FAMILY CARE BRIEFING
- The family Care Program is governed by AFI 36-2908
- Who must have a Family Care Plan?
-- All AF members with families
- Who must complete the AF Form 357, Family Care
Certification?
-- Single military personnel with family members
-- Dual military couples with family members
-- Military members with civilian spouses who have unique family situations
FAMILY CARE BRIEFING
- Commander and First Sergeant Responsibilities:
-- Review all AF Form 357’s and Family Care Plans quarterly
-- Conduct annual Family Care Plan briefings
-- Take disciplinary actions when members fail to comply with
AF requirements governing family care responsibilities.
This could include involuntary separation.
- Your responsibilities:
-- Provide adequate family care for your family. This will include
arrangements to provide for your family during TDY’s, exercises,
& Contingencies
-- Keep the commander and first sergeant informed of any changes
within your family status.
FAMILY CARE BRIEFING
- Explanation of Terms:
-- Caregiver/Designee - An individual, not a member of the
Armed Forces, at least 21 years of age, capable of self-care
and care of children and agrees in writing to care for your
family during your absence.
-- Family Care Plan - Document that outlines service-specific
forms the person providing care needs during the members
absence. It designates arrangements for the member’s family
care and should be specific enough to cover all situations while
providing a smooth, rapid transfer of responsibilities.
-- Unique Family Situation - Member has a civilian spouse not
capable of providing care for family members themselves.
Examples include but are not limited to: illness, disability,
limited English, etc.
FAMILY CARE BRIEFING
- All military members must notify the commander
or first sergeant within 30 days if one of the following applies:
------
Birth or adoption of a child
Loss of a spouse through death, separation, or divorce
Spouse enters the military and you become a dual military couple
Assumption of sole care for elderly or disabled family member
Absence of a spouse through career/job commitment or other personal
reason
-- Any other reason you feel a Family Care Plan may be required
FAMILY CARE BRIEFING
- How to develop a Family Care Plan:
-- Consult with the following agencies to assist in
setting up a viable Family Care Plan:
Staff Judge Advocate
MPF Customer Service Element
Financial Services Office
Chaplain
Family Support Center
Child Care Center
Unit First Sergeant
FAMILY CARE BRIEFING
- How to develop a Family Care Plan (cont.):
-- Things to think about:
--- Arrangements must cover all reasonably practical situations,
both short- and long-term
--- Make arrangements for the designee or caregiver to have access
to adequate funds to support family members during your absence
--- Single parents will consult with an attorney prior to designating the
non-custodial parent as the short- or long-term designee or caregiver
--- Ensure the designee or caregiver can use base facilities
--- Ensure the designee or caregiver knows about the behavioral
changes of your family members
FAMILY CARE BRIEFING
- How to develop a Family Care Plan (cont.):
-- Things to think about (cont.):
--- Execute a Power Of Attorney (POA) for your designee
or caregiver to allow for medical care, enrollment in school, etc
--- A copy of the POA must be included with the AF Form 357,
you retain the original
--- Consider a POA to act as loco parentis
--- Designate an individual to assume temporary custody when
your primary caregiver won’t be available
--- Designate an individual in the event of your death or incapacitation
to assume temporary custody until a legal guardian is appointed
--- SGLI, recommend maximum coverage--Who is the Beneficiary?
FAMILY CARE BRIEFING
- Complete or revise your Family Care Plan
and AF Form 357:
-----
When you arrive at a new unit
When you re-enlist or extend your enlistment
On notification of a PCS
Complete the AF Form 357 before departure and hand-carry
overseas to your new first sergeant
-- When your personal status or family circumstances change
- When to implement the Family Care Plan:
-- Whenever you are required to be absent from your family members
-- Whenever single parents or military couples are assigned to
family-member restricted areas