Survey assess Air Force community well-being

  • Published
SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) --  Invitations to take the 2011 Air Force Community Assessment were sent out late January and only two weeks remain to be able to take the survey.

The assessment is designed to assist chaplains and people working in installation-level Airman and Family Readiness Centers, family advocacy programs, health and wellness centers, mental health clinics and child and youth programs to better meet the needs of service members and their families.

"This important survey provides ... a means to ensure that community interventions are timely, focused and data-driven," said Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Charles Green, Air Force surgeon general. "In its 20-year history, the Community Assessment has been instrumental in determining the strengths and needs of Air Force communities and tailoring programs at the installation, major command and Air Force levels."

Topics covered in the survey include personal and family adjustment, individual and family adaptation, community well-being, deployment, resiliency, post-traumatic stress and help-seeking stigma.

More than 2,000 Goodfellow personnel and 1,400 spouses were randomly asked to participate in the anonymous assessment, and with only two weeks left to take the survey, not many people have stepped up to let their voice be heard.

Completion statistics:
Active duty: 12 percent
Active duty spouses: 2 percent
Civilian: 40 percent
Reservists: 6 percent
Reserve spouses: None

A notification letter including a link to the Web-based survey was sent out to the work e-mail address of each servicemember selected to participate. Spouses were sent a postcard in the mail with the Web link. Everyone selected is encouraged to participate to aid in the success in the project.

The survey should take service member and spouse participants 30-45 minutes to complete.

Data collected from the survey will be analyzed and briefed to wing and Air Force leaders. The information will help make community-wide program planning and resource allocation decisions, which ultimately enhance the quality of life, readiness and retention of Air Force personnel.