Chapter 1 - Family Care Responsibilities
PARA PAGE
Terms explained................................................ 1-1 1
Relationship of Family Care to the Performance of Military Duties..............................................
Who is Required to Certify Worldwide
Availability on AF Form 357..............................
Short Term Deferments.....................................
Remedial Action................................................
1-2 2
1-3 2
1-4 2
1-5 2
Chapter 2 - Developing Your Family Care Plan
Advance Planning.............................................
Types of Designees...........................................
2-1 3
Selection of Your Family Care Designee(s)........ 2-2 3
2-3 3
Powers of Attorney...........................................
Transportation Arrangements...........................
Financial Arrangements...................................
DEERS.............................................................
TRICARE.......................................................
TRICARE-Active Duty Family Member Dental
2-4 4
2-5 5
2-6 5
2-7 5
2-8 6
Plan (FMDP)....................................................
I.D. Cards.........................................................
BX and Commissary Privileges.........................
2-9 6
2-10 6
2-11 6
DD Form 93, Emergency Data Card.................
Wills................................................................
2-12 6
2-13 7
Important Documents to have on hand............. 2-14 7
Attachments
Attachment 1
Attachment 2
1. Developing Your Family Care Plan (RECAP).......
2. Support Agencies..................................................

Chapter 1
Family Care Responsibilities
1-1. Terms Explained : a. Member: For the purpose of this program, member refers to any person, commissioned or enlisted, in an active, reserve, or Air National Guard component. b. Single parent: A member who has no spouse or who is separated or otherwise apart from his or her spouse, but has physical custody of children under 19 years of age or a disabled family member of any age for whom the member bears full medical, legal, logistical (for example, housing, food, clothing, transportation) and/or financial responsibility. c. Dual Military Couples With Family Member(s): Active duty members married to each other who have joint responsibility and physical custody for care of children under 19 years of age or family members for whom the member bears medical, legal, financial, and/or logistical responsibility. d. Family Member: For the purpose of this program, anyone who bears any of the following relationships to the member:
(1) An unmarried child under 19 years of age.
(2) A family member 19 years of age or older incapable of self-care.
(3) A parent or another person related by blood or marriage who depends on the member or members for over half of his or her support, is incapable of self-care, and resides in the household with the member or members. e. Household: A principal place of abode of the military sponsor, usually located at or within the vicinity of the permanent duty station. f. Worldwide Available: Ready for the immediate performance of the full scope of military duties including, but not limited to, permanent change of station (PCS), or permanent change of assignment (PCA), unaccompanied tours, temporary tour of duty (TDY) to include short notice or no-notice deployments, alerts, recalls, extended duty hours, shift work, and similar military obligations. g. Family Member Restricted Area: An area where the member is not authorized to take family members.
An area where an accompanied-by-family member(s) tour is not authorized. h. Stepparent: A member married to another military member who is parent or legal guardian of family member(s) who reside(s) in the household of the military couple. i. Local Area: For the purpose of this program, local area means any location within a 50 mile radius from your house or place of duty. There may be extraordinary cases in which exceptions to this general definition are appropriate. In those cases, the member must prove that the time and distance involved in transporting the family member(s) to the daily caretaker or short term designee does not affect mission requirements. All exceptions must be approved by the unit commander. j. Caregiver: An individual who is not a member of the Armed Forces or a member of a Reserve
Component, is at least 21 years of age, and is capable of self- care and care of children or other family members.
This individual must agree in writing to care for one or more family members during the member's absence for indefinite periods to ensure the member is available for world-wide duty.

1-2. Relationship of Family Care to the Performance of Military Duties . All Air Force members with family members must take the initiative to use all available military and civilian resources at their disposal to make sure family members receive adequate care, support, and supervision in a manner compatible with the members military duties. Unless specifically exempted by AFI 36-2908, Family Care Responsibilities, or other directive, all members of the Air Force must be worldwide available at all times, as defined in AFI 36-2908.
1-3. Who is Required to Certify Worldwide Availability on AF Form 357 . a. Members whose civilian spouses are not capable of providing care for family members or themselves.
Examples of situations where a commander can require a member to make and document family care arrangements include a spouse with limited English language ability, spouse illness, absence from the local area, or marital separation. b. Single military sponsors and military couples with family members. c. Stepparents who have not adopted the children residing in their household may have no legal obligations to provide care for those family members. To make sure the stepparent is available, these members must complete item 19 of the spouses AF Form 357 certifying that the presence of the stepchild in the household will not preclude the member from completing their military duties.
