CITY OF WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 7, 2021)—today at 11:30 AM ET, First Lady Jill Biden will be joined virtually by U.S. military families, advocates, and stakeholders from around the world as she gives remarks to set forth the priorities of the next phase of Joining Forces, a White House initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers and survivors. This virtual event will be held at the White House Complex, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building’s South Court Auditorium and will be livestreamed.
Following the remarks, the First Lady will visit to Arlington, Virginia, where she will tour the Military OneSource call center at 1:30 PM ET. Military OneSource is a Department of Defense resource providing 24/7 support to service members, their families, and survivors.
“In 2011, then First Lady Michelle Obama and now First Lady Jill Biden came together to launch Joining Forces, a nationwide initiative calling all Americans to rally around service members, veterans, and their families and support them through wellness, education, and employment opportunities. Joining Forces works hand in hand with the public and private sector to ensure that service members, veterans, and their families have the tools they need to succeed throughout their lives.
Primary Objectives of Joining Forces
- Bring attention to the unique experiences and strengths of America’s service members, veterans, and their families.
- Inspire, educate, and spark action from all sectors of society — citizens, communities, businesses, nonprofits, faith-based institutions, philanthropic organizations, and government — to ensure service members, veterans, and their families have the opportunities, resources, and support they have earned.
- Showcase the skills, experience, and dedication of America’s service members, veterans and their families to strengthen our nation’s communities.
- Create greater connections between the American public and the military.
Joining Forces Commitments: Employment, Education, Wellness
Joining Forces is committed to raising awareness about the service, sacrifice, and needs of military families. In particular, with the input of military families, Joining Forces identified three priority areas for national initiatives: employment, education, and wellness.
Employment
- Expand employment and career development opportunities for veterans and military spouses.
- Highlight the workforce potential of veterans and military spouses.
- Educate employers about the need to create military family-friendly workplaces.
- Work to reduce or eliminate licensing and credentialing barriers.
Education
- Promote expanded education opportunities that:
- Ease transferability for military-connected students.
- Increase job training opportunities for military spouses and veterans.
- Support the academic achievement of military children by enhancing awareness of the unique needs of military children and families.
Wellness
- Call attention to the critical issues facing veterans and military families.
- Expand access to wellness programs, and resources for military spouses and families.
Source: White House and Bee News contributed to the article.
Photo: White House Joining Forces Meeting, 2011