Key spouses help community Published April 25, 2007 By Sheila Rupp Nucleus Journalist KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- The ins and outs of military life can create situations where a little extra help and support can be a saving grace for those keeping the home fires burning. The Key Spouse Program trains spouses to help provide support and direct families to the help they may need, whether the servicemember is home, deployed or TDY. The Key Spouse Program has been active here for the last 18 months, approximately. The Air Force-wide program is based on the Navy Family Ombudsman Program, though not all Air Force bases have an active program. Teresa Reinhard of the Airman and Family Readiness Center said the program provides excellent resources and tools for building a stronger Air Force community. She said that through no fault of their own, military members may forget to bring information about programs and support provided because of their busy daily lives on the job. Ms. Reinhard said that while the Key Spouse Program is particularly helpful for families of deployed servicemembers, the program is for all military families because it's integral that families feel included and are a part of the military community. Ms. Reinhard said that family members can talk to key spouses about anything, though it is important to keep in mind that key spouses are there for moral support and as a resource. Key spouses do not provide advice or counsel; they are to refer family members to appropriate resources. Key spouses are also mandatory reporters under Air Force regulations for volunteers. Many units already have spouse groups and can choose to participate in the program or expand their own groups to include some of the features of the Key Spouse Program. Commanders choose and appoint spouses to unit positions. After being appointed, key spouses attend training sessions and have monthly meetings to discuss the program in their unit and share ideas. Although the Key Spouse Program here is functioning well and growing rapidly, there is always room for more participants. Ms. Reinhard said the key to the program is communication among commanders, key spouses and first sergeants. Each unit key spouse and commander decides what type of program would best work for their unit. Some units have regularly scheduled activities for networking and support, and some units have social components in their programs. "The program is so vital because it's important for military families to feel like there is somewhere to turn and feel like there is a strong community for them to turn to," Pamela Reeves, community readiness technician at the Airman and Family Readiness Center said. Assigned key spouses meet the fourth Monday of every month to provide ongoing training on resources and services available to families, both on and off base. There are usually guest speakers from various agencies. The next meeting will deal with summer programs for children. For more information about the Key Spouse Program here, call Ms. Reeves at 853-1707.