When Sybille White sees a problem, she doesn't waste time feeling sorry for herself. Instead, she gets to work on finding solutions.

That's how she ended up starting a working focus group for the Army Community Services Exceptional Family Member Program. The group has monthly meetings where everyone from medical professionals to EFMP members can get together to identify and address problems - and it's grown dramatically since starting five months ago.

"It's beyond our expectations, it really is," she said.

After 23 years as an Army spouse, White has learned a lot. Originally from Germany, life in the Army was a totally different world. Then, when her second child was diagnosed with autism, she had a whole new set of programs and terms to navigate.

After more than two decades of moving her family of five to and from duty stations, she's seen just about everything the Army could throw at her. But even an experienced spouse like her can take up to six months to find resources when an exceptional Family member has a new diagnosis, and life becomes even more complicated when the Family's servicemember is deployed.

It's an issue she brought up at a Transition Update with the Chief of Staff of the Army in 2007. Invited community members got to ask pre-approved questions, and White wanted to know what the Army was going to do to help Families like hers when one parent is gone so much of the time. Following the meeting an aide asked her to send any thoughts she had on the subject to him personally - and she did.

"The United States Army is a great organization, one that is known for helping and supporting Families," she wrote in the cover letter to a six-page outline of a Deployment Support Plan she devised. "However, much more support is needed for Families who have children with disabilities."

White was too inspired by the experience to stop there, though. Stationed in Hawaii at the time, she and another senior spouse lobbied hard to start a focus group to fix the problems that they saw around them.

Not everyone was supportive. A lot of people had an "If it's not broken, don't fix it" attitude.

That wasn't good enough for White.

"The EFMP system is not broken but it needs a lot of help," she said.

What started as a few spouses meeting to talk about their own problems expanded into a formal group attended by everyone from senior leaders to health care providers. It was so successful by the time she left, White was eager to try again when she arrived at JBLM last July.

Now she volunteers as the installation's ACS EFMP Army parent representative, and has helped coordinate a constantly growing group of stakeholders each month. Representatives from McChord, JBLM Child, Youth and School Services, I Corps and individual Families attend to talk about what needs work and how to change it.

"We're the squeaky wheel," ACS EFMP Manager Mary Herrera said at the group's July meeting.

With so much knowledge in the same room, it makes it a little easier to start coordinating efforts between organizations. The hope is that they can begin addressing kinks in the system before they become problems and provide better care for Families.

"The focus group is kind of giving us the opportunity to pull together," ACS EFMP social services assistant Jackie Kelly said.

It also lets Family members know that they are not the only ones having issues.

"It's nice to give folks a forum," Kelly said.

White is quick to point out that she couldn't have done any of this on her own. She's had help from many people around her, including the ones who encouraged her to keep speaking out when it seemed like nobody wanted to listen.

In the end, she doesn't think she's exceptional for making the group happen.

"Anybody could do this," White said.

"It's kind of up to you," she added. "The choice is yours."

To learn more

The ACS EFMP Working Focus Group meets once a month in the ACS Classroom in Waller Hall and is open to anyone. For more information visit the JBLM ACS EFMP Facebook page at www.facebook.com/#!/efmpjblm or call 967-9704 or 967-7166.

So what if it is rainy and cloudy outside? It is summer vacation and what better way to enjoy the season outdoors than with water.

Despite the overcast and wet weather, children can still be found playing at the Splash Park and playground on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"I think we're so desperate for good weather they'll come whether it's warm or not," said Janet Foster, Bowl Arena manager and overseer of the splash park. "They're at least using the playground and they'll turn the park on just as a fountain kind of thing. Some of the parents do let them run through there."

Especially on warm weather days, children 12 and younger can be found running around and through the various fountains and features at the splash park, which is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

On a sunny day earlier this month, April Woodard intro-duced her 1-year-old to the water features while she watched her 4 and 6-year-old run around.

"It's wonderful," Woodard said. "We don't live on base, but we come here because it's free. Especially when it's warm outside."

Since it was built last year the parks have been well used, Foster said. Families enjoy picnics on the grass area behind the park, and there is a covered picnic table area where Foster sees servicemembers having lunch with their children. There are restrooms on-site as well as an outdoor shower.

Some Families are still hearing about the kid-friendly play area for the first time.

Brittney Scott often drove by the park and a friend of hers recently heard about it on Facebook. Scott brought her 4-year-old daughter Peyton for the first time earlier this month.

