REPORT

Supporting a 21st Century Health Workforce: One Military Spouse's Journey

May 12, 2017

America’s military families face unique challenges as they serve our nation. One of the most common challenges is military spouse employment. That’s why programs like the National Military Family Association’s (NMFA) Military Spouse Scholarship and Professional Support Program help military spouses like Erin Marden with their educational pursuits and career development.

When Erin’s family moved from Hawaii to Alabama because of her husband’s military service, she knew she would face hurdles to continuing her career as a vocational rehabilitation counselor. To assist Erin in pursuing her career, she received an NMFA scholarship, funded by United Health Foundation, designed to help military spouses in the primary care and mental health profession.

NMFA’s program is also designed to level the playing field for military spouses by helping them with resources and support for other professional development. As a result, Erin received funding toward the state licensure required to advance her career, and today she is enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Counselor Education.

Learn more about Erin’s journey as a military spouse, and how organizations like NMFA are supporting military spouses in their education pursuits, in our newly released case study.