Airman and Family Readiness Center

Air Force Aid Society Community Programs

The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is an official Air Force charity that provides emergency financial assistance to active duty personnel. Assistance may be given for food, rent, emergency leave travel, primary vehicle repair, fire or other disasters, and in some cases, medical and dental expenses. In addition, Air Force Aid community programs provide financial assistance in education and childcare.

For after-hours AFA emergencies, contact your First Sergeant

Falcon Loans

The Falcon Loan is a complement to the AFA Society’s standard emergency assistance loan/grant program. Receiving a Falcon Loan does not make you ineligible to receive a standard Air Force Aid Society loan or grant while you are repaying your Falcon Loan. The Falcon Loan is a loan of $500 or less that can be used for emergency needs such as basic living expenses (rent, utilities, and food), car repairs, emergency travel, or other approved needs.

Programs

Bundles for Babies (2.5 hours)

Held four times per year, this class is for all Air Force and DoD civilian families who are awaiting the birth of a child.   The class addresses what to expect when you’re expecting, financial changes and planning, identifying and coping with changes and stress that come with new parenthood, and resources available both on- and off-base.  Along with valuable information concerning the costs of having a baby and raising a child will be points to ponder on the health of the mother. Every family receives a “Bundle” of baby items and supplies.

Car Care Because We Care

Vouchers for oil and filter change, and a vehicle safety check are available to spouses of active duty Air Force personnel who are deployed for more than 30 days or on a remote assignment.  The redeemable vouchers are valid only at the Peterson base service station, and must be used for the primary family vehicle.  Application is made through the Schriever Family Support Center: applicants provide a copy of orders, the make, model, and year of the car, and the license plate number. This is also available for First Term Airmen who meet with the Personal Financial Manager for a financial check-up.

Child Care for PCS

Air Force Aid will pay for up to 20 hours of child care per child at the Schriever Child Development Center or with Peterson/Air Force Academy Home Daycare providers when military members are within 60 days of PCSing, both inbound and outbound. All ranks of Air Force personnel are eligible. The member or spouse obtains a certificate of eligibility by taking a copy of orders to the Schriever Airman and Family Readiness Center, where further instructions on the procedure are provided.

Child Care for Volunteers

Volunteers who are engaged in supporting base programs that benefit the Schriever AFB community may have their child care costs at the Schriever Child Development Center paid for the time during which they are volunteering. Guidelines are available at the Schriever Airman and Family Readiness Center.

Give Parents a Break

The purpose of this program is to provide relief for active duty Air Force parents who are experiencing stress due to situations such as deployment/TDY, illness of a family member, or other unique circumstances or hardships. The Schriever Child Development Center and Youth Centers of Peterson AFB and the Air Force Academy provide 4-5 hours of care for children 12 years and under on a Friday night or Saturday once a month. A referral certificate obtained from Schriever chaplains, Commanders, 1st Sergeants, the Airman and Family Readiness Center, or from medical or Family Advocacy professionals at Schriever AFB, Peterson or USAFA is required for participation. In addition, the desired childcare facility must be phoned in advance for reservations.

HeartLink (6 hours w/ complimentary lunch provided)

Military spouses are the link to the family no matter where the sponsor is deployed, and is often the key to personal preparedness and mission effectiveness.  Therefore, HeartLink was developed to provide spouses new to the military information on services, programs, benefits, entitlements and military protocol to help them understand their environment more thoroughly.   In addition to briefings and discussions, the event is intended provide new military spouses the opportunity to network with other new spouses, and also includes a tour of Schriever AFB.  The event is held annually, and free child care is available with pre-registristration.  Contact the Schriever Airman and Family Readiness Center staff for information on the next scheduled HeartLink.

Respite Care Program

This program provides a “break” of a few hours a week or month to active duty military families who have the responsibility of 24 hour-a-day care for an ill, or disabled family member. Assistance is based on the need for respite time, as well as financial need, and is paid directly to the family’s caregiver of choice. Family Advocacy or the Special Needs Identification and Assignment Coordination Process must refer participants to Schriever Airman and Family Readiness Center.

General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program

This program awards yearly grants to selected sons and daughters of active duty, Title 10 AGR/Reserve, Title 32 AGR performing full-time active duty, retired or deceased Air Force members; spouses (Stateside) of active duty members and Title 10 AGR/Reservists; and surviving spouses of deceased personnel for their undergraduate studies. Applications become available in the late fall and may be obtained from the Air Force Aid website at www.afas.org and must be submitted by mid-March.

Back To Top