“Just as our troops embody the courage and character that make America’s military the finest in the world, their family members embody the resilience and generosity that make our communities strong. They serve with heroism in their homes and neighborhoods while they are without the comfort of having loved ones nearby.”- President Barack Obama, 1 Nov 2011

HOW DO FAMILIES KEEP UP? HOW COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKS IN

THE MILITARY

MILITARY FAMILIES FACE UNIQUE MILITARY FAMILIES FACE UNIQUE CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

SPOUSES AND CHILDREN

SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENTS

SEPARATIONS FROM

THOSE THEY LOVE

FREQUENT MOVES

DEPLOYMENT & THE

STRESS OF WAR

Financial stress

Leaving friends and families

Feelings of isolation and loneliness

Concern about finding new childcare

Interruption of spouse’s career

Children change schools often

Need to find new housing

THIS CAN RESULT IN:

THE PRESSURES OF WAR

Post Traumatic Stress disorder

Traumatic Brain Injury

Severe Anxiety Disorder

Wounded Warriors

Isolation

KIA

GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR

FAMILIES NEED SUPPORTFAMILIES NEED SUPPORT

From military programs

From Department of Defense programs

From community programs

Together we can make a difference in the lives of military families, some of whom have paid the ultimate price to

protect our freedom!

Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) 6

MILITARY SPOUSESMILITARY SPOUSES

• Population 95% of 1.2 million spouses are women 750,000 active duty military spouses – over half are under 31 years old 400,000 Guard/Reserve spouses – over half are over 35 years old

• Employment 85% want or need to work* 26% unemployment rate – 1 in 4 are unemployed

and actively seeking work**• Education

84% have some college 25% have a bachelor’s degree 10% have an advanced degree

• Earnings Military wives earn 25% less than their civilian counterparts** Military families relocate 14% more frequently than civilian families***

Source: * Military Family Life Study, DMDC, Dec. 2010, ** Segal, UMUC, Nov. 2010, *** Current Population Survey, 2007-2009

SPOUSES INTERRUPT THEIR SPOUSES INTERRUPT THEIR CAREERS EACH TIME THEY MOVECAREERS EACH TIME THEY MOVE

Each branch of service has a Career Resource Center to help spouses

FMEAP – Family Member Employment Assistance Program

Military OneSource – online resources in their career center

SECO Spouse Education Career Opportunities MYCAA – Military Spouse Career Advancement Account MSEP – Military Spouse Employment Partnership

http://www.militaryonesource.mil/seco

Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) 8

SPOUSE EDUCATION AND CAREER SPOUSE EDUCATION AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES (SECO)OPPORTUNITIES (SECO)

• INTERVIEW SKILLS

• ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO OBTAINING LICENSES/ CREDENTIALS

• USAJOBS.GOV

• INTEREST/SKILL INVENTORIES

A SPOUSE-CENTRIC APPROACH TO EDUCATION AND CAREERSA SPOUSE-CENTRIC APPROACH TO EDUCATION AND CAREERS

MY CAREEREXPLORATION

MY EDUCATIONAND TRAINING

MY CAREERREADINESS

MY CAREERCONNECTIONS

• CAREER ASSESSMENT

• MSEP - MILITARY SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT PARTNERSHIP

• REGIONAL AND LOCAL EMPLOYERS

• NON-DOD FINANCIAL AID (FAFSA, UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS, PELL GRANTS)

• POST 9/11 GI BILL

• MILITARY SPOUSE CAREER ADVANCEMENT ACCOUNT (MYCAA) SCHOLARSHIP

• RESUME PREPARATION

• WORK ENVIRONMENT (PART/FULL-TIME)

• CHILD CARE

• TRANSPORTATION

Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) 9

(MSEP) MILITARY SPOUSE (MSEP) MILITARY SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMEMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

A TARGETED RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYMENT SOLUTION FOR A TARGETED RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYMENT SOLUTION FOR SPOUSES AND COMPANIES THAT ENCOMPASSES:SPOUSES AND COMPANIES THAT ENCOMPASSES:

PARTNERS Fortune 500 Plus companies with ALL Military Services

PROVIDES human resource (HR) managers with recruitment solutions – military spouses

PREPARES military spouses to become competitive, “job ready” applicants

CONNECTS military spouses with employers seeking the essential 21st century workforce skills and attributes they possess

CORPORATE PARTNERSCORPORATE PARTNERS

CORPORATE PARTNERS – CONT.CORPORATE PARTNERS – CONT.

