1 00:00:00,740 --> 00:00:03,160 Hello , I'm Secretary of Defense Mark 2 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:05,580 Esper , and it's an honor to join you 3 00:00:05,590 --> 00:00:07,757 for this year's Military Family Caucus 4 00:00:07,757 --> 00:00:10,490 summit . Thank you to your founders and 5 00:00:10,490 --> 00:00:12,900 co chairs Congresswoman Cathy McMorris 6 00:00:12,900 --> 00:00:15,400 Rodgers and Congressman Sanford Bishop 7 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:18,500 for hosting this important event . For 8 00:00:18,500 --> 00:00:20,722 more than a decade , you have supported 9 00:00:20,722 --> 00:00:22,889 our service members and their families 10 00:00:22,889 --> 00:00:24,833 by calling attention to the unique 11 00:00:24,833 --> 00:00:26,889 challenges they face and effectively 12 00:00:26,889 --> 00:00:28,778 advocating on their behalf . As a 13 00:00:28,778 --> 00:00:30,889 former active duty soldier , National 14 00:00:30,889 --> 00:00:32,960 Guardsmen and Army reservist , I am 15 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:34,904 familiar with those challenges and 16 00:00:34,904 --> 00:00:37,016 recognized the impact of our military 17 00:00:37,016 --> 00:00:39,238 families well being on the readiness of 18 00:00:39,238 --> 00:00:41,290 the force . During my travels , I 19 00:00:41,290 --> 00:00:43,179 regularly meet with our uniformed 20 00:00:43,179 --> 00:00:45,234 personnel and their families to hear 21 00:00:45,234 --> 00:00:47,401 their concerns and make changes across 22 00:00:47,401 --> 00:00:49,512 the enterprise , which is critical as 23 00:00:49,512 --> 00:00:51,623 we adapt the force to an increasingly 24 00:00:51,623 --> 00:00:54,070 complex security environment . The 25 00:00:54,070 --> 00:00:56,181 national defense strategy states that 26 00:00:56,181 --> 00:00:58,126 we're now in an era of great power 27 00:00:58,126 --> 00:01:00,181 competition and that we must advance 28 00:01:00,181 --> 00:01:02,181 along three lines of effort to stay 29 00:01:02,181 --> 00:01:04,403 ahead of our near pier rivals China and 30 00:01:04,403 --> 00:01:06,459 Russia . When I became secretary , I 31 00:01:06,459 --> 00:01:08,292 added 1/4 priority , one that is 32 00:01:08,292 --> 00:01:10,292 personal to me , taking care of our 33 00:01:10,292 --> 00:01:12,459 service members and their families our 34 00:01:12,459 --> 00:01:14,900 most precious resource . These men and 35 00:01:14,900 --> 00:01:17,160 women serve our great nation everyday , 36 00:01:17,340 --> 00:01:19,618 bearing the burden of long deployments , 37 00:01:19,618 --> 00:01:21,562 short notice , permanent change of 38 00:01:21,562 --> 00:01:23,896 station moves and many other challenges . 39 00:01:23,940 --> 00:01:26,200 We , in turn , must do our utmost to 40 00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:28,367 improve their quality of life and give 41 00:01:28,367 --> 00:01:30,256 them the support they need and so 42 00:01:30,256 --> 00:01:33,750 rightfully deserve . This is especially 43 00:01:33,750 --> 00:01:36,280 true during the global pandemic , which 44 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:37,947 has created new and different 45 00:01:37,947 --> 00:01:40,169 challenges for our people . In light of 46 00:01:40,169 --> 00:01:42,169 the theme for this event , military 47 00:01:42,169 --> 00:01:44,113 families in the time of co vid , I 48 00:01:44,113 --> 00:01:46,336 appreciate the opportunity to share our 49 00:01:46,336 --> 00:01:48,447 overarching efforts in support of our 50 00:01:48,447 --> 00:01:50,447 uniformed personnel and their loved 51 00:01:50,447 --> 00:01:52,669 ones . From the beginning of the covert 52 00:01:52,669 --> 00:01:54,724 outbreak going back to January , the 53 00:01:54,724 --> 00:01:56,836 Department of Defense has been all in 54 00:01:56,836 --> 00:01:58,724 on the nation's fight against the 55 00:01:58,724 --> 00:02:00,613 coronavirus , working along three 56 00:02:00,613 --> 00:02:03,070 parties , first protecting our service 57 00:02:03,070 --> 00:02:05,540 members , Dia de personnel and their 58 00:02:05,540 --> 00:02:09,180 families . Second , maintaining our 59 00:02:09,180 --> 00:02:11,347 national security mission capabilities 60 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:14,050 and third , supporting the whole of 61 00:02:14,050 --> 00:02:16,161 government response to the pandemic . 62 00:02:16,940 --> 00:02:19,107 The department reacted quickly to stem 63 00:02:19,107 --> 00:02:21,329 the spread of the virus in our ranks to 64 00:02:21,329 --> 00:02:23,551 include suspending international travel 65 00:02:23,551 --> 00:02:25,773 and later transitioning to a conditions 66 00:02:25,773 --> 00:02:27,940 based phased approach for the movement 67 00:02:27,940 --> 00:02:29,996 of our units and personnel . We also 68 00:02:29,996 --> 00:02:32,051 ensured that our commanders have the 69 00:02:32,051 --> 00:02:34,162 authorities and resource is necessary 70 00:02:34,162 --> 00:02:36,384 to balance force health protection with 71 00:02:36,384 --> 00:02:38,162 mission readiness and published 72 00:02:38,162 --> 00:02:40,329 guidance on topics ranging from travel 73 00:02:40,329 --> 00:02:42,051 and tele work to childcare and 74 00:02:42,051 --> 00:02:43,940 healthcare . Keeping pace with an 75 00:02:43,940 --> 00:02:46,107 unpredictable and evolving situation . 