A series of 50 programs that spans U.S. government will be available to boost support for U.S. military families, President Obama said Monday.
The push for the initiatives, including more counseling, more education funds and expanded child care help, was spearheaded by first lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, who have taken on the needs of military families as their cause.
"Working with all of you is some of the best work I do, Michelle Obama said. "Your stories affect me not just as first lady, but as a mother, as a wife and as an American."
Biden said the first lady discussed many ways Americans could support the troops and thank them for their service. Strengthening Our Military Families: Meeting America's Commitment resulted from an effort co-led by the National Security Staff and Domestic Policy Council that called upon Cabinet secretaries and agency leaders to find better ways to provide military families with support.
"At the direction of the president," Biden said, "the agencies are acting in a coordinated, strategic, and comprehensive way to bring the full force of the federal government to bear on this critically important issue.