KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Army officials in Kaiserslautern are still accepting ideas to be discussed at this month’s annual Army Family Action Plan Conference.

Issues raised from previous conferences have been the impetus for new programs both locally and across the military, said Olivia Gairy, U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern AFAP program manager.

Benefit increases to Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance and the creation of the post 9/11 GI Bill were AFAP-driven issues, Gairy said.

Locally in Kaiserslautern, the need for a teen shuttle bus and a new coffee lounge in the Landstuhl teen center arose during an AFAP conference, Gairy said.

"This is an opportunity for people in the community to effect change in their quality of life," Gairy said.

AFAP was started by Army spouses 25 years ago, said Christine June, a U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern spokeswoman.

About 90 volunteer delegates — including civilians, active-duty Air Force and Army members, spouses, and teenagers — will meet over three days starting Oct. 28 on Daenner Kaserne to prioritize issues, some of which eventually may be raised up through the Army chain of command.

Via drop-boxes and its Web site, AFAP so far has received about 22 ideas from the Kaiserslautern community, Gairy said Thursday. To give an example, she read from one asking commissaries in Europe to carry sugar-free products.

People can submit ideas for the conference through Oct. 27 in drop boxes on military bases or online at: http://www.mwrgermany.com/KL/ACS/afap.htm.