1-4. Short Term Deferments . Short-term (60 days) temporary accommodations are allowed to permit the establishment of a family care plan by newly assigned single member sponsors, military couples with dependents, or those who have recently become single member sponsors or military couples with dependents. Thereafter, single member sponsors and both members of a military couple are expected to be worldwide available and participate equitably in all unit activities (for example, recalls, shift work, alerts, exercises, and deployments). Supervisors will not make modifications on a long term or permanent basis to accommodate (or "work around") unique family care arrangements of members.
1-5. Remedial Action . Prompt command action will be taken against members who, despite counseling and assistance, fail to make and maintain family care arrangements, thereby interfering with their worldwide availability.
Action under the UCMJ may be appropriate. Failure to complete AF Form 357 evidencing arrangements for substitute family care makes a member not worldwide available and therefore subject to disciplinary action. Failure to be worldwide available can be used as a basis for parenthood separation for airman (AFI 36-3208) and a best interest of the Air Force separation for officers (AFI 36-3206).
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Chapter 2
Developing Your Family Care Plan
2-1. Advance Planning . Advance planning is the key to family member care arrangements. a. Family care plans must cover all reasonable practical situations both short and long-term, and must be sufficiently detailed and systematic to provide a smooth, rapid transfer of responsibilities to another individual during the absence of the military sponsor. The individual designated to assume responsibility may not be another military member because that member must also remain worldwide available. If this designee does not live in the local area, a nonmilitary person in the local area must be designated to assume temporary custody until such time as the principal designee arrives to assume custody or family members are transported to the principal designee. b. If you have dual custody of a family member, you must ensure that your family care arrangements don't violate a divorce decree, separation agreement, or other legally binding agreement or order. In every such case, you should have your dependent care plan and all legal documents reviewed by the family care program manager and the base legal office to ensure that your plan does not conflict with legally binding agreements.
2-2. Selecting Your Family Care Caregivers/Designee : This is the most important phase of your family care planning. The individual you select should be a responsible, mature, emotionally stable, mobile person. When you find such a person, ask yourself these questions: a. Is this person legally qualified to assume responsibility for my family member(s)? Your caregiver/designee must be an adult, 21 or over, and capable of self care. b. Does this person share my values? Your caregiver/designee will be your child's surrogate parent; As such they will be responsible for their care, supervision, and discipline. c. Is this the person I trust with my child's life? The individual you select will have both custody of your family member(s) and medical power of attorney allowing them to act on your behalf. If your family member becomes seriously ill or is injured, your caregiver/designee may be compelled to make life and death decisions without consulting you. Ask yourself, "is this the person I trust in making these decisions?"
2-3. Types of Caregivers/Designees . The types of caregivers are: Short-term, long-term, and alternate. These designees have two things in common; they must be nonmilitary adults (age 21 or over) and they must be able to fulfill their responsibilities without the help of another person. You will also appoint a temporary care designee.
This person may be in the military and must be an adult (age 21 or over), able to fulfill his/her responsibility without the help of another person. Here is an explanation of each caregivers/designees role: a. Short Term Designee. This person accepts custody of your family members if you report for duty for extended hours, recalls, or TDY. Here are some key points to remember about this designee:
(1). The person designated must live in the local area as determined by your squadron commander
(50 mile radius from your residence or place of duty).
(2). The number of days your designee assumes temporary custody of your family member(s) are limited only by your agreement, but we recommend a minimum of 15 - 30 days. This will allow your short-term designee adequate time to contact your long-term designee and make final travel arrangements if an immediate transfer of family care responsibilities is needed.
(3). If your short-term designee isn't your day care provider, make sure your designee knows where to pick up your family member(s) in case your plan must be implemented in your absence. Also, let your day care provider know who your designee is and under what circumstances they are authorized to pick up your family member(s).
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(4). As the key player in your family care plan, the short-term designee needs to know the name, address and phone number of any other designee, as well as a way to positively identify them. In fact, it's a good idea to introduce your designees to each other, if only by phone. Familiarity will relieve some of the stress involved in carrying out your plan and should make things go smoothly. b. Long-Term Designee. This individual accepts custody of your family member(s) if you're reassigned in an unaccompanied status or deployed TDY for a duration to exceed the responsibilities of the short-term designee.
There's no requirement that this person reside in the local area. Here are some key points to consider:
(1). You need to make sure this person has access to the religious, educational and medical facilities required to support the needs of your family member(s). This is an overriding consideration if you have a physically or emotionally handicapped family member.
