BUNDLES FOR BABIES
A class for expecting parents. Get tips on coping skills, a free layette, and information on how your new addition may impact your finances. To register call 895-1252

DEPLOYED-REMOTE SPOUSES DINNER
Monthly. All spouses and family of deployed services members are invited to attend a dinner at the base Palmetto Chapel. Call 895-1106 or 895-1252 for more information.

DTAP - Disabled Transition Assistance Program
DTAP is a component of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. This class is for service members who may be released because of a disability or who believe they have a disability qualifying them for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Programs. If you have been injured at anytime during your career--on or off duty--then attend DTAP. Know your benefits!

FIRST DUTY STATION OFFICER BUDGET COURSE
All first duty station officers are invited to attend a budget course specifically designed for the new military officer. This course is mandatory for new officers to the AF and is optional for all others who which to participate.

GIVE PARENTS A BREAK
The Air Force Aid Society provides “Free Child Care,” The purpose of this program is to offer eligible parents a few hours break from the stresses of parenting. A referral certificate is required. Call the AFRC at 895-1252 for more information. Please pre-register at the Child Development Center (CDC) (infants to 6 years old) and Youth Center (ages 6-12).

Interviewing Skills and Resume Writing Classes
Mr Craig Cox from the Employment Security Commission will teach you how to interview for a job. Learn need to know skills on how to prepare and present yourself during an interview and how to best market yourself with a resume. Learn need to know skills on how to write the most effective resume for today’s competitive job market. Local and national job search information discussed to help in your job search efforts.

Military Child Education
The Military Child Education Liaison serves as a conduit of school information and is the primary point of contact for public and private school matters. See attachments School Handbook and School Orientation Schedules.

PRE-DEPLOYMENT BRIEFING
A briefing at the Deployment Processing Center is mandatory for individuals departing on extended deployments (30 days or more). This briefing covers family separation preparation, anti-terrorism measures, and sexual assault awareness briefings. Spouses are highly encouraged to attend the briefings.

PRE-SEPARATION BRIEFING
All transitioning military personnel planning to retire or separate are required to receive pre-separation counseling. Retiring service members are eligible for counseling 24 months prior to leaving active duty. Separating members are eligible for counseling 12 months prior to leaving active duty. Early completion is important to ensure a smooth transition to civilian life. Orders are not required and this briefing does not obligate you to separate/retire from the military. During pre-separation counseling, you’ll be reminded about your current entitlements, and briefed on preparing for civilian employment/life. You will complete a DD Form 2648, Pre-separation Counseling Checklist, which helps you identify your needs and develop a personal transition plan. Call 895-1252 to register.

REINTEGRATION BRIEFING
A briefing at the Deployment Processing Center- Mandatory for individuals returning from deployments outside CONUS This briefing includes return and reunion in-processing information and issues, medical screening is conducted. Spouses are highly encouraged to attend the briefings. Call 895-1252 for more information.

SPONSORSHIP TRAINING
Sponsorship Training is mandatory for First-Time Airman sponsors or those who have not sponsored anyone within the last year. To register, call Airman and Family Readiness 895-1252.

TAP - Transition Assistance Program 3 Day Seminar
Thinking of becoming a civilian again within the next year? A 3 day seminar to help if you are retiring or separating to plan for life after the military or government service. Open to all members of the military, government civilian employees and spouses. Join in to receive three days of vitally important information as you leave the military environment. A TAP seminar is held monthly at the AFRC. It is designed to provide separating and retiring members, civilian employees and their spouses with the tools necessary to conduct a successful job search as a civilian. Call 895-1252 to register.

Transition Assistance Program
Offers military members the opportunity to learn how to seek gainful employment with the civilian work force. Recommended start date is 1 year prior for separtees, 2 years prior for retirees. www.TurboTAP.org

TROOPS TO TEACHERS - EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Answer the Call to Teach! South Carolina Needs New Teachers…if you are interested in becoming a teacher or want to explore the options available to you in education sign up now! Spouses interested in becoming teachers or seeking educational opportunities are welcomed. Please call for more information or to register 895-1252/1253.

VETERANS BENEFITS BRIEFING at the Spratt Education Center.
Learn about your veterans’ benefits you have earned them for serving in the military. VA representative Dr Timothy Ferguson will present information on Disability, Education, Home Loan, Life Insurance, Health Care and more. Call AFRC at 895-1252 to register.

