Key Spouse Program bridges communication

From left to right: Dana Fredrickson, Tammy Risinger, Jeannette Figueriedo and Kerry Thornell form the volunteer core for Air Forces Northern’s new Key Spouse Program, a program designed to assist military spouses immerse into the organization, understand what resources are available to them, and improve lines of communication between military members and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Susan A. Romano)

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Key Spouse Program bridges communications

Published Dec. 13, 2010
By Mary McHale
AFNORTH Public Affairs

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- While it's inherent for military members and their families to expect the unexpected - short-notice deployments, permanent change of station orders, new missions, new people, new places - it doesn't mean it's always comfortable or easy to manage.

To help prepare its members for such events, Air Forces Northern has established the Key Spouse Program to help ease the burdens that come with military life. The program consists of four specially trained individuals associated with AFNORTH who can assist with issues from the common to the complex, 24/7.

While still in the final planning phases, the program aims not only to help spouses, but all assigned military personnel and their family members who might need assistance, from locating the base exchange and commissary to understanding the complex mission of AFNORTH. Currently, there are four trained spouses in the program: Tammy Risinger, Jeannette Figueriedo, Dana Fredrickson and Kerry Thornell, who all agree that between each other, they have a wide array of experience and knowledge which is a definite asset to making the program a success. The program will officially kick off in January 2011.

"Our primary goal is to have a link between home and the unit," said Mrs. Risinger. "Just because a duty member gets information at work, it doesn't always mean it gets to the home," said Mrs. Risinger. "We hope to bridge that communication gap."

To officially prepare for their roles in the program, each attended a training session at the 325th Fighter Wing's Airmen & Family Readiness Center. There, they received information on topics that included roles and responsibilities, privacy issues and concerns, and learning about resources and referral agencies.

According to Catherine Tarrant, community readiness consultant at the center, after initial training there is also recurring training. She said it provides an opportunity to network, address new and updated information and interact with other key spouses.

"The Key Spouse position works with leadership to plan, coordinate and execute the unit's Key Spouse program, she added. "This program impacts mission readiness and retention by ensuring families have appropriate information and resources to meet their needs."

"Our organization's mission can occasionally create a strenuous operations tempo and that takes a toll on families, especially if they're not used to it," said Mrs. Thornell. "We all need to work together to ensure the mission is accomplished in an effective, efficient and positive manner."

In addition to attending training, the spouses have been invited to attend mission briefings and weekly staff updates to stay abreast of current events that impact not only those wearing the uniform, but those at home.

"We're not just here for spouses, though," said Mrs. Figueriedo. "We also plan to make ourselves available for military members -- married and single -- and even children of members. Perhaps the children are not getting enough of mom or dad, be it the ops tempo, temporary duty assignments or deployments, and that can be very stressful. We want to be available to offer a source of relief as well as a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen, especially since we've all been in their shoes before."

Tyndall's community readiness coordinator couldn't agree more.

"This program has undeniable benefits," said Ms. Tarrant. "Issues get resolved at the lowest level, the sense of unit support increases, and ultimately that improves the quality of life among unit families. Additionally, it offers enhanced family resiliency and preparation."

Currently, the four women in the AFNORTH program plan to send out a letter to all unit members explaining how Key Spouse works and a questionnaire to gather information about unit families.

"The questionnaire is completely voluntary," said Mrs. Thornell. "We just want to ensure we have the right resources and information to address any existing concerns."

Informality and confidentiality are both stressed as well.

"We plan for our interactions with members to be confidential and informal," said Mrs. Thornell. "Just by the nature of the mission, there is a lot of higher rank in the AFNORTH organization, and that can make some people uncomfortable - thinking what they share will affect their spouse's job in the organization and that's simply not the case. Helping is our only goal."

Mrs. Risinger agreed. "There are just so many new resources out there to help people, and we want to make sure we spread the word that this is not a static effort; it is active and ongoing, and there are new resources being made available all the time to our family members," she said.

But the group's focus is not just about helping in times of newcomer need or because of a particular crisis. Mrs. Fredrickson said the group is about socializing as well.

"We want to provide an avenue for people to get out more and let them know they are not alone, in good times and bad."

The group also plans to set up a physical office for the organization and eventually have a page on Facebook.