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Fairchild prevents child abuse through TFI

  • Published
  • By Scott King
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  While April is proclaimed to be National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Fairchild agencies do all they can year-round to prevent child abuse.

The 92nd Air Refueling Wing and the 141st ARW utilize 'Total Force Integration' along with the base's many resources to help parents and their children develop loving, healthy relationships.

Child abuse falls into four categories: Physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect, according to the Department of Children and Families.

In the U.S. an estimated five children die each day due to child abuse or neglect, according to the DCF. In addition, the U.S. also has the highest incidence of child abuse in the industrialized world.

"It is apparent based on those alarming statistics, that we must be vigilant each day of every month," said Ruth Sunde, 92nd Medical Group Family Advocacy outreach manager. "The hardest cases we handle are those involving children, as children are the most vulnerable. We strive 365 days-a-year through the Family Advocacy Program to bring a voice to their plight."

Even before childbirth, base agencies offer programs to families aimed at creating and strengthening bonds.

The FAP offers the New Parent Support Program, that provides services to families as soon as they have determined they are pregnant and runs through the time the child is three years of age. Parents receive education and guidance on; realistic expectations in regards to their soon arriving family member, information about nutrition and general health during pregnancy, breast feeding and navigating the TRICARE system.

Following birth, the FAP educates parents on baby feeding and nutrition, prevention of shaken baby syndrome, sudden death syndrome, and ages and stages of development. They also offer a weekly Water Babies Class at the base pool. This provides an opportunity for new parents to meet others and time to bond with their child. The class is open to babies eight weeks to three years old.

Another program FAP is rolling out in May is "Dads: The Basics" where fathers will be prepared for hospital visits and basics like calming a crying baby, changing a diaper and prevention discussions in regards to bonding and attachment as well as shaken baby syndrome.

FAP also offers 'couples' communication classes and marital therapy as well as anger management and stress management classes.

These are just a few of the programs the FAP offers. They also work closely with other base agencies to curtail child abuse.

"The sentiment we go by is 'it takes a village to raise a child,'" Sunde said. "We rely heavily on other helping agencies, first sergeants and commanders to refer, promote and support our programs. We also work closely with the 141st ARW folks to ensure their families get to take advantage of base programs."

The 141st ARW has its own Airman & Family Readiness Program that is an information, resource and referral agency. If child abuse is an issue for one of our Airmen they contact 92nd ARW agencies, local civilian agencies or authorities for assistance.

"I feel very fortunate to work with all of the helping agencies on base to leverage information, education and resources for military members and their families," said Mary Thomas, 141st A&FR program manager. "The civilian work force at Fairchild is committed to assisting all Airmen regardless of status, and repeatedly demonstrates this with the support they extend to this office and Air Guard families."

For more information about base programs or to seek help, contact 92nd Medical Group Family Advocacy at 247-2687 or the 141st A&FR program manager at 247-7009.