Military Spouse Initiative Background

The Washington State Military Spouse Liaison position was created following feedback received through Military Spouse Listening Sessions held in 2019 and conducted by WDVA Director Alfie Alvarado-Ramos in partnership with the Employment Security Department with military spouses and advocates at all of Washington State’s major military installations. These listening sessions identified several key challenges facing military spouses in Washington State, including: (1) employer relationships and bias; (2) job search support; (3) credential portability; and (4) childcare. Findings and recommendations are included in the summary report.

In response to input provided by military spouses during the listening sessions, the Washington State Legislature passed SB 6626 during the 2020 legislation, which created the Military Spouse Liaison position within the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. The legislation directs WDVA to: (1) conduct outreach and advocacy for military spouses; (2) provide assistance and information on professional licenses, credentials, and employment; (3) conduct research and create informational materials; (4) examine barriers and provide recommendations to help access child care; (5) coordinate with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to develop child care resources; and (6) coordinate with the Employment Security Department to develop a common form to help find meaningful employment. Per RCW 43.216.075, the Military Spouse Liaison also represents the military community as a Councilmember on the Washington State Early Learning Advisory Council.

Sponsors of the senate bill include Senators Conway, O'Ban, Hunt, Zeiger, Hobbs, Becker, Randall, Short, Brown, and Wagoner. Sponsors of companion House Bill 2200 include Representatives Klippert, Kilduff, Leavitt, Van Werven, Griffey, and Volz. RCW for the Military Spouse Liaison position can be found here:  https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.60A.245

The Military Spouse Liaison position is part of the Washington State Military Transition & Readiness Council (WSMTRC) and the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. The WSMTRC was established in 2013 through Governor Inslee’s first executive order, EO 13-01, on Veteran Transition Support. In 2019, Governor Inslee issued Executive Order 19-01, on Veteran and Military Family Transition and Readiness Support, updating the WSMTRC as well as establishing programs promoting veteran and military spouse owned business, hiring campaigns for military spouses and veterans, expedited issuance of professional licenses for military spouses and veterans, and other efforts to support military spouse and veteran employment.