76 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:49,420 We're now on our 13th update tow our 77 00:02:49,420 --> 00:02:51,364 force health protection guidelines 78 00:02:51,364 --> 00:02:53,531 since late January , which has kept us 79 00:02:53,531 --> 00:02:55,940 current with CDC guidance . We 80 00:02:55,940 --> 00:02:57,940 designated commissaries and support 81 00:02:57,940 --> 00:03:00,162 facilities as mission essential so that 82 00:03:00,162 --> 00:03:02,273 they could remain open throughout the 83 00:03:02,273 --> 00:03:04,384 pandemic . And as part of our shift , 84 00:03:04,384 --> 00:03:06,496 the telehealth we instituted curbside 85 00:03:06,496 --> 00:03:09,360 pickup ah pharmacy prescriptions . We 86 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:11,082 also provided a framework with 87 00:03:11,082 --> 00:03:13,304 graduated levels of protection measures 88 00:03:13,304 --> 00:03:15,527 known as health protection conditions , 89 00:03:15,527 --> 00:03:17,749 allying installation commanders to flex 90 00:03:17,749 --> 00:03:19,916 the response measures to circumstances 91 00:03:19,916 --> 00:03:22,450 in their area . Meanwhile , the 92 00:03:22,450 --> 00:03:24,061 department expanded telework 93 00:03:24,061 --> 00:03:25,950 opportunities for active duty and 94 00:03:25,950 --> 00:03:28,061 reserve component members to mitigate 95 00:03:28,061 --> 00:03:30,117 risks associated with the virus . We 96 00:03:30,117 --> 00:03:32,283 have also allowed our men and women in 97 00:03:32,283 --> 00:03:34,339 uniform to accrue upto 120 days ah , 98 00:03:34,339 --> 00:03:36,550 special leave in the fiscal year 2021 99 00:03:36,940 --> 00:03:39,162 and are working tirelessly to provide a 100 00:03:39,162 --> 00:03:40,829 safe learning environment for 101 00:03:40,829 --> 00:03:42,940 dependence as they return to school , 102 00:03:42,940 --> 00:03:44,884 including through virtual learning 103 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:48,230 Moreover , more than 60,000 service 104 00:03:48,230 --> 00:03:50,397 members have worked on the front lines 105 00:03:50,397 --> 00:03:52,286 of our battle against the virus , 106 00:03:52,286 --> 00:03:54,341 putting themselves in harm's way and 107 00:03:54,341 --> 00:03:56,563 surging equipment and capabilities into 108 00:03:56,563 --> 00:03:59,040 hotspots across America . Today , 109 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:01,024 thousands are still hard at work , 110 00:04:01,024 --> 00:04:03,024 including US part of operation warp 111 00:04:03,024 --> 00:04:05,136 speed to accelerate the development , 112 00:04:05,136 --> 00:04:06,913 manufacture and distribution of 113 00:04:06,913 --> 00:04:09,136 therapeutics and vaccines by the end of 114 00:04:09,136 --> 00:04:11,610 the year . I'm exceptionally proud of 115 00:04:11,610 --> 00:04:13,666 their efforts in support of American 116 00:04:13,666 --> 00:04:15,499 people , which has enabled us to 117 00:04:15,499 --> 00:04:17,332 maintain readiness , execute our 118 00:04:17,332 --> 00:04:19,443 mission and continue to implement the 119 00:04:19,443 --> 00:04:21,770 national defense strategy . The NDS 120 00:04:21,770 --> 00:04:24,103 recognizes the importance of recruiting , 121 00:04:24,103 --> 00:04:26,214 developing and retaining high quality 122 00:04:26,214 --> 00:04:28,214 service members for our warfighting 123 00:04:28,214 --> 00:04:30,670 success . To do so , we will continue 124 00:04:30,670 --> 00:04:32,850 to advocate for robust pay , better 125 00:04:32,850 --> 00:04:35,100 benefits packages and stronger support 126 00:04:35,130 --> 00:04:37,660 for their families . In 2020 for 127 00:04:37,660 --> 00:04:40,000 example , military basic pay increased 128 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:43,180 by 3.1% the largest raise and more than 129 00:04:43,180 --> 00:04:45,236 a decade . Thanks to President Trump 130 00:04:45,236 --> 00:04:48,560 and the support of Congress . We are 131 00:04:48,570 --> 00:04:50,792 also working to help ease the burden of 132 00:04:50,792 --> 00:04:53,070 child care for our uniformed personnel . 133 00:04:53,140 --> 00:04:55,420 In February , for example , I directed 134 00:04:55,420 --> 00:04:57,587 a change in policy to give our service 135 00:04:57,587 --> 00:04:59,698 members priority access to child care 136 00:04:59,740 --> 00:05:01,890 and during the coronavirus pandemic . 137 00:05:01,900 --> 00:05:03,844 We have kept the majority of child 138 00:05:03,844 --> 00:05:05,950 development center programs open to 139 00:05:05,950 --> 00:05:08,283 serve our mission . Essential personnel . 140 00:05:08,340 --> 00:05:10,210 I'm now working to improve the 141 00:05:10,210 --> 00:05:12,350 availability of hourly childcare for 142 00:05:12,350 --> 00:05:15,300 our service members . The department 143 00:05:15,300 --> 00:05:17,411 has also placed special importance on 144 00:05:17,411 --> 00:05:19,356 the employment and licenser of our 145 00:05:19,356 --> 00:05:21,630 spouses . Many of you know well the 146 00:05:21,630 --> 00:05:23,519 difficulty of sustaining civilian 147 00:05:23,519 --> 00:05:25,686 careers , particularly when faced with 148 00:05:25,686 --> 00:05:27,741 moves every 2 to 3 years . My wife , 149 00:05:27,741 --> 00:05:29,074 Leah , went through the 150 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:30,680 Yeah , Hi , everyone . It looks like 151 00:06:30,680 --> 00:06:33,020 we're having some technical issues with 152 00:06:33,020 --> 00:06:36,560 the video . Luckily , we have the 153 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:39,090 undersecretary , Matt Donovan , here , 154 00:06:39,090 --> 00:06:41,980 so we'll go into that . Matt Donovan 155 00:06:41,980 --> 00:06:44,036 works directly with the secretary of 156 00:06:44,036 --> 00:06:46,091 defense . He's the undersecretary of 157 00:06:46,091 --> 00:06:48,202 defense for personnel and readiness . 158 00:06:48,202 --> 00:06:50,091 He's the principal advisor of the 159 00:06:50,091 --> 00:06:52,202 secretary of defense on items such as 160 00:06:52,202 --> 00:06:54,536 health affairs , education and training , 161 00:06:54,536 --> 00:06:56,424 morale and welfare . Well , where 162 00:06:56,424 --> 00:06:59,120 welfare and recreation , quality of 163 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:01,390 life matters and much more . Until his 164 00:07:01,390 --> 00:07:03,612 most recent position , he served as the 165 00:07:03,612 --> 00:07:05,834 Under secretary of the Air Force and is 166 00:07:05,834 --> 00:07:08,001 acting secretary of the Air Force . He 167 00:07:08,001 --> 00:07:10,057 served 31 years in the Air Force and 168 00:07:10,057 --> 00:07:12,223 both enlisted in office Officer Active 169 00:07:12,223 --> 00:07:14,279 duty service Ah , command pilot with 170 00:07:14,279 --> 00:07:17,370 over 2900 hours of flight time on the F 171 00:07:17,370 --> 00:07:21,290 15 c and F five e . Secretary of 172 00:07:21,290 --> 00:07:23,401 Donovan . Thank you for participating 173 00:07:23,401 --> 00:07:25,512 in our event . And thank you for your 174 00:07:25,512 --> 00:07:27,679 long career of service to the military 175 00:07:27,679 --> 00:07:29,846 and the military families . We will go 176 00:07:29,846 --> 00:07:31,901 ahead and turn it over to you here . 