“The strength of our military is drawn from the strength of our military families,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) when announcing the upcoming 2022 Congressional Military Family Summit. This in-person event aboard Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., will be livestreamed Aug. 17 – and MOAA will be tuning in.  

The Congressional Military Family Caucus seeks to educate members of Congress and their staff on resources the military has for families, specifically in the areas of education, child care, health care, spouse employment, and the effects of multiple deployments. Since 2009, the caucus has hosted the annual Military Family Summit to connect servicemembers and their families with DoD leaders and military family support organizations to collaborate on ways to address the top issues affecting military family well-being.

This year’s theme is “Military Families are Mission Critical.” Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) will join  McMorris Rodgers to discuss issues including pay and benefits, community integration and transition, and the health and well-being of families and children. The event will feature panels addressing education and the Exceptional Family Member Program, as well as economic security, to include food security, military spouse employment, housing, and child care.

[RELATED: MOAA, Military Family Groups Seek Solutions to Quality-of-Life Concerns]

Panelists such as Olivia Burley (Military Spouse Liaison, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs) and Tammie Perreault (Northwest Regional Liaison, Defense-State Liaison Office) will provide insights into the status of state-level initiatives underway to address these issues.

This is an excellent opportunity to hear from stakeholders and bring back ideas to your community to enhance the quality of life for military families. Tune in Aug. 17 between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Pacific time (11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern) via the Congressional Military Family Caucus Facebook page.