What should someone expect when you're called in to Army family advocacy to speak about a allegation made on your family?

2019-03-12T02:24:34-04:00

So I received a call yesterday stating that the lady had received a report for my family and wanted to see me,my husband and my 9 months old son. We honestly think someone saw something wrong or it’s just a false allegation but this is our first child, I have no idea what to expect and hoping someone to give us some advice. We know to speak honestly and openly but not say anything other than answer their questions as whatever allegation was made is false. I know the army does things differently than civilians. What kind of questions do I need to expect from them?

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2019 7:03 AM

2019-03-12T07:03:53-04:00

Well from my knowledge that program was set up to help with domestic violence and stuff in that nature and I believe also a new parent program but no one can force you to go to that program since you are a civilian. I don't understand you saying a "false allegation" did the MPs or civilian cops come to your house for domestic violence or for child abuse or was CPS called? This doesn't add up.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 12 at 2019 10:31 AM

2019-03-12T10:31:59-04:00

Caitlin Williams as a Garrison Commander, my Family Advocacy Program folks were taking follow up action to either reports or interactions with law enforcement, medical mandatory reporting, chain of command conversations, or school related mandatory reporting. taking what you said at face value, they will talk to your family and see what is going on. They may offer you benefits or services you may not have been aware of like respite care. The objective of these engagement was to help the family. My FAP Coordinator was also part of multi functional teams like our youth Review Board so they could integrate their services with the actions of Housing, Law Enforcement, the Chaplain and others.

I would not freak out. If it was something bad, someone would have left in handcuffs or your child removed already. They will discuss things with you and possibly offer you assistance. Could be a number of things.

FAP is the result of things that happened decades ago with people asking "why wasn't there a program to help these families?". The best help is preventative. The objective is to help families be strong and thriving.

Response by Caitlin Williams made Mar 12 at 2019 10:37 AM

2019-03-12T10:37:43-04:00

I appreciate the input. Thank you. We just got home from this meeting and I’m sure as some of you may know being a new parent can be scary and me having never worked with kids or grow up with kids made my anxiety a lil worse. The findings were that at my sons wellness check in which we had to schedule with someone else other than his Main pediatrician reported that he had a overly full diaper upon the exam. She brought this up as I was changing his diaper in the meeting an said she was to dismiss it as she can see he’s clean and no sores. Hubby busted out laughing in all honesty