(2). If you have school age children, your designee needs to know the schools name and address, and what documents are needed to acquire transcripts. c. Alternate Designee. Appointment of an alternate designee is optional, or as directed by the unit commander when there is a question as to the primary designee's continued availability. You may appoint either an alternate short or long-term designee. Generally speaking, an alternate short-term designee is recommended since the success of your plan normally hinges on the availability of your local designee. When appointing an alternate designee, remember that the individual accepts family care responsibilities for the same period of time as the person they are appointed to replace. d. Temporary Custody Designee. This individual accepts custody of your family member(s) if you’re incapacitated or killed. Normally this individual would be similar to the person identified as your Long Term
Designee; however, this individual MUST RESIDE IN THE LOCAL AREA. This requirement is based on the immediate response required for medical emergencies or death. This will also normally be the person you would like to maintain custody of your family member(s) until a court decides final custody.
2-4. Powers of Attorney . You must execute a power of attorney (or other sufficient document) for any cargiver/designee to authorize them to enroll your family member(s) in school. This document must be included if you have school age children. A power of attorney to act "in loco parentis" is encouraged, and may be required in some states, for a primary long- term caregiver to exercise the desired degree of parental care and control. (Loco
Parentis" means to perform any and all parental acts, as fully as you might or could if personally present, to include, but not limited to, the discipline, maintenance, supervision, arbitration of disputes, enrollment in school, sports and other activities necessary for the general health and welfare of family member(s). See the base Legal Office for more information on powers of attorney.
2-5. Transportation Arrangements . You must make arrangements for your family member(s) to be transported to your short and long-term designee. Each designee needs to know whether your family member(s) will be sent to them or if they'll be expected to pick them up. To avoid confusion later, let each designee know who is responsible for making final transportation arrangements when family care responsibilities are transferred from the short-term designee to the long-term designee.
2-6.
Financial Arrangements . You must make arrangements for each designee to have access to adequate funds to support your family member(s) during your absence. That is, enough money for your family member’s food, clothing, lodging, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. The amount of money you make available to each designee depends on the number of family members, their needs, and the period of time the designee will have custody. Examples of disbursement plans include a joint bank account with your designee and a Class
"X" allotment to be paid to your designee upon your departure. When selecting a disbursement plan, consider how quickly the money must be made available to the designee to meet your support obligations. For example, a payroll allotment

4 may work fine for your long-term designee simply because it takes 30 days for the first allotment check to be issued, but for immediate funds other arrangements MUST be made.
2-7. Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) . You must enroll your family member(s) in
DEERS to prove their eligibility for medical and dental care. (the military sponsor is the only person who can enroll a family member in DEERS.) DEERS is a computer-based enrollment eligibility system that allows military medical facilities, Tricare, and the Delta Dental Plan (DDP) to verify an individual’s entitlement to health care. Routine
(non-emergency) medical care will be denied by military facilities if the family member is not enrolled in DEERS.
You can verify DEERS enrollment at the Sheppard Air Force Base Hospital, Outpatient Records Section. If your family member(s) are not enrolled in DEERS, you can enroll them at the Customer Service Section at the Military
Personnel Flight (MPF). You will need the following documentation to do so:
Spouse - marriage certificate
Natural child - birth certificate
Adopted child - birth certificate and adoption decree
Stepchild - birth certificate and marriage certificate
Parent - dependency determination letter from the Accounting and Finance Office (AFO)
2-8. TRICARE . You need to familiarize each caregiver/designee with TRICARE. TRICARE is a health care plan that shares most of the costs of care from civilian hospitals and doctors when military family members can't get care through a military hospital or clinic. Your caregiver(s)/designee need to know who is covered, what is covered, what is not covered, where to get care, how much it will cost, how to file a claim, and how to appeal an adverse TRICARE decision. All of this information and more is contained in the "TRICARE Handbook". You can get a copy from the
Health Benefits Advisor or TRICARE Service Center, located in the 82 nd Medical Group.
2-9. TRICARE-Active Duty Family Member Dental Plan (FMDP) . You need to familiarize each designee with the Active Duty Family Member Dental Plan (FMDP) if your family members are enrolled. This plan covers certain basic dental care for family members residing in the 50 states, District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and
Puerto Rico. Everything your caregiver(s) need to know about the plan is covered in the booklet "The Uniformed
Service Active Duty Family Dental Plan". You can get a copy from the TRICARE Advisor or from the Customer
Service Section at MPF. If you want to enroll your family member(s) in the plan, you can do so at the MPF
Customer Service Section.
