Military & Family Readiness Center

Relocation Assistance:
The Relocation Assistance mission is to eliminate the stress associated with frequent moves by providing moving assistance planning, inbound and outbound relocation services and on-going relocation workshops.

Right Start:
This Newcomer’s Orientation program is the Wing Commander’s program to welcome newcomers to Maxwell-Gunter. Right Start is held monthly on scheduled Thursdays. Right Start is mandatory for military members and DoD civilians. Spouses are cordially invited to attend. Military members will be scheduled for Right Start by the MPF or CCS. Right Start consists of two parts. Part I is held from 0800-1200 at the Maxwell Club, Building 144. Participants have approximately an hour and a half for lunch before Part II begins. Part II is for active duty military only. It is held from 1345-1600 at Maxwell Club,Building 144.

Sponsorship Training:
The M&FRC Relocation Program is here to support Sponsors and Command Support Staff who are charged with managing and monitoring the unit level Sponsorship Program. The first step to becoming a successful Sponsor is taking the e-sponsorship application training (eSAT). This is a Department of Defense training, is mandated for all new Sponsors and Sponsors who have not taken the eSAT training within the year prior to a new Sponsorship assignment. Training certificates must be submitted to your unit Command Support Staff for unit Sponsorship Program recordkeeping. In addition to offering the Sponsorship training, this site provides Sponsors with information on the MilitaryInstallations and Plan My Move websites. It also provides a sample welcome letter, a Sponsorship duty checklist, and a Newcomer and Family needs assessment, which should be tailored to fit the needs of the inbound member and their Family.

Relocation/Sponsorship Awareness Class:
This class is open to everyone! The focus is to gain knowledge on relocation resources, connect with bases and local agencies, understand how to utilize electronic tools, and be the best sponsor possible through all phrases of relocation. Please call 953.2353 to register.

PCS Brief/Remote Tour Briefing:
Relocating from Maxwell/Gunter AFB? If this is your first PCS or your Fifth the relocation manager can help guide you through the steps to a smooth move. Call 334.953.2353 for your one on one session today.

OTS Smooth Move:
Assists service members and their families with preparing for PCS assignments overseas or stateside. Representatives from the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Tricare, and Housing provide necessary information for planning your upcoming PCS.

Lending Closet:
The Lending Closet provides essential items for the incoming PCSing family while they are awaiting the arrival of their household goods and also to outgoing families. A copy of orders must be presented in order to use this service. Dishes, Toasters, Futons, Silverware, Coffee Pots, Card Tables, High Chairs, Pots/Pans, Mixers, and Folding Chairs. Lodging Kits (with kitchen supplies) are available to make your move a little smoother.

EFMP is a community support program for military family members with special needs and is offered by all branches of the services. EFMP-Family Support is the community support function provided by A&FRCs to enhance the quality of life of special needs family members. It is all-encompassing and includes DoD military, DoD civilians, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, retirees, spouses of deployed members, contractors and personnel from other military branches of service.

There are many circumstances where EFMP can provide support: information fairs, school assistance, training for parents, or relocation. If your child is struggling in school with tests and needs extra time due to a disability, we’ll help you understand Section 504 or the Individualized Education Program (IEP), which ensures educational accommodations. There are many programs through TriCare ECHO and benefits that you should be aware of. The EFMP-FS will ensure that you will be transitioned into a base that has all the support your family requires.

If you have any questions, we are happy to assist you with information and referrals in the local area. Additional classes are available upon request through the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

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On November 21, 2011, the president signed the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act which made service members participation in the Transition Assistance Program mandatory. TAPGPS is provided through the Airman and Family Readiness Center to assist Service Members and their dependents when they separate/retire from the military. The current mandatory components include:

Pre-Separation Counseling: the first step to ensure all separating service members are informed of the transition services, resources and benefits available. This is a pre-requisite before attending the 5-Day GPS Workshop. Start the process 1 year out for separatees and 2 years for retirees.

Transition Goals, Plans, Success Workshop: (5 days) – Consist of (1) DoD Military Occupational Crosswalk, Finances, and Resilience (2) Department of Labor Employment Workshop (3 days, with some exemptions) (3) Veterans Affairs Benefits Briefings I & II (NO EXEMPTIONS).

Capstone – One-on-one counseling to verify Career Readiness Standards are met (verification of resume, 12-month post separation budget, ITP, GAP Analysis A&B, Continuum of Service counseling, DOL Gold Card and eBenefits registration. A&FRC and Commander Signature required.

