MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Representatives from Onslow County’s Division of Social Services visited Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune on Sept. 22 and 23 to discuss the Family Advocacy Program with Marines, sailors and civilians.
The class is informal, said Tondrea D. Leach, a social work supervisor with the Department of Social Services, who was one of over a dozen who taught a class throughout the two-day course from Sept. 22 to 23. She prefers that students of the class are able to ask questions so that she can explain the different avenues available to them.
The Family Advocacy Program’s Command Leadership Training is designed to address issues surrounding domestic violence and child abuse. The training is designed for officers and civilians who work within the military community.
Subject matter experts hailed from various programs and agencies from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Onslow County. They presented classes with PowerPoint presentations, videos and question-and-answer sessions. The classes are held quarterly to inform the students of resources available to them.
“I think these courses are great and hopefully we can get more Marines to know about the resources available to them before they start having problems,” said Lt. Col Stacey L. Taylor, the commanding officer with Headquarters and Support Battalion, School of Infantry-East.
Gayloyce Willis, an education intervention specialist with the Family Advocacy Program, said informing leaders is important because they will be able to help their service members. They will be able to offer support for the families who need it.
“If Marines are having family problems, they are not focused on the mission,” said Willis. “Making sure the family has support back home lowers stress.”
Marines are always taught to be prepared for the mission, and this type of training is how their leaders prepare to address and provide a helping hand for the challenges within a family.
“This will prevent a lot of problems, and we’re focused on prevention,” said Willis.
The next two-day class is scheduled for Dec 8 and 9. The class size is limited and you must pre-register in order to attend. For more information, call 451-2864/2876 to make a reservation.