"It's really fun and so good for the kids," Scott said. "She loves it."

Foster made an adjustment from last year and shortened the hours in June to conserve water, but now the park is running its full 12 hours daily.

The park is a pet-free zone and Foster asks that visitors refrain from bringing their personal barbecues into the area. A concession trailer run by the Child and Youth Services sells food, drinks and ice cream during the day.

"Whenever their window is open they are open for business," Foster said.

The park is located behind the AFC Skate Arena on Liggett Avenue. There is no supervisor on site.

WASHINGTON - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the launch of free, drop-in childcare service centers at three VA medical centers to an audience of more than 700 participants attending the Fifth National Summit on Women Veterans' Issues July 15-17 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. 

"We know that many Veterans, particularly women Veterans, are the primary care takers of young children," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "We want these Veterans to have the opportunity to access the high-quality health care that VA offers, and we believe that these childcare centers will make it easier for Veteran caregivers to visit VA."

The pilot centers are part of VA's continuing effort to improve access to health care for eligible Veterans, particularly the growing number of women Veterans. Congress established this childcare initiative as part of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 which was signed by the President in May 2010.  The three sites and childcare details include:

• Northport, NY: 30 child capacity, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., ages 6 weeks to 12 years
• Tacoma, WA (American Lake VA): Varying capacity, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., ages 6 weeks to 10 years
• Buffalo, NY: 6 to 10 child capacity, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., ages 6 weeks to 12 years

All the pilot childcare centers will be operated onsite by licensed childcare providers. Drop-in services are offered free to Veterans who are eligible for VA care and visiting a facility for an appointment. 

In a survey, VA found that nearly a third of Veterans were interested in childcare services and more than 10 percent had to cancel or reschedule VA appointments due to lack of childcare.          

This pilot program will benefit both men and women Veterans.  Development of the pilot program was facilitated by the Women Veterans Health Strategic Health Care Group, which strives to make positive changes in the provision of care for all women Veterans. 

"While the number of women Veterans continues to grow, they use VA for health care proportionately less than male Veterans," said Patricia Hayes, Chief Consultant of the VA's Women Veterans Health Strategic Health Care Group. "We hope that by offering safe, secure childcare while the Veteran attends a doctor's appointment or therapy session, we will enable more women Veterans to take advantage of the VA benefits to which they are entitled."

Women Veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the Veteran population. Of the 22.7 million living Veterans, more than 1.8 million are women. They comprise nearly 8 percent of the total Veteran population and 6 percent of all Veterans who use VA health care services. 

VA estimates women Veterans will constitute 10 percent of the Veteran population by 2020 and 9.5 percent of VA patients.

Sports registration via WebTrac at JBLMmwr.com/cys or at Parent Central
Services. For more information, call 253-967-2405. 
Registration dates are:

• Flag football and cheerleading, May 2-26

• Start Smart t-ball, June 13-July 7    

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The producers of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" are seeking people involved in the military whose home deserves an extreme makeover. 

The producers are looking for people with "amazing strength of character and who put their own needs aside to help others," a press release said. "Whether it's a Soldier, a mom, a teacher or a fireman, we think deserving families are families who inspire those around them." 

Additionally, the show's producers are seeking families whose houses need major alterations or repair - "homes that present serious problems for the family and affect the family's quality of life." 

To be eligible, families must own their single family home and be able to demonstrate how a makeover will make a difference in their lives. 

Interested military families or people who wish to nominate a military family should e-mail a short description of the family's story to emheusa@gmail.com. The e-mail should include the names and ages of household members, a description of the family's challenges, an explanation of why the family is deserving of a makeover or is a positive role model in the community, photos of the family and their home, and contact numbers. 

The deadline for nominations is May 30, but people should send submissions early, the release said. Only up to 25 families are selected each season. 

For more information on the application process, visit http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/index?pn=apply. 

The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Agriculture have joined together with 12 land grant universities to offer military teens an opportunity to go to a low-cost, high adventure camp at one of 50 locations.  Four of these camps are also offering high-adventure opportunities to family members with special needs.      

