program staff speak on the services they...... read more read more

    COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES

    09.12.2017

    Story by Senior Airman Arielle Vasquez 

    50th Space Wing Public Affairs

    The 21st Medical Group Family Advocacy Program enhances Air Force readiness by promoting community health and resilience.

    Through a number of programs and services FAP provides, they aim to enhance the base population’s knowledge of building and maintaining Airmen and family wellness.

    These services include outreach and prevention activities, New Parent Support Program, victim advocacy and maltreatment referrals.

    “Mission readiness is our primary goal. When problems are happening in the home, it creates tremendous stress and it takes away from a person’s ability to focus,” said Kim Vehige, FAP officer. “It’s hard being a military member and stressors both at work and in the home can become overwhelming. We want to be able to support families by educating them with information, being aware of resources offered and skill building.”

    The family advocacy program's staff members assist families who are in need of such services. The staff includes clinical social workers, a nurse, domestic abuse victim advocates and administrative support members.

    FAP’s goal is to prevent incidents of family maltreatment, domestic violence and child abuse and neglect. Additional classes and programs offered include emotion management, couples communication and parenting classes.

    The New Parent Support program provides early education and support for expecting parents continuing until the child is three years of age. Even if there has been no maltreatment in the home, FAP can provide at-risk couples counseling through the Family Advocacy Strength Training Program. This service provides short-term counseling aimed to help couples identify and effectively address relationship concerns.

    Responsible for over half of Air Force Space Command’s FAP cases, the 21 MDG FAP staff works around the clock to take care of families.

    “We are a small, but mighty team,” Vehige said. “We take our jobs seriously and everyone here has an amazing passion to work with Air Force families.”

    The FAP staff continued to express what it means to serve in their roles.

    “Growing up in Colorado Springs my entire life, I have always been around the military community,” said Angela Lenn, FAP assistant. “I wanted to continue to be a part of that and being involved is how you can support military members and their families. There is no better return on investment when something changes for the better.”

    In spite of prevention efforts, maltreatment can still occur. When this happens, FAP will provide counseling and safety planning for the affected families. FAP works to ensure the safety of victims, help military families overcome the effects of violence and attempt to change destructive behavior patterns.

    “At the end of the day, we just want to get people to a safe place and provide necessary treatment,” Vehige said. “For folks who are concerned about coming to us, I would tell them most people who come here have expressed that the program has been helpful. My hope is they are leaving on a positive note after we work through issues with them.”

    For more information about the services and programs provided, contact the FAP at 556-8943.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.12.2017
    Date Posted: 09.12.2017 11:05
    Story ID: 247885
    Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US

    Web Views: 62
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN