WEBVTT 00:00.740 --> 00:03.160 Hello , I'm Secretary of Defense Mark 00:03.160 --> 00:05.580 Esper , and it's an honor to join you 00:05.590 --> 00:07.757 for this year's Military Family Caucus 00:07.757 --> 00:10.490 summit . Thank you to your founders and 00:10.490 --> 00:12.900 co chairs Congresswoman Cathy McMorris 00:12.900 --> 00:15.400 Rodgers and Congressman Sanford Bishop 00:15.480 --> 00:18.500 for hosting this important event . For 00:18.500 --> 00:20.722 more than a decade , you have supported 00:20.722 --> 00:22.889 our service members and their families 00:22.889 --> 00:24.833 by calling attention to the unique 00:24.833 --> 00:26.889 challenges they face and effectively 00:26.889 --> 00:28.778 advocating on their behalf . As a 00:28.778 --> 00:30.889 former active duty soldier , National 00:30.889 --> 00:32.960 Guardsmen and Army reservist , I am 00:32.960 --> 00:34.904 familiar with those challenges and 00:34.904 --> 00:37.016 recognized the impact of our military 00:37.016 --> 00:39.238 families well being on the readiness of 00:39.238 --> 00:41.290 the force . During my travels , I 00:41.290 --> 00:43.179 regularly meet with our uniformed 00:43.179 --> 00:45.234 personnel and their families to hear 00:45.234 --> 00:47.401 their concerns and make changes across 00:47.401 --> 00:49.512 the enterprise , which is critical as 00:49.512 --> 00:51.623 we adapt the force to an increasingly 00:51.623 --> 00:54.070 complex security environment . The 00:54.070 --> 00:56.181 national defense strategy states that 00:56.181 --> 00:58.126 we're now in an era of great power 00:58.126 --> 01:00.181 competition and that we must advance 01:00.181 --> 01:02.181 along three lines of effort to stay 01:02.181 --> 01:04.403 ahead of our near pier rivals China and 01:04.403 --> 01:06.459 Russia . When I became secretary , I 01:06.459 --> 01:08.292 added 1/4 priority , one that is 01:08.292 --> 01:10.292 personal to me , taking care of our 01:10.292 --> 01:12.459 service members and their families our 01:12.459 --> 01:14.900 most precious resource . These men and 01:14.900 --> 01:17.160 women serve our great nation everyday , 01:17.340 --> 01:19.618 bearing the burden of long deployments , 01:19.618 --> 01:21.562 short notice , permanent change of 01:21.562 --> 01:23.896 station moves and many other challenges . 01:23.940 --> 01:26.200 We , in turn , must do our utmost to 01:26.200 --> 01:28.367 improve their quality of life and give 01:28.367 --> 01:30.256 them the support they need and so 01:30.256 --> 01:33.750 rightfully deserve . This is especially 01:33.750 --> 01:36.280 true during the global pandemic , which 01:36.280 --> 01:37.947 has created new and different 01:37.947 --> 01:40.169 challenges for our people . In light of 01:40.169 --> 01:42.169 the theme for this event , military 01:42.169 --> 01:44.113 families in the time of co vid , I 01:44.113 --> 01:46.336 appreciate the opportunity to share our 01:46.336 --> 01:48.447 overarching efforts in support of our 01:48.447 --> 01:50.447 uniformed personnel and their loved 01:50.447 --> 01:52.669 ones . From the beginning of the covert 01:52.669 --> 01:54.724 outbreak going back to January , the 01:54.724 --> 01:56.836 Department of Defense has been all in 01:56.836 --> 01:58.724 on the nation's fight against the 01:58.724 --> 02:00.613 coronavirus , working along three 02:00.613 --> 02:03.070 parties , first protecting our service 02:03.070 --> 02:05.540 members , Dia de personnel and their 02:05.540 --> 02:09.180 families . Second , maintaining our 02:09.180 --> 02:11.347 national security mission capabilities 02:12.040 --> 02:14.050 and third , supporting the whole of 02:14.050 --> 02:16.161 government response to the pandemic . 02:16.940 --> 02:19.107 The department reacted quickly to stem 02:19.107 --> 02:21.329 the spread of the virus in our ranks to 02:21.329 --> 02:23.551 include suspending international travel 02:23.551 --> 02:25.773 and later transitioning to a conditions 02:25.773 --> 02:27.940 based phased approach for the movement 02:27.940 --> 02:29.996 of our units and personnel . We also 02:29.996 --> 02:32.051 ensured that our commanders have the 02:32.051 --> 02:34.162 authorities and resource is necessary 02:34.162 --> 02:36.384 to balance force health protection with 02:36.384 --> 02:38.162 mission readiness and published 02:38.162 --> 02:40.329 guidance on topics ranging from travel 02:40.329 --> 02:42.051 and tele work to childcare and 02:42.051 --> 02:43.940 healthcare . Keeping pace with an 02:43.940 --> 02:46.107 unpredictable and evolving situation . 