177 00:07:34,740 --> 00:07:36,851 Well , thank you . Thank you for that 178 00:07:36,851 --> 00:07:39,018 introduction . And good morning . Uh , 179 00:07:39,018 --> 00:07:41,240 took co chairs Congresswoman McMorris , 180 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:43,870 Rogers , Congressman bishop and members 181 00:07:43,870 --> 00:07:46,560 of the military family . Uh , caucus 182 00:07:46,740 --> 00:07:49,500 on Congresswoman , I don't know if you 183 00:07:49,500 --> 00:07:51,611 recall that you brought the for child 184 00:07:51,611 --> 00:07:53,833 civic leaders up to see me about a year 185 00:07:53,833 --> 00:07:55,889 and a half ago . So it's good to see 186 00:07:55,889 --> 00:07:58,056 you again today on behalf of Secretary 187 00:07:58,056 --> 00:08:00,130 Esper . Thank you for all you do for 188 00:08:00,130 --> 00:08:02,408 our service members and their families . 189 00:08:02,408 --> 00:08:04,463 And it's an honor to be here today . 190 00:08:04,463 --> 00:08:07,290 And as you just heard in the video at 191 00:08:07,290 --> 00:08:09,123 least the portion that you watch 192 00:08:09,123 --> 00:08:10,957 spouses and family members there 193 00:08:10,957 --> 00:08:12,901 certainly a priority for Secretary 194 00:08:12,901 --> 00:08:14,734 Asper . He mentioned some of the 195 00:08:14,734 --> 00:08:16,990 actions the department has taken as we 196 00:08:16,990 --> 00:08:19,420 navigate the cove . It pandemic and his 197 00:08:19,420 --> 00:08:21,420 priorities through all of this were 198 00:08:21,420 --> 00:08:24,270 very clear . Since day one in personnel 199 00:08:24,270 --> 00:08:26,437 and readiness were at the forefront of 200 00:08:26,437 --> 00:08:28,492 enabling , guiding and assessing the 201 00:08:28,492 --> 00:08:30,740 secretary's priorities . My role is to 202 00:08:30,740 --> 00:08:32,962 enhance the readiness of the Department 203 00:08:32,962 --> 00:08:34,940 of Defense and optimized personnel 204 00:08:34,940 --> 00:08:37,150 programs , training and education , 205 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:39,360 world class health care , quality , 206 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:41,990 family support , enforced resiliency 207 00:08:41,990 --> 00:08:44,212 through diversity , inclusion and equal 208 00:08:44,212 --> 00:08:46,850 opportunity . So we cover a whole lot 209 00:08:46,850 --> 00:08:49,072 of critical ground for our war fighters 210 00:08:49,072 --> 00:08:51,390 and their families . As the secretary 211 00:08:51,390 --> 00:08:53,612 mentioned , I signed out the very first 212 00:08:53,612 --> 00:08:55,668 force Health Protection Guidance for 213 00:08:55,668 --> 00:08:58,001 the Cove in 19 Pandemic on January 30th . 214 00:08:58,040 --> 00:09:00,207 Since that time , we've issued a total 215 00:09:00,207 --> 00:09:02,207 of 13 force health protection memos 216 00:09:02,207 --> 00:09:03,929 that address a range of issues 217 00:09:03,929 --> 00:09:06,151 impacting our force in their families . 218 00:09:06,240 --> 00:09:08,129 We have also delivered many other 219 00:09:08,129 --> 00:09:10,296 guidance documents ranging from travel 220 00:09:10,296 --> 00:09:12,296 restrictions toe how to safely open 221 00:09:12,296 --> 00:09:15,180 schools and childcare centers . Our 222 00:09:15,180 --> 00:09:17,347 Defense Health Agency and Tricare made 223 00:09:17,347 --> 00:09:19,120 several changes to expand and 224 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:21,650 incentivized telehealth services to 225 00:09:21,650 --> 00:09:23,817 ensure beneficiaries receive necessary 226 00:09:23,817 --> 00:09:26,380 care , allowing licensed providers 227 00:09:26,380 --> 00:09:28,690 greater flexibility to provide services 228 00:09:28,690 --> 00:09:30,720 and other states , and waving all 229 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:33,060 copays and cost shares for in network 230 00:09:33,060 --> 00:09:34,650 telehealth services for our 231 00:09:34,650 --> 00:09:37,500 beneficiaries . Our military health 232 00:09:37,500 --> 00:09:39,556 system also responded quickly to the 233 00:09:39,556 --> 00:09:41,778 pandemic by making significant research 234 00:09:41,778 --> 00:09:43,556 and development investments and 235 00:09:43,556 --> 00:09:46,160 vaccines , therapeutics and diagnostics . 236 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:49,240 Another area within P and R that is 237 00:09:49,240 --> 00:09:51,530 absolutely critical is our educational 238 00:09:51,530 --> 00:09:54,470 systems . We operate 159 physical 239 00:09:54,470 --> 00:09:56,560 schools around the world , plus one 240 00:09:56,560 --> 00:09:59,720 global virtual virtual school with over 241 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:02,670 12,000 students enrolled . After 242 00:10:02,670 --> 00:10:05,020 careful consideration , Dodea recently 243 00:10:05,020 --> 00:10:07,020 made the decision to return to full 244 00:10:07,020 --> 00:10:09,020 time physical school operations for 245 00:10:09,020 --> 00:10:11,430 students and staff as the optimal 246 00:10:11,430 --> 00:10:13,208 learning environment . Although 247 00:10:13,208 --> 00:10:15,263 depending on local conditions , many 248 00:10:15,263 --> 00:10:17,910 are operating remotely . Our family 249 00:10:17,910 --> 00:10:19,960 military resource is are especially 250 00:10:19,960 --> 00:10:22,310 critical during the pandemic . Our 251 00:10:22,310 --> 00:10:24,740 people our most important asset and it 252 00:10:24,740 --> 00:10:27,120 is our responsibility to ensure our 253 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:29,270 service members , their families and 254 00:10:29,270 --> 00:10:31,381 our civilian workforce are taken care 255 00:10:31,381 --> 00:10:33,580 of and have access to the benefits to 256 00:10:33,580 --> 00:10:36,200 which they're entitled . Through our 257 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:38,100 military One source website , we 258 00:10:38,100 --> 00:10:40,470 provide 24 7 support for service 259 00:10:40,470 --> 00:10:42,700 members and families around the globe . 