Resiliency: Military Family Life Consultant Program available at Fairchild Published Jan. 30, 2012 By Scott King 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- There are only three of them, rotating in and out of Fairchild every three months, but they provide wide-ranging services to Fairchild from everything like teaching resiliency lessons to conflict resolution. Integrated into the Airman & Family Readiness Center and the Child Development Center, the Military Family Life Consultant program has been fully engaged with Fairchild active duty, Reserve and their families since 2008. Their mission is broad: "To address issues that occur across the military lifestyle and helps Fairchild members and their families cope with normal reactions to the stress resulting from deployments, and war and reintegration." "The MFLCs are that non-intimidating link for people needing and receiving counseling services," said Maria Chapa, A&FRC community readiness technician. "The diversity of issues that can be addressed by the consultant speaks volume towards their level of expertise and years of experience in helping service members and their families. Whether the individual or family is coping with deployments or the transition to civilian life, the MFLCs are key supporters of our A&FRC programs." Their services include, but are not limited to; Life skills: anger management, communications, relationships issues, productivity at work, conflict resolution, and parenting and decision making skills. They also assist with military lifestyle issues such as; deployment stress, coping skills, relocation adjustment, sadness, grief and loss, homesickness, separation, building resiliency, reintegration, warrior to citizen and occupational and family issues. "The MFLCs fill the niche between someone doing nothing and/or seeking services from other base agencies," Chapa said. "They can't work with anyone who is already receiving services from other base agencies. Our MFLC's provide short-term, non-medical counseling services and short term problem solving." The consultants are Masters-level or above licensed clinical counselors. They are mandated reporters of child abuse, domestic violence and other duty to warn instances. Counseling services are otherwise confidential and no written records are kept on counseling sessions. They rotate in and out of Fairchild every ninety days to protect people's confidentially. "Having the MFLCs embedded into the AFRC's Readiness Program has been instrumental in supporting our personnel and their loved ones through every stage of deployment," said Master Sgt. Sonyetta Charlton-Bell, A&FRC, readiness NCO. "They are also subject matter experts in relationships and having them included in our programs and briefings has expanded our outreach to those in need. The challenges or issues addressed are discussed without stigma and are conducted in private settings." On a recent questionnaire, a service member expressed gratitude for the support the MFLCs had provided to his spouse at Fairchild during his deployment. "MFLCs are a lifeline offering support to our people," Charlton-Bell said. "Couples are sometimes reluctant to discuss certain relationship issues during a class or workshop out of embarrassment or fear, with the consultants, they can do that." The MFLC offices are located in the A&FRC. For more information, call 247-2246. Chapa went on to say, "It would be difficult to imagine the military without the MFLC program - especially as we move toward an Air Force where 'resiliency' is key to having successful Airmen and families.