02:46.840 --> 02:49.420 We're now on our 13th update tow our 02:49.420 --> 02:51.364 force health protection guidelines 02:51.364 --> 02:53.531 since late January , which has kept us 02:53.531 --> 02:55.940 current with CDC guidance . We 02:55.940 --> 02:57.940 designated commissaries and support 02:57.940 --> 03:00.162 facilities as mission essential so that 03:00.162 --> 03:02.273 they could remain open throughout the 03:02.273 --> 03:04.384 pandemic . And as part of our shift , 03:04.384 --> 03:06.496 the telehealth we instituted curbside 03:06.496 --> 03:09.360 pickup ah pharmacy prescriptions . We 03:09.360 --> 03:11.082 also provided a framework with 03:11.082 --> 03:13.304 graduated levels of protection measures 03:13.304 --> 03:15.527 known as health protection conditions , 03:15.527 --> 03:17.749 allying installation commanders to flex 03:17.749 --> 03:19.916 the response measures to circumstances 03:19.916 --> 03:22.450 in their area . Meanwhile , the 03:22.450 --> 03:24.061 department expanded telework 03:24.061 --> 03:25.950 opportunities for active duty and 03:25.950 --> 03:28.061 reserve component members to mitigate 03:28.061 --> 03:30.117 risks associated with the virus . We 03:30.117 --> 03:32.283 have also allowed our men and women in 03:32.283 --> 03:34.339 uniform to accrue upto 120 days ah , 03:34.339 --> 03:36.550 special leave in the fiscal year 2021 03:36.940 --> 03:39.162 and are working tirelessly to provide a 03:39.162 --> 03:40.829 safe learning environment for 03:40.829 --> 03:42.940 dependence as they return to school , 03:42.940 --> 03:44.884 including through virtual learning 03:45.840 --> 03:48.230 Moreover , more than 60,000 service 03:48.230 --> 03:50.397 members have worked on the front lines 03:50.397 --> 03:52.286 of our battle against the virus , 03:52.286 --> 03:54.341 putting themselves in harm's way and 03:54.341 --> 03:56.563 surging equipment and capabilities into 03:56.563 --> 03:59.040 hotspots across America . Today , 03:59.080 --> 04:01.024 thousands are still hard at work , 04:01.024 --> 04:03.024 including US part of operation warp 04:03.024 --> 04:05.136 speed to accelerate the development , 04:05.136 --> 04:06.913 manufacture and distribution of 04:06.913 --> 04:09.136 therapeutics and vaccines by the end of 04:09.136 --> 04:11.610 the year . I'm exceptionally proud of 04:11.610 --> 04:13.666 their efforts in support of American 04:13.666 --> 04:15.499 people , which has enabled us to 04:15.499 --> 04:17.332 maintain readiness , execute our 04:17.332 --> 04:19.443 mission and continue to implement the 04:19.443 --> 04:21.770 national defense strategy . The NDS 04:21.770 --> 04:24.103 recognizes the importance of recruiting , 04:24.103 --> 04:26.214 developing and retaining high quality 04:26.214 --> 04:28.214 service members for our warfighting 04:28.214 --> 04:30.670 success . To do so , we will continue 04:30.670 --> 04:32.850 to advocate for robust pay , better 04:32.850 --> 04:35.100 benefits packages and stronger support 04:35.130 --> 04:37.660 for their families . In 2020 for 04:37.660 --> 04:40.000 example , military basic pay increased 04:40.000 --> 04:43.180 by 3.1% the largest raise and more than 04:43.180 --> 04:45.236 a decade . Thanks to President Trump 04:45.236 --> 04:48.560 and the support of Congress . We are 04:48.570 --> 04:50.792 also working to help ease the burden of 04:50.792 --> 04:53.070 child care for our uniformed personnel . 04:53.140 --> 04:55.420 In February , for example , I directed 04:55.420 --> 04:57.587 a change in policy to give our service 04:57.587 --> 04:59.698 members priority access to child care 04:59.740 --> 05:01.890 and during the coronavirus pandemic . 05:01.900 --> 05:03.844 We have kept the majority of child 05:03.844 --> 05:05.950 development center programs open to 05:05.950 --> 05:08.283 serve our mission . Essential personnel . 05:08.340 --> 05:10.210 I'm now working to improve the 05:10.210 --> 05:12.350 availability of hourly childcare for 05:12.350 --> 05:15.300 our service members . The department 05:15.300 --> 05:17.411 has also placed special importance on 05:17.411 --> 05:19.356 the employment and licenser of our 05:19.356 --> 05:21.630 spouses . Many of you know well the 05:21.630 --> 05:23.519 difficulty of sustaining civilian 05:23.519 --> 05:25.686 careers , particularly when faced with 05:25.686 --> 05:27.741 moves every 2 to 3 years . My wife , 05:27.741 --> 05:29.074 Leah , went through the 06:27.240 --> 06:30.680 Yeah , Hi , everyone . It looks like 06:30.680 --> 06:33.020 we're having some technical issues with 06:33.020 --> 06:36.560 the video . Luckily , we have the 06:36.560 --> 06:39.090 undersecretary , Matt Donovan , here , 06:39.090 --> 06:41.980 so we'll go into that . Matt Donovan 06:41.980 --> 06:44.036 works directly with the secretary of 06:44.036 --> 06:46.091 defense . He's the undersecretary of 06:46.091 --> 06:48.202 defense for personnel and readiness . 06:48.202 --> 06:50.091 He's the principal advisor of the 06:50.091 --> 06:52.202 secretary of defense on items such as 06:52.202 --> 06:54.536 health affairs , education and training , 06:54.536 --> 06:56.424 morale and welfare . Well , where 06:56.424 --> 06:59.120 welfare and recreation , quality of 06:59.120 --> 07:01.390 life matters and much more . Until his 07:01.390 --> 07:03.612 most recent position , he served as the 07:03.612 --> 07:05.834 Under secretary of the Air Force and is 07:05.834 --> 07:08.001 acting secretary of the Air Force . He 07:08.001 --> 07:10.057 served 31 years in the Air Force and 07:10.057 --> 07:12.223 both enlisted in office Officer Active 07:12.223 --> 07:14.279 duty service Ah , command pilot with 07:14.279 --> 07:17.370 over 2900 hours of flight time on the F 07:17.370 --> 07:21.290 15 c and F five e . Secretary of 07:21.290 --> 07:23.401 Donovan . Thank you for participating 07:23.401 --> 07:25.512 in our event . And thank you for your 07:25.512 --> 07:27.679 long career of service to the military 07:27.679 --> 07:29.846 and the military families . We will go 07:29.846 --> 07:31.901 ahead and turn it over to you here . 