Topics in This Weeks News Include:
1. NMFA Asserts Problems at Walter Reed Part of Systemwide Access to Care Challenges
2. DoD Stands Alone as Model for Quality Child Care
4. Enterprise High School Tornado Affects Military Families
5. Spouses to Teachers Available in the Pacific
6. AMTRAK offers Free Companion Tickets
7. NMFA Now Accepting Applications for Military Spouse Fellowship Program
8. Deadline for NMFA Scholarship Approaching on March 15
Here's the News!!!
1. NMFA Asserts Problems at Walter Reed Part of Systemwide Access to Care Challenges:
NMFA was dismayed, but unfortunately not surprised, by the recent press
reports highlighting the problems wounded service members face in
accessing care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Revelations by
wounded service members unable to obtain needed care in a timely manner
while in out-patient status or in medical hold situations when waiting
for the review board process to run its course have cropped up several
times since the beginning of the war on terror. We have not been
surprised at these stories because we so often hear from military
families who cite problems accessing care at military treatment
facilities. What is particularly disturbing to us every time we hear of
wounded or injured service members' difficulties in obtaining care is
that we know families have often waited longer than they should for
care so service members can receive first priority. Families have every
right to be horrified, therefore, when they find those who bear the
scars of battle are having the same or worse access issues. NMFA is
pleased with how DoD officials have reacted so far in response to this
situation. We hope this is a wake up call to correct these
long-standing issues of access, staffing and funding. NMFA encourages
Congress to address these problems as part of an overall systemic
approach to improve military health care.
Many of the allegations that have surfaced are not new. Problems
with the Physical and Medical Evaluation Processes and facilities for
those on Medical Hold have surfaced in Congressional Hearings and other
meetings that NMFA attends. NMFA will continue to follow the reports on
conditions at Walter Reed and will monitor Congressional hearings and
briefings relating to this topic. We are concerned about issues raised
by these recent reports and will work to make sure service members and
their families' voices are being heard during these debates. NMFA
firmly believes that behind every wounded servicemember is a wounded
family and will continue to work for support services for those family
members who have left everything to join their wounded service member
and aid in his/her recovery.
2. DoD Stands Alone as Model for Quality Child Care:
On March 1, 2007, the National Association of Child Care Resource and
Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) presented Congress with their ranking of
state child care centers and oversight report. The Department of
Defense (DoD) had the distinction of being ranked No. 1 on the list of
states with the best child care center standards and oversight
practices.
According to the American Forces Press Service, "the report lauded
DoD for requiring child care center directors to have a bachelor's
degree or higher; training child care staff in first aid, CPR and other
health and safety issues; and requiring staff to pursue further
training. The report also highlighted the fact that DoD conducts
criminal history record checks, child abuse and neglect registry
checks, and state, federal and fingerprint checks. DoD's health and
safety requirements for child care address nine of the 10 basic
standards, such as immunization, fire drills and emergency
preparedness".
NMFA congratulates DoD on their continued and excellent efforts to
provide the highest quality child care available to our military
children. Military life is unique. Military families count on the
quality care provided by those who not only understand the unique
nature of the military lifestyle, but learn and develop techniques that
best address those challenges.
(Source: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=3226 )
3. NMFA on Capitol Hill: On
March 1, 2007, Joyce Wessel Raezer, NMFA's Chief Operating Officer
(COO) testified before the Subcommittee on Military Personnel of the
House Armed Services Committee as part of a group of panelists
representing The Military Coalition (TMC). In their opening remarks,
the panelists voiced concerns over compensation, housing, commissary
benefits, healthcare, retirement, disability, and Guard and Reserve.
In her testimony, Ms. Raezer thanked the Subcommittee for last year's
legislative provisions to increase DoD supplement to Impact Aid,
improve casualty assistance, and support of wounded military members.
She also raised concerns regarding family readiness, mental health,
family health, families in transition, compensation and benefits, and
families and community. Due to time constraints, the hearing was
adjourned and will be rescheduled later this month to allow for
adequate time and attention for inquiries and further discussion. To
see the full written testimony visit: http://www.nmfa.org/site/DocServer/NMFA_HAC-MilitaryQofLife__3-1-06.pdf?docID=4701.