MYCAA - MY CAREER ADVANCEMENT MYCAA - MY CAREER ADVANCEMENT ACCOUNTACCOUNT

This is an employment assistance program that provides up to $4,000 of financial assistance to eligible military spouses who are pursuing:

License

Certification

Associate’s degree in a portable career field and occupation

https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa/Default.aspx

“I want to send a very clear message to the men and women who are wearing – or who have worn – our country’s uniform and to their spouses: when you have finished your service to our nation, you’ve got 2,000 great American companies ready and waiting to bring you on board.”- Michelle Obama, 22 Aug 2012

http://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces

JOINING FORCESJOINING FORCES TAKING ACTION TO SERVICE AMERICA’S MILITARY FAMILIESTAKING ACTION TO SERVICE AMERICA’S MILITARY FAMILIES

Provides support for Veterans and for military spouses to find jobs and to transition into their civilian careers.

Through this effort, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden ask Americans to do more for those who have done so much for us. 

WHAT DOES JOINING FORCES WHAT DOES JOINING FORCES DO?DO?

JOINING FORCES HELPS WITH SPOUSE JOINING FORCES HELPS WITH SPOUSE EMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENT

In many cases, military spouses move from one community to another when their spouses are assigned to new duty stations. 

These transfers can make it very difficult for spouses to continue with their careers or to find similar jobs in new locations

JOINING FORCES HELPS CHILDREN JOINING FORCES HELPS CHILDREN WITH THEIR EDUCATIONWITH THEIR EDUCATION

Military children move frequently due to a parent’s reassignment.

These moves can make it difficult to transfer records, secure spaces in courses, stay included in extra-curricular activities, and complete required testing on time.

Supports the academic achievement of military children by helping schools become more responsive to the unique needs of military children and families.

Encourages expansion of education opportunities.

Easier transfer of credits for military-connected students.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE MILITARY SPOUSE & CHILDMILITARY SPOUSE & CHILD

FAMILY TEAM BUILDINGFAMILY TEAM BUILDING

Family readiness support can be found in every branch Titles may vary, but the purpose is consistent

Some of the major benefits provided by these programs are: Personal and professional growth Readiness and deployment support Self-reliance Self-sufficiency Embrace & manage CHANGE Volunteerism Family care planning Information and referral Involvement Networking and Insight Lifetime skills

FAMILY TEAM BUILDING CONT’DFAMILY TEAM BUILDING CONT’D(MARINE CORPS-SPECIFIC)(MARINE CORPS-SPECIFIC)

Lifestyle Insights, Networking, Knowledge, & Skills (L.I.N.K.S.) welcomes Marine Corps family members to this unique, sometimes challenging, and very rewarding Military Lifestyle. L.I.N.K.S. is an orientation to "the Corps" through spouse to spouse mentorship and small group discussion.

The Readiness & Deployment Support Program provides knowledge and skills to military personnel and their families in an effort to enhance military life.

Especially in preparation for separations and deployments

LifeSkills Training & Education provides connection to, or facilitation of, various workshops in such areas as parenting, financial management, stress and anger management, and understanding personality differences.

Family Readiness Program Training (FRPT) offers services to assist Commands in developing effective readiness programs while helping unit families become self-sufficient.

FAMILY READINESS OFFICERSFAMILY READINESS OFFICERS

“Face” of the family readiness program for Commanding Officers May carry different titles across branches

The Command’s direct link to Marines and families, in regards to family readiness matters

Responsible for managing the four pillars of the Unit Personal & Family Readiness Program (UPFRP):

Official Communication Readiness and Deployment Support Information and Referral Volunteer Management

FAMILY READINESS VOLUNTEERSFAMILY READINESS VOLUNTEERS(MARINE CORPS-SPECIFIC)(MARINE CORPS-SPECIFIC)

Command Team Advisors Volunteer at a strategic level Experienced spouses/ family members

Family Readiness Assistants Volunteer under the supervision of Family Readiness Officers Aid in carrying out family readiness functions

Unit Volunteers Volunteer whenever their schedule allows

Commanding Officer Spouse/Senior Enlisted Spouse Highly encouraged to be involved due to their credit insights resulting from their

experience(s)

MILITARY ONESOURCE MILITARY ONESOURCE (MOS) (MOS)

• The Blog Brigade is the place to discover what military spouses are up to around the world. 

• Bloggers share their twists, turns, and tips aimed at (re)energizing others.

• Entertaining

• Different topics each month

• Approved guest bloggers are authorized to use the Blog Brigade button on their personal blogs/websites

http://blog-brigade.militaryonesource.mil/

MILITARY ONESOURCE MILITARY ONESOURCE (MOS) CONT’D(MOS) CONT’D

• Counseling options available for those who are eligible:• Face-to-Face Counseling• Telephonic Non-medical Counseling• Online Counseling• Financial Counseling• Health and Wellness Coaching

• International calling options are available

• Check eligibility at: http://www.militaryonesource.mil/counseling?content_id=268640

• Many of these services are provided to eligible patrons FREE OF CHARGE.