The Air Force Casualty Services Program’s primary goals are to provide prompt, accurate reporting, dignified and humane notification, and efficient, thorough, and compassionate assistance to the next of kin for as long as needed. The Casualty Assistance Representative (CAR) works closely with commanders at all levels to ensure the success of the program. The CAR works closely with survivors of retired Air Force members to ensure potential benefits are applied in a timely manner. The CAR provides limited casualty service to members of sister services, certain foreign nationals, and civilians.

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP): Military pay stops when a member dies. The SBP is a government program, which makes it possible for retiring members to ensure that after their death, their eligible survivors receive a portion of their military retired pay in the form of monthly annuities and VA benefits. The SBP was structured so that a surviving spouse cannot outlive the annuity, and it has Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) incorporated so the annuity increases with inflation. An active duty member who has eligible dependents is automatically covered by SBP at the maximum level at no cost to the member while he/she remains on active duty. Prior to retiring, each member must decide whether to continue SBP coverage into retirement. The retired pay of those members who elect to participate is reduced by monthly premiums. The SBP is a unique plan: Government-subsidized premiums deducted from a participating member’s retired pay before taxes. SBP is the sole means for a member to continue a portion of their military retired pay to their eligible survivors. If a member chooses (with the concurrence of their spouse) not to participate in the SBP, an annuity cannot be paid.

Casualty/SBP Questions: Do you have a casualty or SBP question you wish someone could answer for you? Your A & FRC at Maxwell AFB can help. One-on-one casualty/SBP counseling is available to all military members at Maxwell AFB. Do not have time to come, just email us your casualty or SBP questions. We will research and respond to your questions within three business days. Most questions answered within 24 hours. Email us at 42fss.fsmpc@us.af.mil. For more information about these programs, call 334.953.5048 or DSN 493.5048.

The Air Force Aid Society supports the mission of the Air Force by relieving the financial distress of service members and their families with educational assistance and through proactive programs. Below are the various programs Air Force Aid Society offers:

Financial Assistance:

• Interest free loans/grants are available for:
• Basic Living Expenses
• Emergency Travel
• Essential Car Repair
• Natural Disasters
• Dependent Funerals
• Pay or Allotment Problems
• Medical/Dental expenses not covered by TRICARE
• Falcon Loans

Education Programs: The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program provides up to $4,000 in grants for college education for Air Force family members. Applications can be submitted online: www.afas.org.

Air Force Aid Society’s Community Enhancement Programs:

Baby and You: This Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) sponsored program offers an educational class for Active Duty Air Force members and their spouses. This class is facilitated by the Family Advocacy Nurse Specialists (FANS) and is geared towards new parents. The AFAS provides each participant with a $50 gift card to be used at the Base Exchange to purchase items for the expectant mother or for their new baby.

Child Care for PCS Program for Family Care Providers: Active duty members on a Permanent Chance of Station (PCS) move and members on retirement orders who need hourly care. Care will be provided at the local CDC or the child and youth centers based on space availability. A copy of PCS orders is required to receive a certificate. Members can obtain Certificate of Eligibility from the A&FRC, building 677, or call 334.953.2353.

Give Parents a Break: The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) recognizes that Air Force families are subject to unique stresses due to the nature of military life – deployments, remote tours of duty, extended working hours, etc. This program is offered twice monthly (first and third Saturday) for the purpose of allowing families a few hours break from the stresses of parenting. Families may use this time to suit their personal needs. Families are given certificates to use the program for a specific time. Contact the local CDC for dates and times.

Respite Care: This program is offered to active duty Air Force families with a family member(s) enrolled in the EFMP program. The goal of the program is to provide a “break” for a few hours a week/month to families who have the responsibility of 24 hour a day care for an ill/disabled family member. AFAS assistance for respite is based on need — the need for respite time.

Phone Home Program: The Air Force Aid Society’s (AFAS) Phone Home Program provides prepaid calling cards for deployed Air Force members, to include single and married service members, when they deploy for 30 days or more in the Area of Responsibility (AOR). This program makes it possible for the service member to phone home to family or friends during deployment and to make emergency contacts when necessary, without added expense to the service member. Cards are provided in the AOR.

Ms. Tyesha Stiff, The Installation Voter Assistance Officer is here at the Airman & Family Readiness Center to help you fill in and mail your voting materials if you need the assistance. You can also access many voting-related questions and answers on the FVAP website at www.fvap.gov.