CAMPS IN WASHINGTON

Cutty Sark Wooden Sailing Ship Adventure: San Juan Islands

April 30-May 1, 2011; May 14-15, 2011; September 17-18, 2011; September 25-28, 2011

Participants: 16

Ages: 14-18

Primary activities: Sailing, camping, hiking, games

A unique opportunity awaits you: step back in time and crew the Cutty Sark, setting sail in the Strait of Juan de Fuca just like the earliest explorers did as they mapped and enjoyed the incredible sights of Washington state's inland waterways. Departing from Coronet Bay on Whidbey Island, sail through Deception Pass en route to uninhabited islands where you will drop anchor and set up camp for the evening. Captain John Stone will share nautical history, lore, and intriguing stories around the campfire. While on board, as a crew member you will learn to sail this magnificent vessel, navigate using both ancient and modern technology, and gain an appreciation for life on the high seas.

http://4h.wsu.edu/adventurecamp/index.html

Kevin Powers

509-667-6540, kcpowers@wsu.edu

Ropes Course/Methow River Rafting: Chelan & Okanogan Counties

June 15-19, 2011 (Subject to change based on weather conditions)

Participants: 18

Ages: 14-18

Primary activities: Ropes course activities, camping, river rafting

This adventure will begin with two days on the 4-H "Challenge" Ropes Course. Here you will prepare for our whitewater adventure on the Methow River outside of Winthrop in Okanogan County. Orion Expeditions will provide boats and guides, creating the perfect combination for an overnight action-packed, fun-filled trip down the Methow River. Watch wildlife on the rolling hills or along the river bank as you raft through some of the best scenery north-central Washington has to offer.

http://4h.wsu.edu/adventurecamp/index.html

Kevin Powers

509-667-6540, kcpowers@wsu.edu

Mountains-to-Sound Adventure Camp: Camp Robbinswold

June 26-July 2, 2011

Participants: 60

Ages: 14-18

Primary activities: Backpacking, kayaking, canoeing, ropes course, traditional camp activities

The Mountains-to-Sound Adventure Camp offers military teens a great adventure in the Pacific Northwest. After building their adventure team on a low ropes course, groups will learn the necessary skills to navigate their adventure. Campers will be challenged in one of the following adventures: backpacking in the Olympic Mountains or on its coast, sea kayaking, canoeing, or rowing traditional longboats in Hood Canal and Puget Sound. Other camp activities will include arts and crafts, swimming, hiking, outdoor cooking, and campfires.

http://4h.wsu.edu/adventurecamp/index.html

Kevin Powers

509-667-6540, kcpowers@wsu.edu

Camping/Hiking/Wilderness Trip: North-Central Cascades

July 11-15, 2011; August 8-12, 2011; July 25-29, 2011; August 15-18, 2011

Participants: 8 per trip

Ages: 14-18

Primary activities: Ropes course, hiking, camping, and rock climbing

Each of these 1-week adventures will take place in some of the most spectacular locations in the Cascade Mountain Range in north-central Washington. These adventures will be offered in a variety of locations, providing high adventure experiences such as hiking, camping, rock climbing, and all the fresh air and high country scenery you can handle.

http://4h.wsu.edu/adventurecamp/index.html

Kevin Powers

509-667-6540, kcpowers@wsu.edu

Outward Bound Experience: Chelan County & Okanogan County

August 1-5, 2011

Participants: 25

Ages: 14-18

Primary activities: Hiking, camping, rock climbing

This unique opportunity provides a chance to visit the North Cascades, nicknamed the "American Alps," for the open cliff faces and deep, glacially carved valleys that are also characteristic of the European Alps. This 3-day, 2-night experience will take place at the Mazama Outward Bound Base Camp. Come and experience this outdoor living adventure where you will be immersed in a wide range of wilderness skills and activities including rock climbing, camping, and hiking.

http://4h.wsu.edu/adventurecamp/index.html

Kevin Powers

509-667-6540, kcpowers@wsu.edu

Exploring History & Nature: Chelan County

October 23-24, 2011 (Subject to change based on weather conditions)

Participants: 16

Ages: 14-18

Primary activities: Hiking, camping, games, nature mapping

Long before highways crossed the mountains, the Colockum Trail was the only way to travel from just about anywhere to what is now known as Chelan County. WSU Chelan County Extension manages over 11,000 acres of shrub-steppe, rangeland, and forest habitat that is the winter grazing area for the largest elk herd in Washington state. Come to the Colockum and visit historic sites, remnants of homesteads, and the life of an era long past. Tour some of the state's most prolific wildlife habitat with a professional guide and look for mule deer, elk, and other native species on the preserve. Help wildlife biologists collect data that will assist in the management of resident wildlife.

