AFIMSC programs help military families thrive 

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  • AFIMSC Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center and its subordinate units deliver morale, welfare and recreation programs, activities and infrastructure to build and sustain ready and resilient Airmen, Guardians and families.  

Many of the programs, missions and initiatives are closely associated with the Five and Thrive initiative that launched in 2021.  

The initiative, developed by Sharene Brown, wife of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., and a diverse group of spouses on her Thrive Team, increases focus and attention on the top five quality of life challenges military families face.  

The challenges – childcare, education, healthcare, housing and spouse employment – are directly tied to military family readiness, resilience and retention of the force, as are numerous supporting pillars such as the Airman’s Attic, exchange stores, commissaries, fitness centers, libraries, legal assistance and sexual assault response coordinators. 

During Military Family Appreciation Month, here's a look at some of the ways AFIMSC supports Five and Thrive challenge areas. 

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VIDEO | 06:04 | AFIMSC Supports Five and Thrive

CHILDCARE 

*  The Air Force Services Center’s Child Development Program provides accessible, accredited and affordable childcare services to meet the developmental needs of children in a healthy, safe and nurturing environment. Programs include full-time, hourly, part-day enrichment and Give Parents a Break care options. 

*  AFSVC’s Youth Programs provide for positive youth development for those 6-18 years old through things like school-age care, youth sports and fitness, teen programs, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math initiatives, and residential youth camps.

AFSVC’s Family Child Care Program provides flexible care options for children in a small setting environment with personalized service. More than 365 certified FCC homes, located on or off installations, support parents with different schedules, family needs and mission demands. 

*  With its new childcare offset policy, AFSVC is helping installation childcare programs recruit and retain exceptional staffs. Through this initiative, childcare is more affordable and accessible to providers, allowing for expanded hours and services for military families. 

EDUCATION  

*  AFSVC’s DAF-wide School Liaison Program serves as a critical link between installations, schools and military-connected families.  

*  More than 90 SLP managers provide education advocacy and support for students in pre-k through grade 12. 

*  Liaisons provide resources, build partnerships and advocate to help students thrive academically, socially and emotionally, regardless of duty station, deployments or transition status. 

HEALTHCARE  

*  Through its respite childcare care program, AFSVC offers additional childcare support for families in the Exceptional Family Member Program, providing up to 40 hours of care per month for the exceptional family member and siblings up to 13 years of age at installations with qualified providers. 

*  AFIMSC’s Chaplain Services provides an enterprise view of Chaplain Corps programs and services that help establish trusted connections to feed the spiritual, ethical, moral and religious needs of Airmen, Guardians and their families.  They do this through privileged counseling, unit engagements, leadership advisement, and worship, rites and liturgies. 

*  The Air Force Installation Contracting Center directly supports the health and wellness of Airmen, Guardians and their families through its operational acquisition programs. This includes securing contracts for COVID testing and supplies during the recent pandemic, expanding employee assistance programs and fielding virtual reality suicide prevention training to save lives. 

HOUSING 

The Air Force Civil Engineer Center manages more than 70,000 privatized homes and 100,000 dormitory bed spaces on or in close proximity to installations. It recently established the housing advocacy program to ensure residents have a liaison to help them when problems or concerns arise. The advocates also escalate issues directly with installation leadership when necessary to find solutions for the benefit of everyone concerned. 

*  AFCEC further supports the Air Force family through the construction and renovation of everything from fitness centers and dining facilities to temporary lodging facilities and chapels.  

*  AFIMSC’s Resource Management Directorate processes more than 230,000 travel vouchers annually valued at $500+ million. This ensures Airmen, Guardians and families on the move receive timely payment of expenses incurred as a result of permanent change of station moves, or emergency evacuation or relocation following a natural disaster.  

SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT 

*  AFIMSC provides employment opportunities to military spouses in areas that support morale, welfare and recreation, and sustainment globally. 

*  AFSVC conducts hiring programs for nonappropriated fund positions across the enterprise and manages the retiree investment portfolio for more than 17,500 NAF employees. 

SUPPORTING PILLARS 

*  Across the Department of the Air Force, the AFSVC-managed library program offers Airmen, Guardians and their families access to a wide variety of printed and downloadable books, audiobooks, music and videos. 

Fitness center programs, managed by AFSVC, support 5,000 recreational programs to help Airmen and Guardians stay fit, resilient and ready. 

The fitness centers offer state-of-the-art equipment and access, delivering standardized, high-quality facilities and programs at more than 170 fitness centers at 85 installations. 

For more on the Five and Thrive initiative and resources to help families navigate military life, visit www.fiveandthrive.org.