Military and Family Life consultation program

  • Published
  • By Glenda Alexander
  • 509th Force Support Squadron
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  As a result of the heightened stress placed on the military, their marriages and their families, the Department of Defense established the Military and Family Life Consultant Program in 2004 to augment existing military support services. The protocol for the Air Force was approved by the IDS/CAIB at the Pentagon. The Air Force began using MFLC's in the Pacific in 2006, Europe in 2007 and this year in the United States. By the end of this year, there will be an MFLC on every base in the U.S. MFLC's are housed at the Airmen and Family Readiness Centers. The A&FRC at Whiteman AFB is located at 750 Arnold Street next to the Post Office.

Military and Family Life Consultants are experienced social workers, psychologists and marriage and family therapists who rotate to bases every 45 days.

MFLC's offer three services:

· Non-medical, short term, situational, problem solving counseling services to individuals, couples, and families. The counseling services are free, confidential and no records are kept. However, MFLC's are mandated reporters of child abuse, domestic abuse, harm to self or others, and other duty to warn situations. Referrals are made to appropriate military resources if needed.

· One to three minute briefings about the program to wings, groups, squadrons, flights, agencies, dependent and civilian groups.

· Presentations on various Military Lifestyle and Life Skills issues including:
deployment, reunion and reintegration, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, anger management, relationship issues, communication skills, coping skills, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, homesickness, parenting skills, productivity at work and other occupational issues.

Services are available to active duty, Guard, Reserve, dependents and retirees, on or off military installations and by telephone.

To schedule an appointment, briefing and/or presentation, contact the Whiteman MFLC at (660) 251-1949 or the A&FRC at (660) 687-7132.