Laughlin youth programs score big in inspection

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nathan Maysonet
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Laughlin's youth programs had a Department of Defense inspection in early February receiving high marks across the board.

The DOD inspections occur yearly across the services and are used to ensure that base youth centers, child development centers, child care and school aged programs are meeting new policies and criteria developed each year.

"One thing a lot of people may not know about our youth programs is how highly regulated they are," said Jacqueline Bonds, 47th Force Support Squadron curriculum specialist and trainer. "We are closely inspected twice a year on everything from lesson plans, children's activities, health and safety and staff development."

This year, the DOD review and updated policies were released Jan. 28. Laughlin was visited by the inspectors Feb. 11, giving Bonds and the rest of the staff of Laughlin's youth programs only nine duty days to review, and put into action, more than 100 changes required by the DOD, explained Janet Johnson, 47th FSS school liaison officer.

"It's getting more and more common for inspectors to appear shortly after releasing the criteria," said Johnson. "This year's changes were more difficult than last year's but overall I think it was a piece of cake to get it done because of how well all the personnel consistently perform."

Some of the changes required by the DOD included the types of equipment infants can use and the length of time they can be used, new health rules such as hand washing policies and much more.

"As soon as we saw all the new changes we made copies for everyone, sat down and began reading it over and putting together a plan," said Bonds. "We saw the changes and got to work."

What allowed Laughlin to make the changes so quickly is Laughlin's youth program's constant review of changes made to the Air Force's sister services youth programs, explained Johnson.

"It was easier to act this year because we saw all of the things that had come done from all the service branches," said Johnson. "Laughlin always stays on top of making sure everyone working knows their stuff."

"Laughlin excels because the men and women who watch over the youth centers, child development centers, child care and school aged programs learn from each inspection and carry it over from one year to the next," said Bonds.

Laughlin's youth program's performance during a short notice inspection shows that the youth of Team XL are in capable hands.

"We always try to stress to parents that we are there for them," said Johnson. "Parents should know that their kids are in good hands."