WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --
Name and rank: Erin Burgan, NH-3
Duty title: Family advocacy officer
Unit of assignment: Family Advocacy Program, 88th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron
What do you do at Wright-Patt?
As family advocacy officer, I manage the installation Family Advocacy Program. We are a team of clinical social workers, registered nurses, victim advocates and support staff who offer a wide range of services and programs to keep military families safe and thriving.
Many of our services are voluntary, supportive and not documented in the medical record. For example, we offer play groups for families who want to connect with others (Parent 2 Parent group), classes to increase knowledge and skills needed for parenting a baby (Baby Basics, Dads 101), for parenting young children and teens (Parenting with Love and Logic, Active Parenting of Teens), and for strengthening relationships (Prevention & Relationship Education Program/PREP, Managing Anger for Healthy Relationships).
We offer counseling for families where there has been problematic sexual behavior by a child, couples counseling and New Parent Support Program. Our New Parent Support nurses offer in-home education and support to military families who are expecting a baby and/or have children under the age of 3.
Why are you and your job important to the Air Force and WPAFB?
My role is to ensure our team is ready to respond to each family’s unique needs. Our procedures follow Air Force guidance, and we coordinate well with multiple base and off-base organizations to create a network of response and family support. I am honored to be in this position.
My hope is we offer relief when families need it most, empower people to meet their personal goals, and that homes are safe and joyful. This keeps our force mission-ready. To enroll in prevention services, call us at 937-257-4608.
If a family situation has become violent or neglectful, our team also responds with safety planning, case coordination, counseling and evidence-based groups as needed. We manage a 24/7 victim hotline: 937-265-0022. Restricted and unrestricted reporting options are available.