FAMILY ADVOCACY
What is Family Advocacy? This
program is a Department of Defense initiative for the prevention, education,
intervention and treatment of child physical abuse, child neglect, child sexual
abuse, spouse abuse, and spouse sexual assault. When a suspected case
of abuse occurs, it is reported to the Family Advocacy Program. It is
the responsibility of the Family Advocacy Officer (FAO) to ensure all cases are
assessed for abuse. Will one person decide a
case? No!!! After the family's assessment, the suspected
abuse case is reviewed by the Central Registry Board (CRB), which meets once a
month. The CRB is chaired by the Vice Wing Commander and consists of
Command Chief Master Sergeant, FAO, Staff Judge Advocate, Security Forces
Representative, Office and Special Investigation Agent, Active Duty member's
Squadron Commander and/or First Sergeant. Each member of the Board
gets one vote and the Squadron Commander/1st Sergeant share one
vote. The Board makes a determination of definitions of child and
spouse maltreatment. If the abuse does meet criteria, the case is
entered in the Central Registry database for permanent record. This
is not punitive in nature. Regardless if the case meets criteria to
be entered into the Central Registry, the case is reviewed at the Clinical Case
Staffing which makes recommendations to the family and the member's command for
appropriate treatment and services. The goal of the program is to:
provide victims assistance, provide treatment to offenders, strengthen families,
provide safety planning, and keep valuable service members in the Air
Force.
Family Advocacy offers the following Preventive
Programs: Self Management, Couples Communication, Anger/Stress
Management, Baby Meet, Play Group for Tots, New Parent Support Program (ages
0-3), Support Group for Single Parents, Family Advocacy Strength Based
Treatment, and Community Referrals.