Congressional Military Family Caucus - 2023 Summit
The Congressional Military Family Caucus recognizes that when a service member joins the military, it is not a job - it is a family commitment to our country. Each year, the caucus hosts an annual summit to address the challenges faced by America's military families.
This year's event took place on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. The summit's theme was "Together We Thrive: Strengthening Resilience and Enhancing Well-being in Military Families".
On this webpage you can:
- View the Event Program (with video of each session)
- Photos from the Event
- Explore Resources for Military Families
- Learn More About & Contact the Congressional Military Family Caucus
Event Program
The event will feature subject area experts, military family members as well as organizations, and legislative leaders. The following are the scheduled panels and panelists. This may be updated up to the day of the event.
Opening: Welcome Remarks, Featured Addresses
- U.S. Representative Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA-02), Co-Chair of the Congressional Military Family Caucus
- U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05), Co-Chair of the Congressional Military Family Caucus
- Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States
- The Honorable Christine Wormuth, Secretary of the Army
- Major General Curtis A. Buzzard, Commanding General, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence
- General Gary M. Brito, Commanding General, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (bio, PDF)
- Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, JoAnne S. Bass
- The Honorable Skip Henderson, Mayor of Columbus, Georgia
- The Honorable Eddie N. Lowe, Mayor of Phenix City, Alabama
- Colonel (Ret) David Moore (Son of Julie Moore and Lieutenant General Harold Gregory Moore Jr.) (bio, PDF)
- Jean Puckett (Wife of Colonel (ret) Ralph Puckett)
Session 1: Family Readiness and Quality of Life
Moderated by Beth Conlin, Technical Business Manager and Military Spouse Employment Advocate at Amazon Web Services (bio, PDF)
- Lieutenant General Telita Crosland, Director, Defense Health Agency (bio, PDF)
- Ms. Erika R. Slaton, Director of Military Community Support Programs for Military Community and Family Policy (bio, PDF)
- Major General Roy J. Macaraeg, Senior Military Advisor for the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) and Director, Quality of Life (bio, PDF)
- Mr. Daniel M. Klippstein, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9 (bio, PDF)
- Chief Master Sergeant Vicki Robertson, Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air Reserve Personnel Center, Buckley Space Force Base (bio, PDF)
Session 2: Health and Wellness
Opening presentation by Blue Star Families and moderated by Dr. Ed Helton, Executive Director, Cunningham Center for Leadership Development
- Family Wellness and Work-Life Balance: Discuss strategies that can assist military families in establishing equilibrium between their personal and professional lives. Delve into resources such as childcare support, flexible work schedules, and spouse career opportunities that foster overall family wellness and promote a balanced lifestyle.
- Health Care Access: Investigate the distinctive healthcare needs of military families. Address potential gaps and explore improvements in healthcare access and quality for service members, spouses, and children to ensure comprehensive and equitable medical care.
- Major Stefanie Johnson, Chief, Product Line Optimization Branch, Healthcare Optimization Division, Defense Health Agency (bio, PDF)
- Food Security and Nutrition: Emphasize the essential role of adequate, nutritious food access in ensuring the health and well-being of military families. The summit seeks to raise awareness about food security challenges faced by military families and proposes solutions to ensure they have consistent access to affordable, healthy food options.
- Special Needs and Disabilities: Discuss resources and services available to military families with special needs or disabilities, including education, healthcare, and community support.
- Crystal DeVoss Mahany, Policy Researcher / Legal Analyst, Partners in PROMISE (bio, PDF)
- Caitlin Lansing, Director of the Exceptional Family Member Program at Fort Moore (EFMP)
Session 3: Employment and Financial Resources
Opening presentation by Blue Star Families and moderated by Beth Conlin, Technical Business Manager and Military Spouse Employment Advocate at Amazon Web Services (bio, PDF)
- Military Spouse Employment and Child Care: This subtopic addresses the unique challenges military spouses face when pursuing employment, with a special emphasis on childcare considerations. The session aims to provide valuable insights and effective strategies to navigate and surmount these distinct hurdles. Areas of discussion will include flexible and remote work options that cater to the variable and often unpredictable schedules of military families. We will delve into career counseling tailored specifically for military spouses, to help identify career paths that harmonize with their unique lifestyle. Moreover, we will explore targeted job placement initiatives designed to connect military spouses with employers who value their resilience and adaptability. In addition, the panel will address the vital issue of childcare, discussing solutions for securing reliable, high-quality childcare, and ways to integrate these needs with employment objectives. This might include strategies for finding childcare jobs that allow parents to work while also looking after their own children or negotiating flexible hours to align with childcare schedules. This segment is designed to empower military spouses, enhancing their employment prospects while ensuring the well-being of their children. The goal is to contribute to the financial stability and overall resilience of military families, by ensuring both the career fulfillment of the spouses and the care of their children.
- Ms. Erika R. Slaton, Director of Military Community Support Programs for Military Community and Family Policy (bio, PDF)
- Skill Development and Education: This segment highlights the significance of continuous learning and professional development for military personnel and their families. It delves into various opportunities for skill enhancement and further education, such as vocational training, professional certifications, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The objective is to equip military families with the necessary skills and qualifications to thrive in today's competitive job market.
- Laura Pallini, Director of Georgia VECTR Center Operations (bio, PDF)
- Retirement/Transition Planning and Benefits: This subtopic focuses on preparing military personnel for life after active service. It provides a comprehensive overview of military retirement planning, emphasizing the Blended Retirement System (BRS), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and survivor benefits. Furthermore, it covers support and resources available for service members transitioning to civilian life, offering strategies for a smooth transition in terms of employment, education, and financial planning.
