Caring for People Forum meets April 5

  • Published
  • By Todd Bailey
  • Nucleus staff writer
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  It's time for people who care about Kirtland Air Force Base to be heard.

The 2012 Caring for People Forum, a means for community feedback on issues at Kirtland AFB, is set for 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Mountain View Club.

Established in 2009 by the Air Force, this annual event is a means for the installation commander to receive feedback for review, action and resolution.

"It allows Airmen, family members, retirees, and DOD civilians to voice their concerns, develop recommendations and make suggestions on policy and support service to senior leaders," said Michelle Tirado, of the Health and Wellness Center and the event's organizer. "From this information, positive changes in the community based on the identified needs can be met."

Participants will break into nine focus groups to brainstorm topics and conduct an initial analysis. These groups will focus on family support, deployment, schools, Single Airman, special needs, Guard and Reserve, housing, health and wellness and spouse communications. Each will be facilitated by a subject matter expert.

After all of the issues are discussed, the members of each group will choose on two items that will be presented to the rest of the forum.

The results will be prioritized by effect on the lives of everyone on the base, both personally and professionally. This information will then go to Col. John C. Kubinec, 377th Air Base Wing commander, giving him the opportunity to create visible improvement in specific areas which affect the community.

"The information is then sent up to Air Force Materiel Command and then AFMC submits a report to air staff," said Tirado. "Eventually the information will be released to the installation for public viewing."