Better Together: Naval Services FamilyLine and Blue Star Families Join Forces

Blue Star Families is an organization founded in 2009 to empower military families as they serve by connecting them with their neighbors to create supportive communities. Their platform, The Neighborhood, is a virtual community designed to help military families thrive by providing them with local resources, events, and gatherings. In an exciting partnership, Blue Star Families and Naval Services FamilyLine are joining together to launch the first ever service-specific Neighborhood, ensuring they’ll reach and support even more Navy families. On this episode, Blue Star Families’ CEO, Kathy Roth-Douquet and Executive Vice President, Ryan Callahan join Naval Services FamilyLine’s Chairperson, Tirzah Aiken to discuss this new venture.

Show Links:

• Blue Star Families

• The Neighborhood

Show Takeaways:

• Blue Star Families is an organization dedicated to providing military families with connections and a sense of belonging in their communities.

• The Neighborhood is Blue Star Families’ digital platform providing resources and sharing events to military families in their local areas.

  https://thebsn.org/

• Blue Star Families and Naval Services FamilyLine are partnering to offer the first service-specific Neighborhood for Navy families, moderated by FamilyLine volunteers

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Hiring Our Heroes is a 501(c)(3) that provides the military-connected community with workforce development. On this episode, Jenny Lynn Stroup, Deputy Director of Military Spouse Programs and Angie Hood, Manager of the Military Spouse Programs team, discuss programs and initiatives developed specifically for military spouses.

Show Links:

• Hiring Our Heroes

• Register for Amplify

• Apply for the Military Spouse Fellowship Program

Show Takeaways:

• The Military Spouse under and unemployment rate is much higher than the national average; Hiring Our Heroes has an entire team dedicated to military spouses because military spouse employment provides stability for military families, which provides stability for the military force.

• Hiring Our Heroes offers military spouses three unique lanes of business to become involved: Workforce Development, and Events and Engagement.

• Amplify workshops are offered to military spouses in-person and virtually, focused on career preparation, professional development, and networking.

• The 4+1 Commitment is designed to encourage businesses to develop military spouse-friendly hiring practices.

• Hiring Our Heroes offers a 12-week fellowship program that provides military spouse with professional training, networking, and hands-on experience in the civilian workforce.

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Unsung Heroes: The League of Wives and the Power of Military Spouse Changemakers The League of Wives was a group of brave, determined military wives who raised awareness and demanded humane treatment for POWs during the Vietnam War. These remarkable women transformed the role of the military spouse, and paved the way for future generations of spouses to become changemakers and advocates. In this episode we talk to Alexia Palacios-Peters, Chairperson of the League of Wives Memorial Project, about the soon-to-be unveiled memorial dedicated to these extraordinary women, and their enduring legacy. We also talk to Sheila Casey, Executive Director of Joining Forces, who offers a contemporary perspective on the evolving challenges faced by military spouses and the pivotal role they play in shaping policies that impact military families. Join us as we explore how the collective strength and determination of military spouses continue to drive positive change.

Show Links:

• League of Wives Memorial Project

• Joining Forces

• Military OneSource

Show Takeaways:

• Military Spouses are often our own best advocates, using our own challenges as a springboard for change.

• The League of Wives forever changed the traditional role of the Military Spouse after they bravely defied their traditional expectations; Despite many obstacles, the League of Wives raised national awareness about the POWs in Vietnam and demanded their humane treatment.

• Joining Forces is the White House initiative to support military-connected families. Its Executive Director, Sheila Casey, is a retired Army spouse of over 40 years. She discusses how the role and expectations of military spouses have changed over the years, and how military spouses are at the forefront of creating positive change for military families and their communities.

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Supporting our servicemembers means supporting their families. Having safe, reliable, affordable access to childcare is a critical issue that directly impacts military readiness and retention. Our guest Christin Anderson shares how her urgent need for childcare ended in a tragedy when her son suffered a traumatic brain injury at the hands of an abusive caregiver, while Kayla Corbit, founder of Operation Child Care Project, shares how OCCP is ensuring military families have the resources they need to safely meet their childcare needs.

