Army Family Action Plan (AFAP)
The Army Process
The Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) - is input from the people of the Army to Army leadership. It's a process that lets Soldiers and families say what's working, and what isn't - AND what they think will fix it. The AFAP alerts commanders and Army leaders to areas of concern that need their attention, and it gives them the opportunity to quickly put plans into place to work toward resolving the issues. The AFAP Process - Installations and local levels hold AFAP forums for Active and Reserve soldiers, retirees, surviving spouses, DA civilians, family members, and tenant organizations to identify issues they believe are important to maintain a good standard of living. Local Garrison Commanders see to it that the issues are worked toward resolution. About 90 percent of AFAP issues are retained and worked at a local level, resulting in ongoing community improvements. Some issues are applicable beyond the local level. These are sent to the IMCOM-E AFAP conferences then to HQDA, where delegates from across the Army determine which will go into the AFAP program. The issues that are selected for the AFAP program are worked toward resolution by Army staff and DoD agencies. The General Officer Steering Committee (GOSC), reviews the progress of AFAP issues on a semi-annual basis. The AFAP GOSC is the final deciding authority on the status of all issues (determining if an issue is resolved, unattainable, or needs to remain active until the issue's stated objectives have been met). A board of key DOD and Army staff general officer and senior executive service representatives lend the teeth to the AFAP process. Results from the AFAP GOSC are sent back to the regional offices and the local installations. For more information contact the USAG Hohenfels AFAP Program Manager at 466-4860 or 09472-83-4860.
How to be involved
1. Submit issues important to you, the Hohenfels community, or the Army-wide community.
2. Volunteer to participate at the conference
Delegate: Represents the interests of the individuals who comprise the Hohenfels community, works together with other delegates to evaluate and prioritize well-being issues submitted by the community.
Facilitator: Has AFAP experience, must have knowledge and background experience regarding working and living within the Army, is trained and experienced in facilitation skills.
Recorder: Has experience in recording at meetings, in classrooms, or other gatherings requiring the ability to quickly synthesize a group’s discussion and ideas.
Transcriber: Has computer and software skills, as well as background experience in recording meeting minutes.
General Volunteer: Willing to help in a variety of ways with advanced preparation for the conference, and/or with tasks during the conference, to help ensure its success.
Ways to submit your issue(s)and what it should look like:
1. Email issue forms to kurt.rager@eur.army.mil.
2. Deposit issue forms in local Drop Boxes located at high traffic areas around the community, such as the Health Clinic, CMR, Commissary, PX, Gym, etc.
3. Fax issue forms to 09472-83-2035.
4. Drop off at ACS, located in Bldg. 10A.
Each Issue has three important areas, (title, scope, recommendation) to be filled out by the person submitting.
Title: Needs to summarize the issue, it should be clear and does not place a “value” on the subject (lack of, inadequate, etc.). The title tells what the problem is in just a few words.
Scope: A detailed summary of the issue. It identifies one problem, not several. It should be three to four sentences in length. What’s the problem? How & who does it affect? Why is it a problem? Provide facts.
Recommendation: Should tell what you want to happen or what will fix the issue. Start with strong action verbs (e.g., provide, conduct, develop, build, fund, etc)
Each issue submitted falls under one of these typical categories:
Consumer Services: Financial services, consumer services, AAFES, Commissary, and MWR activities.
Family Support: Family Readiness Groups, quality of life issues, issues related to volunteers and volunteer organizations, family member and civilian employment issues.
Housing/Relocation: Housing and transition issues, relocation issues, sponsorship.
Youth/Education: Child development services, School-Age services, Child and Youth Services, youth and teen issues.
Force Support/Entitlements: Issues affecting single Soldiers, Soldier training, Soldier education, benefits, assignments, and entitlements.
Medical/Dental: Issues relating to dental, medical services, EFMP, FAP, suicide prevention, alcohol and drug abuse prevention, etc
2010 USAG Hohenfels AFAP Conference update:
The annual USAG Hohenfels AFAP Conference was held 17-19 February at the CAC and ACS. Approximately 50 volunteers served as delegates and other volunteers took part in the conference that addressed 71 issues that were submitted by members of the Hohenfels community. Each issue was addressed by a specific work group, with the work group making recommendations regarding the outcome. With the conference completed, issues and recommendations are now the responsibility of the Commander’s AFAP Steering Committee. The first meeting of the Steering Committee was held 18 March, with determinations being made as to which issues will remain at the local level, with those assigned to the office that has responsibility for the issue subject area, and which issues will be elevated to the regional conference. Those issues forwarded to region are issues that are beyond the scope of the installation and affect a broader audience. The Steering Committee will monitor each issue until they have all been resolved.
Executive Summary AFAP and EFMP
If you would like to review an issue’s original submission form, or the Work Group disposition form for an issue, contact Kurt Rager, ACS AFAP program manager, at 09472-83-3403. In addition, a complete binder of all 2010 issues and conference disposition forms is available for viewing at the ACS Front Desk in Bldg. 10.
Telephone Fax Bldg DSN 466-4771/4860 CIV 09472-83-4771/4860 DSN 466-2035 CIV 09472-83-2035