As part of its mission to "educate, advocate and inform", NMFA has
begun a series of visits with the newly elected members of 110th
Congress. NMFA is aiming to provide new members with resources and
information regarding issues affecting military families. NMFA is also
hoping to answer any questions the new members have about military
families and to find out what issues are in the forefront of the
members concerns. NMFA is initially focusing congressional visits on
the new members from the Veterans Affairs and Armed Services
Committees. NMFA hopes to meet with all new members of the 110th
Congress in the upcoming months. Thus far, NMFA has met with
legislative and defense staff of Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT
2nd), Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ, 8th), Representative
Brad Ellsworth (D-IN, 8th), and Representative Nancy Boyda (D-KA,
2nd). Representatives Boyda and Ellsworth were also available to
personally meet with NMFA. Every congressional office NMFA has visited
expressed an interest in the welfare of military families. NMFA hopes
these visits will be successful in building ongoing relationships with
the new members of Congress and that we will be able to provide
information which will ultimately result in improving the lives of
military families.
4. Enterprise High School Tornado Affects Military Families: On
Thursday, March 2, 2007 a devastating tornado touched down in
Enterprise, Alabama and destroyed Enterprise High School. NMFA extends
its sincerest condolences to the families of the EHS community. NMFA
especially mourns the loss of a military student from the Fort Rucker
community and expresses our deepest sympathy.
As we experience the unpredictable nature of severe weather in many
parts of the United States, NMFA recommends that military families
review their personal emergency preparedness plans and re-stock
emergency supplies. For additional help in creating family plans
and/or review of what to do in case of an emergency, please connect to
the following links:
- https://www.nffsp.org/skins/nffsp/display.aspx?moduleid=8cde2e88-3052-448c-893d-d0b4b14b31c4&ObjectID=9fdcc912-58bd-42f4-bf43-d945882cb1cf&action=display_page&mode=User The Navy Fleet and Family Support Center emergency Preparedness site.
- http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html:
A link to the READY.gov website which provides information on how to
prepare for emergencies. Visitors will be able to: Get a Kit checklist,
find information on how to create a Family Emergency Plan and receive
information through the Ready Pets Brochure on how to care for pets
during an emergency - http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/safety.html The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fact sheet on Tornado Safety.
5. Spouses to Teachers Available in the Pacific:
Effective February 1, 2007, the Spouses to Teachers program is now
available to military spouses stationed in the Pacific. This popular
program is a Department of Defense project designed to assist spouses
of active duty and reserve component members to become public school
teachers and was originally piloted in: California, Colorado, Florida,
Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. The program
provides counseling and guidance on state specific certification
requirements, certification options, scholarships available, and state
employment resources. Up to $600 is also available via a voucher
process to reimburse the cost of testing fees associated with teacher
certification/licensure.
This is the second expansion overseas following a successful launch
in Europe in 2006 where 100 spouses are currently registered and
working on degree completion and teacher certification requirements.
Spouses
to Teachers is managed by the Defense activity for Non-Traditional
Education Support (DANTES). For more information visit the web site at:
http://www.spousestoteachers.com/.
(Source: http://www.military.com/spouse)
6. AMTRAK offers Free Companion Tickets:
AMTRAK is offering free companion tickets to parents of high school
students visiting college campuses. To qualify you must meet the
following criteria:
- Travel must be booked through the Campus Visit website at http://www.campusvisit.com/amtrak/.
- Student must be a high school junior or senior accompanied by a parent
- Student will be required to present a valid high school identification card
- Tickets must be booked at least seven days prior to travel
Complete details are available on the Campus Visit website, http://www.campusvisit.com/. The site also provides destination information and hotel discount links to families planning college visits.
7. NMFA Now Accepting Applications for Military Spouse Fellowship Program:
NMFA is currently accepting applications for the Military Spouse
Fellowship for Accredited Financial Counselor Program. This program is
offered in association with the Association for Financial Counseling
and Planning Education® (AFCPE®) through the generosity of the NASD
Investor Education Foundation. The fellowship covers the costs
associated with completing the Associated Financial Counselor (AFC)
training and testing. Upon successful completion of the program and
required practicum, the participant will be awarded the Accredited
Financial Counselor designation from AFCPE. Apply now. Applications are
only accepted online, www.nmfa.org/fellowship, and must be submitted by midnight March 31, 2007.
8. Deadline for NMFA Scholarship Approaching on March 15:
The National Military Family Association's Joanne Holbrook Patton
Military Spouse Scholarships are awarded to spouses of Uniformed
Services members (active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retirees,
and survivors) to obtain professional certification or to attend post
secondary or graduate school. Scholarships range in amount from $500 to
$1,000.00, and the number awarded each year varies depending on
funding. Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, fees, and school
room and board. Scholarship selection is based on your completion of
some survey questions that will help NMFA advocate for education
changes on your behalf, short-answer questions, and an essay question
that will help us get to know you better. To be considered, your
application must be completed by midnight March 15, 2007.