260 00:10:42,710 --> 00:10:44,710 This includes our Office of Special 261 00:10:44,710 --> 00:10:46,877 Needs , collaborating closely with the 262 00:10:46,877 --> 00:10:49,120 military departments to facilitate a 263 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:51,231 seamless experience for families with 264 00:10:51,231 --> 00:10:53,270 special needs , regardless of their 265 00:10:53,270 --> 00:10:56,540 location or PCs status . In fact , for 266 00:10:56,540 --> 00:10:58,818 our exceptional family member programs , 267 00:10:58,818 --> 00:11:01,030 we just launched a new e f , m e f , m 268 00:11:01,030 --> 00:11:03,910 P and me online tool through military 269 00:11:03,910 --> 00:11:06,210 one source and it's just this month we 270 00:11:06,210 --> 00:11:09,010 lost my military one source Mobile app , 271 00:11:09,020 --> 00:11:10,964 which is available for download on 272 00:11:10,964 --> 00:11:13,590 smartphones and tablets . This apple 273 00:11:13,590 --> 00:11:15,646 incorporate all of the features from 274 00:11:15,646 --> 00:11:17,900 the website uh , for military one 275 00:11:17,900 --> 00:11:19,900 source and will provide information 276 00:11:19,900 --> 00:11:21,900 support referrals at the touch of a 277 00:11:21,900 --> 00:11:24,380 button . The secretary and the entire 278 00:11:24,380 --> 00:11:26,047 Department of Defense have an 279 00:11:26,047 --> 00:11:28,269 unwavering commitment to taking care of 280 00:11:28,269 --> 00:11:30,436 our service members and their families 281 00:11:30,436 --> 00:11:32,380 and personnel . In writing us . We 282 00:11:32,380 --> 00:11:34,491 worked tirelessly toe lead the way in 283 00:11:34,491 --> 00:11:36,713 this effort and meet with the Secretary 284 00:11:36,713 --> 00:11:39,047 weekly toe . Update him on our progress . 285 00:11:39,047 --> 00:11:41,030 We understand how much our service 286 00:11:41,030 --> 00:11:43,086 members and their families rely on . 287 00:11:43,086 --> 00:11:45,308 The resource is we provide . So this is 288 00:11:45,308 --> 00:11:48,150 a no fail mission for us . Thank you 289 00:11:48,150 --> 00:11:50,206 again for your service and sacrifice 290 00:11:50,206 --> 00:11:52,372 for our nation , and I look forward to 291 00:11:52,372 --> 00:11:55,670 taking your questions . Mhm . 292 00:11:57,940 --> 00:12:00,100 Hi , this is Matthew again . We for 293 00:12:00,100 --> 00:12:01,822 this one . We did get some pre 294 00:12:01,822 --> 00:12:03,989 submitted questions . The first one up 295 00:12:03,989 --> 00:12:05,933 here is the February congressional 296 00:12:05,933 --> 00:12:08,420 hearing on E F . M . P . Highlighted 297 00:12:08,420 --> 00:12:10,531 significant issues impacting military 298 00:12:10,531 --> 00:12:12,142 families , including lack of 299 00:12:12,142 --> 00:12:14,087 responsiveness to multiple G A O . 300 00:12:14,087 --> 00:12:16,590 Reports . Thes issues have been 301 00:12:16,590 --> 00:12:18,701 systemic for a number of years . What 302 00:12:18,701 --> 00:12:20,868 is the Department of Defense and the D 303 00:12:20,868 --> 00:12:22,923 o d Office of Special Needs doing to 304 00:12:22,923 --> 00:12:24,812 fix the F M P programs across the 305 00:12:24,812 --> 00:12:28,260 services ? Well , as I , as I mentioned , 306 00:12:28,270 --> 00:12:32,250 we are sort of co locating everything 307 00:12:32,250 --> 00:12:35,540 in one place on our military , uh , one 308 00:12:35,540 --> 00:12:38,100 source website and application . That's 309 00:12:38,100 --> 00:12:41,180 one thing , uh , some of the challenges 310 00:12:41,180 --> 00:12:43,780 that we see are when people move from 311 00:12:43,780 --> 00:12:46,330 one location to another , they end up 312 00:12:46,340 --> 00:12:50,280 taking a long time for referral medical 313 00:12:50,280 --> 00:12:52,447 appointments for their special needs . 314 00:12:52,447 --> 00:12:54,880 Uh , family members . So we're making 315 00:12:54,880 --> 00:12:57,970 changes in Tricare where if you pass 316 00:12:57,970 --> 00:13:00,640 between regions of Tricare regions that 317 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:03,240 your your referrals follow you now , 318 00:13:03,250 --> 00:13:05,472 and we'll be implementing that over the 319 00:13:05,472 --> 00:13:07,472 next couple of months . We also are 320 00:13:07,472 --> 00:13:10,340 taking the F . M P R specialists who 321 00:13:10,340 --> 00:13:13,480 work F M P programs and making sure 322 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:16,780 that the losing installation has a warm 323 00:13:16,780 --> 00:13:19,390 handoff with the gaining installation 324 00:13:19,390 --> 00:13:21,860 and by warm handoff . That means direct 325 00:13:21,860 --> 00:13:24,960 contact between these caseworkers eso 326 00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:27,710 that they are fully aware and apprised 327 00:13:27,710 --> 00:13:30,390 of the situation of the incoming family 328 00:13:30,390 --> 00:13:33,680 member from the other location . And 329 00:13:33,690 --> 00:13:35,857 finally , one of the things that we're 330 00:13:35,857 --> 00:13:37,746 doing is making sure that we have 331 00:13:37,746 --> 00:13:39,579 standardized processes and forms 332 00:13:39,579 --> 00:13:41,620 between the services . Each service 333 00:13:41,630 --> 00:13:43,797 runs there if in peak program a little 334 00:13:43,797 --> 00:13:45,960 bit differently . So we're ensuring 335 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:48,570 that we get standardized processes 336 00:13:48,570 --> 00:13:52,040 between so that we can make sure that , 337 00:13:52,050 --> 00:13:54,940 uh , that , uh , a service member 338 00:13:54,950 --> 00:13:58,020 moving from one location that's run by 339 00:13:58,020 --> 00:14:00,270 one service going to another location 340 00:14:00,270 --> 00:14:02,270 that's run by another service , for 341 00:14:02,270 --> 00:14:04,780 example , joint basis that that it's a 342 00:14:04,780 --> 00:14:06,780 seamless process for them when they 343 