Fort Jackson Hosts a Teen Focus Group

Fort Jackson Customer Management Services hosted a Teen Focus Group on 13 August 08 at the Plans, Analysis, and Integration Office (PAIO) Conference Room. The purpose of the focus group was to discuss issues affecting Teens of military personnel on Fort Jackson and in the surrounding community. The focus group is held annually as part of the Community FIRST Quarterly Issue Resolution Process. The Fort Jackson Garrison Command Sergeant Major (CSM) opened the session and welcomed the Teens to the forum. At the conclusion of the focus group, the CSM expressed his appreciation and stressed the importance of their participation. He then presented each Teen with the Garrison Commander’s/CSM’s Coin and a certificate of appreciation.

Listed below are the issues that were surfaced and out-briefed by the Teens.

Issue: Transportation for Off-Post Teens

Scope: Teens living off post need transportation to Fort Jackson in order to participate in on-post activities. A majority of teens have difficulty providing their own transportation and require someone to drive them. Teens may be unable to participate in some activities due to lack of transportation. Providing means of access to post will help increase socialization, keep teens active, be active participants in the community, and keep them safe and out of trouble.

Recommendations:

• Provide more buses for transportation.

• Hire more Middle School and Teen (MST) staff to drive buses.

Issue: More Funding for Teen Traveling Teams

Scope: Existing funds are not adequate to support Middle School and Teen (MST) traveling teams. When funds run out, teens have to pay out-of-pocket. If money is not available, there will be decreased participation.

Recommendations:

• Increase fundraising for MST traveling teams

• Provide sponsorship

• Provide Garrison Command monetary support

Issue: More Traveling Activities for Teens through Youth Center

Scope: Teens are confined to Fort Jackson for activities through the Middle School and Teen (MST) Program. MST does not provide frequent transportation for teens to activities outside of the Columbia area. Teens enjoy interacting with their peers and meeting others from different areas.

Recommendation: Schedule more out of town events for teens.

Issue: Middle School and Teen (MST) Program Hours

Scope: The MST portion of the Youth Center closes too early (2100 hrs). When activities extend beyond that hour, participants have to leave the activity early in order to return to the center before it closes. If the activity is paid for, money is wasted if participants have to leave early. Participation may decrease due to lack of time to complete the activity.

Recommendation: MST hours be extended to 2200 hrs on weeknights and 2300 hrs on Saturdays.

These issues will be sent to the respective directorate/organization responsible for resolution to obtain a response. The issues and the responses are then published in the Fort Jackson Leader upon completion. These issues may be discussed during the Installation Action Council (IAC) in September.

You can view all issues submitted or submit a new issue through the Customer Management Services Web site, whether it affects you here at Fort Jackson or throughout the Army, your feedback is important. Submit your issues and recommendations online at http://www.jackson.army.mil/WellBeing/wellbeing.htm. Click on “Submit an Issue or Recommendation” or click on the AFAP Logo to submit your issue.

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