Military Spouse Hiring Program Gains 30-plus Companies - Nov. 14, 2012
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2012 - More than 30 companies and organizations joined the Military Spouse Employment Partnership here today as part of the White House-sponsored Joining Forces effort to help unemployed spouses find jobs.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Families Can Support Suicide Standdown - Sept. 27, 2012
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27, 2012 - As the Army conducts its worldwide standdown for suicide prevention today, there is something family members military wide can do, too, and it only takes a minute. Get out your smart phone and enter the information for the Military Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 Press 1, militarycrisisline.net, or text at 838255.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Sailor Transitions to Sonar After Navy - Aug. 23, 2012
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2012 - When First Lady Michelle Obama and her "Joining Forces'" partners talk about service members needing transitioning into commercial work, they're talking about people like Paul Michael Andrews.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Military-Connected Girl's Recipe Lands on White House Plates - Aug. 21, 2012
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2012 - Finwe Wiendenhoeft is a military-connected kid living the kind of healthy lifestyle First Lady Michelle Obama encourages through her "Let's Move" campaign – and one endorsed by the Defense Department.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Money App Puts Finances in Hand - Aug. 17, 2012
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2012 - Financial planners often talk about "being smart" when it comes to your finances – where, when and how to save, spend, and invest your money and how to manage your credit.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Sailor Offers Tips for Moving With Pets - Aug. 13, 2012
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2012 - Guest blogger Navy Lt. Theresa Donnelly is the owner of Hawaii Military Pets, a volunteer online resource for military families in Hawaii. The blog and Facebook page provide information on moving with pets in the military, boarding information and pet policies in state and federal governments. She partners with nonprofits that specialize in service members and their companion animals, such as Dogs on Deployment and Pets for Patriots.   More...

Family Matters Blog: Heroes Program Helps Families Travel - Aug. 9, 2012
WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2012 - Families of wounded warriors already are benefitting from a program that started last month to make it easier for them to travel with their loved ones for medical treatment.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Spouses Find Kindred Spirits at Job Fairs - Aug. 7, 2012
HAMPTON, Va., Aug. 7, 2012 - Like many military spouses, Allison Lattuca doesn't mention her husband's Navy service as she job hunts with each forced relocation every few years.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Job Fairs Join Spouses, Employers - Aug. 1, 2012
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2012 - Tomorrow marks the start of an open season of sorts for job fairs for military spouses in what one Pentagon official calls the "high-touch" part of a "high-tech, high-touch" process.  More...

Family Matters: Joining Forces Exceeds Expectations, Director Says - July 27, 2012
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2012 - When First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden started the "Joining Forces" campaign 15 months ago, they did so with the goal of creating impactful and lasting health, education and employment support for military families.  More...

Family Matters: Missouri Guardsmen Share Program With Dr. Biden - July 12, 2012
WASHINGTON, July 12, 2012 - As Missouri National Guard members met with Dr. Jill Biden this week to discuss their family challenges and areas of support, Jenn Whitacre's feedback was both professional and personal.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Grant Sends Military Teens to Washington - July 6, 2012
WASHINGTON, July 6, 2012 - As Americans were preparing last week to celebrate America's 236th birthday, hundreds of teenagers from military families were treated to three days of fun and learning here in the nation's capital.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Taking Stress Out of Reintegration - July 2, 2012
WASHINGTON, July 2, 2012 - The Defense Department is working to "fundamentally transform" the nation's understanding of the invisible wounds of war, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has said, and nowhere is that more apparent than at the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological and Traumatic Brain Injury.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Network Helps Spouses Remain Lawyers - June 27, 2012
WASHINGTON, June 27, 2012 - Lori Volkman was in college when she confronted what some would approach as an either-or situation: marry the Navy pilot she'd fallen in love with, or head for law school for the career she was passionate about.  More...

Family Matters Blog: DOD Schools Mark Successes - June 20, 2012
WASHINGTON, June 20, 2012 - The Department of Defense Education Activity's schools have been on a roll lately with high achievement of both teachers and students. Now that the 2011-12 school year is behind them, students, teachers and parents have much to be proud of.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Fathers Get Well-Deserved Attention - June 15, 2012
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2012 - American fathers, and especially military fathers, are getting some overdue attention lately with Father's Day coming up this weekend.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Libraries Launch Reading Challenge - June 13, 2012
WASHINGTON, June 13, 2012 - Educators have long known that summer reading bridges the learning gap during the school break between June and September.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Using Man's Best Friend to Heal the Heart - June 6, 2012
WASHINGTON, June 6, 2012 – With the uncertainty in military families due to constant moves and deployments, our four-legged family members provide comfort and stability in stressful times. These loyal, furry companions not only help those serving our nation, but are ideal friends to anyone in need.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Spouses Seeing More Choices in Jobs - May 21, 2012
WASHINGTON, May 21, 2012 - Exciting changes are underway for military spouses that could affect families who serve for generations to come.  More...