00:14:06,780 --> 00:14:09,610 transfer across . Uh , one of the 344 00:14:09,620 --> 00:14:13,070 advantages of our consolidation of our 345 00:14:13,070 --> 00:14:15,210 military medical treatment facilities 346 00:14:15,210 --> 00:14:17,321 under the Defense Health Agency helps 347 00:14:17,321 --> 00:14:19,321 us with that . Because then we have 348 00:14:19,321 --> 00:14:22,170 centralized control over those E f M p , 349 00:14:22,180 --> 00:14:25,240 uh , workers that that work in the F M 350 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:29,240 P program . Thank you so 351 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:32,030 much . Another question we have here is 352 00:14:32,040 --> 00:14:34,096 at the d . O d level . What are they 353 00:14:34,096 --> 00:14:36,318 doing to alleviate alleviate child care 354 00:14:36,318 --> 00:14:39,230 concerns for military families ? Well , 355 00:14:39,230 --> 00:14:41,174 as most folks were were especially 356 00:14:41,174 --> 00:14:45,020 during the during the pandemic Onda at 357 00:14:45,020 --> 00:14:47,131 the beginning of the pandemic , a lot 358 00:14:47,131 --> 00:14:49,360 of our childcare facilities closed 359 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:51,610 until we learn more about the virus and 360 00:14:51,620 --> 00:14:54,230 and how to control . And then , as we 361 00:14:54,230 --> 00:14:57,070 got the Center for Disease Prevention 362 00:14:57,070 --> 00:15:00,240 and Control , um , guidelines , we were 363 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:02,450 able to now open up most of the 364 00:15:02,450 --> 00:15:05,030 childcare centers . Now the childcare 365 00:15:05,030 --> 00:15:07,570 centers that are open are not fully 366 00:15:07,570 --> 00:15:09,700 open because they have capacity 367 00:15:09,710 --> 00:15:11,860 limitations now because of social 368 00:15:11,860 --> 00:15:14,470 distancing and , uh , and other 369 00:15:14,470 --> 00:15:17,300 requirements of CDC guidelines and , uh , 370 00:15:17,310 --> 00:15:20,350 disinfecting common areas , for example , 371 00:15:20,350 --> 00:15:23,660 at on periodic frequencies . 372 00:15:23,940 --> 00:15:27,000 Eso We know that this is , ah , 373 00:15:27,010 --> 00:15:28,860 challenge for a lot of our folks 374 00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:32,610 outside the gates in our 375 00:15:32,620 --> 00:15:34,990 installation areas , For example , a 376 00:15:34,990 --> 00:15:37,790 lot of the community childcare centers 377 00:15:37,790 --> 00:15:40,060 that are folks counted on closed down . 378 00:15:40,070 --> 00:15:43,150 And we've heard that because a lot of 379 00:15:43,150 --> 00:15:45,261 these air small businesses that up to 380 00:15:45,261 --> 00:15:48,270 40% of these childcare , um , 381 00:15:48,540 --> 00:15:51,570 businesses probably won't open again . 382 00:15:51,580 --> 00:15:54,510 So we know that there's a challenge of 383 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:57,250 allowing folks that need to get the 384 00:15:57,250 --> 00:15:59,700 work to goto work . We're maximizing 385 00:15:59,700 --> 00:16:01,922 tele work for for those people that can 386 00:16:01,922 --> 00:16:04,640 do tele work , we're we've really 387 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:07,970 advanced are electron ICS and I t 388 00:16:07,970 --> 00:16:10,060 infrastructure capability toe handle 389 00:16:10,060 --> 00:16:12,171 additional workload for teleworking , 390 00:16:12,171 --> 00:16:14,227 make sure people had computers , and 391 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:16,280 and that sort of in from , uh , 392 00:16:16,290 --> 00:16:18,512 infrastructure to help them with that . 393 00:16:18,512 --> 00:16:21,440 And then finally , the services are 394 00:16:21,450 --> 00:16:23,660 looking at innovative ways of how we 395 00:16:23,660 --> 00:16:25,900 can increase childcare capacity , for 396 00:16:25,900 --> 00:16:28,770 example , in some locations were 397 00:16:28,780 --> 00:16:30,970 downtown schools that local school 398 00:16:30,970 --> 00:16:33,280 district's or have gone to a completely 399 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:36,150 virtual environment . Now they have , 400 00:16:36,150 --> 00:16:38,317 ah , buildings with lots of classrooms 401 00:16:38,317 --> 00:16:41,000 that are that are available . And so 402 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:44,050 we're looking at at leasing these types 403 00:16:44,050 --> 00:16:46,520 of facilities or maybe a child care 404 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:49,280 center that is closed down and , uh , 405 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:51,336 and then that using that as a way to 406 00:16:51,336 --> 00:16:53,447 expand our capacity . So the services 407 00:16:53,447 --> 00:16:55,530 and along with my folks and manpower 408 00:16:55,530 --> 00:16:57,641 and reserve affairs , they're working 409 00:16:57,641 --> 00:16:59,530 very hard . Thio . See how we can 410 00:16:59,530 --> 00:17:03,390 increase the capacity . Thank you 411 00:17:03,390 --> 00:17:05,550 for that . Another question we have 412 00:17:05,550 --> 00:17:07,772 here is can you help parents understand 413 00:17:07,772 --> 00:17:10,100 the military student identify her and 414 00:17:10,100 --> 00:17:13,040 how collecting data will help help 415 00:17:13,040 --> 00:17:16,590 Children in the future ? E . I think 416 00:17:16,590 --> 00:17:19,030 you're talking about the , uh , for a 417 00:17:19,030 --> 00:17:21,830 local school district's and and part of 418 00:17:21,830 --> 00:17:23,941 the law that was passed several years 419 00:17:23,941 --> 00:17:27,320 ago . Ah , lot of the school districts 420 00:17:27,320 --> 00:17:30,030 have thio collect information on folks 421 00:17:30,030 --> 00:17:32,030 for federal impact aid , and I know 422 00:17:32,030 --> 00:17:34,030 everybody is used to the forms that 423 00:17:34,030 --> 00:17:35,910 they relentlessly call you about 424 00:17:35,910 --> 00:17:38,021 filling out every year when your when 425 00:17:38,021 --> 00:17:40,021 your folks were in the local school 426 00:17:40,021 --> 00:17:42,243 district . This is associated with that 427 00:17:42,243 --> 00:17:45,220 where we can collect other data like 428 00:17:45,230 --> 00:17:47,397 student performance data and that sort 429 00:17:47,397 --> 00:17:49,563 of thing . And then that's fed back to 430 00:17:49,563 --> 00:17:52,380 us so that we can help with improving 431 00:17:52,380 --> 00:17:54,440 the situation in school through 432 00:17:54,450 --> 00:17:57,380 sometimes it through providing grants 433 00:17:57,380 --> 00:18:00,510 to school district . So our other help 434 00:18:00,510 --> 00:18:03,090 like that . It's important to note , 435 00:18:03,090 --> 00:18:05,580 though , that these this is anonymous 436 00:18:05,580 --> 00:18:08,970 information that's aggregated Andi and 437 00:18:08,970 --> 00:18:11,026 parents can decide whether they want 438 00:18:11,026 --> 00:18:13,820 their child identified by name on that . 