Massing of the Colors 2016

The Massing of the Colors is a patriotic ceremony honoring those who have served in the United States of America and honoring the youth of today who carry on the patriotic tradition.

The world-class I Corps Army Band, which creates bonds between the United States Army and the Pacific Northwest community, will be playing their inspiring selection of music celebrating George Washington, our first patriot in the long line of patriots who have served our country well.

Massing of the Colors began in 1919 by military officers who served in the Great War (World War I/WW I).  In 1923, the Military Order of the World War assumed responsibility for the Massing of the Colors nationwide and still has the responsibility across the nation.

Attendance is free to the public.

Youth and adult organizations can participate by contacting Col. Carroll Dickson by Feb. 12. 2106.

Aerospace Programs at Bates Technical College

Aerospace Programs at Bates Technical College 

Classes start January 4!

Information Sessions*
Friday, November 20, 2015
9:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.

Friday, December 4, 2015
9:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.

Friday, December 18, 2015
9:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.

Bates Technical College
1101 S. Yakima Ave Tacoma, WA 98405
Main Building, 3rd Floor Room 316

*Be prepared to complete CASAS Assessment and bring your 2014 Tax documents to complete your Financial Aid Application.

For more information, please contact Joanne Lee or call 253.680.7203

Last School Gets Final Funding

Today, the Depart- ment of Defense announced that it has awarded a $40 million grant to Clover Park School District to rebuild Evergreen Elementary School.

Last year, Sen. Murray, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and Rep. Heck, whose district includes Joint Base Lewis-McChord, fought to secure federal funding for defense projects in Washington State, including the construction of new schools that serve military families.

“This investment is a significant step toward fulfilling our promise to support our local military communities and their families,” Senator Murray said. “These schools are not only a place for children to learn, but also serve as a support system for our military families. As the daughter of a World War II veteran and a former preschool teacher, I will always fight to make sure our schools are getting the investments they need, especially those serving families that sacrifice so much for their country.”

“Our community can’t wait for this critically important project to break ground,” Congressman Heck said. “Many children of servicemembers stationed at JBLM attend Evergreen and we want to make sure this school is well-equipped to handle each student’s education needs.”

“For years our community has worked together to secure funds to support our servicemembers and their families,” said Congressman Smith, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee. “All children in the Puget Sound region must have access to a high quality education and I am pleased that these DoD funds will be used to ensure that our students needs are being met.”

“Clover Park School District is extremely excited to receive the news that funding to replace the sixth and final school on JBLM is approved,” said Debbie LeBeau, Superintendent of the Clover Park School District. “These school construction projects would not have been possible without the advocacy and determination of Senator Patty Murray, Congressman Denny Heck (and before him Congressman Dicks) and Congressman Adam Smith. They wanted to ensure that military dependents have state of the art learning environments to go along with the high quality instruction provided by our teachers.  Evergreen is a very special school serving students with disabilities that requires specialized instructional spaces. Updated technology, classroom spaces and improved access for physically challenged students will greatly improve the quality of education for our students.”

The grant comes through the DOD’s Office of Economic Adjustment Public School Recapitalization program, which has supported extensive school construction efforts at Joint Base Lewis McChord. Previous projects include Hillside Elementary School, Carter Lake Elementary School, Beachwood Elementary School, Meriwether Elementary School, and Rainier Elementary School.

Pierce College Hires New Military Programs Director

Retired United States Air Force Col. Mark Haskins will join Pierce College as the new Executive Director of Military Programs later this summer. As a former director of warfighting education for the United States Air Force LeMay Center for Doctrine and Education, Haskins brings with him a distinguished career in the military, along with extensive educational knowledge. He also served as commander, department chair and professor of Air Force Studies at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

Haskins received a bachelor of science in mathematics from Pacific Lutheran University, and a master of arts in managerial economics from the University of Oklahoma. He is also a graduate of programs in operational leadership and strategic studies from the Air Force Air Command and Staff College, and in strategic studies from the Japan National Institute for Defense Studies.

Haskins’ experience in the military and in education working with diverse populations of people will serve him well in his new role at Pierce College. As the Executive Director of Military Programs, Haskins will have the opportunity to work with students, Joint Base Lewis-McChord leaders, business leaders and Pierce College staff to determine appropriate educational programming that will best serve the military community.

Haskins’ first teaching experience after college was teaching a mathematics course at McChord Air Force Base through Pierce College.

