Blue Star Families

Join us for careers in telehealth with TeleMynd! We're thrilled to welcome back Telemynd, one of our original partners and proud signatories of the 4+1 commitment. Are you a military spouse or veteran seeking a remote, flexible career that adapts to your lifestyle? Join Blue Star Careers and TeleMynd for a live webinar exploring portable career opportunities in telehealth and mental health services. Karen Dexter, Esq., LICSW (she/her/hers) Sr. Director of Risk & Compliance at Telemynd. Karen will lead the discussion and share the latest updates. Learn how to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a career that moves with you—whether you're transitioning, relocating, or starting a new journey. Discover the future of remote mental health careers! Don't miss out—join the Neighborhood and share your thoughts in the comments! #RemoteCareers #MentalHealthJobs #TeleMynd #Remote #BlueStarCareers #MilitarySpouseCareers #MilitarySpouses #VeteranEmployment #BSFCareers #BSFSpouseforce

Blue Star Chapters are there for military families every step of the way to provide virtual and in-person support in the form of exclusive events and resources, and our Chapters Team continues to grow! We are pleased to announce that Daniela Hines, M.Ed. is moving over to our Chapters team to serve as Senior Manager, Chapter & Outpost Events. In this new role, Daniela will manage and execute logistical aspects of Chapter-level events, and work with executive directors on all aspects of event stewardship. Prior to this role, Daniela served as Manager, Brand Marketing. Congratulations, Daniela! Kathy Roth-Douquet Noeleen Tillman Lindsay Knight, PhD Brian Whiting Vin Duncan Douglas Rozman Meredith Terrian Ryan Callahan Sheila Stevens Tosombra "Tai" Kimes Sabrina Huda

What an Incredible Night at the Emmys! We are immensely proud to have been nominated for two Emmy Awards: 🎥 Public Service Announcement – Campaign: Combat the Silence 🎥 Public Service Announcement – Single Spot: Couples Therapy And we’re thrilled to announce that we won PSA – Campaign: Combat the Silence! 🎉 While awards recognize achievements, our true mission remains the same — amplifying the voices of military families and raising awareness for mental health. A huge thank you to our team, partners, and supporters who made this possible. This recognition fuels our commitment to storytelling and advocacy for those who serve. 💙 Check out the winners here: https://bit.ly/41i7rZd #Emmys #MilitaryFamilies Kathy Roth-Douquet Vicky Perkins Lindsay Knight, PhD Ryan Callahan Kali Hoffman Mark Harper

Big news for military families! A huge thank you to Rep. Don Bacon for working with The White House to protect military spouses’ jobs — a critical step in strengthening the All-Volunteer Force. Blue Star Families has heard overwhelmingly how much this decision heartens military families, providing the stability they need to support the mission. Military spouse employment is not just about financial security — it’s about strengthening our force, supporting our service members, and reinforcing the resilience of our military families. We are grateful for the Administration’s recognition that strong military families build a stronger America. And we have long appreciated Congressman Don Bacon’s unwavering commitment to the quality of life for military families. Thanks for having our backs! Read more: ⬇️ 🔗 https://bit.ly/4gBG152 #MilitarySpouseEmployment #BlueStarFamilies

Outdoor Explorers for All is back! This season, we’re empowering military families with the skills & confidence to embark on their own camping adventures! 🔹 Hands-on outdoor events (campfire safety, stargazing & more!) 🔹 Guidance from National Park Rangers 🔹 FREE camping gear for participating families The program runs April–July, with Saturday events + a final independent overnight campout! Spots are limited! Apply by March 1st: https://bit.ly/3Eyq0zl #OutdoorExplorersForAll #MilitaryFamilies