2-10. I.D. Cards . You must obtain Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege (USIP) cards for all eligible family members. Commonly called family member I.D. cards, these cards are issued to those individuals entitled to specific military benefits and privileges. Family members 10 years of age and older must have I.D. cards. Military couples and single sponsors with children under the age of 10 years may be issued I.D. cards when there is a genuine need. (I.D. cards are not issued solely to support the requirements of AFI 36-2908.) Cards may be issued to these children if the temporary guardian (long-term caregiver) resides far enough from Sheppard Air Force Base and the child would have to be treated at medical facility other than the one keeping the child's medical records, or when the military sponsor(s) are serving an unaccompanied overseas tour and/or assigned to duties or location where children could not reasonably be expected to accompany the parent(s). Your caregiver(s) should insure that all eligible family members have I.D. cards before leaving the Sheppard area. See the MPF Customer Service Section for I.D. card applications. In case of short- or no-notice deployments, the unit commander or first sergeant will help your caregiver obtain I.D. cards for all eligible family members under 10 years of age.
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2-11. Base Exchange (BX) and Commissary Privileges . Although not mandatory, you may request authorization for your designee(s) to use the BX and commissary in support of your family members. Installation commanders establish local procedures on how designees gain access to the base to use these facilities, if authorized. Contact customer service at the MPF for assistance in obtaining an agent escort card which will allow access to the BX and commissary.
2-12. Virtual Record of Emergency Data (vRED) . It is vital that your vRED be up- to-date. This not only tells the Air Force who to notify in case of emergency involving you, it designates the beneficiaries of all unpaid pay allowances in the event of your death. You can check its accuracy and make updates utilizing virtual MPF.
2-13. Wills . Many people believe they don't need a will because they have few assets of any value. Others believe that even without a will their property will pass on to their spouses. The truth is that most, if not all, states have enacted statues which control the distribution of property of residents who die without a valid will. If you make a will, you can appoint a person to raise your children in the event of your death. The person or married couple that you select will stand in place as parent, legally responsible for the welfare of your children. You can have a will drawn up at the base Legal Office.
2-14. Important Documents to Have on Hand . Due to the highly personal and sensitive nature of the documents required to support your family care plan, i.e., powers of attorney, wills, financial arrangements, and so forth, powers of attorney will be kept with the AF Form 357 in the first sergeant’s office. The first sergeant must have a copy of your financial and transportation plans. If at all possible, set aside one specific place in your home for all documents pertaining to your family care plan to be centrally located. You should also let your caregiver(s)/designee(s) know where the location is.
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Developing Your Family Care Plan
(RECAP)
A1-1. Goal . Develop a plan that covers all reasonably practical short and long- term situations. Make sure it is sufficiently detailed and systematic to provide for a smooth, rapid transfer of family care responsibilities to another nonmilitary person. a. If this nonmilitary person does not live in the local area, as defined in AFI 36-2908, designate a nonmilitary person in the local area to assume temporary custody until your family member(s) can be transferred to the principle designee. b. If you have dual custody of a family member, check with the base Legal Office (Building. 315) to make sure your plan complies with the requirements of any legally binding agreement or order.
A1-2. Selecting Your Family Care Caregiver(s)/Designee(s) : a. Look for a responsible, mature, emotionally stable, and mobile, adult. b. Make sure this person is someone who shares your values and who you can rely upon to make important decisions in your absence. c. Make sure your long-term caregiver has access to the religious, educational and medical facilities required to support the needs of family member(s). d. Optionally, appoint an alternate short or long-term caregiver. Remember, if you appoint an alternate short-term caregiver, this adult must reside in the local area.
A1-3. Powers of Attorney . Execute powers of attorney for each caregiver/designee to authorize medical care for your family member(s). Include authorization to enroll your family member(s) in school if you have school age children. The base legal office prepares powers of attorney for military personnel and their family member(s).
A1-4. Transportation Arrangements . Let each designee know who is responsible for making final transportation arrangements when family care responsibilities are transferred from the short-term designee to the long-term designee.
A1-5. Financial Arrangements . Make arrangements for each designee to have access to enough money for family member(s) support. Choose a disbursement plan (allotment, joint bank account, etc.) based on the needs of your family member(s), the need for timely support payments, and the period of time your designee will have custody of your family member(s). The Accounting and Finance Office, Military Pay Section, processes authorizations to start, stop, and change allotments.
A1-6. DEERS . Make sure each family member is enrolled in DEERS. Enroll your family member(s) in DEERS at the Military Personnel Flight (MPF) Customer Service Section.
