Officials survey Kadena residents for quality of life improvements

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  As of Jan. 25, the 2011 Community Needs Assessment survey has already been sent out to approximately 60 percent of servicemembers and civilian employees on Kadena.

Maj. Kathleen Crimmins, 18th Medical Operations Squadron clinical psychologist and Integrated Delivery System chairperson, said there are both short and long term effects from performing the survey.

"The short term is to gather information on four areas - Personal Adjustment, Family adjustment, Personal and Family adjustment to the AF, and Community Satisfaction," said Major Crimmins. "The long term goal is to turn this information into community action plans at the Air Staff, MAJCOM (major command), and local base level to meet these needs."

According to Capt. Michael Rath, 18th Medical Operations Squadron alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment program manager, the survey is conducted initially to identify where Kadena's strengths and weaknesses are in the services we provide to support our base community. Then, the collected information is used to pinpoint specific programs that may need to be changed, added, or removed.

This will allow programs like Family Advocacy, Airmen and Family Readiness Center, and Youth Service to bring a more comprehensive approach to increasing the resiliency of our Airmen and their family members by creating changes specifically tailored to Kadena's needs.

"The great thing about this survey is that it influences change specific to Kadena," said Captain Rath. "I think this is paramount, because the needs of people in places like Hurlburt Field or Kunsan are totally different than Kadena. We are the Air Force's largest combat wing- so it is important that these changes are suited specifically for us."

Captain Rath said without participation from all the survey recipients, improvements can't be made to the base.

"I think people should take the time to do the survey because without their feedback, we may not be able to fill in the gaps of the services offered in the community," said Captain Rath. "This survey gives the community a voice in telling leadership what they need to feel at home here at Kadena. Without the ability to hear that voice, our ability to provide support diminishes greatly."

The survey is expected to close out in March, but Captain Rath said the results of the survey will not be released until September, and it could take weeks to months to incorporate noticeable changes in the community. This also depends on the scope of the changes desired. For changes that require a great deal of financial support, it could take longer.