07:34.740 --> 07:36.851 Well , thank you . Thank you for that 07:36.851 --> 07:39.018 introduction . And good morning . Uh , 07:39.018 --> 07:41.240 took co chairs Congresswoman McMorris , 07:41.240 --> 07:43.870 Rogers , Congressman bishop and members 07:43.870 --> 07:46.560 of the military family . Uh , caucus 07:46.740 --> 07:49.500 on Congresswoman , I don't know if you 07:49.500 --> 07:51.611 recall that you brought the for child 07:51.611 --> 07:53.833 civic leaders up to see me about a year 07:53.833 --> 07:55.889 and a half ago . So it's good to see 07:55.889 --> 07:58.056 you again today on behalf of Secretary 07:58.056 --> 08:00.130 Esper . Thank you for all you do for 08:00.130 --> 08:02.408 our service members and their families . 08:02.408 --> 08:04.463 And it's an honor to be here today . 08:04.463 --> 08:07.290 And as you just heard in the video at 08:07.290 --> 08:09.123 least the portion that you watch 08:09.123 --> 08:10.957 spouses and family members there 08:10.957 --> 08:12.901 certainly a priority for Secretary 08:12.901 --> 08:14.734 Asper . He mentioned some of the 08:14.734 --> 08:16.990 actions the department has taken as we 08:16.990 --> 08:19.420 navigate the cove . It pandemic and his 08:19.420 --> 08:21.420 priorities through all of this were 08:21.420 --> 08:24.270 very clear . Since day one in personnel 08:24.270 --> 08:26.437 and readiness were at the forefront of 08:26.437 --> 08:28.492 enabling , guiding and assessing the 08:28.492 --> 08:30.740 secretary's priorities . My role is to 08:30.740 --> 08:32.962 enhance the readiness of the Department 08:32.962 --> 08:34.940 of Defense and optimized personnel 08:34.940 --> 08:37.150 programs , training and education , 08:37.160 --> 08:39.360 world class health care , quality , 08:39.360 --> 08:41.990 family support , enforced resiliency 08:41.990 --> 08:44.212 through diversity , inclusion and equal 08:44.212 --> 08:46.850 opportunity . So we cover a whole lot 08:46.850 --> 08:49.072 of critical ground for our war fighters 08:49.072 --> 08:51.390 and their families . As the secretary 08:51.390 --> 08:53.612 mentioned , I signed out the very first 08:53.612 --> 08:55.668 force Health Protection Guidance for 08:55.668 --> 08:58.001 the Cove in 19 Pandemic on January 30th . 08:58.040 --> 09:00.207 Since that time , we've issued a total 09:00.207 --> 09:02.207 of 13 force health protection memos 09:02.207 --> 09:03.929 that address a range of issues 09:03.929 --> 09:06.151 impacting our force in their families . 09:06.240 --> 09:08.129 We have also delivered many other 09:08.129 --> 09:10.296 guidance documents ranging from travel 09:10.296 --> 09:12.296 restrictions toe how to safely open 09:12.296 --> 09:15.180 schools and childcare centers . Our 09:15.180 --> 09:17.347 Defense Health Agency and Tricare made 09:17.347 --> 09:19.120 several changes to expand and 09:19.120 --> 09:21.650 incentivized telehealth services to 09:21.650 --> 09:23.817 ensure beneficiaries receive necessary 09:23.817 --> 09:26.380 care , allowing licensed providers 09:26.380 --> 09:28.690 greater flexibility to provide services 09:28.690 --> 09:30.720 and other states , and waving all 09:30.720 --> 09:33.060 copays and cost shares for in network 09:33.060 --> 09:34.650 telehealth services for our 09:34.650 --> 09:37.500 beneficiaries . Our military health 09:37.500 --> 09:39.556 system also responded quickly to the 09:39.556 --> 09:41.778 pandemic by making significant research 09:41.778 --> 09:43.556 and development investments and 09:43.556 --> 09:46.160 vaccines , therapeutics and diagnostics . 09:47.240 --> 09:49.240 Another area within P and R that is 09:49.240 --> 09:51.530 absolutely critical is our educational 09:51.530 --> 09:54.470 systems . We operate 159 physical 09:54.470 --> 09:56.560 schools around the world , plus one 09:56.560 --> 09:59.720 global virtual virtual school with over 09:59.720 --> 10:02.670 12,000 students enrolled . After 10:02.670 --> 10:05.020 careful consideration , Dodea recently 10:05.020 --> 10:07.020 made the decision to return to full 10:07.020 --> 10:09.020 time physical school operations for 10:09.020 --> 10:11.430 students and staff as the optimal 10:11.430 --> 10:13.208 learning environment . Although 10:13.208 --> 10:15.263 depending on local conditions , many 10:15.263 --> 10:17.910 are operating remotely . Our family 10:17.910 --> 10:19.960 military resource is are especially 10:19.960 --> 10:22.310 critical during the pandemic . Our 10:22.310 --> 10:24.740 people our most important asset and it 10:24.740 --> 10:27.120 is our responsibility to ensure our 10:27.120 --> 10:29.270 service members , their families and 10:29.270 --> 10:31.381 our civilian workforce are taken care 10:31.381 --> 10:33.580 of and have access to the benefits to 10:33.580 --> 10:36.200 which they're entitled . Through our 10:36.200 --> 10:38.100 military One source website , we 10:38.100 --> 10:40.470 provide 24 7 support for service 10:40.470 --> 10:42.700 members and families around the globe . 