How Does HHS Support Military Families?

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its operating divisions offer a variety of resources and programs specifically designed to support military families.

Jobs:

• Veteran Employment Program Offices (FEDShireVETS): Find a list of Federal agencies and their Veteran Employment Program contacts.
• Special Appointing Authorities for Veterans (FEDShireVETS): Find guidelines for Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans.
• HHS Careers Help Desk Contacts: If you have issues related to a specific vacancy announcement, or you have trouble logging into HHS Careers, please contact the individuals listed in the vacancy announcement or the appropriate helpdesk listed on the Help Desk Contacts page for assistance.

Health:

• MedlinePlus for Veterans and Military Health: This NIH website serves as a resource center for veterans seeking information on health issues suffered as a result of wartime. Also, see Veterans and Military Health.
• Find Federally Qualified Health Centers available in most cities and many rural areas. HHS's Health Resources and Services Administration funds health centers that deliver comprehensive, high-quality preventive and primary health care, which may include oral health, behavioral health, and substance abuse services, to patients regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
• How to Help Veterans & Their Families (HRSA): Learn how you can help veterans locate community health care facilities.
• Veterans' Health Activities (CDC): Find information on Vietnam and Gulf War health-related studies.
• Active Duty and Veterans Women's Health (WomensHealth.gov): Find information and resources for women veterans.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health:

• Military Families Page: This page is designed to help military families and veterans deal with behavioral health issues associated with military service. SAMHSA offers support through technical assistance for state, territory, and tribal behavioral health systems serving service members, veterans, and their families.
• Veteran Crisis Line: Veterans in emotional crisis have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. Veterans can call the Lifeline number, 1-800-273- TALK (8255), and press “1” to be routed to the veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline.
• Women Veterans and Mental Health (WomensHealth.gov): Find information and resources on the mental health needs of women veterans.
• HealthFinder.gov for Veterans and Military Health: This page includes A to Z searchable information from Suicide Prevention to Frequently Asked Questions about PTSD.
• Help for Service Members, Veterans and Their Families: Current and former service members may face different mental health issues than the general public.

Children and Families:

• National Child Traumatic Stress Network: This network improves access to care, treatment, and service for children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events. It includes the Military Family Resource Area and Knowledge Bank, an online database of information about the problems facing military families and children.
• Military Families Considering Adoption: The Administration for Children and Families Child Welfare Information Gateway answers questions about adoption of children by military personnel and their families. It includes a listing of adoption agencies able to place U.S. citizens living abroad, information on the adoption reimbursement program for active duty members of the military services, and a bulletin explaining the benefits of adoption by military families.
• Child Support Enforcement for the Military and Veterans: This program ensures that children can count on reliable support from their parents. Military families face unique challenges because of deployments or other lengthy separations. Now, state child support programs intervene earlier and respond quicker to parents' changing circumstances so that support orders remain reasonable and fair.