Delaware News

Supporting Military Spouses: Delaware Launches Career Program with National Association of State Personnel Executives

Department of Human Resources | Date Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2023


Man and woman interviewing military spouse.

DOVER, Del.  — Demonstrating a long-standing commitment to supporting military families, Delaware’s Department of Human Resources (DHR) announces a new program aimed at creating career opportunities for military spouses. The Military Spouse Transition Network (MSTN) project is a partnership between the State of Delaware and the National Association of State Personnel Executives (NASPE), an organization dedicated to improving the communication and exchange of information among state government personnel executives nationwide.

Military spouses face the challenge of relocating to new duty stations approximately every three years, a hurdle that can significantly hinder their professional careers and financial support for their families. Without proper career assistance, they are often left with no choice but to accept lower-paying jobs, leading to professional dissatisfaction and limited workforce participation.

The program is designed to assist all recognized military spouses employed by state government agencies in NASPE member states. Delaware’s DHR is taking the program a step further by extending an invitation to assist with career placement to all military spouses and their dependents relocating to the state. To reach a wider audience, the State of Delaware has been actively promoting the MSTN program by engaging with different military branches and sharing information at local hiring events. The process starts when the military member receives a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) notice. Upon such notification, military spouses are encouraged to contact the designated MSTN liaison in their home state who will connect them with the appropriate personnel in the receiving state. This process facilitates an information exchange, providing military spouses access to a wide array of valuable career services, including resume assistance, skills translation, and important professional contacts, with the goal of supporting their successful re-employment.

“The State of Delaware understands the unique burdens and challenges military spouses and their dependents face when transitioning to a new state, and it is with this understanding that we started this military spouse transition program to directly address their re-employment challenges,” said Claire DeMatteis, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Human Resources. “We want to go the extra mile to make sure military spouses know that Delaware is a place that values and appreciates their hard work, experience and sacrifice.”

By joining NASPE’s Military Spouse Transition Network, Delaware’s DHR is dedicated to offering military spouses and their dependents a smoother transition and, assisting them in finding meaningful employment within state government. The program also fosters a supportive environment that recognizes and appreciates the skills and resilience of military spouses and families.

For more information, contact Erica Pratz, MSTN Liaison for the State of Delaware, by email erica.pratz@delaware.gov or call (302) 672-5161.

 

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Supporting Military Spouses: Delaware Launches Career Program with National Association of State Personnel Executives

Department of Human Resources | Date Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2023


Man and woman interviewing military spouse.

DOVER, Del.  — Demonstrating a long-standing commitment to supporting military families, Delaware’s Department of Human Resources (DHR) announces a new program aimed at creating career opportunities for military spouses. The Military Spouse Transition Network (MSTN) project is a partnership between the State of Delaware and the National Association of State Personnel Executives (NASPE), an organization dedicated to improving the communication and exchange of information among state government personnel executives nationwide.

Military spouses face the challenge of relocating to new duty stations approximately every three years, a hurdle that can significantly hinder their professional careers and financial support for their families. Without proper career assistance, they are often left with no choice but to accept lower-paying jobs, leading to professional dissatisfaction and limited workforce participation.

The program is designed to assist all recognized military spouses employed by state government agencies in NASPE member states. Delaware’s DHR is taking the program a step further by extending an invitation to assist with career placement to all military spouses and their dependents relocating to the state. To reach a wider audience, the State of Delaware has been actively promoting the MSTN program by engaging with different military branches and sharing information at local hiring events. The process starts when the military member receives a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) notice. Upon such notification, military spouses are encouraged to contact the designated MSTN liaison in their home state who will connect them with the appropriate personnel in the receiving state. This process facilitates an information exchange, providing military spouses access to a wide array of valuable career services, including resume assistance, skills translation, and important professional contacts, with the goal of supporting their successful re-employment.

“The State of Delaware understands the unique burdens and challenges military spouses and their dependents face when transitioning to a new state, and it is with this understanding that we started this military spouse transition program to directly address their re-employment challenges,” said Claire DeMatteis, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Human Resources. “We want to go the extra mile to make sure military spouses know that Delaware is a place that values and appreciates their hard work, experience and sacrifice.”

By joining NASPE’s Military Spouse Transition Network, Delaware’s DHR is dedicated to offering military spouses and their dependents a smoother transition and, assisting them in finding meaningful employment within state government. The program also fosters a supportive environment that recognizes and appreciates the skills and resilience of military spouses and families.

For more information, contact Erica Pratz, MSTN Liaison for the State of Delaware, by email erica.pratz@delaware.gov or call (302) 672-5161.

 

###

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , , , ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.