A1-7. TRICARE . Familiarize each designee with TRICARE by sending them a copy of the "TRICARE
Handbook". You can get a copy of the handbook from the TRICARE advisor at the hospital.
A1-8. TRICARE-Active Duty Family Member Dental Plan (FMDP) If your family members are enrolled in the
Active Duty Family Member Dental Plan (FMDP), familiarize each designee with the plan by sending them a copy of the booklet, "The Uniformed Service Active Duty Dependents Dental Plan".
A1-9. I.D. Cards . Make sure all eligible family member(s) have I.D. cards. Get I.D card applications from the
Customer Service Section, MPF.

A1-10. BX and Commissary Privileges . You can ask that your family member(s) have access to the BX and commissary in support of your family care plan.
A1-11. Virtual Record of Emergency Data (vRED) . Make sure your vRED is up-to-date. Check its accuracy and update, as appropriate, utilizing virtual MPF.
A1-12. Wills . You're encouraged to have a will with a guardianship provision. You can have a will drawn up at the base legal lffice.
A1-13. Important Documents to Have on Hand . The unit is authorized to keep copies of documents required to support your family care plan. You also need to keep file copies of these documents and make sure they are available for review upon request.
Attachment 1

Support Agencies
A2-1. Accounting and Finance Office . Building 938, 784-1851. Responsible for all pay matters, including family care support allotments.
A2-2. Chaplain . Building 779, 784-5000. Aside from religious and community programs, the chaplains provide counseling services for all military and family member personnel. Some areas they provide counseling in are religious, marital, academic, and personal problems.
A2-3. Medical Group, base hospital . Family member appointments Building 777, 784-1847.
A2-4. Military Personnel Flight (MPF).
Building 936. The MPF offers many services to military members and their families. a. Customer Service Section. 784-1845. Prepares I.D. card applications, updates DD Form 93 (emergency date card) and conducts DEERS and Delta Dental Plan enrollment. b. Records Section. 784-4828. Maintains Personnel Records counting DD From 93, and the Serviceman
Group Life Insurance Policy information.
A2-5. Security Forces.
a. Pass and Registration. Building 936, 784-1561. Issues permanent vehicle and individual passes. b. Visitor Control Center. Main Gate, 784-4657. Issues temporary vehicle and individual passes. c. Law Enforcement Desk. Building 1425, 784-5515. For a police emergency requiring immediate assistance.
A2-6. Base Legal Office . Building 938, 784-4131. This office can provide legal assistance to all military personnel and their family members. Although Air Force lawyers cannot represent you in civilian courts or civilian legal matters, they are available to provide legal advice on such matters. Services include the making of Wills and powers of attorney, information on your home-of-record state laws.
A2-7. Family Support Center . Building 769, 784-5440. The Community Support Center serves as a focal point for all assistance programs and activities that influence Air Force members and their families, retirees, and DOD civilians. Services include one-step information and referral center, counseling, and referral assistance for families in crisis (marital, financial, child-related, relocation, etc.), spouse employment referral information, and various programs and courses to assist the family in developing and improving their family skills. Other agencies located in the Community Support Center include: a. Air Force Aid Society. 784-5440. The Air Force Aid Society can provide financial assistance for a wide range of emergencies and other needs. This includes emergency financial aid to family members geographically separated from their military sponsor. Air Force Aid Society is located in the Community Support Center, Building
10525.
b. Family Services. 784-5440. Family Services in an Air Force wide program staffed by volunteers whose aim is to alleviate the inconvenience and the hardships caused by periodic moves from one station to another. A wide variety of services and information is available including: Airman's Attic (E-4's and below) Free issue household items to assist newlyweds or airman establishing a new home. Welcome Packages Information on services and activities available at Vandenberg Air Force Base and the local area.
Attachment 2

A2-8. Red Cross . Building 937, 784-1855 during duty hours, 784-7000 (Command Post) during non-duty hours.
Some of the services the Red Cross provides include personal and family counseling, emergency financial assistance, verification of emergencies involving service members and their family member(s), and assistance in communication between service members and their families, (It's vital that your designee(s) knows how to notify the Red Cross of any emergency involving your family member(s). This will greatly speed your notification and return home, if needed.)
A2-9. Your Squadron Commander. Lt Col Krakie, 784-4010 or 010-6310-6071
A2-10. Your First Sergeant. MSgt Christie Lingard, 784-6961 or 010-6312-6071
Attachment 2