FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM (FAP)
The NIOC Family Advocacy Program (FAP) addresses the prevention, identification, treatment, follow-up and reporting of child abuse and neglect and spouse abuse.
Child abuse and spouse abuse threaten the fabric of our entire society. Concern for the welfare of Navy families and the effects of family dysfunction on military performance prompted the establishment of the Family Advocacy Program in 1976. Today, the Navy Family Advocacy Program is designed to address the prevention, identification, treatment, follow-up, and reporting of child abuse and neglect and spouse abuse.
The Navy's comprehensive response to family violence is designed to prevent or to stop the abuse and to minimize its impact on the family and on the Navy. Program components include: PREVENTION, INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT, and CASE MANAGEMENT AND FOLLOW-UP.
NSGA FAP services combine with existing area resources to offer a variety of choices for families. These services include books, videos, and classes on all aspects of parenting, classes on anger management, stress management, preventing relationship violence and couples communication. In addition, individual counseling, marital counseling, family counseling, and group counseling are all available through FAP for families who have experienced abuse or neglect. Lastly, NSGA FAP combines with the local community in providing public awareness on the topic of family violence and provides extensive command training and support.
Family support programs, the medical treatment facilities, and local commanders work cooperatively to provide family advocacy services. Families may obtain assistance with family problems, including family violence, by contacting your Fleet and Family Support Center at (301) 677-9014/9017/9018.
The most common Family Advocacy report received at the Fleet and Family Support Center, Fort Meade, is the violation of "unattended children" law (see below). According to the Code of Maryland (and Fort Meade housing regulations), children must be 8 years old or older to be left alone in a building or vehicle. Children must be at least 13 years old to supervise younger children.
UNATTENDED CHILDREN ANNOTATED CODE, FAMILY LAW ARTICLE, SECTION 5-801, SUBTITLE 8 IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, CHARLES, CALVERT, AND ST. MARY'S COUNTIES, ANY PERSON CHARGED WITH THE CARE OF A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 8 YEARS MAY NOT ALLOW THE CHILD TO BE LOCKED OR CONFINED IN A DWELLING, BUILDING, OR ENCLOSURE WHILE THE PERSON CHARGED IS ABSENT UNLESS THE PERSON CHARGED PROVIDES A RELIABLE PERSON AT LEAST 13 YEARS OLD TO REMAIN WITH THE CHILD TO PROTECT THE CHILD FROM FIRE, SCALDING, SMOKE INHALATION OR SUFFOCATION. A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS LAW IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND ON CONVICTION IS SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $1000 OR IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING ONE YEAR OR BOTH.