http://4h.wsu.edu/adventurecamp/index.html

Kevin Powers

509-667-6540, kcpowers@wsu.edu

Downhill Ski and Snowboarding Trip: Stevens Pass Ski Area

December 29, 2011; December 30, 2011

Participants: 16 per trip

Ages: 14-18

Primary activities: Downhill skiing, snowboarding

Stevens Pass is located on the crest of the Cascade Mountains in Washington state and is recognized as one of the premier skiing and boarding resorts in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you are a seasoned skier or wanting to try snowboarding or downhill skiing for the first time, this activity will definitely present opportunities for all. You will be provided with everything needed to enjoy a day on the slopes including boots, equipment, lift tickets, and instruction from qualified professionals.

http://4h.wsu.edu/adventurecamp/index.html

Kevin Powers

509-667-6540, kcpowers@wsu.edu

Downhill Ski & Snowboarding Trip: Mission Ridge Ski Area

December 29, 2011; December 30, 2011

Participants: 16

Ages: 14-18

Primary activities: Downhill skiing, snowboarding

Mission Ridge is located just outside Wenatchee, Washington, on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range and is home to some of the best "dry side" skiing in the northwest. Whether you are a seasoned skier or wanting to try snowboarding or downhill skiing for the first time, this activity will present the opportunity to create memories that will last for a lifetime. Mission Ridge will provide everything for your day on the slopes including boots, equipment, lift tickets, and instruction through their professional ski school.

http://4h.wsu.edu/adventurecamp/index.html

Kevin Powers

509-667-6540, kcpowers@wsu.edu

Animal Tracking & Snowshoe Adventure: Chelan County

January 7-10, 2012; January 21-24, 2012; February 11-14, 2012; February 25-28, 2012

Participants: 16

Ages: 14-18

Primary activities: Snowshoeing, wildlife tracking, nature mapping

Whether this is your first time on snowshoes or if you want to take your snowshoeing adventures to a higher level, this activity is for you. See what stories are being told by the tracks left behind by wildlife and learn how to read and interpret track and trails with our experienced guides and naturalists. It is not uncommon to see eagles, hawks, mule deer, snowshoe hares, river otters, and many other critters that are native to this amazing region or passing through on major migratory routes that cross our state. Quality snowshoes and equipment will be provided for this journey into the wild.

http://4h.wsu.edu/adventurecamp/index.html

Kevin Powers

509-667-6540, kcpowers@wsu.edu

Deschutes River Rafting Trip: Central Oregon

April 5-10, 2012

Participants: 12

Ages: 14-18

Primary activities: Whitewater rafting, camping

How would you like to spend your spring break rafting down the Deschutes River in central Oregon with Orion Expeditions? This is an inclusive and amazing 5-day trip that runs some of the best whitewater in the northwest. Each day you will travel down the river just as the first explorers did and camp for the evening with plenty of time for enjoying the area, the company of your river companions, and sharing stories around the campfire at night.

http://4h.wsu.edu/adventurecamp/index.html

Kevin Powers

509-667-6540, kcpowers@wsu.edu

Ropes Course/Methow River Rafting: Chelan & Okanogan Counties

TBD, 2012 (Subject to change based on weather conditions)

Participants: 18

Ages: 14-18

Primary activities: Ropes course activities, camping, river rafting

This adventure will begin with 2 days on the 4-H "Challenge" Ropes Course. Here you will prepare for our whitewater adventure on the Methow River outside of Winthrop in Okanogan County. Orion Expeditions will provide boats and guides, creating the perfect combination for an overnight action-packed, fun-filled trip down the Methow River. Watch wildlife on the rolling hills or along the river bank as you raft through some of the best scenery north-central Washington has to offer.

http://4h.wsu.edu/adventurecamp/index.html

Kevin Powers

509-667-6540, kcpowers@wsu.edu

ALEXANDRIA, Val, -- The Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command is hosting an online promotion through the month of April 2011. 

The "Coolest Toys, Hottest Gadgets" online promotion highlights the Army MWR Library Program and Child, Youth and School Services activities, and coincides with the Army's celebration of Month of the Military Child.