Sometimes, the best way to support a military spouse and their family is by providing the opportunity to connect with their community over a cup of good coffee. Blue Star Families Chapters' Coffee Connects offer a welcoming space where military families can share experiences, offer support, and build lasting friendships. Thanks to the generosity of outside organizations, these events continue to thrive and provide much-needed connection. A special thank you to First Command Financial Services, Inc. for doing their part with a $10,000 donation to the Baltimore Chapter, which will fund Coffee Connects through 2025! Your support is helping create lasting connections for our military families. #DoYourPart is made possible by the generous support of Craig Newmark and Craig Newmark Philanthropies. Kathy Roth-Douquet Brian Whiting Vin Duncan Lindsay Knight, PhD Ryan Callahan Douglas Rozman Meredith Terrian Sabrina Huda Yolanda (Outing) Rayford Julie Ferns

Blue Star Families is expanding our team to reach even more military- and Veteran-connected families. We are pleased to announce that Alexandra Bitonti joins us as Senior Manager, Event Stewardship and Protocol. Alexandra brings a wealth of experience in the military and government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors and is a Certified Protocol Officer from The Protocol School of Washington. Congratulations and welcome, Alexandra! Kathy Roth-Douquet Noeleen T. Lindsay Knight, PhD Brian Whiting Vin Duncan Douglas Rozman Meredith Terrian Ryan Callahan

Our new Blue Star Families Outposts bring a fresh approach to bringing support, connection, and resources directly to military families! Outposts are more than just physical locations. They represent collaborations with local organizations, creating hubs where military and community life intersect. They offer fun events, support groups, and resources tailored to your area to help you feel at home no matter where you are. Why? Because we understand that your community matters, and having a strong support system can make all the difference. Together, we're building bridges, sharing stories, and doing our part to ensure that no matter where you’re stationed, you're never alone. Discover our newest Outpost locations, and apply to become an Outpost: #DoYourPart is made possible by the generous support of Craig Newmark and Craig Newmark Philanthropies. Kathy Roth-Douquet Noeleen Tillman Brian Whiting Vin Duncan Lindsay Knight, PhD Ryan Callahan Douglas Rozman

One Week Later: What We Learned From the 2024 Military Family Lifestyle Survey It’s been a week since we shared the latest findings from the #MFLS, and the conversation is far from over. The data makes one thing clear: military and Veteran families continue to face real challenges — and we need real solutions. Key Takeaways: 📉 Fewer Families Recommending Military Service The percentage of active-duty families who would recommend military service has dropped to just 32% — a steep decline from 55% in 2016. 💼 Military Spouse Employment Remains the #1 Issue For the eighth year in a row, employment remains the top concern for active-duty spouses. Frequent moves, childcare challenges, and lack of career opportunities continue to create barriers. 🏠 Financial Strain & Housing Costs 1 in 6 active-duty families experience food insecurity — 1 in 4 among enlisted families. More than half (54%) of active-duty families don’t know about the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA), and only 3% have applied. 🛑 Childcare Access is Still a Challenge Only 20% of families in need of care use Child Development Centers, and just 5% use Family Child Care homes. The lack of affordable, accessible childcare limits military spouses’ ability to work. This is more than just data — it’s a call to action. We’re committed to ensuring military and Veteran families have the resources they need to thrive. But we can’t do it alone. Join us in advocating for meaningful change. 🔗 Read the full report: https://bit.ly/42BPsOC #MilitaryFamilies #DataDrivenChange #BlueStarFamilies USAA, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Macy's, AARP, BAE Systems, Inc., Craig Newmark Philanthropies, CSX, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, McGovern Foundation , Institute for Veterans and Military Families - IVMF

Innovative careers in Manufacturing 💙 us - Blue Star Careers Welcome to the Manufacturing Institute, where Heroes MAKE America. Join our live career discussion with Rachelle Wolford, Director of Program Operations at the Manufacturing Institute. She leads the Heroes MAKE America Career Skills Program and helps build a competitive manufacturing workforce. Please bring your questions and join our community! The Manufacturing Institute (MI) helps build a manufacturing workforce prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. The MI drives opportunity, community prosperity, and industry competitiveness through innovative programs, industry collaboration, and research.