“I’m grateful to be back home at Pierce College,” Haskins said. “This is one of the most military friendly institutions in the nation, and I’m looking forward to helping strengthen Pierce’s brand as the college of choice for the military community, veterans and their families.”

“This is an exciting step in the evolution of our program,” said Pierce College Fort Steilacoom President Denise Yochum. “We have a very strong program, and I believe Mark will take us to the next level with his ability to provide strategic leadership, teambuilding and commitment to serving our active

Evergreen Elementary Receives Funding at Last

Language released today in the Fiscal Year 2015 Department of Defense Appro- priations Act includes $139 million for the construction, renovation, repair, and expansion of elementary and secondary public schools on military installations, including nearly $40 million for Evergreen Elementary located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Debbie LeBeau, superintendent of Clover Park School District, said We are extremely excited about the prospect of Evergreen Elementary receiving funding at last, and look forward to breaking ground on a new school for these students.

Funding was restored with the help of Rep. Denny Heck after sequestration cuts prevented original project.  Evergreen Elementary is a school recognized in the military community for its attention to students with special needs in education, and many service members request a compassionate assignment at JBLM so their child can attend Evergreen, Congressman Denny Heck, D-Wash., said. JBLM is located in the new 10th Congressional District, represented by Heck.

On April 4, 2014, Heck testified before the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, requesting the subcommittee fund the remaining schools on the list.  We need to complete what began in 2011, and fix the remaining school buildings originally identified as no longer sustainable. It is unacceptable to allow sequestration cuts to prevent the kids of our men and women in uniform from receiving an excellent education in a safe and updated facility.

In a 2011 analysis by the Department of Defense, 33 public school facilities on military installations across the country were classified as being in “poor condition.” As a result, the Fiscal Year 2011 Defense Appropriations Act began the process of funding the replacement of these public schools. Due to sequestration cuts, the funding only covered 28 of the 33 schools, with Evergreen Elementary as one of the five remaining unfunded projects.

There are about 80,000 students who attend public schools on military installations. Ninety-four percent of these students are the children of service members.

The Clover Park School District will construct the new school in coordination with the State of Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Joint Base Headquarters at JBLM, and will then own, operate, and maintain the newly constructed Evergreen Elementary.

College Credit for Military Training

A new law grants college credit to veterans for military training.

Governor Jay Inslee plans to sign into law Senate Bill 5969  which grants academic credit for military training. State Sen. Steve O’Ban, R-Pierce County, who sponsored the legislation, called the new law a major benefit for veterans, “who often face hardships as they transition back into civilian life and need to build new careers.”

When:  3:00 p.m. Governor Jay Inslee’s conference room, Legislative Building

In addition, Washington’s Medal of Honor recipients Captain William D. Swenson, Sgt. Leroy Petry, and SSG Ty M. Carter, will be at the Capitol for the dedication of the Medal of Honor Monument. Senator O’Ban will be presenting Sgt. Leroy Petry with Senator Resolution 8417.  Find out all about them and the Monument here.

When:  
10:30 a.m. - Presentation of Senate Resolution, Governor Inslee’s Office, Legislative Building
11:00 a.m. – Medal of Honor Monument dedication, Capitol Rotunda

“We ask so much of our brave men and women in uniform,” said O’Ban, whose two sons serve in the military, “They’ve made life and death decisions, mastered complicated information technology and communications systems and managed millions of dollars’ worth of equipment. This is valuable training and work they’ve accomplished and worthy of college credit.”

The law now requires Washington’s colleges and universities to adopt policies on awarding academic credit to individuals for certain military training courses or programs by the year 2016.

Tom Jenkins, President of the Husky United Military Veterans heralded the new law, “I'm very excited about this bill. This is the biggest thing for veterans as it directly recognizes their accomplishments. It says ‘thank you’ for being a medical professional, or being an engineer, for example. For those who choose to continue in their field of training this is a great opportunity,” Jenkins said.

NDTA Scholarship Opportunity

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SSMCP Annual Membership Forum

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REGISTER VIA EMAIL HERE

Map to Location

JBLM Software Engineer Academy Starts

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More Money for On-Base Schools

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), senior member of the Military Construc- tion and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced major funding from the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA).