10:42.710 --> 10:44.710 This includes our Office of Special 10:44.710 --> 10:46.877 Needs , collaborating closely with the 10:46.877 --> 10:49.120 military departments to facilitate a 10:49.120 --> 10:51.231 seamless experience for families with 10:51.231 --> 10:53.270 special needs , regardless of their 10:53.270 --> 10:56.540 location or PCs status . In fact , for 10:56.540 --> 10:58.818 our exceptional family member programs , 10:58.818 --> 11:01.030 we just launched a new e f , m e f , m 11:01.030 --> 11:03.910 P and me online tool through military 11:03.910 --> 11:06.210 one source and it's just this month we 11:06.210 --> 11:09.010 lost my military one source Mobile app , 11:09.020 --> 11:10.964 which is available for download on 11:10.964 --> 11:13.590 smartphones and tablets . This apple 11:13.590 --> 11:15.646 incorporate all of the features from 11:15.646 --> 11:17.900 the website uh , for military one 11:17.900 --> 11:19.900 source and will provide information 11:19.900 --> 11:21.900 support referrals at the touch of a 11:21.900 --> 11:24.380 button . The secretary and the entire 11:24.380 --> 11:26.047 Department of Defense have an 11:26.047 --> 11:28.269 unwavering commitment to taking care of 11:28.269 --> 11:30.436 our service members and their families 11:30.436 --> 11:32.380 and personnel . In writing us . We 11:32.380 --> 11:34.491 worked tirelessly toe lead the way in 11:34.491 --> 11:36.713 this effort and meet with the Secretary 11:36.713 --> 11:39.047 weekly toe . Update him on our progress . 11:39.047 --> 11:41.030 We understand how much our service 11:41.030 --> 11:43.086 members and their families rely on . 11:43.086 --> 11:45.308 The resource is we provide . So this is 11:45.308 --> 11:48.150 a no fail mission for us . Thank you 11:48.150 --> 11:50.206 again for your service and sacrifice 11:50.206 --> 11:52.372 for our nation , and I look forward to 11:52.372 --> 11:55.670 taking your questions . Mhm . 11:57.940 --> 12:00.100 Hi , this is Matthew again . We for 12:00.100 --> 12:01.822 this one . We did get some pre 12:01.822 --> 12:03.989 submitted questions . The first one up 12:03.989 --> 12:05.933 here is the February congressional 12:05.933 --> 12:08.420 hearing on E F . M . P . Highlighted 12:08.420 --> 12:10.531 significant issues impacting military 12:10.531 --> 12:12.142 families , including lack of 12:12.142 --> 12:14.087 responsiveness to multiple G A O . 12:14.087 --> 12:16.590 Reports . Thes issues have been 12:16.590 --> 12:18.701 systemic for a number of years . What 12:18.701 --> 12:20.868 is the Department of Defense and the D 12:20.868 --> 12:22.923 o d Office of Special Needs doing to 12:22.923 --> 12:24.812 fix the F M P programs across the 12:24.812 --> 12:28.260 services ? Well , as I , as I mentioned , 12:28.270 --> 12:32.250 we are sort of co locating everything 12:32.250 --> 12:35.540 in one place on our military , uh , one 12:35.540 --> 12:38.100 source website and application . That's 12:38.100 --> 12:41.180 one thing , uh , some of the challenges 12:41.180 --> 12:43.780 that we see are when people move from 12:43.780 --> 12:46.330 one location to another , they end up 12:46.340 --> 12:50.280 taking a long time for referral medical 12:50.280 --> 12:52.447 appointments for their special needs . 12:52.447 --> 12:54.880 Uh , family members . So we're making 12:54.880 --> 12:57.970 changes in Tricare where if you pass 12:57.970 --> 13:00.640 between regions of Tricare regions that 13:00.640 --> 13:03.240 your your referrals follow you now , 13:03.250 --> 13:05.472 and we'll be implementing that over the 13:05.472 --> 13:07.472 next couple of months . We also are 13:07.472 --> 13:10.340 taking the F . M P R specialists who 13:10.340 --> 13:13.480 work F M P programs and making sure 13:13.480 --> 13:16.780 that the losing installation has a warm 13:16.780 --> 13:19.390 handoff with the gaining installation 13:19.390 --> 13:21.860 and by warm handoff . That means direct 13:21.860 --> 13:24.960 contact between these caseworkers eso 13:24.960 --> 13:27.710 that they are fully aware and apprised 13:27.710 --> 13:30.390 of the situation of the incoming family 13:30.390 --> 13:33.680 member from the other location . And 13:33.690 --> 13:35.857 finally , one of the things that we're 13:35.857 --> 13:37.746 doing is making sure that we have 13:37.746 --> 13:39.579 standardized processes and forms 13:39.579 --> 13:41.620 between the services . Each service 13:41.630 --> 13:43.797 runs there if in peak program a little 13:43.797 --> 13:45.960 bit differently . So we're ensuring 13:45.960 --> 13:48.570 that we get standardized processes 13:48.570 --> 13:52.040 between so that we can make sure that , 13:52.050 --> 13:54.940 uh , that , uh , a service member 13:54.950 --> 13:58.020 moving from one location that's run by 13:58.020 --> 14:00.270 one service going to another location 14:00.270 --> 14:02.270 that's run by another service , for 14:02.270 --> 