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Caring for People Forum held at Tyndall

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  More than 25 people attended the first Caring for People Forum at the Health and Wellness Center May 18 and 20.

The Caring for People Forum was implemented in 2009. The program provides installation commanders valuable and timely information on issues that directly impact the quality of life of Airmen and their families.

Integrated Delivery System is the agency tasked to conduct this Caring for People Forum. Mental Health, Airmen and Family Readiness Center, chaplain services, Family Advocacy, and the HAWC are just a few helping agencies on base that make up IDS.

"The Air Force has a long tradition of taking care of its people," said Mr. Alexander Eclar, the HAWC flight chief and health promotions coordinator and the current chairman of IDS. "Tyndall has consistently upheld that tradition. This forum is merely an expression of that tradition."

At the meeting, Tyndall community members met to identify, develop and prioritize issues that affect their lives and the Air Force mission.

"A successful fighter wing depends on the inputs of their community members to solve and or identify problems or concerns," said Chief Master Sgt. Cheryl Nurse, 325th Force Support Squadron superintendent. "The forum has provided an avenue for our community that will develop resiliency and will become an important tool for decision making and quality of life upgrades for our leadership."

At the forum, attendees divided into two groups. The two groups were led by Dr. Anita Pembleton, 325th FSS director of Airman and Family Readiness, and Ms. Michelle Lasater, 325th Medical Operations Squadron family advocacy program manager.

The groups discussed issues dealing with health and wellness, single Airman support, and families with special needs family members. They also addressed issues concerning family and housing support, Guard and Reserve support, and spouse communications.

"The issues will be briefed at Tyndall's next Community Action Information Board," said Pembleton. "Issues not resolved at the installation level will be elevated to Air Education and Training Command where a similar review and prioritization process will be conducted. Then the 10 most pertinent issues that cannot be resolved at MAJCOM level will be sent to Headquarters Air Force for the 2011 Air Force Caring for People Forum."

The Caring for People Forum is expected to occur annually. Though the forum will be held once a year, people who have issues or concerns in the meantime can address them through their chain of command.