MILITARY FAMILY LIFE MILITARY FAMILY LIFE CONSULTANTS (MFLC)CONSULTANTS (MFLC)

• Provides short-term, non-medical counseling to Service Members and their families

• Provides education to help Service Members and their families understand the impact of stress, deployments, and family reunions following separations and deployments

• Flexible service delivery

• Provided on/off military installations

• Services provided to individuals, couples, families, and groups

• Children’s Support Program addresses impact of military life on children

• Staffed with licensed clinical counselors

• AVAILABLE TO ALL MILITARY BRANCHES

School Liaison Officers are a resource for all active duty military, no matter which branch of the Armed Forces they are attached with.

They can assist with helping enroll a child into a school mid-year, & can help with local acclimatizing issues.

Vision of the School Liaison:

A community in which military and civilian partners work hand in hand to successfully educate and advocate for the military child.

SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICERSSCHOOL LIAISON OFFICERS

TUTOR.COM TUTOR.COM

THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PAYS FOR FREE ONLINE HOMEWORK HELP FOR MILITARY CHILDREN K THROUGH 12

Provides support for children who have a parent who is deployed and who is needs additional homework help

Tutors are online 24/7 and available to help in more than 16 subjects, including test prep, proofreading, Math, Science, English and Social Studies.

http://www.tutor.com/military

All Services offer support for families with young children

The New Parent Support Program is an invaluable resource for expecting parents

Baby Boot Camp

Parenting Classes

Single Parent Resources

Home Visits

SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDRENSUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

• Hourly Care

• Part Day Programs

• Half-Day Preschool

• Toddler Playgroup

• School Age Care Programs

• Family Child Care

• Emergency Child Care

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS (CDC)(CDC)

Self-Esteem building program that provides tools to resistdrugs, gangs, and alcohol

DEFY has two phases.

Phase I: Summer camp at a military base

Phase II: Mentoring program that runs through the school year.

Much more than just Drug Education

DRUG EDUCATION FOR YOUTH – DEFYDRUG EDUCATION FOR YOUTH – DEFY

UNITED THROUGH READINGUNITED THROUGH READING

One of the most difficult things a child can experience is having a parent deployed to a war zone for an indeterminate period of time.

•Their Military Program helps ease the stress of separation for military families by having deployed parents read children’s books aloud via DVD for their child to watch at home.   

 

HOW IT WORKSHOW IT WORKS

OPERATION PURPLEOPERATION PURPLE

OPERATION PURPLE’S SPECIALLY DESIGNED PROGRAMS SERVE MILITARY FAMILIES IN THREE DIFFERENT PHASES OF MILITARY LIFE – DEPLOYMENT, REINTEGRATION, AND COMING TOGETHER AFTER AN

INJURY.

Operation Purple Camp

Operation Family Retreats

Operation Purple Healing Adventures

www.militaryfamily.org

SESAME STREETSESAME STREET

SESAME STREET AND MILITARY FAMILIES: ARMING MILITARY FAMILIES WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, AND PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR

DEPLOYMENT

Nearly 800,000 preschoolers are separated from a parent serving in the U.S. military.

Program provides support and practical education with Talk, Listen, Connect, a multiphase outreach initiative to help kids through deployments, combat-related injuries, and the death of a loved one.

http://www.sesameworkshop.org/

The Department of Defense funds memberships in the SitterCity Program for Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force families including active duty, Reserve and Guard. Helps them find sitters, nannies, before/after school Care, pet sitters, last minute care.

Relieves stress from families.

Especially helpful when families move to a new installation and have no other resources or people who can make reliable childcare recommendations.

SITTERCITY.COMSITTERCITY.COM

www.sittercity.com/dod

The Real Warriors Campaign is an initiative launched by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) to promote the processes of building resilience, facilitating recovery and supporting reintegration of returning service members, veterans and their families.

A multimedia public awareness campaign designed to encourage help-seeking behavior among service members, veterans and military families coping with invisible wounds

An integral part of the Defense Department’s overall effort to encourage warriors and families to seek appropriate care and support for psychological health concerns

REAL WARRIORS REAL WARRIORS CAMPAIGNCAMPAIGN

http://www.realwarriors.net/family

LOSING A PARENT OR SPOUSE IS A REALITY FOR MANY MILITARY FAMILIES

Comfort Zone Camp

http://www.comfortzonecamp.org/

TAPS - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

TOLL FREE 800-959-TAPS (8277)

http://www.taps.org/survivors/

NCTSN - The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides support and help for military children.

http://mfkb.nctsn.org/cwis/index.php

HELP FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN AND HELP FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN AND SPOUSESSPOUSES

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?