AF Community Assessment begins Jan. 25

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  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Invitations to take the 2011 Air Force Community Assessment will be sent out Jan. 25.

The assessment is designed to assist chaplains and people working in installation-level Airman and family readiness centers, family advocacy programs, health and wellness centers, mental health clinics and child and youth programs to better meet the needs of service members and their families.

"This important survey provides ... a means to ensure that community interventions are timely, focused and data-driven," said Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Charles Green, Air Force surgeon general. "In its 20-year history, the Community Assessment has been instrumental in determining the strengths and needs of Air Force communities and tailoring programs at the installation, major command and Air Force levels."

Topics covered in the survey include personal and family adjustment, individual and family adaptation, community well-being, deployment, resiliency, post-traumatic stress and help-seeking stigma.

Approximately 160,000 active duty members, 40,000 reservists, 160,000 spouses of active duty members and 10,000 spouses of reservists will be randomly selected to participate in the survey. All appropriated fund civilians also will be asked to participate in the survey. The survey will be available through March 25 and is anonymous.

"With these results, the base Integrated Delivery System team develops a Community Capacity Action Plan to meet the specific needs of our Gunfighters," said MHAFB Chap. (Maj.) Charles Montoya. "The results of the survey are used to create programs and will identify gaps in service for our Gunfighter community. It will also identify risk factors that helps Airmen better take care of their Wingman."

A notification letter including a link to the Web-based survey will be sent out to the work e-mail address of each service member selected to participate. Spouses will be sent a postcard in the mail with the Web link. Everyone selected is encouraged to participate to aid in the success in the project.

"I have been selected twice to take the survey," Chaplain Montoya said. "Also, I have participated in writing a base's CCAP. With the help of those selected to participate, we pinpoint the right programs to the right personnel."

The survey should take service member and spouse participants 30-45 minutes to complete.

Data collected from the survey will be analyzed and briefed to wing and Air Force leaders. The information will help make community-wide program planning and resource allocation decisions, which ultimately enhance the quality of life, readiness and retention of Air Force personnel.

During an address to members of the Air Force Sergeants Association, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley noted that Airmen perform to their highest potential if they are unencumbered by home-front or family issues.

"The Air Force has long been recognized as the service for its exceptional commitment to people and to families," he said.

Previous survey results are credited with expanding financial counseling programs to members and their families, developing a user-friendly support network for Air Force single parents and setting up marriage-support seminars for junior enlisted members and their spouses.

This survey is not to be confused with The Caring For People Survey which assesses quality of life and base support programs. The Caring For People Survey ended Dec. 31.

(Editor's note: Staff Sgt. Alyssa C. Wallace, 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this article.)