Dads: The Basics 101

U.S Air Force Airmen assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing discuss parenting tips during Dads: The Basics 101 at the Family Life Center on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 4, 2013. The class discussed numerous topics including communication, childbirth and parenthood in order to increase relationship stability between military members and their spouses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

Dads: The Basics 101

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jeffery Baldwin, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, demonstrates how to properly swaddle a baby during Dads: The Basics 101, at the Family Life Center on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., April 4, 2013. The class provided tips on what to expect, and how to prepare for, parenthood. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho/Released)

Family advocacy classes contribute to wing-wide mission

Published May 6, 2013
By Airman 1st Class John Nieves Camacho
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- While the primary focus of the 4th Fighter Wing is to promote airpower and prepare Airmen to fight tomorrow's war, equipping families with tools for successful relationships is also important.

The 4th Medical Operations Squadron's Family Advocacy Program offers a variety of prevention classes designed to promote acceptable coping behaviors in the community.

"The classes are all about prevention and awareness," said Jerome Ellis, 4th MDOS Family Advocacy outreach manager. "The classes help to create awareness in a non-threatening manner and provide attendees with toolkits for use during stressful times. Those who attend the classes can also help educate others on the installation about the importance of prevention and its role in reducing the number of self-defeating behaviors."

The family advocacy agency is primarily responsible for the majority of the prevention programs that enhance family relationships, such as parenting, couples communication, anger and stress. Members handle issues of abuse, neglect or maltreatment. Any time these issues are identified within an Air Force family, an assessment of the situation is made and recommendations to commanders and first sergeants are issued to help prevent these types of incidents from occurring in the future.

The following are the classes offered through the family advocacy program:

Moms, Pops and Tots

Parenting, The Newborn Class

1,2,3 Magic Parenting Class

Breast Feeding Class

Dads 101

Obstetrics Briefing

Couples Communication Class

Stress/Anger Group

Successful Relationships Workshop

"I think what the Family Advocacy program is doing for all the Airmen and their dependents is wonderful," said Staff Sgt. James Ward, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron dorm manager. "These classes offer a great opportunity for us to not only learn from the instructors but also from the other participants in the class. There are so many different parenting and communication techniques that we would have no idea about without these types of classes. I hope the program continues to develop even more classes."

All of the classes are held at the Family Life Center and are open to the entire base community including active duty members, reservists, civilians and retirees. To sign up for a class or for more information, contact the family advocacy office at 722-1878.