The coalition known as Face the Fight, which aims to cut the veteran suicide rate in half by 2030, celebrated its first anniversary, according to an article by KEYE TV CBS Austin [d77c046e]. The coalition has grown to over 175 members, including nonprofits and corporations, and has awarded millions of dollars in grants to help veterans. They plan to award $17.5 million in grants this year and aim to screen over 3 million veterans for suicide risk. Face the Fight has partnered with government entities such as the VA, the Defense Department, and the CDC. They have provided $41 million in seed money and have received pledges of $85 million through 2027. They also hope to secure an additional $50 million in commitments to their charitable fund this year. The coalition is focused on supporting nonprofits that serve the veteran and military communities and increasing support for diverse and underserved veteran populations [d77c046e].
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made historic commitments to hire and support military spouses, according to an article by The American Legion [3f09a3f0]. The VA has signed the 4+1 Commitment, a partnership between government and private employers developed by Blue Star Families, Hiring Our Heroes, and the Department of Defense's Military Spouse Employment Partnership. This commitment is part of President Biden's Executive Order 14100, which aims to address unemployment for military-connected spouses in the federal workforce.
As part of the commitment, the VA has agreed to adopt four military spouse employment policies. These policies include facilitating job transferability, offering remote or telework options, providing flexible work hours, and granting paid or permissive Permanent Change of Station (PCS) leave. The VA will also extend Leave Without Pay status to military spouses whose active-duty military members receive PCS orders.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough emphasized the importance of hiring and supporting military spouses, stating that it is crucial to building the strongest possible workforce to serve the nation's heroes [3f09a3f0].
Task Force Movement, an American Legion-supported presidential task force, is making progress in its mission to fast-track veterans, transitioning military personnel, and their spouses into careers of need in the U.S. economy. The task force, initially focused on helping veterans obtain commercial driver's licenses and enter the trucking industry, has expanded to address critical shortages in cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, and maritime shipping. Task Force Movement has secured scholarships and funding for CDL training programs, collaborated with industry leaders, and is now working on developing pre-apprenticeship opportunities in aviation and breaking down barriers to employment in the maritime industry. The task force has also established its first state-based program in Illinois, focusing on putting veterans to work in medical fields. Task Force Movement is praised for its ability to connect diverse stakeholders and navigate different languages within universities, corporations, and organizations. The American Legion supports the task force to address high unemployment and underemployment rates among veterans.
The VA's commitments to hire and support military spouses align with the efforts of Task Force Movement, which aims to address high unemployment and underemployment rates among veterans and their spouses. By expanding its focus beyond the trucking industry, Task Force Movement is working to connect veterans and transitioning military personnel with career opportunities in critical sectors such as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, and maritime shipping. The task force has secured scholarships and funding for CDL training programs and is now developing pre-apprenticeship opportunities in aviation. Additionally, Task Force Movement has established a state-based program in Illinois to help veterans find employment in medical fields. The American Legion commends the task force for its collaborative approach and its efforts to break down barriers to employment for veterans and military spouses [078c646b].