The funding, totaling $90,768,089, addresses capacity and facility condition deficiencies at the Greenwood ($28,566,022), Clarkmoor ($30,870,778), and Beachwood ($31,331,289) Elementary Schools, which serve the Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) community. The Clover Park School District and State of Washington will match these grants with an additional $23,075,465 for a total investment of $113,843,553.  Approximately 1,550 pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students will be served by these projects. 

“When our best and our brightest put on the uniform to serve our country honorably, we make a promise to support them and their families both on and off the battlefield,” said Senator Murray. “This includes making sure their children have an adequate learning environment that promotes a positive education experience, not one that puts them in harm’s way or detracts from the curriculum. Our schools that support our military communities are not only institutions of learning, but also serve as a support system for many of our military families. That’s why I was proud to support the legislation in which this funding was included."

 “This is a great day for Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the Clover Park School District. More than 1500 South Sound students in military families from the district I have the honor to represent will have improved educational opportunities thanks to these projects. I can’t wait to see what Greenwood, Clarkmoor and Beachwood look like once the improvements are completed," Congressman Denny Heck said.

"Securing this grant would not have been possible without the hard work of Congressman Adam Smith as well as retired Congressman Norm Dicks. I am extremely appreciative of their tireless advocacy on this issue.
“This funding is the result of hard work by the Clover Park School District and many in the Washington State Congressional Delegation.  These funds are critical in making much needed rebuilding efforts for Greenwood, Clarkmoor, and Beachwood Elementary Schools.  All students in the Puget Sound region deserve access to high quality education in well maintained facilities, and I look forward to continuing to work with Congressman Denny Heck to ensure that they do,” Congressman Adam Smith said.

“Today’s announcement regarding the approval of the school construction grant will allow Clover Park School District to continue retooling the schools on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The replacement of these three elementary schools will enable our students to receive a quality education in buildings that provide for today’s educational needs and reflect our nation’s commitment to our armed services. Throughout this process, Clover Park School District has received tremendous support from our elected officials, as well as the Department of Defense.  On behalf of our students, we offer our sincere thanks,”  said Debbie LeBeau, Superintendent of the Clover Park School District.

The condition of the three schools was determined by the July 2011 Deputy Secretary of Defense “Public Schools on Military Installations Priority List” (Priority List). Funding for these awards is provided through the DoD’s Public Schools on Military Installations Program.

OEA, in making these funds available, gave priority consideration to those military installations with schools having the most serious capacity or facility condition deficiencies, as determined by the Priority List. A multi-disciplined Federal Evaluation Team, with membership from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, the Military Services, U.S. Department of Education, and OEA reviewed the school projects to ensure the awards appropriately address the noted capacity and facility condition deficiencies.

DoD Announces School Buildings Ratings

The Department of Defense announced today the findings of the facilities assessment which is part of an overall education review of public schools on military installations and operated by local education agencies (LEAs).

The replacement of local obsolete and deteriorating schools was a primary objective of the Chamber's annual Washington-to-Washington, D.C. trip for the last two years.  A cooperative effort with the Clover Park School District and other community advocates resulted in a new and first funding for replacement of schools on installations. 

Each school was graded red, yellow or green in two criteria condition and capacity based on the assessment. The schools were then grouped based on similar condition and capacity ratings, and then the schools were banded based on criteria scoring three points for red, two points for yellow, and one point for green. Finally, the schools are ranked within each band by the numerical score for condition (worst to best). Condition is weighted slightly heavier than capacity.

JBLM SCHOOL PRIORITY LISTING

Band One: Hillside ES

Band Two: Carter Lake ES

Band Four: Greenwood ES, Clarkmoor ES, Beechwood ES

Band Six: Evergreen ES

Not Rated (Closed): Heartwood ES

"The Department of Defense is strongly committed to ensuring that the children of military families receive an excellent education that prepares them for successful careers and to be active contributors to their communities and the nation," said Leon Panetta, secretary of defense. "High quality facilities and instruction are essential, of course, to providing the kind of education they deserve. That's a top priority."

Based on the Defense Department's priority list, public schools on military installations with the greatest need will be invited by the Office of Economic Adjustment to apply for grants to be used towards construction, renovation, repair, or expansion of current facilities. The grants will be paid through provisions in Section 8109 of Public Law 112-10, the "Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011," which appropriates $250 million recapitalization of public schools on military installations.

