The Army Doubles Its Family Support Efforts
|
|
|
Even though the health benefits, cost of education and housing for soldiers are taken care of, their families are still in need of extra support. While they are on tour, army spouses have to hold down their own front at home, resulting in strained relationships, job displacement and a lack of general support for raising their families. To address these growing issues, the Army has announced it will be spending more out of its 2009 budget on family programs, including family readiness groups, childcare improvements and increased educational opportunities for families of soldiers.
New Army Support For Soldiers’ Families Army leaders spent time at different bases, learning how important childcare and family support are important for soldiers. The new budget will be $1.4 billion compared to $700 million last year. Part of this money is going towards the support that these families need.
Full-time support personnel for family readiness groups will assist spouses with managing a career and responsibilities of the family. Additionally, more childcare and youth service programs will be available with extra staff on hand.
“[The spouses] carry the heaviest burden for family support initiatives,” said U.S. Secretary of the Army Pete Geren. “One deployment, perhaps that works…three deployments is pushing those volunteers to the breaking point.”
Jobs And Education For Army Families The Army has also been working on careers for spouses of soldiers. Since so many have to relocate around the country, finding work can be very difficult. Hence, the Army has been trying to create a system so that soldiers and their families relocate less in order to let professional and educational developments grow.
Furthermore, a new spousal employment partnership program is in development. The Army will work with other industries to find spouses employment, with the secretaries of defense and labor entering a “joint venture” to boost the number of available jobs, said Geren. “We need to explore how we can use the Internet economy…to help spouses, whether their employment skills are blue collar or professional.”
Improving Health Support In The Army Along with family support comes help for soldiers’ and their families health, whether physical or mental. Last year, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center showed significant problems for taking care of wounded soldiers, resulting in the firing of its commander, the secretary of the Army and its surgeon general were fired. There are now 35 transition units designed to help just wounded soldiers.
Later this summer, the Army will launch a suicide prevention program based of the success of an education program discussing post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. The program will be mandatory, ensuring that all active duty members will understand the effects of mental health problems. While there are surely many more improvements that could be made to the armed forces, these support groups are definitely a step in the right direction.
|
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
Del.icio.us
Digg