US Army TRADOC’s Post

Erin Williams has jumped out of airplanes, led a platoon in Afghanistan and earned an Ivy League degree with three young children at home. But the hardest thing to navigate in her military career is finding child care. “Child care is the only thing that has made me consider leaving military service,” said Williams. Memorial Day is a time of reflection and appreciation for those who have served and continue to serve. And in the spirit of this past weekend, we're thinking of military families. Especially those who are struggling to balance work and family life. Work-life balance is tough for any parent, but military families face added pressures: relocating on short notice, being stationed in areas with few child care options, and working unconventional hours. So it comes as no surprise that the lack of accessible and affordable child care is pushing military families to a breaking point. In fact, many service members are choosing not to re-enlist because of child care challenges. Clearly, child care is not just a family issue. It's a key driver to retaining and recruiting troops. And if we're to honor those who serve, providing affordable child care needs to be a priority when it comes to supporting military families. https://lnkd.in/en_AJ-ug

👶 Prioritizing Comprehensive Child Care in the DoD 👶 Hello Eminent Community, Child care is a critical component of a thriving workforce. It's important to note that the Department of Defense (DoD) is in need of a comprehensive approach to child care. In 2024, let's work together to ensure that our military families have the support they need. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/etqfrUGd As we journey through the year, let's prioritize the well-being of our military families and strengthen the support systems that allow them to serve our nation effectively. Here's to a year of family-centric policies and initiatives. #DoD #ChildCare #MilitaryFamilies #EminentFuture #NewYear2024

Blue Star Families released the findings of their 2023 Military Family Lifestyle Survey on March 12, 2024. The survey received over 7,400 responses from active-duty, National Guard and Reserve service members, Veterans, and their family members.  The top five issues affecting families, according to the survey, are: 1. Military Spouse Employment (49%) - #1 Issue identified by Active-Duty Spouses  2. Time Away from Family (38%) - #1 Issue identified by Active-Duty Service Members  3. Military Pay (37%) 4. Housing Concerns (36%) 5. Children's Education (33%) When specifically addressing: Education Access and Quality - "A greater proportion of active-duty family respondents who relocated since their child(ren)’s education plan was created reported their child received the same services/accommodations as their previous school system within six months if they were enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). " 6 months! Wow! Click on this link to view the Full Release Results: https://lnkd.in/ehF5J4ny What are your thoughts? Comment below! #BlueStarFamilies #MilitaryFamilies #LifestyleSurvey #MilitaryChildren #SpecialEducation #EFMP

This article does a great job, examining some of the hurdles military families encounter relating to childcare. It is imperative that this be one of the areas that gets addressed to close the gap for military, spouse, unemployment and unemployment.

Five & Thrive https://lnkd.in/gDYPC2cd MISSION: Tackle the top five quality-of-life (QoL) issues military families face VISION: A culture where all military families thrive WHY: Military family quality of life has strategic implications for our military and national security as it directly impacts recruitment, readiness, and retention. THE FIVE  Childcare Education Healthcare Housing Spouse Employment THE FIVE LINES OF EFFORT · Advocate for Quality-of-Life Improvements · Foster Community Partnerships · Consolidate Quality-of-Life Resources in One Convenient Location · Educate Military Families, Leaders, and Community Partners on  Existing Efforts and Best Practices · Promote the Exceptional Value of the Military-Connected Spouse Texas Workforce Commission l Texas Veterans Commission l Texas Veterans Network Powered by Combined Arms l Bexar County Department of Military and Veterans Services l City of San Antonio Military and Veteran Affairs Department l JBSA Workforce & Transition Alliance l Five & Thrive l Women Veterans of San Antonio l SAN ANTONIO COALITION FOR VETERANS AND FAMILIES l Walter l LAURIE l Janet

Today we celebrate the historical milestone of Juneteenth, marking the emancipation of enslaved black Americans in the United States.  It was on June 19, 1865, that Union Army General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived to formally inform the enslaved Black and African American people of Galveston, Texas that the Emancipation Proclamation had freed them. This day holds immense significance as a symbol of liberation and the ongoing fight for equality. We at Operation Child Care Project understand the importance of supporting our military community, which is why we strive to bridge the gap between the demand and availability of child care services through data-driven decision-making, authentic storytelling, and advocacy.  On this Juneteenth, we celebrate the strength of our military families and recognize the historical significance of this day in the fight for freedom and equality. Together, let's continue to support one another and build a brighter future for all. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eMdCFANc #juneteenth #juneteenthcelebration #milspouse #OCCPadvocacy #operationchildcareproject #militaryspouse #milspouselife #militarykid #militarychildcare #militaryfamilychildcare #childcare #childcareaccess #militaryfamily #militarychildren #MilitaryFamilies #militaryfamilystrong #childcare #selfcare #mentalhealth #military #dualmilitary #supportourtroops #supportourservicemembers #nonprofit

New year, new child care benefit for military families! 🎉 The Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account goes into effect today to help military parents defray the cost of child care. Learn more: https://loom.ly/2T18w5o

Coming up: The Operation Child Care Project is set to release findings and insights from our year-long pilot program in Norfolk, Virginia. As we share our journey and recommendations, there's one crucial message we urge you to remember: the importance of accountability. Military families face unique challenges, including the overwhelming abundance of resources that, too often, are hindered by hidden waitlists, barriers, and bureaucratic red tape. Clearly, if a resource isn't truly accessible, it shouldn't be on the table. Stay tuned for a deep dive into our discoveries and the path forward. #accountabilitymatters #militaryfamilysupport #norfolkpilotinsights #mlitaryfamilies #OCCPadvocacy #childcare #MilSpouse #DataDrivenCare #MilitaryFamily #MilitaryLife #MilitarySpouse #Veterans #Milspo #MilitaryFamilies

🇺🇸 Explore how new legislation is transforming support for military families! From improved housing to streamlined school meal eligibility, these bills are making a difference. Read my article at DefenseWorld to learn more. READ MORE -> https://lnkd.in/gZRVXayT <- #MilitarySupport #Legislation #FamilyWellbeing