Fort Gordon focuses on Families
Year of accomplishments highlights Family Covenant signing anniversary
Charmain Z. Brackett Correspondent

Photo by John Vannucci Kayla Yoesting, daughter of Sgt. William Yoesting, Co. A 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion enjoys all of the attention she received at the Army Family Covenant Anniversary Ceremony for the U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon at the Gordon Club on Nov. 19. Kayla's mother Johanna and sisters Bridgett, 3 and April, 2 are busy with pen and paper.

Fort Gordon's Army Community Service office has done its part in seeing the Army Family Covenant fulfilled over the past year.

"There's probably not one person, regardless of branch or company, whose life was not touched through the Army initiatives that were employed and implemented by the signing of the Army Family Covenant," said Vanessa Stanley, ACS chief.

ACS programs have expanded to meet the pledges of the Army Family Covenant to standardize and fund existing Family programs and services, increase the access to and quality of health care, improve Soldier and Family housing, ensure excellence in schools, youth services and child care and expand education and employment opportunities for Families.

Photos by John Vannucci (Left to right) Sgt. William Yoesting of Co. A 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion with his wife Johanna, and children Kayla, Bridgett and April, Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Foley, U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon commanding general and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Clark, U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon command sergeant major cut the cake ( shown at left) during the Army Family Covenant anniversary observance Nov. 19 at the Gordon Club.

One of the biggest and newest programs falling under the ACS umbrella is the Soldier and Family Assistance Center, which cares for the Warrior in Transition and Family.

About a dozen employees staff the center which provides one-stop shopping to the wounded warrior - whether it be finding child care or providing financial counseling, the SFAC has a multitude of services to assist.

Another program which helps Families of active duty, National Guard and the Army Reserves is the Army Family Integrated Support Network which was streamlined into the Army One Source program.

The Army website

www.myarmylifetoo.com will also be integrated into the Army One Source program.

"This was created to establish a unified approach to assisting Families especially those geographically dispersed from installations," she said.

Worldwide ACS has added 477 new positions to better serve Army Families. Locally, ACS has added 12 positions. A military Family life consultant will be added by the end of the second quarter.

Among the positions added have been the Family program assistants.

Also, the newly renovated Gordon Fitness Center, formerly the Powerhouse Gym, has all new equipment and an assortment of fitness classes from yoga and belly dancing to cycling and cardio-kickboxing.

A program which continues to assist Families is the annual Army Family Action Plan conference, scheduled for February 2009. Issues concerning Family members, retirees, civilians and active duty are addressed during the annual event.