How the McChord S&FRC can help you

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rebecca Blossom
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Airmen may be familiar with the array of services provided by the Airman and Family Readiness Center, which can be found on many Air Force bases, but the Servicemember and Family Readiness Center is unique to this location.

The McChord Field S&FRC is a by-product of joint basing. JBLM was formally established by merging the former Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base in 2010, which spurred not only a name change, but a change in services across both Lewis and McChord units.

"Joint basing has allowed us to open up our services to the Lewis side of JBLM, and it also allowed us to bring their resources closer to the Airmen on McChord," said Anthony Buggage, S&FRC director and community readiness consultant.

After transitioning to serve multiple branches of the military, the S&FRC added programs from the Lewis side of the base such as Family Advocacy, New Parent Support, and the Victim Advocate program, all of which are now available to Airmen. By including the VA program, the S&FRC has been allotted two victim advocates in order to handle cases of domestic violence or assault, providing a safe place for families on McChord to get the help they need.

"Our programs have evolved and some of the faces of our staff members may be different, but one thing that remains constant is our desire to provide outstanding service and assistance to our service members when they need us," said Diana Burr, S&FRC Air Force Aid Society officer and Key Spouse training manager.

Tech. Sgt. Nalopa Hansen, 627th Force Support Squadron readiness NCO in charge and alternate AFAS officer, is the only active duty service member currently assigned to the S&FRC. The remainder of the staff is comprised of five government employees and one contractor who hold roles as financial and employment managers, New Parent Support group leaders, Military Family Life counselors, and relocation managers.

"Being at JBLM, this position is very unique," said Hansen. "I feel that this position gives me the knowledge of all the programs and services that are available to our service members and their families to positively impact any kind of situation that comes their way. We have programs and services that can assist on the whole spectrum of life."

Programs such as the AFAS offer emergency loans and grants for service members in need of assistance with living expenses, emergency travel, vehicle repair, dental expenses, and funerals on a case-by-case basis.

Other programs are in place for families with specialized needs.

"The program that has had the biggest impact for Air Force personnel is the Exceptional Family Members Program," said Buggage. "The Air Force already had this program in place prior to joint basing, but combining this program with the Army's well established program and working with their trained professionals gave the Air Force EFMP [at McChord] validity."

The EFMP, available at the S&FRC and other locations across the joint base, works with multiple military and civilian agencies to provide a comprehensive approach for medical, educational, and community support services to families of special needs children.

Resources that were previously reserved for Team McChord members have been shared throughout the JBLM community as well.

The McChord Field Escape Zone, established in June of 2003, was a Team McChord original program designed to develop and enhance resiliency for parents and children left behind during deployments.  The S&FRC now offers this free program to all military families, providing parents and their children a chance to participate in learning activities and socialize with other families.

The S&FRC also holds Deployment Fairs to provide spouses with information.

"There are so many spouses that have no idea what we can provide to them at all times while they are here at JBLM," said Hansen. "I'm able to tell them about our programs and then actually see them come in. That gives me validation that we are making a difference."

The center also partners with the AFAS to provide services such as free child care during permanent changes of station for 20 hours per child and respite care for families with special needs children.

"Even with our best efforts and intentions, life happens," said Burr. "It could be an unexpected car repair or a call from home that puts you on emergency leave. The AFAS and S&FRC are here to help those Airmen and Soldiers in need, and I'm grateful to be able to facilitate that assistance."

The S&FRC holds approximately 34 courses each month, with several offices from the JBLM community contributing to give service members all the information and assistance they need. Services range from free oil changes for spouses of deployed Airmen and emergency loans to free classes for new parents.

"From financial assistance to spouse employment and everything in between, we're here to help," said Burr.

For more information on the S&FRC and the services it provides, visit www.jblmafcs.com.