439 00:18:13,820 --> 00:18:16,180 So I hope that helps . 440 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:21,460 Yes , thank you so much . And the next 441 00:18:21,460 --> 00:18:23,940 one we have here is . Although D O . D . 442 00:18:23,940 --> 00:18:26,107 Sponsored committees currently exist , 443 00:18:26,107 --> 00:18:28,440 they examined military family readiness . 444 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:30,496 These organizations did not actively 445 00:18:30,496 --> 00:18:30,410 publicize their meetings other than 446 00:18:30,410 --> 00:18:32,410 through the Federal Register . This 447 00:18:32,410 --> 00:18:34,521 makes it difficult for a new military 448 00:18:34,521 --> 00:18:36,688 family to participate . Additionally , 449 00:18:36,688 --> 00:18:38,743 while public comment is read , it is 450 00:18:38,743 --> 00:18:40,743 not commented on by those holding a 451 00:18:40,743 --> 00:18:42,799 seat on those councils . In order to 452 00:18:42,799 --> 00:18:44,854 help represent all military families 453 00:18:44,854 --> 00:18:47,077 with the d . O . D . Consider requiring 454 00:18:47,077 --> 00:18:46,810 D o . D organized committees to address 455 00:18:46,810 --> 00:18:49,990 these public comments . Okay , well , 456 00:18:49,990 --> 00:18:53,310 the all of these committees , advisory 457 00:18:53,320 --> 00:18:55,600 committees and councils are are 458 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:58,000 regulated under an act called the 459 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:00,780 Federal Advisory committee Act , and 460 00:19:00,790 --> 00:19:02,901 there are specific rules that we have 461 00:19:02,901 --> 00:19:05,050 to follow for this . Although public 462 00:19:05,050 --> 00:19:07,383 comments wouldn't be directly addressed . 463 00:19:07,383 --> 00:19:09,494 The purpose of these committees , for 464 00:19:09,494 --> 00:19:11,717 example , the Military Family Readiness 465 00:19:11,717 --> 00:19:13,717 Council that I chair the purpose of 466 00:19:13,717 --> 00:19:15,939 these air to develop recommendations to 467 00:19:15,939 --> 00:19:17,939 give to the secretary of Defense to 468 00:19:17,939 --> 00:19:21,340 improve whatever you know , the topic 469 00:19:21,340 --> 00:19:24,110 is for that advisory council . So So 470 00:19:24,110 --> 00:19:26,650 the public comments are addressed in 471 00:19:26,650 --> 00:19:29,040 and included in recommendations that 472 00:19:29,040 --> 00:19:32,430 have provided to the secretary . But by 473 00:19:32,430 --> 00:19:34,597 law , the only way that we can address 474 00:19:34,597 --> 00:19:36,819 these is through the federal registry . 475 00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:43,250 Thank you . And another question we've 476 00:19:43,260 --> 00:19:45,370 got had come in here . What is the 477 00:19:45,370 --> 00:19:47,520 process to improve respite ? Carrot 478 00:19:47,530 --> 00:19:48,470 installations ? 479 00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:53,320 I'm a little bit familiar with that . 480 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:55,610 And on this and any other questions 481 00:19:55,610 --> 00:19:58,070 that anybody has , they can . They can 482 00:19:58,070 --> 00:20:00,070 certainly provided through you , Mr 483 00:20:00,070 --> 00:20:02,181 Sardinas , and and get it to us . And 484 00:20:02,181 --> 00:20:05,040 we can answer specific questions . But 485 00:20:05,040 --> 00:20:07,040 for the respite care I think you're 486 00:20:07,040 --> 00:20:09,600 talking about for parents of special 487 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:12,770 needs Children and the ability to , uh , 488 00:20:12,780 --> 00:20:14,900 take a break , if you will , because 489 00:20:14,900 --> 00:20:17,200 it's it could be stressful , you know , 490 00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:19,740 caring for family members with special 491 00:20:19,740 --> 00:20:22,850 needs . And so I know that we provide , 492 00:20:23,140 --> 00:20:25,870 uh , subscription service without 493 00:20:25,870 --> 00:20:27,900 charge to build a find providers 494 00:20:27,900 --> 00:20:31,100 downtown . But beyond that , I would 495 00:20:31,100 --> 00:20:33,211 say , you know , get the questions to 496 00:20:33,211 --> 00:20:35,378 us that you're specifically one answer 497 00:20:35,378 --> 00:20:37,600 for him . We'll get you those answers . 498 00:20:38,240 --> 00:20:40,573 Okay ? Yeah , that one was just sending . 499 00:20:40,573 --> 00:20:42,860 Um , Here's another one with the very 500 00:20:42,860 --> 00:20:45,280 issue issues facing military families , 501 00:20:45,280 --> 00:20:47,558 educations about employment , etcetera , 502 00:20:47,558 --> 00:20:49,613 uh , that operate at the state level 503 00:20:49,613 --> 00:20:51,780 with the d o . D . Consider creating a 504 00:20:51,780 --> 00:20:53,836 comprehensive sort of bill of rights 505 00:20:53,836 --> 00:20:56,058 that offers protections from state laws 506 00:20:56,058 --> 00:20:58,002 that negatively impact active duty 507 00:20:58,002 --> 00:21:00,660 military member families . Well , you 508 00:21:00,660 --> 00:21:02,771 know , that's an interesting proposal 509 00:21:02,771 --> 00:21:04,993 that have a bill of rights that way . I 510 00:21:04,993 --> 00:21:07,950 think , uh , it would be a proposal 511 00:21:07,950 --> 00:21:10,061 that we would certainly look at if it 512 00:21:10,061 --> 00:21:12,680 was narrowed and scope enough to a 513 00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:14,780 specific issue . But , for example , 514 00:21:14,940 --> 00:21:17,510 we're working very hard on military 515 00:21:17,510 --> 00:21:20,870 spouse licensing laws in between states . 