Leadership asks spouses for opinions

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Brugman
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  For the first time in Air Force history, every spouse of an active-duty member is invited to take part in the 2006 Community Assessment Survey. 

The Community Needs Assessment Survey occurs every two to three years and is used to assess the current climate of the Air Force. 

“There may be an issue out there involving a spouse, and she/he may think they are alone until this survey comes along and we discover it is not just one voice, but many voices that have the same concern,” said Mrs. Deb Arquiette, wife of Col. Steve Arquiette, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander. 

A postcard has been sent out to all spouses of active duty members stationed at Travis. The postcard directs spouses to the following web address: http://www.spouseAFCAsurvey.com, with the site access code being SpouseAFCA (not case sensitive). If you are a spouse of an active-duty member and did not receive a postcard you are still eligible, just go to the Web address and enter the access code. 

“Since this survey assesses the climate of Travis every two years, it has become Travis Integrated Delivery Systems’ main resource in determining if issues presented in the past have been solved or if a new approach is needed. The information collected will help TiDES make community-wide program planning and resource allocation decisions, which will ultimately enhance the quality of life, readiness and retention of Air Force personnel” said Mr. Jason Gunnarson, community readiness consultant at the Airman & Family Readiness Center, formerly known as the Family Support Center. “I hope to get a high enough response rate from the 3,086 active duty spouses here on Travis to produces accurate data. This will allow for precise targeting of limited resources and assets toward needed community programs and services. "

Spousal responses to this survey can directly influence family services and related support activities at Travis and throughout the Air Force. Results from previous Air Force Community Assessments have impacted the policies and programs that support spouses at every level of the Air Force including: 

- Flex scheduling of vital family support programs to match member’s schedules 

- Developed partnerships with off-base agencies to provide marriage counseling and daycare at reduced or no cost 

- Created innovative divorce prevention seminars for couples having difficulty 

- Adjusted daycare and other support service hours to match community member needs
- Provided a “Family Day,” allowing members to spend more time with their families

- Increasing spouse-to-spouse support, especially during times when service member is deployed or on temporary duty 

- Increasing job opportunities for Air Force spouses 

“I can’t stress enough what a valuable tool the 2006 Community Assessment Survey is to the Travis Team,” said Colonel Arquiette. “We can’t begin to improve the base without first hearing from you what you feel needs to be changed. We need your suggestions.” 

This year’s survey at Travis will be particularly important. As part of a Department of Defense-sponsored initiative, this year’s community assessment, along with some supplemental questions, will be used to direct additional resources to help service members and families base-wide. Base agencies will be working with researchers to ensure that this year’s survey results are used to maximum benefit, according to Mr. Gunnarson. 

“This is the spouses’ outlet – their voice,” he said. 

For more information, call Mr. Gunnarson at 424-2486.