Family Matters Blog: National Parks Make Great Family Getaways - May 16, 2012
WASHINGTON, May 16, 2012 - Ask people what their all-time favorite family vacation has been and chances are good national parks will be in most of the answers. I don't have any science to back that up, but I have been struck by the number of people who recollect their best memories of family bonding in places like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Air Force Husband Works for Future Families - May 11, 2012
WASHINGTON, May 11, 2012 - Military families have gotten a lot of attention lately for their sacrifices for the nation and for their volunteerism, which research shows runs well above the general population. And while it always is hard to focus on just one person, even in a crowd of 1.1 million, Jeremy Hilton stands out.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Interstate Compacts Ease School Transitions - May 4, 2012
WASHINGTON, May 4, 2012 - Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal last month signed into law the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, known in the military community as "the compact." The compact is designed to help ease the transition of military children as they move between school systems across the country. Because of the mobile lifestyle of military families, military children will attend, on average, six to nine different school systems before they graduate high school.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Website Helps Kids on the Move - May 2, 2012
WASHINGTON, May 2, 2012 - It's that time of year again when so many military families are starting their relocation plans and dealing with the fallout from kids who would rather stay put.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Military Kids' Education Gets Top Billing - April 30, 2012
WASHINGTON, April 30, 2012 - Education was front and center in Washington last week and at least two major events directly impact the education of military families' school-age children.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Passing the Torch on Family Coverage - April 25, 2012
WASHINGTON, April 25, 2012 - Three years ago, I was in an editorial planning meeting here at American Forces Press Service where staff hashed out ideas for improving our content. We covered the secretary of defense, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other DOD leaders voraciously. What more could we be giving readers?  More...

Family Matters Blog: A Farewell Note of Gratitude - April 20, 2012
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2012 - It's with some sadness that I announce my departure from American Forces Press Service, and my final week writing for the Family Matters Blog.  More...

Family Matters Blog: TAPS Seeks Military Mentors for 'Good Grief Camp' - April 18, 2012
WASHINGTON, April 18, 2012 - The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is seeking active duty service members and recent veterans to serve as volunteer mentors to children of the military fallen over Memorial Day weekend in Washington, D.C.  More...

Family Matters Blog: First Lady Thanks Nation for 'Outpouring' of Military Support - April 13, 2012
WASHINGTON, April 13, 2012 - First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, the vice president's wife, marked the one-year anniversary of their Joining Forces campaign this week with a renewed call to action and a message of gratitude to the nation.  More...

Family Matters Blog: New Job Push to Benefit Military Spouses - April 5, 2012
WASHINGTON, April 5, 2012 - First Lady Michelle Obama yesterday unveiled a new hiring effort that will deliver thousands of portable, flexible job opportunities to military spouses.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Top 10 Reasons I Admire Military Kids - April 2, 2012
WASHINGTON, April 2, 2012 - In honor of April's Month of the Military Child, I created a Top 10 list of the qualities I most appreciate about children from military families.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Military Families Can Take Steps to Prevent Lost or Stolen Pets - March 23, 2012
WASHINGTON, March 23, 2012 - A missing pet can be a devastating experience for family members and can result in a dangerous situation for the animal. However, military families can take steps to keep their beloved pets safe and secure.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Military Kids Can Apply for Free Summer Camps - March 20, 2012
WASHINGTON, March 20, 2012 - With the temperature rising and the school year drawing to a close, parents across the nation are starting to think about summertime plans. With three young children and a stretch of lazy summer days ahead, it's definitely a hot topic in my household.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Sesame Street, USO Launch Tour for Military Families - March 15, 2012
WASHINGTON, March 15, 2012 - Several years ago, I was invited to New York to preview some Sesame Street products for military families. Although busy, I couldn't resist sneaking away for a quick stroll down the Sesame Street set.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Mrs. Dempsey Urges Spouses to Share Stories of Service - March 13, 2012
WASHINGTON, March 13, 2012 - I attended a luncheon about a week ago to hear the wife of the nation's top military officer address a group of military spouses attending the 2012 Military Spouse Summit in Washington, D.C.  More...

Family Matters Blog: Military Vets Aid Families' Pets - March 13, 2012
WASHINGTON, March 13, 2012 - Active duty service members and military retirees who own a pet and live near a military installation have a great service at their disposal: veterinary clinics.  More...