516 00:21:20,870 --> 00:21:22,926 And I think you have an item on your 517 00:21:22,926 --> 00:21:25,148 agenda to talk about that as well . And 518 00:21:25,148 --> 00:21:27,440 we've made some good progress even to 519 00:21:27,440 --> 00:21:29,820 the point where that could become a 520 00:21:29,820 --> 00:21:32,980 criteria for making basing decisions in 521 00:21:32,980 --> 00:21:35,650 the future . So if we were fielding a 522 00:21:35,650 --> 00:21:38,410 new squadron of airplanes , say , and 523 00:21:38,410 --> 00:21:40,410 we're trying to decide where to put 524 00:21:40,410 --> 00:21:43,350 them . That would be a scored basing 525 00:21:43,350 --> 00:21:45,980 criteria . The spouse licensing another 526 00:21:45,980 --> 00:21:48,850 area we're working on is , uh , the 527 00:21:48,850 --> 00:21:51,580 ability for spouses to build operate 528 00:21:51,580 --> 00:21:53,810 with their driver's licenses because 529 00:21:53,810 --> 00:21:56,910 some states don't recognize a spouse 530 00:21:56,920 --> 00:21:59,820 on their driver's license and forced 531 00:21:59,820 --> 00:22:01,931 them to get new driver's license at a 532 00:22:01,931 --> 00:22:04,153 new location within a certain period of 533 00:22:04,153 --> 00:22:06,098 time . So our defense state Leah's 534 00:22:06,098 --> 00:22:08,153 don't office works hard on all these 535 00:22:08,153 --> 00:22:11,130 issues on if you have issues like that , 536 00:22:11,130 --> 00:22:13,186 get those passed up to us so that we 537 00:22:13,186 --> 00:22:15,241 can work those because we take those 538 00:22:15,241 --> 00:22:17,860 very seriously to make it easier on the 539 00:22:17,860 --> 00:22:20,082 spouses as they move between states and 540 00:22:20,082 --> 00:22:22,000 follow , and to get them the same 541 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:24,167 protections that our service members , 542 00:22:24,167 --> 00:22:26,056 uh , enjoy and are entitled to my 543 00:22:26,056 --> 00:22:30,000 federal law . Thank you . Uh , 544 00:22:30,010 --> 00:22:32,730 this one's from Sandra Lopez . Uh , 545 00:22:32,740 --> 00:22:34,962 dental care is lacking for dependence . 546 00:22:34,962 --> 00:22:37,300 United Concordia only pays half or less 547 00:22:37,300 --> 00:22:39,510 for most dental care , and most DDS or 548 00:22:39,510 --> 00:22:41,566 no longer taking this insurance . Is 549 00:22:41,566 --> 00:22:43,788 there anything being done to fix this ? 550 00:22:44,240 --> 00:22:47,950 Um , I'm not familiar with the dental 551 00:22:47,950 --> 00:22:51,040 care , specifically , but as a as a 552 00:22:51,040 --> 00:22:54,880 retired service member Onda and a 553 00:22:54,880 --> 00:22:57,680 daughter who needed to get braces . I 554 00:22:57,680 --> 00:23:00,510 understand that it can be a significant 555 00:23:00,520 --> 00:23:03,160 load on a family's resource is and 556 00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:06,180 finances to get these things done . But 557 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:08,329 let me let me find out for sure . 558 00:23:08,329 --> 00:23:11,260 Exactly , uh , what the data is on that 559 00:23:11,260 --> 00:23:12,950 and if you would get contact 560 00:23:12,950 --> 00:23:15,117 information to us , we'll provide that 561 00:23:15,117 --> 00:23:19,070 to her . Thank you . Think ones 562 00:23:19,070 --> 00:23:22,310 from Elaine Daly wrath . What is being 563 00:23:22,310 --> 00:23:23,921 done to address the issue of 564 00:23:23,921 --> 00:23:26,000 recruitment of direct care staff 565 00:23:26,010 --> 00:23:28,232 installations have been working on this 566 00:23:28,232 --> 00:23:30,454 problem for years . Eyes an increase in 567 00:23:30,454 --> 00:23:32,399 salary being considered across the 568 00:23:32,399 --> 00:23:34,870 military childcare systems . One of the 569 00:23:34,870 --> 00:23:36,759 things that we've talked with the 570 00:23:36,759 --> 00:23:39,240 service is about . This is they have 571 00:23:39,250 --> 00:23:43,020 the ability to set rates because 572 00:23:43,030 --> 00:23:45,890 it is a challenge for us , not just in 573 00:23:45,900 --> 00:23:48,140 in direct care but in other areas as 574 00:23:48,140 --> 00:23:52,070 well . To we're where we recruit and 575 00:23:52,070 --> 00:23:54,840 then train and get these folks up to 576 00:23:54,840 --> 00:23:57,060 speed and meeting the qualifications 577 00:23:57,060 --> 00:24:00,990 for for the on base installation . And 578 00:24:00,990 --> 00:24:03,840 then , uh , some of them tend toe get 579 00:24:03,840 --> 00:24:06,930 hard away from downtown community 580 00:24:06,940 --> 00:24:09,162 because we do a good job training these 581 00:24:09,162 --> 00:24:11,630 folks up . So what ? We're what We're 582 00:24:11,630 --> 00:24:13,720 working with various installation 583 00:24:13,720 --> 00:24:16,010 commanders is is to make sure they have 584 00:24:16,010 --> 00:24:18,340 the ability to set their wages so that 585 00:24:18,340 --> 00:24:20,562 they stay competitive with the downtown 586 00:24:20,562 --> 00:24:23,770 areas . Uh , the other is is increasing 587 00:24:23,780 --> 00:24:26,670 the background checks , the speed of 588 00:24:26,680 --> 00:24:29,540 getting background checks completed and 589 00:24:29,540 --> 00:24:31,707 and we're making good progress of that 590 00:24:31,707 --> 00:24:33,970 so that the time to hire is a lot less 591 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:39,096 Okay , thank you . Here's here's one 592 00:24:39,096 --> 00:24:42,060 from Marie Foster . Child care has now 593 00:24:42,070 --> 00:24:44,237 all has also include virtual schooling 594 00:24:44,237 --> 00:24:46,237 assistance . How is the D . O . D . 