KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Family Advocacy is a Department of Defense program designed to provide prevention and clinical services to families and couples impacted by family violence.
The program builds healthy and resilient communities by promoting family, community, and mission readiness.
“We care deeply about the families we serve,” said Diana Morales, embedded U.S. Army Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate. “We are here to support them through the different stages of their lives. We understand all families and couples are unique and we want to make sure they have the right tools to be successful partners and parents.”
Morales said there has been an increase in the need for prevention services, specifically an increased in family and couples’ therapy.
“Encouraging families and couples to seek prevention services that can help them reduce some of the stress that comes along with relationships and parenting is vital,” said Morales. “Our community is accessing prevention services early, which can help mitigate the risk for maltreatment.”
Family Advocacy offers many programs to members who have a need.
“Our office is committed to enhancing Air Force readiness by promoting family and community health and advocating for non-violent communities,” said Nora Kohri, 18th MDG FA outreach manager. “We also provide prevention, assessment and treatment of child and intimate partner maltreatment.”
Many of these problems can be easier treated by seeking help early and the FA office has developed intervention services to address child and spouse maltreatment in our military families.
“Seeking help early is very important because it helps identify and target problems before they get worse,” said Staff Sgt. Jaqueline Collosi, 18th MDG NCO in charge of the FA program. “By doing so it helps individuals learn healthier coping skills and techniques in advance that may help prevent abusive situations from occurring.”
Not seeking help early or at all can potentially lead to severe negative consequences.
“I would say not seeking help from Family Advocacy, if needed, would have negative consequences since you wouldn’t be getting the help you need to deal with a problem or situation. We are a helping agency that ultimately wants members to have a healthy home life in order for them to be able to accomplish the mission. I believe some service members are afraid of possible impact on their security clearance, permanent change of station clearance or flying status. If help is needed and not sought out, then situations can get worse and ultimately impact that members’ work performance and mission.”
There needs to be an emphasis on awareness and prevention for Airmen to seek help early.
Family Advocacy develops, implements, and evaluates policies and programs designed to prevent, intervene in and treat domestic [and child] abuse,” said Jennifer Allar, 18th MDG domestic abuse victim advocate. “By educating people on the prevention programs available and raising awareness for mental health, the Air Force can support the goals of Family Advocacy and aide in preventing incidents before they occur. If there is one thing that we at Family Advocacy wish all Airmen would know when it comes to seeking help, it is that there is nothing wrong with asking for help. Many individuals are afraid of being stigmatized if they admit they need help. Military life is difficult, and at a high-paced base such as Kadena, there are a myriad of stressors that our Airman experience. We want our Airmen to understand that we are here to support each other and provide a safe and non-judgmental environment.
Below are a short list of programs and assistance available:
Family Advocacy Outreach and Prevention
Offers a variety of prevention initiatives and interventions, including parenting classes, couple’s communication, and anger management. There is no cost to the member and these classes are not documented.
FAOP provides information and referral services to the Kadena Air Base community and promotes awareness and wellness campaigns to assist in reducing family violence.
New Parent Support Program (NPSP)
The New Parent Support Program is a free and voluntary program that targets military families that are expecting or have children less than three years old with no documentation in the member’s medical record and no commander or first sergeant notification.
Registered Nurses provide educational opportunities related to infant care, pregnancy, development and parenting through home visits.
Families involved with NPSP can also receive couples, family, and individual counseling with a licensed clinical social worker.
Family Advocacy Strength-based Therapy (FAST)
Voluntary marital and family therapy with no documentation in the member’s medical record and no commander or first sergeant notification.
FAST is available to active duty and family members on a space available basis.
Maltreatment Services
Family maltreatment services are available for active duty service members and their families, who have experienced a domestic abuse or child maltreatment incident.
Family members are provided with a thorough assessment to determine safety and treatment needs, which may include any combination of the following:
Class and group attendance
One-on-one therapy
Couples therapy
Family therapy
Concurrent treatment with NPSP, ADAPT or Mental/Behavioral Health
Domestic Abuse Victim Advocates (DAVA)
DAVAs are available for victims of domestic violence and for non-offending caregivers of children who are victims of abuse. DAVAs work with both unrestricted and restricted reports and assist the victim with supportive services, such as:
Information and referral
Crisis counseling
Safety planning
Court/medical appointment accompaniment
Obtaining civilian and military protective orders
Navigating the legal and financial process
Information on transitional compensation
For more information about the BHOP clinic or the KAB mental health flight visit
https://www.kadena.af.mil/Agencies/Kadena-Medical-Clinic/Mental-Health-Clinic/Search/.