The results of the latest annual Blue Star Families Military Lifestyle Survey are out, shedding light on the experiences and top concerns for active-duty and veteran family members. A researcher shares specific findings on the health and wellbeing of military spouses and children at a time when many are still reeling from the ripple effects of the pandemic. Plus, what these findings mean for the special education community in particular.

Host: Jennifer Barnhill, Partners in PROMISEGuest: Janessa Schilmoeller, Secure Families Initiative

Military-affiliated voters across political parties have lost confidence in the American electoral process, and many have questions about whether their votes actually count. A researcher shares the latest findings of the Secure Families Initiative’s voting participation survey and discusses why misinformation – and even disinformation – may be at play. 

 

“Over 50 percent – so, I think almost 53 percent of respondents – said that they had experienced barriers or challenges to voting.”

 

Learn more about:

The Secure Families Initiative voting participation survey results

Military Vote Coalition Facebook Live Q&A with the Federal Voter Assistance Program (FVAP)

Federal Voter Assistance Program website

Custom election reminders for your state

How to get involved with the Secure Families Initiative

Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This podcast season, "We Love Data, But Stories Complete Us," aims to highlight the great work organizations have conducted to develop data-informed solutions and real stories leading to change. The podcast is hosted by Jennifer Barnhill with music by Stephen McDonough.

 

Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: [email protected] 

 

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Host: Jennifer Barnhill, Partners in PROMISEGuests: Jennifer Akin, Blue Star FamiliesRosalinda Vasquez Maury, Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University

A new survey explores the experiences of military families of color and how they compare to those of their white peers. Researchers dig into the data, as well as personal anecdotes shared in the study. 

 

“What’s a little bit unique here in this study is that we were really focusing on the military families of color. And when we looked at their earning differences, we found that black military spouses earn about 54 percent less than the total, and Hispanic/Latino military spouses earn about 66 percent less than the total. I mean – those are really almost double digits and significantly greater impacts for sure, compared to their relative peers.”

 

Learn more about:

Blue Star Families research on military families of color

Blue Star Families Racial Equity Initiative

 

Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This podcast season, "We Love Data, But Stories Complete Us," aims to highlight the great work organizations have conducted to develop data-informed solutions and real stories leading to change. Music by Stephen McDonough.

 

Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: [email protected] 

 

Or follow us:

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thepromiseact.org

Host: Jennifer Barnhill, Partners in PROMISEGuests: Michelle Norman and Mary Monrose, Partners in PROMISE

 

Military families continue to have trouble accessing help for their children with special needs, according to the latest special education survey from Partners in PROMISE. On this episode, representatives from the organization share details of the latest findings, including some alarming statistics about the barriers military families are facing. Plus, recommendations for how to combat these challenges.

 

“When you go from state to state traveling with your IEP, it is absolutely true that every state is different. Every state has different laws. So, that is something that everyone needs to know. And it’s frustrating for us because as the parents, we are starting over everywhere — every time we move.”

 

Learn more about:

2021 Military Special Education Survey findings

Register for the Easter Seals Webinar

Listen to Shine Sis, a podcast hosted by military spouses Mary Monrose and Candus Griffin helping like-minded women find their purpose in life through encouragement and shared experiences.

Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). Music by Stephen McDonough.

 

Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: [email protected] 

 

Or follow us:

Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE

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Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1

thepromiseact.org

Guests: Callie Meredith and Sarah Curtis, military spouses

 

The term “dependa” has long been used as a derogatory slur for military spouses. Two new military spouses share their experiences with the stigma and stereotype and how they believe leadership can help change public perception of how military spouses are viewed. 

 

“It’s so outdated — what a military spouse is, the definition, what a spouse’s role looks like. It’s not modernized to what we do now as spouses, or what we can do now as spouses.”  -Callie Meredith

 

Learn more about:

Callie’s podcast, “Call to Marriage”

Sarah’s blog, “A Military Wife’s Life” and Etsy shop

The book "Campfollowing: A History of the Military Wife"

How the military can improve communication

The military’s Interactive Customer Evaluations or “ICE” Comments

Jennifer’s War Horse feature about how we can modernize the military spouse support system

 

Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). Music by Stephen McDonough.

