NMFA Government and You E-News for the week of July 24, 2007

Topics in this Week's News Include:

1. TRICARE Beneficiary Personal Information at Risk

2. Free Financial Planning for Injured Service Members

3. NFL Players Extend Free SAT Prep Program

4. Wounded Warriors Commission to Hold Last Public Meeting

5. USAA Tops the List of Military Spouse Friendly Workplaces

6. Local Initiatives Promote Military Spouse Employment

7. H&R Block Offers Full Scholarships for Military Spouses

Here's the News!!

1. TRICARE Beneficiary Personal Information at Risk: Late last week, Science Applications International Corporation, SAIC, announced that personal data including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, birth dates, and/or limited health information in the form of codes for as many as 867,000 TRICARE beneficiaries may be at risk for compromise. The personal information was being processed by SAIC under several health care contracts for the Department of Defense (DoD). The information was held on a single, SAIC-owned File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server at a small SAIC location in Shalimar, Florida. The server was not behind a firewall and did not contain adequate password protections, which is in violation of SAIC policy. SAIC stopped using this server when security concerns were raised. Forensic analysis has yielded no evidence that personal information maintained on the server was removed or compromised; however, SAIC cannot rule out that possibility.

All affected beneficiaries will be notified. SAIC is sending one notification letter per identifiable adult (e.g., service member, spouse, dependent parent) or one per family when there is an affected minor dependant in a service member sponsor’s household. The letter will be sent from ID TheftSmart™ and delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. This package will include a letter from SAIC, a letter from the government, and information from Kroll Inc. on their IDTheftSmart™ identity restoration service. In addition, all affected beneficiaries will be provided with a free one-year membership in Kroll’s ID TheftSmart identity restoration service.

After receiving notification, impacted individuals with questions may call the Incident Response Center Monday Friday from 8 a.m. to midnight (Eastern Time) at:          

• United States: 1-888-862-2680
• International, call collect: 1-515-365-3550

These dedicated telephone lines are reserved for use by those individuals identified and notified in writing by SAIC, in coordination with the government, about this incident.

In response to the incident SAIC has launched an internal investigation into the situation and several employees have been placed on administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation. In addition, SAIC has:

• Established a company-wide task force to ensure that the company responsibly addresses any adverse impact on the company’s customers and any affected individuals.
• Conducted a detailed forensic analysis of the server and data, which included assistance from some of the company’s and the government’s top experts in computer security.
• Initiated a systematic, company-wide assessment to assure that such lapses do not exist elsewhere in the company and determine whether any changes in policy, methods, tools and monitoring are needed to make sure that such a lapse does not recur.
• Launched an internal investigation using outside counsel to determine exactly how this security failure occurred and placed a number of employees on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

In a letter to NMFA, a senior SAIC official pledged the company would “do everything we can to support military members and their families.” He also stated the company would “ensure it does not happen again.”

For more information on the security breach and what you can do to protect your personal information and recover from a theft of that information, go to: http://www.tricare.mil/pressroom/news.aspx?fid=299.

2. Free Financial Planning for Injured Service Members: The Project for Financial Independence is now offering pro bono financial planning to severely injured service members through a partnership with the Department of Defense Heroes to Hometowns (H2H) program. In addition to the new financial planning services, H2H assists severely injured members find suitable homes, adapt vehicles to accommodate their injuries, secure transportation to medical appointments, find jobs, and locate child care. To learn more about Heroes to Hometowns, visit: http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/. Look for the QOL Resource box and click “Heroes to Hometowns.”

3. NFL Players Extend Free SAT Prep Program: For the past three years a group of NFL players has partnered with EKnowledge and DoD to offer free SAT preparation materials to military families. VSG/NFL Players and EKnowledge recently announced that the program has again been extended and now provides the materials for JROTC cadets as well as children of military personnel. Some of the athletes involved in the program are: Mark Anderson, Chicago Bears; Jon Bradley, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Scott Young, Philadelphia Eagles; Garrick Jones, Atlanta Falcons; Corey Williams, Green Bay Packers; Jason Radar, Miami Dolphins; and Ahmaad Galloway, San Diego Chargers.

For additional information or to obtain the SAT Prep program visit the Military Homefront website at: http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/portal/page/itc/MHF/MHF_DETAIL_0?current_id=20.20.100.30.0.0.0.0.0. Requests can also be made by calling EKnowledge at 951-256-4076 or via e-mail at support@eknowledge.com.

4. Wounded Warriors Commission to Hold Last Public Meeting: The President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors will hold its final public meeting on Wednesday, July 25th at 11:15 a.m. At this final meeting, the Commissioners will discuss and vote on final recommendations to the President concerning care for America’s returning wounded and injured service members. It will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center’s Atrium Ballroom in Washington, D.C. 
(Source: http://www.pccww.gov/)

5. USAA Tops the List of Military Spouse Friendly Workplaces: Military Spouse magazine recently released their list of “Top 10 Military Spouse Friendly Employers”. USAA topped the list and was noted for exemplary HR policies. In addition, USAA has a stated goal to comprise 20 percent of its workforce with military and military spouses. All of the companies on the list offer comprehensive benefit packages, job sharing, tuition assistance, on-site child care, and liberal leave and re-employment policies. Other evaluation criteria included efforts to recruit military spouses, results in recruiting spouses, and policies for spouses of Reserve and Guard members. Other companies on the list, in order of rank, were AAFES, RE/MAX, The Home Depot, Wachovia, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), Sears Holdings, Kelly Services, Lockheed Martin, and Starbucks.
(Source: Military Spouse Magazine press release)

6. Local Initiatives Promote Military Spouse Employment: NMFA has long known that military spouses are excellent employees. Military spouses are culturally diverse, well traveled, educated, experienced, loyal, hard working and resourceful. Research also shows, however, that despite these qualities military spouse employment outcomes are less successful than their civilian counterparts. This disparity is likely linked to frequent moves.

The Military Family Employment Advocacy Program in Brevard County, Florida is working with military spouses to develop portable careers. The program is funded by the Florida legislature and administered by the Brevard Workforce Development Board. All military family members are eligible to utilize the program. Services include resume assistance, career and educational opportunity training, job search assistance, and assistance with support services like child care.

Snohomish County Washington, led by the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce is working to ensure that spouses in their area are recognized for the value they bring to a company. The Snohomish County Military Family Friendly Employment Partnership Initiative seeks to educate local employers about the advantages of hiring military family members. The program will officially launch in September with a seminar at Naval Station Everett. Currently the chamber is meeting with local municipalities urging them to join the network. The hope is that local governments will lead by example in hiring military family members. Ultimately, companies will be asked to join and agree that they will continue to create job opportunities for military family members.

NMFA applauds local efforts to promote military spouse employment. This is truly a win-win situation for all involved.

7. H&R Block Offers Full Scholarships for Military Spouses: Military spouses are currently eligible to attend a H&R Block Income Tax course on a full scholarship. After successful completion of the course students may be eligible to interview for employment with H&R Block. No previous training is required and the program is open to active duty and reserve component military spouses. For more information contact your local H&R Block office. Call 1-888-412-7880 for more information.