Heart Link program wins award at AETC Symposium

Published Feb. 3, 2011
By Susan Griggs;
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler's continuing efforts to bolster Air Force spouses were recognized at the annual
Air Education and Training Command Symposium, Jan. 21 in San Antonio, Texas.

Keesler claimed the inaugural award recognizing the command's outstanding Heart Link program. Lt. Col. Richard Cole, 81st Force Support Squadron commander; Jackie Pope, airman and family readiness center director, and Cherrie Tiggeman, chief of airman and family services, were on hand to accept the award, cheered on by 125 others in the Keesler contingent.

The Air Force's Heart Link program is intended to strengthen military families and to ernhance mission readiness in an effort to recruit individuals and retain families. Heart Link targets spouses with less than five years affiliation with the Air Force,but Keesler expanded the program to encompass seasoned spouses who need a "refresher course" on the changing Air Force environment. Heart Link attendance is also part of
the training for Keesler's Key Spouses.

Icebreakers, games, skits and presentations link six activities in which vital information
is presented in an interactive manner.

Topics include You and the Air Force -Where You Fit In, Introduction to the Air Force, Tool Kit for Preparedness, Communicating Within the Air Force, Healthy Families and Your Vital Importance to the Air Force Family.

Heart Link is promoted through a 20-video on the base's cable channel, three traveling kiosks, e-mails to spouses of students in technical training and introductions at base newcomer briefings and first term airman center classes. Participants are recruited by Key Spouses from across the base and members of the Keesler Spouses Club.

At Keesler, Heart Link provides not only an introduction to the Air Force family, but tangible ways for spouses to get involved with the base and the surrounding community.
Heart Link has partnered with the Chamber of Commerce to offer quarterly tours of the
city and provided weekend sessions to accommodate spouses who work outside the
home.

"Our Heart Link program was selected by AETC to host Purdue University as a model
for its development of a computer- based program for spouses who are at geographically-separated units so they too can benefit from the orientation," Ms. Pope explained.

The next Heart Link is scheduled for March 24, and limited child care assistance is available on a first-come basis.

To register, call the airman and family readiness center, 376-8728.