14:04.780 example , joint basis that that it's a 14:04.780 --> 14:06.780 seamless process for them when they 14:06.780 --> 14:09.610 transfer across . Uh , one of the 14:09.620 --> 14:13.070 advantages of our consolidation of our 14:13.070 --> 14:15.210 military medical treatment facilities 14:15.210 --> 14:17.321 under the Defense Health Agency helps 14:17.321 --> 14:19.321 us with that . Because then we have 14:19.321 --> 14:22.170 centralized control over those E f M p , 14:22.180 --> 14:25.240 uh , workers that that work in the F M 14:25.240 --> 14:29.240 P program . Thank you so 14:29.240 --> 14:32.030 much . Another question we have here is 14:32.040 --> 14:34.096 at the d . O d level . What are they 14:34.096 --> 14:36.318 doing to alleviate alleviate child care 14:36.318 --> 14:39.230 concerns for military families ? Well , 14:39.230 --> 14:41.174 as most folks were were especially 14:41.174 --> 14:45.020 during the during the pandemic Onda at 14:45.020 --> 14:47.131 the beginning of the pandemic , a lot 14:47.131 --> 14:49.360 of our childcare facilities closed 14:49.360 --> 14:51.610 until we learn more about the virus and 14:51.620 --> 14:54.230 and how to control . And then , as we 14:54.230 --> 14:57.070 got the Center for Disease Prevention 14:57.070 --> 15:00.240 and Control , um , guidelines , we were 15:00.240 --> 15:02.450 able to now open up most of the 15:02.450 --> 15:05.030 childcare centers . Now the childcare 15:05.030 --> 15:07.570 centers that are open are not fully 15:07.570 --> 15:09.700 open because they have capacity 15:09.710 --> 15:11.860 limitations now because of social 15:11.860 --> 15:14.470 distancing and , uh , and other 15:14.470 --> 15:17.300 requirements of CDC guidelines and , uh , 15:17.310 --> 15:20.350 disinfecting common areas , for example , 15:20.350 --> 15:23.660 at on periodic frequencies . 15:23.940 --> 15:27.000 Eso We know that this is , ah , 15:27.010 --> 15:28.860 challenge for a lot of our folks 15:29.040 --> 15:32.610 outside the gates in our 15:32.620 --> 15:34.990 installation areas , For example , a 15:34.990 --> 15:37.790 lot of the community childcare centers 15:37.790 --> 15:40.060 that are folks counted on closed down . 15:40.070 --> 15:43.150 And we've heard that because a lot of 15:43.150 --> 15:45.261 these air small businesses that up to 15:45.261 --> 15:48.270 40% of these childcare , um , 15:48.540 --> 15:51.570 businesses probably won't open again . 15:51.580 --> 15:54.510 So we know that there's a challenge of 15:54.520 --> 15:57.250 allowing folks that need to get the 15:57.250 --> 15:59.700 work to goto work . We're maximizing 15:59.700 --> 16:01.922 tele work for for those people that can 16:01.922 --> 16:04.640 do tele work , we're we've really 16:04.640 --> 16:07.970 advanced are electron ICS and I t 16:07.970 --> 16:10.060 infrastructure capability toe handle 16:10.060 --> 16:12.171 additional workload for teleworking , 16:12.171 --> 16:14.227 make sure people had computers , and 16:14.240 --> 16:16.280 and that sort of in from , uh , 16:16.290 --> 16:18.512 infrastructure to help them with that . 16:18.512 --> 16:21.440 And then finally , the services are 16:21.450 --> 16:23.660 looking at innovative ways of how we 16:23.660 --> 16:25.900 can increase childcare capacity , for 16:25.900 --> 16:28.770 example , in some locations were 16:28.780 --> 16:30.970 downtown schools that local school 16:30.970 --> 16:33.280 district's or have gone to a completely 16:33.280 --> 16:36.150 virtual environment . Now they have , 16:36.150 --> 16:38.317 ah , buildings with lots of classrooms 16:38.317 --> 16:41.000 that are that are available . And so 16:41.000 --> 16:44.050 we're looking at at leasing these types 16:44.050 --> 16:46.520 of facilities or maybe a child care 16:46.520 --> 16:49.280 center that is closed down and , uh , 16:49.280 --> 16:51.336 and then that using that as a way to 16:51.336 --> 16:53.447 expand our capacity . So the services 16:53.447 --> 16:55.530 and along with my folks and manpower 16:55.530 --> 16:57.641 and reserve affairs , they're working 16:57.641 --> 16:59.530 very hard . Thio . See how we can 16:59.530 --> 17:03.390 increase the capacity . Thank you 17:03.390 --> 17:05.550 for that . Another question we have 17:05.550 --> 17:07.772 here is can you help parents understand 17:07.772 --> 17:10.100 the military student identify her and 17:10.100 --> 17:13.040 how collecting data will help help 17:13.040 --> 17:16.590 Children in the future ? E . I think 17:16.590 --> 17:19.030 you're talking about the , uh , for a 17:19.030 --> 17:21.830 local school district's and and part of 17:21.830 --> 17:23.941 the law that was passed several years 17:23.941 --> 17:27.320 ago . Ah , lot of the school districts 17:27.320 --> 17:30.030 have thio collect information on folks 17:30.030 --> 17:32.030 for federal impact aid , and I know 17:32.030 --> 17:34.030 everybody is used to the forms that 17:34.030 --> 17:35.910 they relentlessly call you about 17:35.910 --> 17:38.021 filling out every year when your when 17:38.021 --> 17:40.021 your folks were in the local school 17:40.021 --> 17:42.243 district . This is associated with that 17:42.243 --> 17:45.220 where we can collect other data like 17:45.230 --> 17:47.397 student performance data and that sort 17:47.397 --> 17:49.563 of thing . And then that's fed back to 17:49.563 --> 17:52.380 us so that we can help with improving 17:52.380 --> 17:54.440 the situation in school through 17:54.450 --> 17:57.380 sometimes it through providing grants 17:57.380 --> 18:00.510 to school district . So our other help 18:00.510 --> 18:03.090 like that . It's important to note , 18:03.090 --> 18:05.580 though , that these this is anonymous 18:05.580 --> 18:08.970 information that's aggregated Andi and 18:08.970 --> 18:11.026 parents can decide whether they want 18:11.026 --> 18:13.820 their child identified by name on that . 