National Military Family Association Receives Inaugural Innovation Grant from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to Advance Support of Military Caregivers

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Military Family Association is proud to announce that it was chosen to receive an inaugural Innovation Grant from the Caring for Military Families: Elizabeth Dole Foundation to support military caregivers. The grant was established to accelerate the work of leading nonprofits while at the same time fulfill the unmet needs of military caregivers.  

"It is an honor to be one of the first recipients for The Elizabeth Dole Foundation's innovation grant," said Joyce Wessel Raezer, Executive Director, National Military Family Association. "Our military caregivers are often overlooked, and lack the strong support necessary for the struggles they face every day."

The Elizabeth Dole Foundation selected the National Military Family Association because of our long record of support for military caregivers. We understand that behind every wounded service member is a wounded family. Driven by this principle, we were influential in the passage of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act so military caregivers can receive financial, educational, and health care support. Each year, we award scholarships to spouses of wounded service members to help them achieve their educational goals and better provide for their families. Additionally, we offer free Operation Purple™ Healing Adventures retreats for families of wounded, injured, or ill service members working to rediscover their family relationships.

With this grant, the National Military Family Association is conducting a survey to gather best practices from military caregivers for military caregivers. Often, military caregivers feel overwhelmed as they sift through the bureaucracy of support intended to help them. The advice and insights of seasoned caregivers will help guide new caregivers to the most useful resources and support. By learning from those who have first-hand knowledge we can encourage growth in reliable programs, help reduce redundant services, and share successes. Resources and tips gathered from the survey will be published online late this summer.

Additional understanding of the struggles faced by our military caregivers is needed, and we support the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's focus on better aligning lifeline services for wounded warriors and their families.

To learn more about the National Military Family Association, please visit www.militaryfamily.org. To participate in our survey, please visit www.militaryfamily.org/caregiversurvey.

About the National Military Family Association

Military families serve our country with pride, honor, and quiet dedication. The National Military Family Association is the leading nonprofit organization committed to strengthening and protecting the families of the men and women currently serving, retired, wounded, or fallen. We provide families of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and NOAA with information, work to get them the benefits they deserve, and offer programs that improve their lives. Our 44 years of service and accomplishments have made us a trusted resource for military families and the Nation's leaders. To learn more, visit www.MilitaryFamily.org.

SOURCE National Military Family Association