'Key' volunteers wanted for family program

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Connor Burkhard
  • 931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Volunteers are needed for a new commander's program aimed at assisting family members of deployed Reservists.

The Key Family Member Program is a commander's tool for helping families of Reservists plan and cope with deployments. The commander, Airmen & Family Readiness , KFMP chairperson, and KFMP volunteers work together to ensure that family members receive support and information before, during and after deployments.

"Right now, we are focused on getting one volunteer to be the focal point of the program," said Master Sgt. Edwin Woolson, 931st Mission Support Flight Airmen & Family Readiness. "Volunteers can be any family member, as long as they have access to the base, good communication skills and the time."

As the group focal point, the KFMP Chairperson's main responsibilities are to provide information, communication and resources to the families and friends of deployed Reservists. The chairperson also is responsible for overseeing KFMP volunteers, organizing activities and working directly with the commander and the Airmen & Family Readiness office.

"This program is going to help the flow of communication within the unit," said Sergeant Woolson. "Information is going to go to the KFMP volunteers and immediately to the family members - it's a whole new communication channel."

Becoming a key family member at any level requires volunteers to complete a three-phase training program which includes orientation, operational training, and instruction on proper communication and documentation processes. Key family members are also responsible for staying up to date on current group events and attending required meetings.

"This is going to take time and dedication, but the rewards for helping the family members are immeasurable," said Sergeant Woolson.

The goal is to have a group-level KFMP chairperson trained and in place by January 2010 and a key family member in each squadron by January 2011.

"As we hopefully grow to a wing, this program will be extremely beneficial," said Sergeant Woolson. "This program will build cohesion and unit effectiveness, and family members will be less stressed with deployments due to the broader communication channels."

The KFMP is modeled after the active-duty Key Spouse Program and was developed at the 914th Airlift Wing, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y., in 2002. Air Force Reserve Command leadership decided to implement it command wide in 2008 because it was so successful.

For More Information
931st Airmen & Family Readiness Center:  (316) 759-3168.