Show Links:

• Operation Child Care Project

• OCCP Facebook

• National Database of Child Care Licensing Regulations

Show Takeaways:

• Finding reputable, affordable childcare is among one of the most important needs of military families

• Lack of childcare directly impacts military spouse employment, mental health, and military retention and readiness

• There is a disconnect between traditional childcare offerings and the nature of the military lifestyle

• Operation Child Care Project offers personalized case management to assist military families in utilizing all possible resources to meet their specific childcare needs

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Military Spouses have much higher rates of under and unemployment than their civilian counterparts. Finding long-term, meaningful employment as a military spouse can be difficult, and sometimes disheartening, due to frequent relocations, difficulties with childcare, and sometimes even a lack of confidence. In this episode Leslie Coffey and Ashton Andrews of American Corporate Partners discuss their organization’s mission to assist vets and military spouses find meaningful, long-term careers through their personalized mentorship program and upcoming small business program.

Show Links

• American Corporate Partners

• Active Duty Spouse Program | American Corporate Partners

• American Corporate Partners (ACP) | LinkedIn

Show Takeaways:

• Growing great careers as a military spouse can be challenging but is possible.

• ACP’s mentorship program partners with over 100 companies with the goal of helping spouses understand, develop, and grow careers based on their passions and goals, and is completely personalized for every participant.

• Provides helpful links and information on mentorship and how to get involved.

• ACP is launching a community based small business initiative for military spouses with entrepreneurial aspirations

• ACP is a great resource not only for military spouses but also for active duty service members transitioning out of the military.

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Season 4 Episode #2: Get to Know Your S-L-O: A Conversation with Naval School Liaison, Mindy Hayes

Moving schools can be hard on both military children and their parents. In this episode, Naval Base Coronado School Liaison Mindy Hayes, discusses all the ways you can support your child academically and emotionally through PCSing, deployments, and more. From making sure your child adjusts to a new school, to navigating IEPs, to transferring school credits and preparing for post-secondary education, the School Liaison is an invaluable resource for Navy families. Listen to learn how your Naval School Liaison can help you connect to your school, community, and command.

Show Links:

• School Liaison Worldwide Directory

• Tutor.com

• Military OneSource

• Anchored4Life

• Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission

• School Liaison weblinks for Navy Region Southwest

Show Takeaways:

• Naval School Liaisons are available at every installation to help families transition to new schools and advocate for their children.

• Naval School Liaisons will help you navigate your child’s education at any age or grade, with issues regarding everything from IEPs and the EMFP program to graduation requirements in different states.

• The Interstate Compact for Military Children is a set of policies that exists to help military kids transition to a new school, join extracurriculars, and meet graduation requirements so they do not get left behind.

• Even if your School Liaison doesn’t have the exact answer you need, they can connect you with the right resources.

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Naval Services FamilyLine is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to serving naval spouses around the world. Our network of experienced, trained volunteer spouses allows us to mentor, consult, and guide families in the Navy. FamilyLine’s programs include Compass, CORE, Naval Spouse Leadership Courses, and online and hardcopy publications all designed to equip Navy spouses with the resources they need to be educated, empowered, and supported throughout their Navy journey.

Show Links:

• Compass

• Core

• Navy Spouse Leadership Course

• FamilyLine Publications

• Anchors Aweigh

• MyNavy Family App

Show Takeaways:

• FamilyLine has extensive programming to meet Navy spouses at whatever point they are in their Navy journey.

• Compass and Core have virtual and in-person events for interested participants.

• Compass, CORE, and NSLC are always looking for volunteers! Check out our websites if you’re interested in mentoring.

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

Stories of Resilience: Maegan Jones

Maegan Jones is a proud Navy spouse of 14 years and mom to one daughter, age 8. Maegan is originally from Glenwood, Iowa, and Navy life has taken her to Hawaii, California, Tennessee, and most recently, Washington state. Maegan serves as the Secretary on the Naval Services FamilyLine Board of Directors and is also a COMPASS mentor. Additionally, Maegan is the ombudsman for her spouse's command.

Maegan earned a Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration in 2014 and has worked across a variety of industries. Maegan is currently employed by a government contractor and works in personnel security.

Outside of her career and volunteer commitments, Maegan enjoys reading, cooking/baking, exploring the Pacific Northwest with her family, and cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Dallas Cowboys.

Show Links:

• https://ombudsmanregistry.cnic.navy.mil/
• 
  https://dodmwrlibraries.org/
• 
  https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/
  

Show Takeaways:

• Prioritize creating community.

• Help where you can and accept help when you need it.

• The Navy is a huge part of your life, but you can be your own person outside of that and have a career if you want one.

Let’s Connect:

• ⁠⁠⁠NSFL Website⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠NSFL Facebook⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠NSFL Instagram⁠⁠⁠