Air Force recovery care coordinators aid Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Air Force recovery care coordinators aid Airmen
By Senior Airman Brittany Y. Bateman
2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - Air Force services recently implemented the Air Force Recovery Care Coordinators Program July 26.

The RCC program was developed in compliance with the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act to help service seriously wounded and ill Airmen including members of the Reserve and Guard components and their families.

"It's not just Air Force, we have recovery care coordinators for the U.S. Marines Corps, U.S. Navy and U.S. Army," said (Ret.) Chief Master Sgt. Elizabeth Melahn, recovery care coordinator. "We have approximately 30 Air Force RCC's scattered throughout the United States as well as in Landstul, Germany, and every year we will grow."

Air Force recovery care coordinators are the Air Force's warrior and survivor care program's focal point for non-clinical case management.

"Our job is to assist the wounded, ill and injured with information, if it is determined they are going to go through the medical evaluation board process, we help them understand what benefits they're entitled too, and what resources are available to them and their families," said Mrs. Melahn. "I'll be working closely with the Airman and Family Readiness Center, physical evaluation board, causality affairs officer, chaplain, medical evaluation board official and case manger."

RCCs are trained to develop and implement a comprehensive recovery plan, which identifies the needs and also lays out a path to enable the Airmen and their families to reach personal and professional goals during the three phases of care, recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration.

"The program is greatly helping Airmen," said Mark Anderson, 2d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, flight chief, RCC patient. It gives them a voice when they otherwise wouldn't have one. The program has helped me tremendously, it guided me in the right direction and it's easier to go to one person for all the questions that I might have. It's a great relief because I can focus on being a patient and on recovering."

The recovery process starts when the wound, illness or injury first occurs. The Air Force Survivor Assistance Program may assign a family liaison officer to provide immediate response and an RCC is assigned as the focal point for non-clinical care. Rehabilitation can occur at Veteran Assistance Polytrauma Hospitals and other inpatient and outpatient hospitals or rehab centers.

RCCs will work with Airmen, their families and the recovery team to develop the comprehensive recovery plan and put it into action. The reintegration phase prepares Airmen for their return to duty, separation or retirement. Support during their phase can include assistance with transition to civilian life, veteran assistance benefits, transition assistance programs, relocation, employment and career options, and financial counseling. RCCs provide ongoing review and support to identify what services are needed and offer life-long care and recovery support.

Airmen who may benefit from the support of an RCC may self-refer or be referred at any point by command staff, medical or non-medical support, wounded warrior program or a family member.

For more information contact Mrs. Elizabeth Melahn at 318-456-3223