18:13.820 --> 18:16.180 So I hope that helps . 18:19.240 --> 18:21.460 Yes , thank you so much . And the next 18:21.460 --> 18:23.940 one we have here is . Although D O . D . 18:23.940 --> 18:26.107 Sponsored committees currently exist , 18:26.107 --> 18:28.440 they examined military family readiness . 18:28.440 --> 18:30.496 These organizations did not actively 18:30.496 --> 18:30.410 publicize their meetings other than 18:30.410 --> 18:32.410 through the Federal Register . This 18:32.410 --> 18:34.521 makes it difficult for a new military 18:34.521 --> 18:36.688 family to participate . Additionally , 18:36.688 --> 18:38.743 while public comment is read , it is 18:38.743 --> 18:40.743 not commented on by those holding a 18:40.743 --> 18:42.799 seat on those councils . In order to 18:42.799 --> 18:44.854 help represent all military families 18:44.854 --> 18:47.077 with the d . O . D . Consider requiring 18:47.077 --> 18:46.810 D o . D organized committees to address 18:46.810 --> 18:49.990 these public comments . Okay , well , 18:49.990 --> 18:53.310 the all of these committees , advisory 18:53.320 --> 18:55.600 committees and councils are are 18:55.600 --> 18:58.000 regulated under an act called the 18:58.000 --> 19:00.780 Federal Advisory committee Act , and 19:00.790 --> 19:02.901 there are specific rules that we have 19:02.901 --> 19:05.050 to follow for this . Although public 19:05.050 --> 19:07.383 comments wouldn't be directly addressed . 19:07.383 --> 19:09.494 The purpose of these committees , for 19:09.494 --> 19:11.717 example , the Military Family Readiness 19:11.717 --> 19:13.717 Council that I chair the purpose of 19:13.717 --> 19:15.939 these air to develop recommendations to 19:15.939 --> 19:17.939 give to the secretary of Defense to 19:17.939 --> 19:21.340 improve whatever you know , the topic 19:21.340 --> 19:24.110 is for that advisory council . So So 19:24.110 --> 19:26.650 the public comments are addressed in 19:26.650 --> 19:29.040 and included in recommendations that 19:29.040 --> 19:32.430 have provided to the secretary . But by 19:32.430 --> 19:34.597 law , the only way that we can address 19:34.597 --> 19:36.819 these is through the federal registry . 19:40.640 --> 19:43.250 Thank you . And another question we've 19:43.260 --> 19:45.370 got had come in here . What is the 19:45.370 --> 19:47.520 process to improve respite ? Carrot 19:47.530 --> 19:48.470 installations ? 19:50.640 --> 19:53.320 I'm a little bit familiar with that . 19:53.320 --> 19:55.610 And on this and any other questions 19:55.610 --> 19:58.070 that anybody has , they can . They can 19:58.070 --> 20:00.070 certainly provided through you , Mr 20:00.070 --> 20:02.181 Sardinas , and and get it to us . And 20:02.181 --> 20:05.040 we can answer specific questions . But 20:05.040 --> 20:07.040 for the respite care I think you're 20:07.040 --> 20:09.600 talking about for parents of special 20:09.600 --> 20:12.770 needs Children and the ability to , uh , 20:12.780 --> 20:14.900 take a break , if you will , because 20:14.900 --> 20:17.200 it's it could be stressful , you know , 20:17.200 --> 20:19.740 caring for family members with special 20:19.740 --> 20:22.850 needs . And so I know that we provide , 20:23.140 --> 20:25.870 uh , subscription service without 20:25.870 --> 20:27.900 charge to build a find providers 20:27.900 --> 20:31.100 downtown . But beyond that , I would 20:31.100 --> 20:33.211 say , you know , get the questions to 20:33.211 --> 20:35.378 us that you're specifically one answer 20:35.378 --> 20:37.600 for him . We'll get you those answers . 20:38.240 --> 20:40.573 Okay ? Yeah , that one was just sending . 20:40.573 --> 20:42.860 Um , Here's another one with the very 20:42.860 --> 20:45.280 issue issues facing military families , 20:45.280 --> 20:47.558 educations about employment , etcetera , 20:47.558 --> 20:49.613 uh , that operate at the state level 20:49.613 --> 20:51.780 with the d o . D . Consider creating a 20:51.780 --> 20:53.836 comprehensive sort of bill of rights 20:53.836 --> 20:56.058 that offers protections from state laws 20:56.058 --> 20:58.002 that negatively impact active duty 20:58.002 --> 21:00.660 military member families . Well , you 21:00.660 --> 21:02.771 know , that's an interesting proposal 21:02.771 --> 21:04.993 that have a bill of rights that way . I 21:04.993 --> 21:07.950 think , uh , it would be a proposal 21:07.950 --> 21:10.061 that we would certainly look at if it 21:10.061 --> 21:12.680 was narrowed and scope enough to a 21:12.680 --> 21:14.780 specific issue . But , for example , 21:14.940 --> 21:17.510 we're working very hard on military 21:17.510 --> 21:20.870 spouse licensing laws in between states . 