Military and Family Life Consultant - Need to talk? Non medical counseling and coaching, brief solution focused, no records made or kept, confidential except for "Duty to Warn", marital, couples, family, parent-child assistance. Deployment and reunion issues. Meet off base or on, consulting by phone or face to face.
Call 803-840-8265.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS – SCHOOL PHYSICALS Did you know that several schools are going to uniforms for this school year? In District Two, uniforms are mandatory for students attending Furman and Hillcrest Middle Schools. In District 17, students attending Crosswell, Lemira and Wilder Elementary Schools and students attending Bates and Chestnut Oaks Middle School will wear uniforms. Does your child need a school physical to attend school or to play an athletic sport? Forms for both School District Two and School District 17 are available for your convenience. Contact Mr. Kennedy, the Military Child Education Liaison, at (803) 895-1358 for more details.

Volunteer Opportunities at area schools please contact the School Liaison Officer, Mr. Kennedy 895-1358

Air Force Aid Society
Non profit organization offering emergency financial assistance through interest-free loans or grants on case by case basis. Visit the Air Force Aid Society website at www.afas.org or call the AFRC at 895-1252 for assistance.

AIR FORCE AID-Emergency Assistance - Do you have a family or financial emergency? Stop by the AFRC to pick up the AFAS Form 2.

AIR FORCE AID-Education Scholarship - for sons/daughters and spouses of active duty. Additional eligibility information is available.

AIR FORCE COMMUNITY – FAMILY LIFE, www.afcommunity.af.mil This site provides information to Airmen and their families on services by installation Airman and Family Readiness Centers. These centers are the focal point for personal and family readiness, and assist people with adapting to the military lifestyle. This comprehensive site is not intended to replace the wide range of services available at your local center, but should offer some useful tools. A&FRC assist Total Force Airmen, DOD civilians, retirees and their families with a wide range of services.

AIR FORCE MOVE at http://afmove.hq.af.mil/default.asp you can estimate your household shipment weight, access passport/visa information, see your weight allowance table, read moving tips, etc.

Take this moment to reflect on what it means to be a military spouse. The term has become synonymous with the word resilient. Through long separations and frequent moves, these men and women persevere with grace and courage. Military spouses truly serve.

Here is a typical job description for a military spouse:

• Expert at managing a household and moving every two to three years
• Adept at being a single parent while service member is deployed, often in harm’s way
• Handy at fixing things around the house
• Highly skilled at gardening and mowing
• Strong grasp of basic mechanical skills when things break,which they always do
• Skilled at feeding families between homework assignments and soccer games

Military spouses are truly exceptional individuals, always rising to meet the next challenge with skill and fortitude. They manage home, family, and career, allowing their service members to fulfill their duties and complete their missions. We would like to take the opportunity to salute military spouses and sincerely thank them for their service to this country.

Get out & Play with PLAYpass! The goal of PLAYpass is to provide deployed-affected single airmen and Air Force families respite from the challenges of deployment and encourage members the opportunity to reintegrate and reunite through MWR-focused social, recreational, fitness and learning programs upon their return. To find out if you are eligible, complete information about this Air Force Services Agency program can be found at www.myairforcelife.com

Get PLAYpasses at the AFRC during normal duty hours. Call 895-1252 or email playpassinfo@20thfss.com for more information.

Is your spouse deployed? Don't forget your free oil change at the Shaw Auto Hobby Shop! Come to the AFRC for your FREE voucher!

Military One Source - Your one source for endless military information!!

The Spouses Cafe
Every First Thursday of the Month, 10 a.m. - Noon! All Active Duty, Retired, Reservist Spouses are Welcome to Attend our monthly spouse informal gathering for fun, food, festivities and friendship. Children are welcome, but they must remain in your care.

A Night Out
All deployed spouses, remote spouses and single parents invited to attend!! Join us for dinner, support resources, food, fellowship and friendship. If you need a break from your children we can provide childcare vouchers!! Call us at 895-1252 to sign up!

HEART LINK PROGRAM - 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m
This day long workshop offers spouses an opportunity to learn about Shaw Air Force Base, Air Force life, as well as the benefits and services available to service members and their families. Make new friends and have a delicious luncheon. Meet and greet, ask questions and get answers! Learn how to speak in acronyms and find out why the Military Spouse is the really toughest job in the military.

Become a Key Spouse!
Find your Squadron Key Spouses or call the AFRC and inquire today!!