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A&FRC achieves national accreditation

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ashley L. Gardner
  • 20th Fighter Wing public affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  On Nov. 30, 2013, the Shaw Airman and Family Readiness Center achieved national accreditation, and was the first to be accredited in Air Combat Command with no deficiencies, through the New York-based Council on Accreditation (COA). The evaluation categories included:

· Administration and Management

· Administrative and Service Environment

· Customer Rights

· Emergency Family Assistance

· Financial Readiness

· Human Resources

· Risk and Prevention

· Training and Supervision

· Military Lifestyle Support and Education

· Exceptional Family Member Programs

The Airman and Family Readiness Center provides preparation information and on-going education and assistance to individuals, families and leadership. The information, education and assistance efforts are aimed at preparing military members and families to be optimally prepared for all circumstances of military life.

The A&FRC offers everything from single parent programs, to financial advisory and things such as childcare. In order to use the A&FRC, you do not have to be married or have dependents; it is open to potentially everyone.

On Feb. 26, at 2 p.m., there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at the center to commemorate the A&FRC certification accomplishment.

"The events purpose is to commemorate the Airman & Family Readiness Center in its efforts to become Nationally Accredited," said Erica Brown, 20th Force Support Squadron community readiness technician. "The COA was designed to achieve accreditation for an organization based upon written evidence of compliance with applicable standards. These standards emphasize family services core areas, ensuring confidence in the credibility, integrity and success of the organization. Shaw AFB is one of only five Air Force bases that has received this accreditation. The process was three fold with a self study narrative, evidence and site visit. The pilot base was Scott AFB, Ill. Shaw AFB participated in the second round of pilot bases which included MacDill AFB, Robins AFB and Kessler AFB, all of which are also accredited. There are two overseas location that are still completing the process, Kadena AB and RAF Lakenheath."