21:20.870 --> 21:22.926 And I think you have an item on your 21:22.926 --> 21:25.148 agenda to talk about that as well . And 21:25.148 --> 21:27.440 we've made some good progress even to 21:27.440 --> 21:29.820 the point where that could become a 21:29.820 --> 21:32.980 criteria for making basing decisions in 21:32.980 --> 21:35.650 the future . So if we were fielding a 21:35.650 --> 21:38.410 new squadron of airplanes , say , and 21:38.410 --> 21:40.410 we're trying to decide where to put 21:40.410 --> 21:43.350 them . That would be a scored basing 21:43.350 --> 21:45.980 criteria . The spouse licensing another 21:45.980 --> 21:48.850 area we're working on is , uh , the 21:48.850 --> 21:51.580 ability for spouses to build operate 21:51.580 --> 21:53.810 with their driver's licenses because 21:53.810 --> 21:56.910 some states don't recognize a spouse 21:56.920 --> 21:59.820 on their driver's license and forced 21:59.820 --> 22:01.931 them to get new driver's license at a 22:01.931 --> 22:04.153 new location within a certain period of 22:04.153 --> 22:06.098 time . So our defense state Leah's 22:06.098 --> 22:08.153 don't office works hard on all these 22:08.153 --> 22:11.130 issues on if you have issues like that , 22:11.130 --> 22:13.186 get those passed up to us so that we 22:13.186 --> 22:15.241 can work those because we take those 22:15.241 --> 22:17.860 very seriously to make it easier on the 22:17.860 --> 22:20.082 spouses as they move between states and 22:20.082 --> 22:22.000 follow , and to get them the same 22:22.000 --> 22:24.167 protections that our service members , 22:24.167 --> 22:26.056 uh , enjoy and are entitled to my 22:26.056 --> 22:30.000 federal law . Thank you . Uh , 22:30.010 --> 22:32.730 this one's from Sandra Lopez . Uh , 22:32.740 --> 22:34.962 dental care is lacking for dependence . 22:34.962 --> 22:37.300 United Concordia only pays half or less 22:37.300 --> 22:39.510 for most dental care , and most DDS or 22:39.510 --> 22:41.566 no longer taking this insurance . Is 22:41.566 --> 22:43.788 there anything being done to fix this ? 22:44.240 --> 22:47.950 Um , I'm not familiar with the dental 22:47.950 --> 22:51.040 care , specifically , but as a as a 22:51.040 --> 22:54.880 retired service member Onda and a 22:54.880 --> 22:57.680 daughter who needed to get braces . I 22:57.680 --> 23:00.510 understand that it can be a significant 23:00.520 --> 23:03.160 load on a family's resource is and 23:03.160 --> 23:06.180 finances to get these things done . But 23:06.440 --> 23:08.329 let me let me find out for sure . 23:08.329 --> 23:11.260 Exactly , uh , what the data is on that 23:11.260 --> 23:12.950 and if you would get contact 23:12.950 --> 23:15.117 information to us , we'll provide that 23:15.117 --> 23:19.070 to her . Thank you . Think ones 23:19.070 --> 23:22.310 from Elaine Daly wrath . What is being 23:22.310 --> 23:23.921 done to address the issue of 23:23.921 --> 23:26.000 recruitment of direct care staff 23:26.010 --> 23:28.232 installations have been working on this 23:28.232 --> 23:30.454 problem for years . Eyes an increase in 23:30.454 --> 23:32.399 salary being considered across the 23:32.399 --> 23:34.870 military childcare systems . One of the 23:34.870 --> 23:36.759 things that we've talked with the 23:36.759 --> 23:39.240 service is about . This is they have 23:39.250 --> 23:43.020 the ability to set rates because 23:43.030 --> 23:45.890 it is a challenge for us , not just in 23:45.900 --> 23:48.140 in direct care but in other areas as 23:48.140 --> 23:52.070 well . To we're where we recruit and 23:52.070 --> 23:54.840 then train and get these folks up to 23:54.840 --> 23:57.060 speed and meeting the qualifications 23:57.060 --> 24:00.990 for for the on base installation . And 24:00.990 --> 24:03.840 then , uh , some of them tend toe get 24:03.840 --> 24:06.930 hard away from downtown community 24:06.940 --> 24:09.162 because we do a good job training these 24:09.162 --> 24:11.630 folks up . So what ? We're what We're 24:11.630 --> 24:13.720 working with various installation 24:13.720 --> 24:16.010 commanders is is to make sure they have 24:16.010 --> 24:18.340 the ability to set their wages so that 24:18.340 --> 24:20.562 they stay competitive with the downtown 24:20.562 --> 24:23.770 areas . Uh , the other is is increasing 24:23.780 --> 24:26.670 the background checks , the speed of 24:26.680 --> 24:29.540 getting background checks completed and 24:29.540 --> 24:31.707 and we're making good progress of that 24:31.707 --> 24:33.970 so that the time to hire is a lot less 24:37.040 --> 24:39.096 Okay , thank you . Here's here's one 24:39.096 --> 24:42.060 from Marie Foster . Child care has now 24:42.070 --> 24:44.237 all has also include virtual schooling 24:44.237 --> 24:46.237 assistance . How is the D . O . D . 