The contest website, reached through www.MWRPromotions.com, showcases world-wide Month of Military Child programs. It also offers family-friendly suggestions to help parents recognize their military kids as "Everyday Heroes" for their heroism, character, courage, sacrifices and continued resilience.

Five winners chosen at random will win: an Apple iPad 2 prize package that includes a 16GB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi and a $100 Apple gift card; a Microsoft Kinect prize package that includes the Kinect sensor, Xbox 360 S console, 250GB hard drive, 360 wireless controller, headset, and Kinect games; a Nikon COOLPIX S6100 Digital Camera prize package; a Barnes & Noble NOOK Color prize package and a $100 Barnes & Noble gift card; or a LeapFrog prize package that includes the Leapster Explorer World Adventurer Gift Pack, carrying case, Tag Globe Trotter Gift Pack, Tag Learn to Read Super Book Pack, and Tag carrying case. 

"The prize packages were chosen for their educational benefits," said MWR Marketing Manager Robin Hovey, "and directly correlate to a service or program currently offered by MWR Libraries or Child Youth and School Services."

While registering online, families are encouraged to seek out library and child or youth service offerings taking place at their garrison.

"While the kids would certainly love to win a prize, it's a safe bet everyone's already a winner if we take a minute to recognize how hard 10 years of war have been on our kids," Hovey said.

For information about what's happening Army-wide in celebration of Month of the Military Child, visit www.Facebook.com/ArmyMOMC.    

This from Air Force Times: Legislation shielding military pay from the effects of a government shutdown is quickly gaining cosponsors as the clock ticks toward the midnight Friday expiration of federal funding, after which the government would shut down.

In the Senate, 71 cosponsors have signed onto a bill sponsored by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, that would continue paying the military during a shutdown and would give the Defense Department the discretion to also pay federal civilian workers and defense contractors deployed on contingency operations in support of U.S. troops.

To read the entire story, click here. 

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2011 - The Defense Department is hopeful that a government shutdown will be averted, but is releasing guidance to help plan for an orderly process if a shutdown becomes necessary, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said in a memo issued today.

"The president and the [Defense] Secretary [Robert M. Gates] know that the uncertainty of the current situation puts federal employees in a difficult position and are very much aware that a shutdown would impose hardships on our military and civilian personnel as well as our military families," Lynn wrote.

Operations and activities essential to safety and to protect human life and property will not be shut down, he wrote.

Addressing duty status, Lynn wrote that military personnel are not subject to furlough and should report for duty during a shutdown. Civilian personnel performing excepted activities will continue to work during a shutdown, he wrote.

The Defense Department will continue to conduct activities in support of national security, Lynn wrote, including operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Japan, as well as Libya-related support operations and other activities essential to national security.

Continuing operations include the following, Lynn wrote:

-- Inpatient and emergency outpatient care in DOD medical treatment facilities and emergency dental care;

-- Dining facilities and child-care activities;

-- Some legal activities, and contracting and logistics operations supporting excepted activities;

-- Some education and training activities, including Department of Defense Education Activity schools, and some financial management activities.

"In the absence of appropriations, non-excepted activities that have not already been fully funded will need to be shut down in an orderly fashion," Lynn wrote.

He will issue more detailed guidance to the department regarding specific activities that are considered excepted or non-excepted. Lynn wrote that he understands the military departments, defense agencies and individual commanders must tailor this guidance to many different situations around the world.

"Therefore, should there be a government shutdown, DOD personnel will be informed through their chain of command about how a shutdown may affect them personally," he wrote.

On the topic of military, civilian and retiree pay, Lynn said if the government shuts down because of a lack of funding, DOD will have no funds to pay military members or civilian employees for the days during which the government is shut down.

But military and civilian personnel will receive pay for time worked before the shutdown, he said, and military personnel and civilians in excepted positions will be paid retroactively for their work during the shutdown once the department receives additional funding.

"Congress would have to provide authority in order for the department to retroactively pay non-excepted employees for the furloughed period," Lynn wrote.

Benefits for military retirees and annuitants should continue without interruption, he added.

The USO Puget Sound Area and KMPS 94.1 FM are joining forces to salute military heroes.

If you have a family member or friend in the service that you would like to recognize on The Candy + Potter Show on KMPS, e-mail the following info to solider@kmps.com: Your Name, Solider's Name, Relation to Solider, Your Phone, Any Additional Info on Your Soldier.

Various salutes have already been posted on the station's website.

To see the page, click here.