RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The Family Advocacy Program and 86th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health Clinic hosted their first mock Central Registry Board on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Nov. 16, 2017.
At any given time, a first sergeant or first sergeant select may be a first responder to a domestic situation regarding family violence dynamics, in which the first responder has to evaluate human behavior, intent of the definition, and information about the incident and impact on victims.
Afterward, a CRB is held to discuss and vote on how to best resolve the situation.
“It is important that each first responder knows how to appropriately address a CRB meeting,” said Maj. Raheem Lay, 86th Medical Operations Squadron mental health provider. “How to report relevant information and most importantly, provide a better understanding of the decision tree.”
The Family Advocacy Officer serves as a consultant and educator to CRBs regarding family violence dynamics, human behavior, information about the incident and impact on victims.
New first sergeants and commanders might not have first-hand experience with domestic violence related situations, the mock CRB will familiarize them with the process so each case is handled as fairly and efficiently as possible.
“Our outreach manager saw a need to introduce the mock CRB so that it can better explain the process to leadership, who then can better explain the process to their members,” said Shirley Donaldson, 86th MDOS Family Advocacy Program assistant.
The 86th MDOS’s goal is to run a mock CRB every six months or annually.
Each maltreatment allegation that receives a Family Advocacy Program interview will be heard at the CRB. The CRB is held at least once a month and all information shared during the meeting remains confidential.
FAO presents allegations to members of the board and command team. The vice wing commander, who chairs the meeting, initiates a web based decision template once an incident summary is solicited. Other members provide relevant input regarding the specific criteria.
From there, members vote on each criterion to make a determination, the members of the board are leadership anywhere from first sergeants to commanders.
The mock CRB is designed to help commanders and first sergeants understand their role as members of the medical decision team, as it impacts the military community.
“The safety and the welfare of military families remain our number one priority,” Lay said.