During the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges faced by service members and their families in getting child care demonstrated just how important child care is to the military mission. And now
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WASHINGTON â Amy Logan first experienced physical abuse three years into her marriage to a sergeant major in the Army.
Logan was away from friends and family once she moved to a new military base, similar to many military spouses who are isolated and unaware of resources available to them.
One night, Loganâs husband at the time charged at her, grabbed her shoulders and his knee struck her in the leg after Logan attempted to discuss how her husband spoke down to their child for crying. A few days after the assault, Logan went with her child to a women s safe shelter and eventually filed for a divorce, she said.
8 The Department of Defense (DoD) has celebrated the Month of the Military Child every April since 1986 to highlight the resilience and resourcefulness of military kids in the face of significant stressors.
In the spirit of the month, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) hosted a virtual “Military Child Health Research Symposium” April 26 to bring together key DoD leaders, experts in pediatrics and child mental health and wellness, and representatives from military child advocacy organizations.
“As a pediatrician and someone who takes part in and leads military research programs, I think it s really important to hear the voice of the people that we are intended to serve,” said Army Col. (Dr.) Patrick Hickey, USU’s Department of Pediatrics Chair and moderator for the event. “I really appreciate everyone coming together today to share their perspectives as people passionate about the welfare of military children, and to inform u
Family policy appointee will bring more military family voices to DoD, including her own 4 hours ago Patricia Barron, pictured here with Elmo and Rosita, was on the advisory committee for Sesame Workshop s programs to support military families. (Courtesy of Patricia Barron) Long before Patricia Barron was sworn in as head of military community and family policy at the Defense Department, she was well aware of persistent challenges for military families. She’s lived the life. During her husband’s 30-year Army career, they made 14 permanent change of station moves, and she has nursing licenses from seven states. The most lasting impact was the effect their military experience had on their three children, she said. “I recognize how hard it was for them. It affected my oldest child the most. I am very sensitive to the challenges of PCS moves and starting all over again,” said Barron, in a recent interview with Military Times.