595 00:24:46,237 --> 00:24:48,930 Shifting from childcare toe educational 596 00:24:48,930 --> 00:24:51,097 support for school age Children ? With 597 00:24:51,097 --> 00:24:54,390 everything going on ? Well , we have . 598 00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:58,210 We have a robust virtual school program 599 00:24:58,220 --> 00:25:01,640 and Dodea , the Defense Department of 600 00:25:01,640 --> 00:25:04,220 Defense education activity and is 601 00:25:04,220 --> 00:25:07,110 director Tom Brady has really embraced 602 00:25:07,110 --> 00:25:09,310 the ability to make sure that Aziz 603 00:25:09,310 --> 00:25:11,421 we've talked about for teleworking is 604 00:25:11,421 --> 00:25:13,199 that we have the infrastructure 605 00:25:13,199 --> 00:25:15,400 available the i T infrastructure to 606 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:17,289 make sure that this all works for 607 00:25:17,289 --> 00:25:19,400 families and that they have access to 608 00:25:19,400 --> 00:25:23,160 the Internet and Thio computer laptops 609 00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:25,160 and that sort of thing to make sure 610 00:25:25,160 --> 00:25:27,271 that they're on their um , you know , 611 00:25:27,271 --> 00:25:30,440 it's faras , uh , preschool or younger 612 00:25:30,440 --> 00:25:32,496 Children in childcare . I mean , our 613 00:25:32,496 --> 00:25:34,496 child care folks are not trained as 614 00:25:34,496 --> 00:25:38,290 teachers on dead . And so , you know , 615 00:25:38,290 --> 00:25:40,401 we would have to take a look at , you 616 00:25:40,401 --> 00:25:42,568 know , is there some other scheme that 617 00:25:42,568 --> 00:25:44,846 we would do for for that type of thing ? 618 00:25:44,846 --> 00:25:46,901 But we're trying to expand the after 619 00:25:46,901 --> 00:25:48,901 after school care programs and that 620 00:25:48,901 --> 00:25:50,734 sort of thing to accommodate the 621 00:25:50,734 --> 00:25:52,179 Children as best we can . 622 00:25:56,740 --> 00:25:59,990 Thank you . We have another one here . 623 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:02,620 Does the d . H A have any plans of 624 00:26:02,620 --> 00:26:04,676 changing the Tricare policy to allow 625 00:26:04,676 --> 00:26:08,560 for telehealth for , uh , their A 626 00:26:08,560 --> 00:26:10,616 B A therapy for Children with autism 627 00:26:10,616 --> 00:26:14,390 during the pandemic ? I'm 628 00:26:14,390 --> 00:26:16,446 not sure . Specifically , we can get 629 00:26:16,446 --> 00:26:18,612 you a specific answer on that . But we 630 00:26:18,612 --> 00:26:20,980 have expanded the telehealth greatly . 631 00:26:20,990 --> 00:26:24,190 Uh , during the pandemic to accommodate 632 00:26:24,190 --> 00:26:27,330 folks , including tele mental Health on 633 00:26:27,330 --> 00:26:29,140 we've actually waved the co pay 634 00:26:29,140 --> 00:26:31,760 requirements . A Zai mentioned in my 635 00:26:31,760 --> 00:26:34,720 remarks on that to make it easier for 636 00:26:34,720 --> 00:26:36,831 folks to do that and also incentivize 637 00:26:36,831 --> 00:26:38,887 folks , we we understand that during 638 00:26:38,940 --> 00:26:41,550 during thes pandemic conditions that 639 00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:44,350 some folks are leery of going , you 640 00:26:44,350 --> 00:26:46,572 know , physically into a hospital or to 641 00:26:46,572 --> 00:26:49,280 a clinic to be seen . So we wanna make 642 00:26:49,280 --> 00:26:51,570 sure that we provide every avenue we 643 00:26:51,570 --> 00:26:54,120 can . Yeah . We have some statistics 644 00:26:54,120 --> 00:26:56,520 that really just impressed me a lot 645 00:26:56,520 --> 00:26:58,850 with how much we've expanded the 646 00:26:58,860 --> 00:27:01,200 telehealth capabilities both with the 647 00:27:01,200 --> 00:27:03,960 downtown providers and in the military 648 00:27:03,960 --> 00:27:05,682 treatment facilities on pace . 649 00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:10,580 Thank you . Uh , thought this was a 650 00:27:10,590 --> 00:27:12,870 good one from Kippy Martin eyes it 651 00:27:12,870 --> 00:27:14,759 possible to include provisions in 652 00:27:14,759 --> 00:27:16,703 contracts with companies that when 653 00:27:16,703 --> 00:27:18,481 government contracts toe higher 654 00:27:18,481 --> 00:27:20,510 military spouses and pay a salary 655 00:27:20,510 --> 00:27:23,580 comparable with a normal labor market 656 00:27:23,580 --> 00:27:27,240 for that job , I think that Zatz one of 657 00:27:27,240 --> 00:27:30,180 the items that we're looking at that 658 00:27:30,180 --> 00:27:33,370 really is in my , uh , my colleague 659 00:27:33,380 --> 00:27:36,160 Ellen Lords area with contract . But 660 00:27:36,160 --> 00:27:38,510 we're certainly looking at , uh , 661 00:27:38,520 --> 00:27:40,631 increasing the availability of spouse 662 00:27:40,631 --> 00:27:42,687 employment all across the spectrum . 663 00:27:42,687 --> 00:27:45,060 You know , we were able thio give 664 00:27:45,060 --> 00:27:47,800 incentives and , uh , spouse preference 665 00:27:47,810 --> 00:27:50,820 several years back for government jobs . 666 00:27:50,830 --> 00:27:53,810 Eso expanding it out into contractors 667 00:27:53,810 --> 00:27:56,032 or something that will certainly take a 668 00:27:56,032 --> 00:27:58,254 look at and see if there's a way we can 669 00:27:58,254 --> 00:28:01,360 incentivize companies first . Do that . 670 00:28:04,540 --> 00:28:06,490 Okay . Thank you so much . I think 671 00:28:06,490 --> 00:28:08,712 that's that's what we have for question 672 00:28:08,712 --> 00:28:11,740 questions here . Currently . Um , so 673 00:28:11,750 --> 00:28:13,917 thank you . Thank you so much for your 674 00:28:13,917 --> 00:28:15,972 time here and for everybody here . I 675 00:28:15,972 --> 00:28:18,590 think we're just going to take a short 676 00:28:18,590 --> 00:28:21,320 break and start off the the first panel 677 00:28:21,330 --> 00:28:24,300 right at 1 . 30 as planned . So thank 678 00:28:24,300 --> 00:28:26,890 you so much . And thank you , Mr 679 00:28:26,890 --> 00:28:29,001 Donovan , for your time today . Thank 680 00:28:29,001 --> 00:28:31,168 you . Thank you . Enjoy it . Enjoy the 681 00:28:31,168 --> 00:28:31,780 rest of your program .