The 2008 Army Family Action Plan Annual Conference was held Feb. 5. During this conference, 19 issues surfaced. Five issues were forwarded to Medical Command (MEDCOM) for consideration during their Annual AFAP Conference held May 5-9 in San Antonio, Texas. None of the issues submitted from Walter Reed were submitted to the Department of the Army AFAP Conference scheduled for January 2009 in Alexandria, Va.
The remaining 12 issues were directed to various Garrison and hospital offices for review, resolution development and implementation.
As of May 27, Col. Bruce Haselden, Walter Reedís Garrison commander, has reviewed the progress of all 19 issues. He has authorized five issues to be ìclosed.î These issues are:
Continuity of Care for Tricare Patients in the Event of a Health Disaster. The Hospitalís Emergency Operations Plan provides for access to care consideration for non-active duty patients.
Procedures for Picking up Prescriptions for Family Members. A standard policy is in place In Accordance With Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations, Office of The Surgeon General/MEDCOM Policy Memo 07-006, AR 40-7, and AR 40-400.
Security Screening. New policy in place for checking ID cards, which includes the implementation of the use of ID scanners.
Timely Basic Allowance for Housing Processing at Walter Reed. BAH entitlements are authorized within 24 hours by improving daily operations, commanders allowed direct access to resolve issues, additional staff, and Disney Customer Service Training attended by staff.
Quality of Commissary Benefits. Recalled items are pulled by commissary staff. Several in-house food inspectors perform quality control.
Haselden determined the following issue to be ìunattainable.î
Non-Standard Transportation for School Age Services (SAS). Program was implemented in 2003 due to safety concerns for children during housing construction. Picking up children from various schools throughout Maryland, the District and Virginia and transporting to SAS is not feasible.
The remaining issues are currently opened and being worked by each assigned action office until resolution:
Alternate Options for Medical Appointment Non-Availability.
WRAMC Integrated Residential Program for Dual Diagnosis and Other Substance Abuse Treatment. Justification for these services was affirmed during Base Realignment and Closure planning sessions. A 20-bed unit included in blueprint at new DeWitt Army Community Hospital at Fort Belvoir, Va.
Appropriate Mix and Allocation of Staff/Resources at Walter Reed. A Climate Survey/ Needs Assessment is currently being coordinated.
Demeanor of Staff at Exercise Facilities on Post.
Reception and Integration of Medial Center Brigade (MCB) and Warrior Transition Brigade (WTB) Personnel. Reception/welcome center is in Delano Hall expected by end of August.
Insufficient Parking. Increased Shuttle Bus Program from Forest Glen to Walter Reed main installation for staff parking started Tuesday. Scheduled audits of parking facilities will be conducted.
The Shrinking Post Exchange. Forest Glen specialty store has plans to mirror other specialty stores, such as Fort Detrickís.
The following issues were deemed to have an Army-wide impact and were submitted to MEDCOM AFAP Conference for prioritization for Department of Armyís AFAP Conference:
Non-Medical Attendants for Diseased Non-Battled Injured Active Duty Soldiers.
Financial Impact of Comprehensive Special Needs Care.
Issue 6: Patient Retrieval of Electronic Medical Records.
Non-English Speaking Family Members/Caregivers Medical Support System.
Increased Education of Childcare Options and Subsidies at the Installation Level.
The AFAP is a grassroots, Army-wide initiative to identify and prioritize issues to enhance standards of living for Soldiers and Families. The AFAP mission is to provide Soldiers and Families with a mechanism to influence quality of life changes by alerting Army leadership to well-being concerns. he AFAP vision is to be the driving force of improved standards of living for all members of the Army community.
If you would like to know more about the AFAP or would like to get involved and submit an issue for consideration at Walter Reedís next AFAP conference in February 2009, contact Darla Haines via e-mail at darla.haines@amedd.army.mil or phone at 202-782-5877.
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