24:46.237 --> 24:48.930 Shifting from childcare toe educational 24:48.930 --> 24:51.097 support for school age Children ? With 24:51.097 --> 24:54.390 everything going on ? Well , we have . 24:54.400 --> 24:58.210 We have a robust virtual school program 24:58.220 --> 25:01.640 and Dodea , the Defense Department of 25:01.640 --> 25:04.220 Defense education activity and is 25:04.220 --> 25:07.110 director Tom Brady has really embraced 25:07.110 --> 25:09.310 the ability to make sure that Aziz 25:09.310 --> 25:11.421 we've talked about for teleworking is 25:11.421 --> 25:13.199 that we have the infrastructure 25:13.199 --> 25:15.400 available the i T infrastructure to 25:15.400 --> 25:17.289 make sure that this all works for 25:17.289 --> 25:19.400 families and that they have access to 25:19.400 --> 25:23.160 the Internet and Thio computer laptops 25:23.160 --> 25:25.160 and that sort of thing to make sure 25:25.160 --> 25:27.271 that they're on their um , you know , 25:27.271 --> 25:30.440 it's faras , uh , preschool or younger 25:30.440 --> 25:32.496 Children in childcare . I mean , our 25:32.496 --> 25:34.496 child care folks are not trained as 25:34.496 --> 25:38.290 teachers on dead . And so , you know , 25:38.290 --> 25:40.401 we would have to take a look at , you 25:40.401 --> 25:42.568 know , is there some other scheme that 25:42.568 --> 25:44.846 we would do for for that type of thing ? 25:44.846 --> 25:46.901 But we're trying to expand the after 25:46.901 --> 25:48.901 after school care programs and that 25:48.901 --> 25:50.734 sort of thing to accommodate the 25:50.734 --> 25:52.179 Children as best we can . 25:56.740 --> 25:59.990 Thank you . We have another one here . 26:00.000 --> 26:02.620 Does the d . H A have any plans of 26:02.620 --> 26:04.676 changing the Tricare policy to allow 26:04.676 --> 26:08.560 for telehealth for , uh , their A 26:08.560 --> 26:10.616 B A therapy for Children with autism 26:10.616 --> 26:14.390 during the pandemic ? I'm 26:14.390 --> 26:16.446 not sure . Specifically , we can get 26:16.446 --> 26:18.612 you a specific answer on that . But we 26:18.612 --> 26:20.980 have expanded the telehealth greatly . 26:20.990 --> 26:24.190 Uh , during the pandemic to accommodate 26:24.190 --> 26:27.330 folks , including tele mental Health on 26:27.330 --> 26:29.140 we've actually waved the co pay 26:29.140 --> 26:31.760 requirements . A Zai mentioned in my 26:31.760 --> 26:34.720 remarks on that to make it easier for 26:34.720 --> 26:36.831 folks to do that and also incentivize 26:36.831 --> 26:38.887 folks , we we understand that during 26:38.940 --> 26:41.550 during thes pandemic conditions that 26:41.560 --> 26:44.350 some folks are leery of going , you 26:44.350 --> 26:46.572 know , physically into a hospital or to 26:46.572 --> 26:49.280 a clinic to be seen . So we wanna make 26:49.280 --> 26:51.570 sure that we provide every avenue we 26:51.570 --> 26:54.120 can . Yeah . We have some statistics 26:54.120 --> 26:56.520 that really just impressed me a lot 26:56.520 --> 26:58.850 with how much we've expanded the 26:58.860 --> 27:01.200 telehealth capabilities both with the 27:01.200 --> 27:03.960 downtown providers and in the military 27:03.960 --> 27:05.682 treatment facilities on pace . 27:08.240 --> 27:10.580 Thank you . Uh , thought this was a 27:10.590 --> 27:12.870 good one from Kippy Martin eyes it 27:12.870 --> 27:14.759 possible to include provisions in 27:14.759 --> 27:16.703 contracts with companies that when 27:16.703 --> 27:18.481 government contracts toe higher 27:18.481 --> 27:20.510 military spouses and pay a salary 27:20.510 --> 27:23.580 comparable with a normal labor market 27:23.580 --> 27:27.240 for that job , I think that Zatz one of 27:27.240 --> 27:30.180 the items that we're looking at that 27:30.180 --> 27:33.370 really is in my , uh , my colleague 27:33.380 --> 27:36.160 Ellen Lords area with contract . But 27:36.160 --> 27:38.510 we're certainly looking at , uh , 27:38.520 --> 27:40.631 increasing the availability of spouse 27:40.631 --> 27:42.687 employment all across the spectrum . 27:42.687 --> 27:45.060 You know , we were able thio give 27:45.060 --> 27:47.800 incentives and , uh , spouse preference 27:47.810 --> 27:50.820 several years back for government jobs . 27:50.830 --> 27:53.810 Eso expanding it out into contractors 27:53.810 --> 27:56.032 or something that will certainly take a 27:56.032 --> 27:58.254 look at and see if there's a way we can 27:58.254 --> 28:01.360 incentivize companies first . Do that . 28:04.540 --> 28:06.490 Okay . Thank you so much . I think 28:06.490 --> 28:08.712 that's that's what we have for question 28:08.712 --> 28:11.740 questions here . Currently . Um , so 28:11.750 --> 28:13.917 thank you . Thank you so much for your 28:13.917 --> 28:15.972 time here and for everybody here . I 28:15.972 --> 28:18.590 think we're just going to take a short 28:18.590 --> 28:21.320 break and start off the the first panel 28:21.330 --> 28:24.300 right at 1 . 30 as planned . So thank 28:24.300 --> 28:26.890 you so much . And thank you , Mr 28:26.890 --> 28:29.001 Donovan , for your time today . Thank 28:29.001 --> 28:31.168 you . Thank you . Enjoy it . Enjoy the 28:31.168 --> 28:31.780 rest of your program .