Only LEAs that operate a public school on a military installation, and receive a written invitation from OEA, may request funds under this program. OEA will initially request LEAs with schools having the most serious capacity or facility condition deficiencies as determined by DoD to submit proposals. DoD will conduct an initial meeting with representatives of the invited LEAs, and representatives from their respective installations and States, to discuss the specific deficiencies noted for the affected school, the purpose of the funding, the application process, and the matching share requirement. As decisions are made, additional LEAs on the Priority List may be notified until all funds are exhausted.

"The education review and its findings are part of DoD's overall ongoing strategy to ensure school-aged children of our service members receive an excellent education encompassing the entire individual regardless of their age, capabilities or goals." said Clifford Stanley, under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness.

The key areas for the triennial assessment are condition, capacity and age using the Department of Defense Quality Rating – Q-Rating – standards. Based on these assessments DoDEA has developed a five-year investment plan of $3.7 billion for fiscal years 2011-2016 to add, replace, and/or renovate schools:

• Currently 134 of the 194 schools (70 percent) within DoDEA rate at the Q-3 or Q-4 level – meaning they are safe but under-maintained or need to be replaced.

• The goal of the recapitalization plan is to ensure all 194 schools are rated at a Q-1 (new or well-maintained) or Q-2 (satisfactorily maintained) condition standard by fiscal year 2018.

DoD assessed the condition and capacity of 157 of the 160 public schools on military installations. Three of the 160 public schools were not included in the assessment because they were built within the last year.

For more information on the school facility assessment, including the schools priority list, methodology and grant process, click here .

Heroes at Home 2

Please join us on 24 June 2011, 11:00am, Stone Education Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord to celebrate the kick off of Heroes at Home 2.

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded a National Emergency Grant of approximately $4.8 million to help 825 displaced military spouses in Pierce and Thurston Counties gain skills and find employment. The grant was awarded to WorkForce Central and the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council in partnership with Washington State Employment Security Department, Thurston County Economic Development Council and the City of Lakewood, due to the Base Realignment and Closure action [BRAC] of 2005 and subsequent relocation of military personnel and families to Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

WorkForce Central, Pierce County, and the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, Thurston County, will administer the program at a local level.

Services will be available at Stone Education Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and at WorkSource Centers within Pierce and Thurston Counties.

Services will include: career coaching, case management, job training, supportive services and employment linkage.

Tell us about your education program needs:

https://secureweb.hqda.pentagon.mil/Checkbox/Survey.aspx?s=abc8d0713f3c465785617cf9bfab7b2c

Visit http://www.lewis.army.mil/eso/ for more information.

WA Bills to Help Vets Win Jobs

Military veterans who seek civilian employment will not have to repeat training in areas where they are already experienced, under legislation introduced this week by Rep. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island and Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor.

Senate Bill 5307/House Bill 1417 and SB 5308/HB 1418 would evaluate the training men and women have received and apply it to educational and licensing requirements in the private sector.

These bills give credit where it’s due. Many military personnel have undergone highly specialized training and education in certain areas, so we should honor that for licensing requirements. Duplicating efforts doesn’t benefit anyone, Rolfes said.

The bills provide similar benefits for different groups of professions:

• SB 5308/HB 1418 develops a process to evaluate training for educational credit or professional licensing requirements for cosmetologists, barbers, manicurists, engineers, land surveyors and security guards.
• SB 5307/HB 1417 does the same for health professions, including osteopathic physicians’ assistants, physicians’ assistants, radiologic technologists, nursing assistants, respiratory care practitioners, health case assistants and surgical technologists.

The men and women in our armed forces not only acquire valuable skills, they often perform their jobs under the intense life-and-death pressures of combat conditions, Kilmer said. It’s a poor use of their time and money to ask folks to get retrained for things they’ve already learned just so they can get a professional license and get to work in a civilian position. This state should be rewarding knowledge, not seat time.

The Chamber supports vets getting credit for training taxpayers have already paid for and the vets have gained experience. This is part of the Chamber's legislative TEACH agenda.  The bills also have the support of legislators from Pierce County, home of Joint Base Lewis-McChord and a large military population.

NDTA Rolls On (and Off)

The Puget Sound Chapter, NDTA, coordinated a training event allowing members and guests an opportunity to see roll-on/roll-off ships in person and hear from her crew what they do to support the surge of military support when needed. When not in use the ships are part of the Ready Reserve Fleet managed by the Maritime Administration.

