Photo By Staff Sgt. Crystal Jenkins | Tech. Sgt. Timothy Ferber, a 673d Mission Support Group active-duty delegate, presents...... read more read more
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This meeting is the coming together of the JBER community and is used to address quality of life issues that have been submitted previously to work/life specialists at either of the MFRC centers or by dropping them into the issue boxes.
Individuals attending the conference can act as representatives from different JBER demographics such as active-duty military, National Guard, retirees, civilians and spouses. At the beginning of the conference everyone is trained on the JFAP process and then spilt into focus groups to review the issues.
This year 18 issues were submitted. Upon review of all the issues submitted, four were selected for in-depth addressing. The group checked each matter, making sure it was not submitted in the past three years. After this process was complete, the group researched possible solutions and formatted the issues for presentation to higher command at the day’s out-brief.
"One of the beautiful things coming out of this conference is for the community to know all the issues submitted will be looked at, worked and addressed this year," said Frederica Norman, a 673d Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant. “As the delegates met in their focus groups today, they were challenged to select the most significant items affecting the community. Because of the limited amount of time we have at the conference now, it is necessary to stay on task and utilize every minute to its fullest potential.”
Although complex topics were brought to the table, the issues selected were worked on at a fairly reasonable pace. Subject matter experts were available for the teams to ask questions and to consider programs already in place, Norman said.
“We had a really great debate today, in fact it was such great discussion we almost didn’t make our deadline,” said Tech. Sgt. Timothy Ferber, a 673d Mission Support Group active-duty delegate. “One of our group’s selected issues is teen violence being on the rise. This topic affects the whole family in addition to mission readiness. We propose improvements to current educational outreach as well as developing a standardized DoD program. The goal for this program would be for teen violence prevention, addressing and educating those ages 18 and under about healthy relationships and all types of violence.”
The other selected matters presented today included the need for an established or regulated transportation service at JBER, a pedestrian crosswalk at Vandenberg Avenue and Arctic Warrior Drive, and regional Tricare challenges faced by military parents with joint custody of children.
“Having the opportunity to participate as a delegate in the JFAP conference is a rewarding experience,” said Laura White, conference delegate and retiree spouse. “It allows us to act as a voice for our community by presenting issues to the installation as a whole.”
U.S Army Alaska Commander Maj. Gen. Mark J. O'Neil, USARAK Command Sgt. Maj. Ryan Dillingham, Army Sgt. Maj. Jerry H. Byrd, 673d Air Base Wing sergeant major, and Air Force Col. Daniel Knight, 673d Mission Support Group commander, were in attendance and responded to all of the issues raised.
“We appreciate and need this type of feedback,” Knight said. “The first step in problem solving anything is first identifying the problem ... In regards to the transportation issue, we have been looking at a variety of options which could include engaging the Anchorage busing system on potentially putting a route through the base which could accommodate specific needs, and if it’s utilized, it would stay.”
Many delegates expressed a desire to learn more about the community, programs available, and the value of participating in a conference such as this, Norman said.
“Although temporary, JBER is my home,” said Cali McDermott, conference delegate and active-duty spouse. “My husband works here. My kids attend child care and school here. I participated because it is important to get involved and do my part to try to better our community.”
Those who could not attend this year's conference can still raise issues throughout the year by submitting them through the MFRC Facebook page or into the JFAP issue boxes at either of the MFRC locations.
| Date Taken: | 04.04.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.04.2018 05:00 |
| Story ID: | 271687 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 66 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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