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Army Family Action Plan
 Army Family Action Plan (AFAP)

The Army Family Action Plan provides a way for Soldiers and Family members to let Army leadership know what works, what doesn't - and what they think will fix it.



HQDA AFAP Conference

The HQDA Worldwide Army Family Action Plan (AFAP> Conference was held 10-15 January 2010 in the National Capital Region. Blogs and Pictures of the event can be found on the IMCOM web site by selecting Blogger & Flickr on the left hand side of the page. Click Here to access.

Watch the video from the 2010 AFAP Conference.

Click here to download the HQDA AFAP Conference and General Officer Steering Committee results.

Click here to view the TroopTube video about the HQDA Conference



AFAP 25th Anniversary Recap

25 Years of Army Family Action Plan Program Excellence

AFAP was created in 1980 through focus groups but was fully developed with the first official AFAP Conference held in July 1983. Its mission is to help Army leaders address the needs and concerns of the total Army Family. The program enlists representatives from around the world to identify and prioritize issues that will improve the standard of living in the Army. This feedback to leaders results in policy changes that become tangible end-products at garrisons across the Army. AFAP beneficiaries include Soldiers (all components), retirees, Department of Army civilian employees and all their Family members. "We recognize what it takes to be an Army Family, and that our Soldiers draw great strength from their Families,” said Army Chief of Staff GEN George W. Casey, Jr. “The welfare of Army Families is increasingly important to all of us," he said, adding that the Army was committed to building a partnership with Families. That partnership is embodied in the Army Family Covenant.

Six hundred thirty three issues have been identified in the past 25 years. AFAP has driven 107 legislative changes, 154 Army policy and regulatory changes and 173 improved programs and services. It is also notable that 61% of all active AFAP issues impact all the Services. Thanks to the foresight of GEN Wickham and his staff 25 years ago, the needs of the Army Family remain front and center in the hearts and minds of Army leaders today and into the future. The 25th Anniversary was celebrated at the Jan 2009 HQDA AFAP Conference held in the National Capital Region.



AFAP - What Is It?

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. It 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 towards resolving the issues.



Life Improvements

Life ImprovementsWhat Can AFAP Do For You?

The Army Family Action Plan is dedicated to improving standards of living for all military personnel and DoD employees. Look here to find out how AFAP can help you.



AFAP Needs Volunteers

AFAP VolunteersVolunteer Information

Volunteers are integral to the Army Family Action Plan at every level. Look here for information on becoming an AFAP volunteer.



Taking Care of Business - A Sample of AFAP Success

There is no such thing as being too prepared. It is important to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that your loved ones and family will be taken care of if the worst should happen. It is a difficult subject to discuss, but may be one of the most important discussions a Soldier can have with those they love.

The video created is a result of an AFAP issue re: Education for Living Wills and Healthcare Powers of Attorney. The issue began at a local level conference and worked its way through the entire process, recently receiving the stamp of "Completed" at a July 09 General Officer Steering Committee.

The "Taking Care of Business" video explains which forms and what documents a Soldier should complete to ensure their final wishes are observed.



Presentation

Families Soldiers CiviliansClick here to see what AFAP can do for your community.

Click here to see the 2008 key executive and legislative initiatives.



What executive and legislative initiatives addressed AFAP issues?
[6/29/2009]

Several key executive and legislative initiatives successfully addressed AFAP issues. They include:
Public Law 110-245 authorized the Heroes Earning Assistance and Relief Act of 2008 [HEART Act] and tax credit for employers who pay a salary differential to mobilized reservists. (AFAP Issue 486)

Public Law 110-314 authorized the Higher Education Opportunity Act mandating that states charge no higher than in-state tuition rates for military personnel and their dependents. (AFAP Issue 521)

FY09 National Defense Authorization Act granted professional weight allowance for military spouses (AFAP Issue 531) and paternity leave for new military fathers in addition to normal leave. (AFAP Issue 578)

Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 authorizing distribution of Montgomery GI Bill benefits (MGIB) to dependents (AFAP Issue 497) and MGIB for Veterans Education Assistance Program Era Soldiers. (AFAP Issue 385)

Executive Order (spouse employment) allowing noncompetitive appointment authority for spouses of active duty (AD), disabled service members (SM) and un-remarried widow/widower of a SM killed on AD. (AFAP Issue 591)
How does AFAP support the Army Family Covenant?
[6/29/2009]

AFAP is the Army’s customer-centric process to support Army Initiative #2 and the Army Family Covenant by giving commanders and leader’s insight into current satisfaction detractors, quality of life needs, and expectations of Army constituents. Army installations conduct annual AFAP forums to identify issues most pressing to Soldiers, Families, retirees, and DA Civilians. Issues are reviewed and prioritized at Command and HQDA AFAP Conferences. The Director of the Army Staff assigns HQDA AFAP issues to Army Staff principals for resolution. The AFAP General Officer Steering Committee, comprised of senior Department of Defense, Army officials and field representatives (commanders and command sergeants major), meets semi-annually to provide direction and determine final issue status.
What keeps AFAP relevant?
[6/29/2009]

AFAP… is the Army’s primary tool communicating to leadership issues of importance for Soldiers, Family members, retirees, and DA civilians . . .

Is the people’s perspective of adjustments and improvements that will increase recruitment, retention and work-life satisfaction . . .

AFAP supports the Army Force Generation Model (ARFORGEN) and unit commanders by identifying quality of life concerns . . .

Supports restoration of balance by improving predictable standardized services and programs across the Army . . .

AFAP demonstrates that Army leaders care about the people who make up the Army Family and . . .

Makes our Army a better place to live and work.
What is Customer Management Services (CMS)?
[6/29/2009]

Customer Management Services (CMS) was implemented in 2008 to gather feedback from constituents with access to services provided on Army installations and using that feedback to make improvements to installation services and processes. CMS works with garrison agencies and organizations to improve customer perception of available services and provides a forum for community members to air concerns and receive quarterly updates on those concerns.
Who can be an AFAP participant? How do CMS and AFAP work in partnership?
[6/29/2009]

The garrison AFAP program manager works with the Customer Service Officer (CSO) to review and process issues that surface throughout the year as part of the Community FIRST/AFAP process. Both collect issues, concerns and comments year round from the community, quarterly focus groups, Town Hall meetings, customer service comments that cannot be resolved by ICE, and from the community through traditional AFAP issue solicitation process. The CSO manages issues that are within the purview of the garrison commander to resolve (during quarterly Installation Action Council/AFAP Steering Committee); while the AFAP Program Manager manages the development and tracking of issues that require higher headquarters resolution.