MFLC continues to support military Published June 25, 2012 By Staff Sgt. Abigail Klein 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Whether it's a lengthy deployment, financial issues, parenting issues or even just adapting to structure of typical military life, the Military Family Life Consultant Program continues to offer Team McConnell short-term situational, problem solving counseling. McConnell is one of more than 50 installations that hosts the program. Though the program is similar to a variety of wellness programs available to team McConnell, the program offers it own unique services in addition to being free to all service members and can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The MFLC program was funded by the Office of Secretary of Defense to address problems caused by extended deployments in 2004. It was an opportunity to help those who make the ultimate sacrifice, America's service members and their families. The result was a partnership between the Department of Defense with MHN, a behavioral health subsidiary of Health Net, Inc., to provide a non-medical counseling program to address stressful situations occurring among service members and their families. The MFLC program was founded in 2008 at McConnell. "The MFLC is a non-threatening professional place where military members can get professional advice dealing with life stressors including marital relationships, children relationships or work relationships," said Mary Reese, McConnell's Airman and Family Readiness chief, the center that houses the program. One non-threatening element is that MFLCs rotate from base to base every 45 to 90 days. To get better acquainted with Airmen, the certified consultants must participate in an Air Force specific orientation before arriving at their assigned base. "The idea of rotating originally was established by [DOD] to allow for the ability to surge," said Reece. "It also supports the concept of anonymity and privacy." Though the consultants change frequently, the MFLC program remains constant, said Reece. Airman or family members who do choose to see the MFLC are normally provided six sessions. The consultants are master's and doctorate-level licensed clinical counselors, psychologists and marriage and family therapists temporarily stationed at Airman Family Readiness Center. At McConnell, there up to three assigned MFLCs, one for adults at the A&FRC, one for children at the Child Development Center and one assigned to the School Age Program during the summer. Having consultants work with the children can help adult clients who may be struggling with the typical stresses of being a parent; ensuring that they are getting the help they need to deal with these stresses, said Reece. The sessions are completely confidential and the MFLCs keep no records of their sessions with member, and are available for immediate assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week by simply calling (316) 706-4238. They require no medical referrals to be seen, but may recommend medical assistance depending on the issue, said Reece. Since implementing the program at McConnell, McConnell members have seen firsthand the benefits of spreading the knowledge of its services. "The CDC uses the MFLC extensively since it began at McConnell," said Tracie Bradford, McConnell's Child Develop Center director. "The Child and Youth MFLC is at the CDC daily, interacting with the children and supporting the staff when they need additional resources for working with children and, some CDC families have meet with the MFLCs to help their children work thorough family transitions such as deployments and moving." The MFLCs were available to all staff and children during difficult times such as the death of a staff member, she said. To take advantage of the MFLC program and their services, contact the Airman and Family Readiness center at (316) 706-4238. Consultations and trainings are free and anonymous. No records are kept. After-hours and weekend appointments are available and group or off-site meetings can be arranged.