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Show HILL TOP TIMES Ijk n Friday, March 9. 1984 family focus Survivor benefit plan coverage former spouses expands for can 'Hefrforce More military retirees provide survivor benefit plan coverage to a former spouse as the result of a change to public law. Public Law 4 allows a member to continue survivor benefit plan coverage for a former spouse if they divorce after leaving the military. The member must have chosen "spouse" or "spouse-and-child- " coverage at retirement to get the coverage. The survivor benefit plan allows retired military members to accept less retirement pay in return for a Parents recruited 15 boys and 12 girls into the Heirforce at USAF Hospital, Hill, during the past few weeks. Those who sponsored the new members 98-9- were: GIRLS Feb. 9 . Feb. 11 Keith and Wendy Dunham Dean B. Hillan and Debbie A. Walters . .Feb. 12 Richard V. and Teresita F. Burchett . . . .Feb. 13 Feb. 14 Norman and Brenda L. Hayward B. Feb. 21 Smith and Roberta Bradley Deannie Feb. 23 McClard and Anthony .Feb. 26 David and Lucinda L. Aldrich William W. and Sandra D. Turner .Feb. 28 . . . .March 1 L. M. and Jones Jackie Christopher Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Werner March 1 . . . . Gordon D. .March 2 and Patricia J. Richard Robin and Donna L. Schmidt ........ ..... ombudsman handles exceptional cases Feb. 10 Feb. 10 Feb. 10 Feb. 12 .Feb. 14 Feb. 14 Feb. 17 .Feb. 18 . .Feb. 20 Feb. 23 Feb. 24 Feb. 26 Feb. 27 Feb. 27 March 2 continue to be uprooted and moved. The average family can expect to move every five or six years. Moving is almost never easy, either for kids or adults. But according to researchers, if parents are optimistic and enthusiastic about relocating, their children will usually feel the same. By exploring and building your new world together, you and your children can continue to share strong family relationships. primary means of meeting potential new friends. If an early summer move is necessary, some families have found it helpful to enroll their children in summer school. Signing up for summer recreation programs can also help school-ag- e kids meet other children. Making friends The chief concern about moving for most boys and girls is making friends. But research has again shown that most kids fit in. They quickly find new friends, although younger children tend to have an easier time than adolescents. Despite the conventional wisdom underlying this decision, there is little evidence to confirm it. Some children actually do better if they enroll later in the year, although it is preferable to time a midyear start at the beginning of a school term. There are no clear reasons why starting school at the beginning of the school year isn't especially helpful. Perhaps new children are identified and sought out sooner by other students after the school year has started than if they enter with a lot of other newcomers in September. Or teachers may have established a class routine that allows them to give more., attention "to newcomers later in the year. In the excitement of moving, it's easy to forget that concern for family members must take precedence over getting the new house in order. volunteers make work ... The thrift shop worker realizes that Jr. , Each day a select group of people don a special uniform and report to work. They earn no money for their labors. Those unpaid workers are part of the volunteer force serving us. Money is not important to them because they know what they do is important to the welfare of the base community. The men and women helping with our scouting programs know they are helping to mold our children into tomorrow's leaders. The Red Cross volunteer, processing loan paperwork, knows the money wUl help buy a plane ticket so a young airman can be with a seriously ill parent. The women straightening the Family Services loan closet know some of those items will lessen the burdens of a PCS move. st A 1 A " . what these people are doing in your communities and follow their un selfish examnle. You. each and everv one of you, definitely make it all work! A. " a ..a time you get a new idenine next mi . tification card, you may also receive a card to keep in your wallet that explains how to use your health benefits. The wallet card has room to write important medical phone numbers, Old friends should not be forgotten either. Continuing contact with: former, and now more distant, acquaintances can make the new com- such as the nearest CHAMPUS Health Benefits Advisor and your CHAMPUS claims processor. The' card is just for your conve- nience not for identification or any official use. You can get wallet cards from your CHAMPUS Health Bene- - Card. munity less lonely. Encourage children to write to former playmates. ' can buy low-coclothing and furniture. She also knows that these sales provide money for scholarships given to base youth. The man who works eight hours a on the flightline and then devotes day il next two or tnree nours me coacning a youth football team knows that without his help the Youth Center could not offer this program to base ' children. There are many more organizations and activities that provide a needed service only through the efforts of volunteers. We salute each person who devotes part of his or her time to help make the Air Force a better way of life for us all. We urge everyone to take a look at . 4-- H, - through her efforts, military families Health benefits !JC i! inrormcmon cards available mess, you can encourage your kids to bring home their new friends. And if your child is interested in such ac-tivities as Little League, Camp Fire, scouting, or church-relate-d groups, finding them in the new community should be a top priority. ' Whatever the explanations, extraordinary efforts by families to coordinate their moves for the summer don't seem necessary A June or July relocation ' to a new community, in By Col. John R. Allen Fairchild AFB, Wash. As soon as possible, you should provide opportunities for your children to make friends. Even if the house is a . (AFNS) a When school is out, kids lose their More families move during the summer than at any other period of the year, so that their children can start school at the beginning of the fall semester. 71845. Mi I if a ry fa m ly fact, may be one of the most difficult times for children to adjust. 1980s, American families will nt O Moving with kids requires planning, strong relationships In the pre-retireme- to regional CHAMPUS a solve CHAMPUS. claims processor, or the problem when it seems Health Benefits Adeverything has been visors at the various"' tried to no avail? military , activities, Try the Ombudsman Sergeant Kane said. for the Civilian Health "Exceptional cases that and Medical Program have gone through all of for the Uniformed Ser- other avenues I ones the assistance are vices. He's Air Force SMSgt. Walt Kane, the want to hear about." To reach Sergeant advocate for CHAMPUS families who need Kane, write to OCHAM-PUSD(Ombudsman), help with a problem. "The ombudsman is Aurora, Co 80045. i". not a replacement for the (AFNS) CHAMPUS ........ ...... 97-25- 2, Where can one go BOYS Lindsey and Linda M. Logan David Rice and Daique Gehring Robert T. and Sherry M. York . : Adam and Donna Brinkley . . . Milo and Kathy S. Stansell . , Richard and Donna J. Willis Jim and Lynn M. Gardner Ralph and Barbara Ann Parson Bob and Chris Paiva . Mario and Ruth Scarpino Robert and Wendy M. Stewart . David and Elizabeth A. Bonnett David A. and Gina L. Smith Gregory and Lisa A. Western Michael and Marie L. Leichty monthly paycheck to a surviving eligible family member or former spouse. The law builds on Public Law which allowed those retiring after Sept. 7, 1982, to elect former spouse coverage at retirement, but made no provision for former spouse elections after retirement. Members are briefed on their survivor benefit plan options as a part of counseling. For more on information this program contact the Customer Service Center, Ext. Phone calls to old friends can also help ease the hurts and pains of (AFNS) relocating. .WW ,3 ' ., V |