- All Army Child and Youth Services programs are certified to operate by the Department of Defense.
- The Army’s nationally accredited Child Development Centers offer on post part-day, full-day and hourly child care, along with extended duty care. Our School-Age Centers are also nationally accredited and offer before-and after-school programs, weekend activities and summer and seasonal camps typically during winter and spring breaks.
- To offer high quality in-home care – and to support a Family’s individual needs for care outside of the typical duty day – the Army has worked to recruit and retain Family child care providers and has increased compensation for direct-care staff.
- The Army has expanded the number of Family Child Care providers to reduce child care waitlists and offer additional opportunities for military spouse employment.
- School liaison officers are available at each installation to assist amilies with school transitions and ensure children enter school ready to learn.
- The Civilian Employee Assignment Tool allows non-appropriated employees to voluntarily request a non-competitive transfer to another Army installation where the same position may be available.
- The Army conducted virtual education pilots at two locations to improve access to advanced placement classes, foreign language, and trade skills opportunities.
- In 2022, the Army launched Enterprise EFMP, or E-EFMP, solution. E-EFMP improved enrollment and overseas Family Member Travel Screening actions, transparency, assignment inquiry and Family support access for EFMP Families.
- The Army established a centralized office to oversee the EFMP. The office ensures consistent application and processes to improve the program.
- The Army increased the number of EFMP Family Support System Navigators to support Families. The goal is one system navigator per 250 Soldiers.
Financial Readiness and Economic Security
- The Army incorporated financial well-being and readiness assessments to raise commanders’ and personnel’s awareness of financial readiness tools and resources.
- The Army incorporated financial readiness training as part of Future Soldier training, which included a comprehensive guide, videos, and handouts to help recruits make informed decisions about personal finances, education and benefits.
- Financial Frontline, a self-service website that provides financial literacy, tools and resources, and access to vetted resources, was deployed to support Soldiers and their Families.
- Service members and their families deserve high quality mental health care that should be accessible from anywhere. Telemynd has built a national network of therapists and prescribers who provide TRICARE-covered mental health services via secure video chat so Service members, Families, and beneficiaries can get the care they need from wherever they are. Connect to high-quality providers, virtually. Request a Telemynd appointment or call 1-888-991-2103.
- Through annual reporting of key indicators that impact readiness and Soldier wellbeing, Health of the Force improves awareness and understanding of the health status of the Army. Results are communicated through an online digital platform and traditional reports. The Health of the Force suite of products gives leaders tools to advance programs and strategies that improve performance and reduce illness and injury.
- Army family members play a key role in the readiness and retention of our fighting force. The Health of the Army Family initiative aims to better understand the health needs and concerns of Army Families and take action to keep the Army strong. The 2021 Health of the Army Family Report is the inaugural annual report which includes a collection of findings from data and literature reviews on Army families as they transition through the military life cycle.
- The Army Wellness Centers are an actionable platform delivering evidence based programs that improve individual and unit performance and readiness, utilizing advanced testing technology to provide immediate feedback to improve Soldier readiness delivered by highly trained health & human performance professionals. AWCs provide programs and services that improve and sustain health, performance, and readiness of the Total Army delivered by highly trained professionals.
- Army privatized, government-owned and government-leased housing tenants can rate their satisfaction with services, property, and the overall housing experience through the annual Army Housing Tenant Satisfaction Survey. Feedback from the confidential, online survey is critical to shaping future housing initiatives and services provided by the Army.
- U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) established a Housing Environmental Health Response Registry to address Army Family concerns about Army Family housing and related health issues.
- The Army is investing on average a billion dollars a year to renovate and build new barracks and Army-owned housing, while private housing companies are investing over $3 billion over the next five years into privatized Family housing on installations.
- The Army plans to renovate or replace more than 1,200 barracks over a ten-year period. Installation leadership has completed 100% inspections of barracks; stood up 24/7 barracks maintenance hotlines; and launched phone apps to track work orders at every installation.
- The Army has fully implemented the Tenant Bill of Rights to further protect Soldiers and Families from any unfair practices and has also outlined important Tenant Responsibilities for those residing in privatized housing.
- The Army has instituted new oversight procedures to monitor living conditions and ensure prompt and effective maintenance needs and overall service quality.
- Army housing officials clearly explain tenants’ rights in a plain-language brief given to every new tenant at lease signing and again at the 30-day mark.
- The Army established 24-7 hotlines, launched Army Housing Online User Services mobile app available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store with information on Army housing (Family, unaccompanied and off-post), and holds quarterly town hall meetings at every installation. For more housing information at each installation, visit the Army Housing Online User Services website.
- Residents living in barracks or government-owned Family housing can file and track maintenance orders via smartphone using the Army Maintenance Application, or ArMA. Users may register for access at ArmyMaintenance.com.
- The Army and the DOD collaborated to establish a new policy that supports the challenges of remote and isolated installations. The new policy, Assessing and Managing Challenges Associated with Providing Critical Services at Remote and Isolated Military Installations, was published May 30, 2024 and assigns responsibilities and provides procedures for assessing and managing challenges associated with providing critical support services at remote and isolated military installations.
- The Army increased reimbursement for personally procured moves (PPMs) to 100% of the estimated cost the government would pay a moving company as well as fuel surcharges or allowances for bulky items like motorcycles or hot-tubs. This provides Soldiers and civilians more scheduling flexibility and an option to avoid contact with outside agencies. Note: funded orders and weight tickets are required.
- To enable better forecasting and scheduling, the Army now requires PCS orders to be provided 120 days before report dates.
- During a PCS move, Soldiers can claim per diem allowance for meals and incidentals up to seven days without receipts. If pickups or deliveries are missed during a PCS move, Soldiers may claim per diem allowance for meals and incidentals up to seven days without receipts. DPMO Inconvenience Claims Fact Sheet
- The claim notification deadline has been increased from 75 to 180 days after delivery to identify any loss or damage, with the choice to repair or receive full repair costs.
- Moving companies are being held accountable for their services. The Army posts moving company customer satisfaction survey scores on the Defense Personal Property System customer page. Soldiers and civilians will receive survey invitations via text or email and can complete the survey online. Survey responses provide valuable feedback on both government and industry services that we use to improve processes and maintain accountability.
- Home-based businesses are an important contributor to Army Family quality of life - new changes to procedures have made it easier and quicker to gain approval to operate an on-post home-based business.
- The Army has simplified the application process for Soldier spouses to apply for reimbursement of up to $1,000 for professional license/certification in a new state after a permanent change of station. Learn more at Military Spouse Interstate License Recognition Options.
- The Non-Appropriated (NAF) Civilian Employment Assignment Tool enables many current NAF employees to voluntarily request a non-competitive transfer to another Army installation where the same position may be available.
- The new Enterprise Exceptional Family Member Program digital platform (E-EFMP) features online enrollment and simplifies coordination for Army families with special needs to help smooth transitions during PCS moves.
- Army Legal Assistance Offices now provide EFMP families with legal counseling on a variety of topics, including estate planning, tenants’ rights, and family and special education law.
- The Army Vantage Data Analytics Platform allows leaders to track Soldiers’ progress in completing required financial education training.
- The Army has made significant infrastructure improvements and invested in tailored programs, services and facilities for Soldiers and families with U.S. Army Alaska; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Irwin, California; and Fort Polk, Louisiana.
- The “Option 20” accessions program allows new Soldiers to select Alaska as their first duty station.