Below is a picture taken at the stern ramp of the CAPE ISLAND currently berthed with her sister ship the CAPE INTREPID at the Sperry Ocean Dock, off Ruston Way.

Pictured from right COL Jim Sagen (G3, JBLM), Stephanie O'Donnell (Global Outreach), Damir Sabanovic (DHL), Mary McGarry (Boeing), Lee Noble and Chris Smith (Global Trans), LTC John Redinger (833d), Christina Cyrus (Global Trans), Claudia Roberts (TOTE), Bob Casey (Independent Dispatch), Michael Dayton (TOTE), William Lynn, Gary Coy (Sperry Ocean Dock), MAJ Jim Anderson (833d), Gary Brackett (Tacoma-Pierce Co. Chamber) and SGM Rickey Patterson (833d).

Mortar Boards Cap School Needs

New schools for our military-dependent children!

That's the welcome news from Cong. Norm Dicks, who said, “one of the most urgent concerns for our deployed troops is for their families and kids to be properly cared for, and one area where we have seen great deficiency is the condition of our on-base schools.”

The details, covered in The News Tribune, speak to replacing six schools through consolidation and new construction.  This Congressional initiative follows on remarks by Secretary of Defense Gates, who expressed serious concern during a visit to Fort Riley, KS in May.

These complementary efforts by Congress and the Administration follow on homework by Clover Park School District, operator of the on-base schools and the Chamber.  Chamber Pres. David Graybill collaborated in the production of an educational video that demonstrated the needs and the value for our children.

Led by Chamber Board member Jeff Brown, BCRA, the Chamber made this issue a principal objective during its Washington-to-Washington, D.C. trip in 2009, with conversations with the Pentagon, Office of Economic Adjustment and Congressional offices.  Cong. Smith's offices note that there has been a real turn-around in this issue within the last eight months.

That Chamber initiative was continued during the 2010 Washington-to-Washington, D.C. trip during meetings with Dr. Craig Collge, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management and members of Congress.  Again at that time, Cong. Dicks indicated a strong commitment to addressing this problem.

Next steps will include full adoption of the authorization and approriation bills for the Defense budgets.

Welcome from Blue Star Museums!

This summer, more than 600 museums in all 50 states are offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day, May 31, 2010, through Labor Day, September 6, 2010 to show their appreciation for those who are serving this nation. In Washington, they are:  

Henry Art Gallery - Seattle, WA
Kids Quest Children's Museum - Bellevue, WA
Polson Museum - Hoquiam, WA
Seattle Art Museum - Seattle, WA
Tacoma Art Museum - Tacoma, WA

For a full list of participating museums, visit here.  Here's some basic information, but please check the FAQs for further details:

• If you are active duty military personnel and/or an immediate family member - spouse or child - to gain free access, please show either a Geneva Conventions CAC ID or a DD Form 1173 ID card at the museum admissions desk.  
• Immediate family members under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an appropriate ID holder.
• Some special or limited-time museum exhibits may not be included in this free admission program, so check with the museum directly.

Blue Star Museums is made possible through a partnership among Blue Star Families, the National Endowment for the Arts, and more than 600 museums.

We hope you and your family will explore as many museums as possible this summer. Find the participating museums nearest you by clicking on the links above.
 
Museums that wish to participate in Blue Star Museums may contact Blue Star Museums or Nicole Murray at 202-682-5578.

Invisible Wounds of War

Over the next few months, the Greater Puget Sound area will be welcoming home thousands of Soldiers returning from deployments, joining the Washington National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers who have returned in the past year.

For some of these Soldiers and Families it is a first deployment, while for others it is yet another multiple time in Service to our country abroad. Deployments are a challenging time for both Soldiers and Families. And upon return, navigating through changes and recognizing potential impacts upon the well-being of an individual and Family can sometimes be difficult to address.

Over 1.6 million men and women have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom to date. Almost half of those Service Members are married, and almost half have dependent children--the majority 5 years old and younger.

Army OneSource announces a community outreach program, supported by the U.S. Army, to raise awareness of the unique challenges of Military life on our Service Members and their Families, and to address the growing demand for behavioral health and well-being services.

In today’s unique combat situation--where there is no front line and constant vigilance must be maintained on the ground, where individuals are serving as many as four deployments that are longer in duration than in the past, and where Service Members and Families are asked to give more because of our all-volunteer Military--we’re learning that “The wounds of war are not limited to the battlefield.”

