Community Enhancement Through Military Spouse Engagement

2. Community Enhancement Through Military Spouse Engagement Military Spouse Task Force For Kentucky Aug 8, 2012

3. KY’s First Lady Reaches Out • Multiple Deployments • Gloomy Recession • Economic Hardships

4. Upcoming Tasks • Letters of support: Medical Waivers For All Military Families • Soldier For The Day: Community Engagement Activity • Promote Positives of BRAC: General Assembly authorized $251 Million

5. Growing the Task Force • Governor’s Mansion Luncheon • Launch of the Initiatives • Formation of Advisory Board

6. Serving the Commonwealth Top 10 Accomplishments • Ongoing partnership with Center for Courageous Kids for Military Family Retreats • Interstate sign “Welcome Home Duke Brigade” placed by KYTC • Distribution of state tourism events to Military Families and pass for family overnight stay at favorite state park lodge • Legislation championed by Kentucky First Lady, HB 224, to support adoption process • Social Media developed by Military Spouse Task Team advisory board http://www.facebook.com/pages/Military-Spouse-Task-Force-For-Kentucky/176104022468948

7. Top 10 AccomplishmentsContinued • First Lady visits military installations and recognizes deploying troops • Market legislation and other state support to increase awareness, i.e., Adoption Benefits, 10 days students excused for united with deployed parent, Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Families • Partner with Council on Postsecondary Education to create University/Military Spouse Task Force Advisory Board for Higher Education • Partnership ongoing with area businesses to market the value of military spouse as potential employee • Military Spouse Task Force for Kentucky has united all Kentucky military spouses with a singular voice to promote a better climate for military families across the Commonwealth

8. Why We Care? • Kentuckians understand the economic impact of our military= over $15.3 billion direct impact on the state. • Kentuckians understand the social impact of the military= thousands of veterans and retirees call Kentucky home. They understand the sacrifice of the military. • Kentuckians understand the cultural impact of the military. The military represent the values that we all embrace. They are the best our society has to offer and we are made better when they choose to make Kentucky their home!

9. How do we connect with the military? • We understand that they are normal people with normal needs. They want what we want. • We remain considerate of their unique circumstances (deployments) and try to be sensitive to their needs. • We treat them like part of our community/family.

10. What makes us attractive to the military? • Low cost of living and affordable housing • No state income tax on military or federal retiree pay • No sales tax on groceries or prescriptions • Good qualify of life- we must have communitiesthat people desire live in • Rapidly improving educational system • Love of the outdoors and recreation

11. Examples of Supporting our Troops • Special events like Christian County Salutes Fort Campbell Week • Citizens for Fort Campbell/ Fort Knox CORE group • Military Spouse Task Group • Military Discounts • Special appreciation days • Being good neighbors

12. Forward March • Future goals include exploring employment initiatives • Education partnerships • Information sharing • Connecting with members of our armed service branches across the Commonwealth • Providing a singular voice for all Kentucky military spouses

13. Questions?