AMC panel discusses family support services Published Nov. 4, 2003 By Staff Sgt. Dan Clare Air Mobility Command Public Affairs ANAHEIM, Calif. (AFPN) -- Air Mobility Command leaders discussed upcoming changes and programs geared to support military families and servicemembers during a special seminar at the 35th Airlift/Tanker Association convention here Oct. 31.Responding to U.S. Transportation Command and AMC Commander Gen. John W. Handy's concept of "recruiting members and retaining families," a panel of AMC's top family-support leaders discussed available programs and future changes to support active and deployed airmen. The discussion was titled "Serving Air Force Families Their Way."From pre-deployment to deployment to reunification, panel moderator Lt. Col. Sandy Adams presented current and future programs designed to support active-duty, Reserve and Guard families.Among the new programs were expanding childcare services to include extended duty and childcare subsidies, reintegration for deployed family members, repatriation for deployed families, expanded education benefits for children and spouses, and support for children and spouses of deployed members.The panel also discussed ways of addressing the special needs of geographically separated families of reservists and guardsmen. Additionally, the command will begin mobilizing family readiness specialists to help families throughout the force adjust to deployments.Foremost, participants noted the importance of disseminating information throughout the force."If you all could walk away with only one thing today, I would hope that you would use the services that are available and encourage your families to do the same," Adams said. (Courtesy of AMC News Service)