Linking families together

CONTACT: Families stay close to Air Force.

SQNLDR SHAWN Jenkins, 28SQN, was concerned about the impacts of deployments on members’ families and decided to do something to help them.

“Deployments can be a stressful time for members’ families,” SQNLDR Jenkins said.

“Dependants may experience stress from a number of causes, for example isolation, a recent posting to the ACT, disability, depression or children having problems at school may especially appreciate regular contact with Air Force while their serving member is away.”

The squadron decided to take steps and set in place its LiNKs Program, “Linking Next of Kin”.

The program aims to improve the safety and well-being of dependants through a system of regular contact by a team of selected staff.

Male dependants needing help will be contacted by a male member, a female by a female member. Same-sex partners will be contacted by a female member unless otherwise nominated.

“Normally, 28 SQN LiNKs contact will be with the primary dependant adult in the household,” SQNLDR Jenkins said.

As the 28SQN LiNKs Team may be dealing with sensitive and confidential personal information, team members will be restricted to staff already working in this domain, primarily the Health Flight and Orderly Room.

Presently, the appointed members for LiNKs 2006 are Nursing Officer FLGOFF Janelle Stiles, Medical Assistant FSGT Jenny Dillon and Clerk CPL Alan James.

Prior to deployments, courses, or exercises lasting more than one week, members will be asked to discuss the 28SQN LiNKs contact form with their dependants. This form identifies dependants who may experience isolation during the member’s deployment. The form also allows dependants to indicate the degree of contact they want from the 28SQN LiNKs Team.

The CO will use this information to establish a red, yellow and green ‘traffic light’ matrix of dependants’ needs. Each category is subjective depending on circumstances.

Squadron members’ whose family circumstances result in an attribution of Yellow or Red will be assigned a LiNKs point of contact for regular phone calls or visits as necessary.

The CO’s categories are:

RED
- Dependant spouse without regular employment
- No familial relations in the local area
- Underage dependant children (less than 8 years old)
- English as a second language
- Recently moved to the local area from interstate
- Special needs children
- Difficulty accessing transportation

GREEN
- Dependant spouse with regular employment
- No dependant children at home
- Lived locally for several years or family ties in local area

YELLOW
- A subjective condition, predicated upon the proportion of Red and Green circumstances

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