Army OneSource has launched a formal campaign to encourage civilian health, behavioral health and well-being providers to complete an online course in the series titled, “Treating the Invisible Wounds of War.”

This series of courses was designed to help primary care physicians, case workers, mental health providers and other professionals - who may see a veteran or family member on an unrelated issue - develop a better understanding of the culture in which Service Members and Veterans, as well as their families, live and work. The courses also provide best practices for identifying, assessing, and treating behavioral health problems that result from the trauma of war.

In addition to better supporting Service Members, those who complete the course will:

• receive a poster to display in their offices inviting Service Members and their Families to talk to a health professional about any troubling symptoms,
• receive a Certificate of Completion suitable for framing, and
• be eligible for Continuing Education credit.

To arrange for a customized, online complimentary educational campaign in which your affiliates will earn continuing educational credits at NO CHARGE please contact: Rachel Turner-Bensen, Community Support Coordinator – Washington, 360/271-6940

Many Military-Friendly Schools Here

G.I. Jobs announced the launch of its new Web site. The site, loaded with interactive tools and search functionality, helps military veterans find the schools that best meet their educational needs.

The 1,000 schools on the new Web site are those selected to G.I. Jobs “Military Friendly Schools” list in August. They represent the top 15 percent most “military friendly” of the nation’s 7,000 schools.

Here are Washington State’s (and Pierce County’s) rated Military Friendly (Higher-Ed) Schools:
Argosy University Seattle
Bellevue College
Cascadia Community College
Central Washington University
City University of Seattle
Clover Park Technical College
Eastern Washington University
Edmonds Community College
Green River Community College
Heritage University
Lake Washington Technical College
North Seattle Community College
Northwest Aviation College
Olympic College
Pacific Lutheran University
Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom
Pierce College Military Program
Saint Martin's University
Skagit Valley College
South Puget Sound Community College
Spokane Falls Community College
Tacoma Community College
The Art Institute of Seattle
Washington State University
Washington State University, Graduate School
Whatcom Community College

The Military Friendly Schools list is determined through research by the G.I. Jobs Military Friendly Schools team. This research includes government agencies and private entities which administer education benefits and a comprehensive survey administered by G.I. Jobs. A Military Friendly Schools Academic Advisory Panel, consisting of five higher education administrators, helps determine survey questions and weightings.

Research findings are compiled and weighted according to the following categories to determine a final score:

• 45% for Effort 1, defined as certifications, programs and policies, which measures a school’s non-financial efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students. This category includes things like VA-approval to accept the GI Bill, SOC membership, academic credit for CLEP and ACE, flexible learning programs and much more.

• 35% for Effort 2, defined as financial commitment, which measures a school’s financial efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students. This category includes things like Yellow Ribbon program membership, tuition benefits and % of overall recruitment budget allocated to recruiting military students.

• 15% for a school’s results, or success, in recruiting military and veteran students. This category includes the number and % of military and veteran students enrolled.

• 5% allocated to other categories including a school’s academic accreditations.

As always with ratings or rankings, the reader should be aware that his/her priorities are not necessarily the same as those of the sponsor.

G.I. Jobs annually rates the nation’s “Military Friendly Employers,” “Military Friendly Franchises” and “Military Spouse Friendly Employers.”

Focus on Children

Sesame Street Workshop is producing a new primetime television special, When Families Grieve featuring Katie Couric and the Sesame Street Muppets. This PBS special will air on April 14th at 8:00 PM EST.

This hour-long special will present families’ personal stories about coping with the death of a parent, as well as strategies that have helped these families move forward.  Televised in conjunction with the Month of the Military Child & Month of the Young Child, it will be part of a multimedia, bi-lingual (English and Spanish) outreach kit for national distribution immediately following the April airdate.

There will be two resource kits available for distribution, one kit will be military specific and the other kit will be for the general public. Military OneSource (MOS) will only distribute the military kit. The resource kit will include the DVD from the taping of the PBS special, a caregiver guide and a story book. The resource kit will be available through MOS beginning 14 April. The resource kit for the general public will be available for distribution through other sources.

When Families Grieve is a continuation of Sesame Workshop’s award-winning Talk, Listen, Connect initiative that first launched in July 2006 providing resources and emotional support to military families with young children coping with the challenging transitions in their lives, such as deployments and when a parent comes home changed due to combat-related injury.

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