On October 21, 2010, Leadership 18 convened leaders of the military family community at the 2010 Alliance National Conference, hosted in Milwaukee, WI, to lead a panel discussion addressing the key needs of this special population; opportunities for community-based non-profit providers to offer needed services and supports; and specific approaches that are effective in meeting the unique needs of military personnel and their families.

Attendance included: Laura Dempsey, Co-founder & Vice Chair of Blue Star Families; Dr. Paula G. Panzer, Director of Martha K. Selig Educational Institute & Center for Trauma Program Innovation, Jewish Board of Family & Children’s Services; Barbara Thompson, Director, Office of Family Policy/Children & Youth, Office of Secretary of Defense, Military Community & Family Policy; Joyce Wessel Raezer, Executive Director, National Military Family Association; and Peg Whalen, Director of Evaluation & Research Services, Alliance for Children and Families.

Please click below to view the panelists’ presentations:

2010 Military Family Lifestyle Survey – Laura Dempsey

Military Family Support – Barbara Thompson

Children on the Homefront: The Experience of Children from Military Families – Joyce Wessel Raezer

Working with Veterans -Dr. Paula Panzer

Through the Military Family Initiative, Leadership 18 continues to create opportunities to connect military family leaders with the non-profit community. We’re sharing knowledge and collaborating at the highest levels to help more people gain access to quality services.