POTFF providers join wing team

by Senior Airman Michelle Patten
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

3/12/2014 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Preservation of the Force and Family providers gathered for an immersion day to learn about the missions of the 1st Special Operations Wing and its units at Hurlburt Field, Fla., March 11, 2014.

POTFF is a U.S. Special Operations Command initiative focused on helping special operations forces and their families.

"Our mission within POTFF is to be proactive in helping Airmen and their family members achieve their goals," said Marisa Olin, 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group family support coordinator.

The team of POTFF providers includes social workers, psychologists, military family life counselors and family support coordinators who are assigned to each of the 1st SOW's groups, the Airman & Family Readiness Center or Hurlburt's chapel. Those working in specific groups integrate themselves in the units so Airmen become more comfortable seeking help.

"The way we work is we provide people with tools and coping skills in a format that's not threatening," said Christina Lewis, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Group family support coordinator. "It's more of a personal vibe."

The base immersion day incorporated team-building exercises, commander briefings and tours of work sections to show POTFF providers the mission of Hurlburt's Airmen.

"We got a good overview of what this base is all about, and the different facets from the fliers to security forces," said Kathy Kubitz, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Group licensed clinical social worker.

Seeing Airmen's work environments firsthand allowed POTFF providers to better grasp the types of stressors Airmen may experience.

"I think any time you have a better understanding of the group you're working with, whether it's the maintenance group by themselves or the base as a whole, you have a better understanding of where people are coming from so you're better able to help them," Kubitz said.

For more information on how a POTFF provider may help, speak to them directly or ask your unit first sergeant.