WASHINGTON DC (May 6, 2019) — Blue Star Families announces the launch of the 2019 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, available online now athttps://bluestarfam.us/bsfsurvey2019.
In collaboration with Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), and with the support of presenting sponsor USAA, and supporting sponsors CSX Corporation and Northrop Grumman Corporation, the survey empowers service-members, veterans, National Guard, Reserve, and their families by collecting insights, analyzing trends, and communicating unique military-life challenges to influencers who are responsible for driving change in our nation.
“Blue Star Families’ annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey is one of the few surveys that provide an opportunity for our community to talk about military family life challenges that transcend over time by bringing to light military and veteran family issues in a comprehensive and holistic way,” said Hisako Sonethavilay, Blue Star Families Senior Advisor for Applied Research.
For the sixth year, Blue Star Families is conducting the survey in collaboration with IVMF at Syracuse University. IVMF is the first interdisciplinary national institute in higher education focused on the social, economic, education, and policy issues impacting veterans and military families.
The 2018 survey results underscored the need for structural and cultural changes around the impact service has had on military families’ well-being, both from a financial perspective as well as a health perspective. Concerns related to time away from family, military spouse employment, and military children’s education were some of the top issues revealed.
“We know that every critical military family life issue is influenced by the extent to which those outside of the military can comprehend the unique and diverse experiences of our lifestyle,” said Sonethavilay. This level of understanding is the foundation for sustainable military and veteran family policy and program development. Our survey is regarded as a key resource to help inform these decisions, and decision makers have come to rely on receiving this information annually.”
The survey takes about 30 minutes to complete and is confidential. Each respondent can enter for a chance to win a $100 gift card. The survey is open to all active-duty service members, veterans, National Guard, Reserve, and their families through June 14. The 2019 survey findings will be released in early 2020.
Questions? Contact Michele Bradfield at mbradfield@bluestarfam.org.
About the annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey
Blue Star Families’ annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey (aMFLS) was first fielded in 2009. The 2019 survey, designed by Blue Star Families in collaboration with Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and analyzed by Blue Star Families, goes live May 6 and will run through June 14 of this year.
The largest of its kind, the aMFLS is a leading resource used to comprehensively understand the current state of the military community and the unique needs and challenges of military families. Top political influencers at the White House, Congress, and the Department of Defense cite the survey. It is also widely used by renowned research leaders and high-profile national media. Over 10,000 respondents participated in the 2018 survey.
About Blue Star Families
Blue Star Families builds communities that support military families by connecting research and data to programs and solutions, including career development tools, local community events for families, and caregiver support. Since its inception in 2009, Blue Star Families has engaged tens of thousands of volunteers and served more than 1.5 million military family members. Blue Star Families believes that all military families should be able to serve and simultaneously build thriving and healthy families. With Blue Star Families, military families can find answers to their challenges anywhere they are. Visit bluestarfam.org for more information.
About IVMF
The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University is the first interdisciplinary national institute in higher education focused on the social, economic, education, and policy issues impacting veterans and their families. Through its professional staff and experts, the IVMF delivers leading programs in career, vocational, and entrepreneurship education and training, while also conducting actionable research, policy analysis, and program evaluations. The IVMF supports communities through collective impact efforts that enhance delivery and access to services and care. To date, the Institute has served 100,000 military service members, veterans, and their families through myriad programs. IVMF, supported by a distinguished advisory board along with public and private partners, is committed to advancing the lives of those who have served in America’s armed forces and their families. For more information, visit https://ivmf.syracuse.edu and follow the IVMF on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
