Many Resources Still Available to Families Following Parent & Child Center Closure

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Even though budget cuts imposed by sequestration are forcing the closure of the Parent & Child Center later this month, officials are stressing that there are many child- and family-friendly activities to enjoy, and they're working diligently to maximize services for the base community.

"While reduced budgets will likely force reduced services, the 319th ABW goal is to maximize services for the bulk of our Airmen and their families," said Col. Paul Bauman, 319th Air Base Wing commander. "We want to do the most good with the limited dollars we have."

Don Fellers, 319th Force Support Squadron deputy director, said that though sequestration has had sweeping effects on similar services throughout the Air Force, Grand Forks has been fortunate to keep as many programs running as it has.

"Sequestration has affected budgets and funding across the board," said Fellers "The Air Force is having to shut down multiple facilities at some bases, but we have worked really hard to make sure that doesn't happen to us here. The Parent & Child Center was paid for using local non-appropriated funds, and the funding simply dried up because it was not a revenue generator."

Fellers said there are plenty of opportunities on base, to include: The Community Activity Center is available year-round, as well as the Sunflower Chapel's recreation area, Sven's Den; the bowling alley is open during the winter; the base movie theater offers Thursday matinees as well as a Thursday night family movie; and there are a number of playgrounds located throughout base housing.

The Airman & Family Readiness Center also offers several programs for parents and children, Fellers said.

Other paid services on base that offer childcare include the child development center, the youth center, and family care coordinators, which offer in-home childcare.

"Grand Forks families will continue to have strong bonds with one another, just in a different setting," said Fellers. "And the FSS is thrilled to be a part of it in any way we can.
We highly encourage families here to get involved as much as possible and take advantage of all the wonderful programs and services FSS still has to offer."

For more information about the FSS, visit their website at http://www.forksupport.com/.