Howdy y’all and buckle up for this week’s news 6 update! 

Military Partnership Grows with Google

Google has announced a partnership with the Department of Labor’s Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot (ENPP).

Through this dynamic duo pairing Google will offer the Google Career Certificates and Google Cloud Certification programs in fields including Data Analytics and IT Support to military members transitioning out of the military and their spouses. This service is free of charge and will be offered at many military installations around the globe.

These civilian workforce transferable skills can help procure careers in fields such as  Data Analytics, Digital Marketing & E-commerce, IT Support, Project Management and User Experience Design and takes as little as 3-6 months to complete. 

“Transition can be challenging, and the support from Google for our transitioning service members, and their spouses, makes it easier for them to chart their new course,” said James Rodriguez, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations and Management. “The work our partners with the Employment Navigator and Partnership Pilot do makes a difference, and VETS is thankful for Google’s contributions and impact, and we look forward to continued partnership.” 

“After giving so much to our country, every member of the military community deserves the opportunity to thrive in the workforce,” said Lisa Gevelber, Founder, Grow with Google. “We’re proud to work with the Department of Labor to help members of the military community successfully transition into civilian careers through our Google Career Certificates and Cloud Certification programs.”

This Grow With Google Program has been available at a cost since 2018 with 75 percent of graduates going off into successful applicable careers within six months of completing the course.

This partnership allows military members and spouses to access the same tools but without a price tag to go with it.

Good on you, google! Investing in our military members and spouses is always worthwhile!

Found out more at grow.google 

Tricare for Guard Troops 

A battle and discussion that has gone on for ages is the argument of National Guard families and access to all Tricare benefits. While allowed to have Tricare, it has always come with a price tag.

That could change for Maryland Guardsmen thanks to the Healthcare for Heroes act currently being introduced at the State’s House of Delegates. 

If this bill passes, not only do they have access to free Tricare but will also be reimbursed. The pricing for Tricare Reserve Select currently is over 300 dollars a month if the family is also enrolled.

This bill is being pushed by the state governor Wes Moore whose top secretary in a press release said the law is intended to ensure those “who have stepped forward to serve our state and nation don’t have to make the difficult decision between healthcare premiums and other necessary expenses.” 

While Tricare Reserve Select offers highly competitive insurance pricing, some 60,000 guardsmen are currently uninsured. This will come as a big win for the National Guard Bureau which has advocated for free healthcare for their members for years. 

If this bill passes, hopefully Maryland is just the first of 50 states to offer access to free healthcare for national guard members.

A round of applause for Maryland! Way to know that an insured soldier is a mission ready soldier. 

Learn more at militarytimes.com

Sesame Street Rocks On for Military Families 

While it’s been around since 2006, Sesame Street for Military Families has just launched a brand new batch of resources from the Sesame Street Workshops.

The new videos released are titled , “What Went Well,” “Keep It Simple,” “Still and Quiet,” “Meal Planning,” and “Daily Movement,”.

A tidbit from one of these videos shows Elmo missing his dad, who he used to play guitar with but is now gone for a while. He asks his mom who is too busy in the kitchen. She has a change of heart and orders pizza while rocking out on an upside down mixing bowl. But what really strikes the right chord is when she states that:

 “When routines change, like they often do for military families like mine, doing things simpler can be a good way to take care of ourselves and our families. That way we are always ready to rock!”

“The healthier the entire family is in mind and body, the more energy, patience, and support they will have for one another and their community,” Jeanette Betancourt, Sesame Workshop’s senior vice president of U.S. social impact, said in the announcement about the resources.

“Every little moment of self-care can have a big impact. Sesame Workshop is here with resources and support for our military and caregiving families who give so much of themselves in service to their country.”

Round of applause Sesame Street! Thanks for empowering military kids to rock on through the ups and downs of military life!

Find out more at sesamestreetcommunities.org

Today in History 

On  February 13, 2000 the last peanuts comic strip was published. The first was released in 1950 with 17,897 strips published in all.

Charles Schulz wrote every single one, and died with the comics also in the year 2000. At the time of his death the Peanuts were in 2600 newspapers reaching 75 countries.

Its four panel gag strip became the golden standard of comics and led to tv shows, movies, and even a musical!

Thanks for the laughs, Schulz! Unlike Charlie Brown, you never dropped the ball! 

Find out more at history.com

That’s it for me! I’m Emma Tighe with News 6, where information empowers!