- Major General Roy J. Macaraeg, Senior Military Advisor for the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) and Director, Quality of Life (bio, PDF)
- Military Pay and Compensation: This subtopic aims to inform military personnel and their families about the intricacies of military pay and compensation. It will cover the basics of military pay, including allowances, benefits, and special and incentive pay, and provide insights on managing and optimizing these resources for a secure financial future. This subtopic will enhance understanding of the military compensation system, helping service members make informed decisions about their careers and finances.
- Lieutenant General Brian T. Kelly, US Air Force (Ret), President and CEO, MOAA
Session 4: Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Opening presentation by Blue Star Families and moderated by Reuben Dickenson, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Telemynd
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Military Sexual Trauma (MST): Exploring the Impacts of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Military Sexual Trauma (MST) on Military Personnel and Their Families: This discussion covers the profound effects of PTSD and MST on those in service and their families. It includes an analysis of available treatment options, the role of support services, and effective coping strategies.
- Dr. Krystyna Bienia, Defense Health Agency
- Depression, Anxiety, and Overcoming Barriers to Care: Explore the unique stressors military families face, such as frequent moves and deployments, and discuss ways to recognize, manage, and treat depression and anxiety. Also, address the stigma surrounding mental health in the military community and discuss ways to break down barriers to accessing mental health care.
- Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention: Explore strategies for preventing and addressing substance abuse among military service members and their families, including education, awareness, and treatment programs.
- Dr. Dan Rose, Columbus State University for Substance Abuse and Intervention (bio, PDF)
- Dr. Terrance L. Elliot, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, Army G-9
- Suicide Prevention and Awareness: Discuss the concerning rates of suicide among military service members and their families, and explore prevention strategies, mental health resources, and support networks.
The event was livestreamed on Facebook through the Congressional Military Family Caucus Facebook Page.
Photos from the Event
Photos from the 2023 Congressional Military Family Caucus 2023 Summit are available on the Caucus Facebook Page. You do not need Facebook to view the photos. Simply click on the photo below to be directed to the album.
Resources for Military Family
Need a little help navigating through the adoption process? Want to better understand your wounded warrior benefits? Is it time to explore adult disability care for your parents? Military OneSource provides support from professionally trained consultants by phone on a broad range of issues for service members, their families and survivors. Eligible members can receive an unlimited number of specialty consultations. Below are links to some of the programs and resources available to military families.
- Education & Child Care
- Are you looking for educational resources as a service member, as a military spouse, or for children of military families? Then start here to explore education and employment resources available for these groups.
- Military OneSource has a great introductory webpage to the many child care related resources and programs available to military families. And when you think "child care" it is more than just young children. The webpage includes resources for the full range of youth from the relatively new born through teenagers. Some programs to highlight include...
- ... child care programs for children as well as DOD-approved child care options as young as 6 weeks to 5 years of age, and...
- connecting military families with their installation's youth centers and activities.
- Spouse Employment & Financial Readiness
- The Military OneSource Spouse Career Center offers free, comprehensive coaching services to all eligible military spouses. Career coaches offer specialty consultations six days a week. Several, specialized coaching packages are available to help you succeed in your chosen career path. Through this website you will find resources for education and careers opportunities as well as tools to assist with job searches, and the Career Advancement Account Scholarship Program.
- The Career Advancement Account Scholarship Program is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance to eligible military spouses for the pursuit or maintenance (including continuing education courses) of a license, certification, or associate's degree necessary to gain employment in an occupation or career field.
- Managing money and legal affairs are part of mission readiness. Military OneSource provides strategies on consolidating and paying down debt, saving for retirement or college and creating a plan that will lead to financial security. Link to installation legal services that protect you and your family from mishaps, and discover how Military OneSource MilTax free tax filing services can make quick work out of tax return preparation and filing. Set financial goals for your future by tapping into the information and resources available through Military OneSource.
- Healthcare, Mental Health, and EFMP
- Check out this introductory webpage by Military OneSource to learn more about the healthcare benefits and resources available to military families.
- You can also create a customized checklist to stay organized and ensure you have access to the latest information and resources for families with special needs by visiting the EFMP & Me webpage through Military OneSource.
- And remember, healthcare is not just about taking care of problems. Proactively building up positive health — both physical and mental — are important. Just as physical fitness is a central part of military life, good mental health is as important for your well-being, and military and family readiness. Mental health challenges and issues shouldn't be ignored or hidden. There are lots of resources available to help anyone who is struggling with mental health challenges to feel better. Find out what mental health resources and benefits are available to you.
- Food Insecurity
- Unfortunately, food insecurity impacts Americans from many walks of life, including our military families. Frequent moves, spousal unemployment, and lack of access to affordable child care are just a few of the many challenges faced by military families that, while not directly dealing with food, can strain their ability to put food on the table. There are many food assistance programs available to assist and this webpage provides an overview of them.
- Housing
- Moving is common in the military. Whether you're relocating to another state or country, there's a pattern to making your new nest – finding a home, packing, moving your stuff and sorting out other logistics. As a service member, you're given various Department of Defense allowances to help offset the costs of housing and moving.
About the Congressional Military Family Caucus
The Congressional Military Family Caucus seeks to raise awareness about and improve U.S. military's family resources. Specifically, the Congressional Military Family Caucus focuses on issues such as education, childcare, healthcare, spousal employment, and the effects of multiple deployments. The Caucus seeks to educate Members of the United States Congress and their staff about the challenges facing our nation's military families in order to develop federal policies that better support our nation's military families.
The bipartisan Congressional Military Family Caucus was founded in 2009 by Representatives Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA-02) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05).
If you would like more information about the caucus, please call either (202) 225-3631 (Rep. Bishop) or (202) 225-2006 (Rep. McMorris Rodgers).
You can visit the Congressional Military Family Caucus Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/militaryfamilycaucus/.