Page 5 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, June 1 2018

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EFMP hours increased for Nellis, Creech families
June 1, 2018 5 Facebook.com/NellisDesertLightningNews
Why, from Page 2
and solidifies their role in the profession of arms
We expect our most seasoned leaders to ask “why” to get to the root cause of problems. We encourage our senior NCOs to ask “why” when trying to diagnose behavioral issues. Why would we not want our Airmen to take the same critical think- ing approach to the tasks they perform?
The Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson, recently sent out a call for Airmen to submit their innovative ideas in an attempt to save money and make the Air force more ef- ficient. The first step in finding inefficiencies is allowing our Airmen to question processes and offer opinions to optimize new solutions.
As an Airman, I felt like just another cog in the machine. I was trudging through the week trying to get to the weekend. After a change in office leadership, my outlook changed en- tirely. My questions and requests for context were met with detailed answers and information that helped me better un- derstand our mission and where I fit into it. I had a new sense of purpose in that organization.
Today, as a supervisor and overall team leader, I want my Airmen to hold me accountable. Ask me, “Why do we perform a task this way? Why are we prioritizing things this way?” Worst case scenario, I spend two minutes providing background and context to the things we do. Best case scenario, they help me identify inefficiencies in our process and make our unit better.
Airmen in today’s Air Force are routinely coming in with completed college degrees and vast experience in the real world. They are fueled by a desire to be a part of something and to feel like they are making a difference. If asking “why” is their way of finding purpose in the work they do, I recom- mend we embrace “why” rather than vilify it.
by Airman 1st Class Andrew D. Sarver
Nellis AFB, Nev.
Recently, Air Force Family Child Care services increased respite care time from 12 to 40 hours per month for qualified Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) families.
For families who are new to the EFMP Respite Care Program, it is designed to assist Air Force families with short-term, specialized child care for those who qualify, as well as additional care for siblings 13 years old and younger.
“For us to take care of our families, we have to take care of ourselves first,” said Natalia Lewis, Creech Family Child Care coordinator.
Nellis Air Force Base is the largest provider of EFMP care, which allows families to receive a wide variety of child care services for children with mild autism to children requiring a feeding tube.
“Being a parent is already hard as it is, but when you have a child with special needs it becomes more difficult because you have your therapies, referrals and doctor’s appointments on top of the already stressful work that being a parent brings,” said Lewis.
The eligibility requirements for families to receive respite care are as follows:
• Member of the Air Force
• Active Duty or Reserve/Guard in activated
status
• Verification of at least one family member who
has been identified as an Exceptional Family
Member
• Airman must be Q-coded (or meet enrollment
criteria)
• Completed Air Force request with Child Care
Aware
With the increase of care hours provided for fami-
lies, Nellis and Creech Air Force bases are also look- ing for more individuals to help provide that care.
“Every family will have different needs so the more providers we have, the more diverse the coverage will be for specialties as well as scheduling respite care,” said Lewis.
The increase in respite care hours comes from part of the Air Force budget with the purpose of not only recruiting Airmen, but also retaining them.
“Certification for providers is extensive, but it’s to emphasize the importance of their job, the care that they provide and the relief they bring to those families,” said Lewis.
To submit an application to become a care pro- vider, visit Child Care Aware for America.
“Being a care provider is such a rewarding job. You’re helping our military children and families and it’s just a great experience. I haven’t met anyone who has received respite care and regretted it,” said Lewis.
For more information regarding respite care eli- gibility or care provider qualification, contact Child Care Aware at 800-424-2246 or Nellis Family Child Care at 702-652-4400.
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