 

Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: [email protected] 

 

Or follow us:

Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE

Instagram - @partnersinpromise

Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1

thepromiseact.org

Guest: Dr. Tom Galvin, U.S. Army War College assistant professor of resource management

 

What does organizational change have to do with stigma? A professor and researcher discusses how top-down, bottom-up and innovative change within organizations such as the military can help to combat various types of stigma within the ranks. 

 

“If we’re talking about stigma, we’re talking potentially about, say for example, the chain of command. Somebody in the chain of command who is treating soldiers differently — or the perception that the chain of command is treating soldiers differently — because those soldiers who do not have EFMP are in some way preferred over those that do.”

 

Learn more about:

Dr. Galvin’s research

The “Talking About Organizations” podcast

 

Please note that ​the views expressed by Dr. Galvin are his alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

 

Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.

 

Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: [email protected] 

 

Or follow us:

Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE

Instagram - @partnersinpromise

Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1

thepromiseact.org

Guest: Retired U.S. Air Force Col. DeDe Halfhill

 

A retired colonel, who is described by bestselling author Dr. Brené Brown as a leadership hero and “a total badass,” talks about her work as a military leader and “Dare to Lead” facilitator, sharing examples of how she has helped people identify emotions and combat feelings of shame and stigma.

 

“I think the first thing we have to do is we have to get really comfortable with identifying it, right? Not just brushing those shame experiences, those shame feelings, that feeling of stigma under the rug. We have to start bringing it into the light.”

 

Learn more about:

Dr. Brené Brown’s books, “Dare to Lead” and “The Gifts of Imperfection,” and her audio program, “The Power of Vulnerability”

Dr. Susan David’s work on emotional agility

DeDe’s current read, “What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing,” by Oprah and Dr. Bruce Perry

Snoop Dogg’s speech thanking himself

Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.

 

Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: [email protected] 

 

Or follow us:

Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE

Instagram - @partnersinpromise

Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1

thepromiseact.org

Guest: Jillian Johnson, Air Force spouse

An Air Force spouse shares her story of coming out as pansexual and how the stigma of being part of the LGBTQIA+ community has impacted her military relationships. She also gives practical advice for supporting someone who comes out as LBGTQ+.

“A lot of time when people learn this about me, especially in the military community, they’re kind of shocked. There still is a stigma surrounding being LGBTQIA+, especially as a military spouse, and it’s something I kind of want to bring awareness to.”

Learn more about:

Jillian’s story in The Huffington Post 

The Trevor Project’s efforts to prevent suicide among LGBTQ youth

The Modern Military Association of America

What the LGBTQIA+ acronym stands for 

Why labels matter in episode 2 of “Disruptive Storytelling”

 

Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.

 

Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: [email protected] 

 

Or follow us:

Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE

Instagram - @partnersinpromise

Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1

thepromiseact.org

Guest: Retired U.S. Army Maj. General Gregg Martin

 

A retired Army general shares his story of what it was like to experience bouts of mania and depression while on active duty — symptoms that would eventually lead to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. He shares details about how the mental health condition affected his career and what he’s doing now to ensure others don’t encounter the same barriers to getting help or feeling the stigma as he did.

 

“Bipolar — I never wanted it, but it wanted me. And it’s never going to leave. It’s always a part of me, and it’s my job to be vigilant and keep it at bay because if you let your guard down, it can come roaring back and take you down again.”

 

Learn more about:

Gen. Martin’s work to “stop the stigma”

His story in Task & Purpose, Military Times & Florida Today

David Woods Bartley’s Ted Talk

Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.

 

Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: [email protected] 

 

Or follow us:

Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE

Instagram - @partnersinpromise

Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1

thepromiseact.org

Guest: Jusika Martinez, Air Force spouse

 

A military spouse and mother shares how her family dealt with the aftermath of her young daughter’s alleged* sexual assault on a military base. The trauma still haunts their family two years later. Jusika also shares the actions she’s taking today so that other military families don’t have to endure the same experiences.

 

“My key takeaway is that the military didn’t believe us. ... To hear them invalidate it and also just kind of brush it to the side is what really has impacted this whole journey. And I think that that’s my one takeaway is that that is one place that we need to get better at.”

 

*cases of assault are considered “alleged” until the guilty party is convicted.

 

Learn more about:

Jusika’s work with Operation Addi

Child sexual abuse statistics

The Defense Department’s Special Victims’ Counsel

 

Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.

 

Follow us:

Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE

Instagram - @partnersinpromise

Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1

thepromiseact.org