On June 24, Joint Base Lewis-McChord added yet another service geared to help military families when the Heroes at Home 2 Program was officially launched at Stone Education Center.

"This is a huge accomplishment," said Col. Thomas Brittain, Joint Base Lewis-McChord garrison commander. "The partnership that we have with the local communities made this possible and should be modeled elsewhere."

Though the ribbon was just cut, the program has already enrolled 15 spouses. More than 60 - who are currently being vetted for eligibility - have applied. The program, which will be run on a local level by WorkForce Central and the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, is on track to enroll 825 individuals over the summer.

"Military spouses are resilient, flexible and smart," said Education Services Officer M. Kathleen Connolly. "They bring unique qualifications to the workforce that employers want."

However, the program will do more than just match the right person with the right job, according to Connolly. It will provide tuition assistance beyond what is offered through MyCAA, on-the-job training opportunities, career counseling, stipends for books and other financial support and even help with childcare.

Eligible spouses must be married to an active-duty Servicemember or a Title 10 Guard/Reservist, be assigned to JBLM after 2004, and be dislocated from a job as a result of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move. Enrollment in the program will also require documentation, including, but not limited to: a military ID, Social Security card, PCS or Title 10 orders and any recent unemployment insurance pay stubs. A lack of the required documentation can delay entry into the program, so come prepared.

For more details, visit www.heroesathome2.com, call (253) 966-7366 or (360) 570-4271, or stop in upstairs at Stone Education Center, 6242 Colorado Avenue, JBLM Main.