Army Family Covenant
What does the phrase “The Army Family Covenant” actually mean to Families at Fort Leavenworth? The Army Family Covenant (AFC) was established by the Army Chief of Staff in the fall of 2007 in an effort to increase funding for programs and services offered to Army Families such as health care, housing and Family and MWR programs. Soon after installations across the globe held signing ceremonies demonstrating their support of this Army initiative. The United States Army committed $1.4 billion in the 2008 fiscal year to improve the quality of life for Soldiers and their Families.
While the AFC is set up to support all Families there is a special emphasis placed on supporting those Families that are or have been affected by deployments. Fort Leavenworth Family and MWR supports this initiative and has made changes and additions to programs to help improve the quality of life for the Fort Leavenworth community including the H2O program.
The Army Community Service Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) instituted a respite care program, summer camp partnership with Child, Youth and School Services as well as a weekend bowling program. Army Community Service has an information outreach program in support of the Army Family Covenant. The program is designed to network and coordinate all programs and activities taking place on post and in the surrounding communities. Information and Referral also works the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program to assist in continuing to develop resiliency in the Army. The Army Community Service Mobilization and Deployment Program offers care-team training, pre- and post-deployment education, deployment survival, and children and separation issues of deployment. Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) is a program that links Families of fallen Soldiers with resources throughout the military and civilian communities. Fort Leavenworth SOS has a financial counselor and support counselor available to assist surviving Family members in their time of need.
A large part of what the AFC is trying to accomplish Army-wide is standardizing youth services and child care through additional funding, programs and services. Fort Leavenworth Child, Youth and School Services has waived initial registration fees for their program. They offer a variety of benefits for Families affected by deployment from free SKIESUnlimited classes to free respite child care. For specific benefits or to find out how to access benefits, visit or call Parent Central at (913) 684-5138.
As part of the Army Family Covenant the Community Recreation Division has remodeled both Gruber Sports Complex and Harney Fitness Center. Work included new saunas, expanded cardio and weight rooms, air conditioning in both gyms, new and improved locker rooms, an additional women’s locker room in Gruber and fresh paint and colors throughout the facilities. Harney Indoor Pool was remodeled to include a new pool base, expanded lockers, party room and a new ventilation system. Other work to be completed this year includes remodeling the stables arena, to include all new stalls in the barn and a new and improved paddocks area. Another opportunity for our Soldiers and Families is Harney Annex in front of Harney Sports Complex. This is a 9,000 square foot facility with cardio equipment and CrossFit instruction available.
Army Family Covenant