Photo By Capt. Brittany Curry | Mrs. Sonia Trefflich, Licensed Clinical Social Working and spouse of the 9th...... read more read more
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BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Licensed Clinical Social Worker and spouse of 9th Reconnaissance Wing member testified at the recent Joint Informational Hearing on Career Portability for California’s Veterans and Military Spouses, August 13, 2019.
In the recent hearing held by Senator Ben Allen, a Democrat, chair, Senate Select Committee on Aerospace and Defense, and Senator Steve Glazer, a Democrat, chair, Senate Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development, Mrs. Sonia Trefflich, LCSW, provided first-hand testimony on the burden of license transfer for military spouses when their military member receives a permanent change of station to California.
Trefflich, a provider for the state’s Victims of Crime Program, helps children and adults overcome and heal from their traumatic experiences by utilizing evidence-based approaches alongside her clinical background.
“Despite my years of experience, and education from [California], the state required that I complete an extensive list of requirements to include 75 continued education courses, during which I was operating as a single parent of three during my spouse’s absence for training, a California Law and Ethics exam, and pages upon pages of tedious, complicated paperwork,” Trefflich testified during the hearing. “But, because my family relies on my additional income, I began the process in August of 2017.”
The testimony continued to recount the frustration of the “vague and unhelpful answers” she received when seeking updates on the application process. This process involved out-of-pocket costs exceeding $1,000, the six-figure salary she had to turn down within the local community due to lack of licensure, and the total of nine months it took for her to receive her license to practice in the state.
“But, I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention that the true costs far exceed that $1,000,” Trefflich continued. “What that cost doesn’t tell you is that the previous salary that made me the primary earner was no longer flowing into our home. What that cost doesn’t tell you is that I depleted our savings and my retirement funds to ensure our family’s needs were met.”
Alongside Trefflich, was a support team of Mrs. Carly Clark, spouse to Col. Andy “Recce 1” Clark, 9th Reconnaissance Wing commander, and Janie Nall, Beale Military Liaison Council chair and co-chair of the newly-founded California Defense Communities Alliance.
“I’m happy to see the Beale spouses active and vocal of the need to move forward on reciprocity,” Nall said.
Regarding participation in this hearing, Trefflich noted the importance in helping state leadership understand the struggles spouses face in maintaining a career alongside their servicemember.
“I saw an opportunity to shed light on this issue and, help other military spouses trying to obtain licensure,” Trefflich said. “I think it’s important for the state of California’s leaders to understand the implications and barriers we as military spouses experience to obtain employment in the state.”
Nall also stated that the BMLC, along with California State Assemblyman James Gallagher, Yuba City Mayor Shon Harris, Yuba County Supervisor Gary Bradford, and a delegation from Travis Air Force Base support group, are set to meet with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfien, where licensure will be a key topic of discussion.
“Military support organizations throughout California have acknowledged common issues that are better addressed through coordinated efforts,” Nall said. “As co-chair of the CDCA, I’m pleased to say we have widespread agreement throughout the state that reciprocity of licensure for the military spouses is our top priority. Hand-in-hand with military installations, the community can give rise to a better understanding of the challenges facing the families of those in uniform.”
In her closing statement, Trefflich assured the committee that her story is not unique, in that many spouses struggle to carry out careers of their own amidst the unpredictability and challenges of their military members.
“All we ask is an easier path to pursue our own career goals while our spouses serve,” Trefflich implored. “All we ask is for an opportunity to add value into the communities that we will live in for the coming years.”
Following her testimony, Trefflich offered a message to military spouses with admiration of their resilience, hard work, and the value they add to the communities.
“I’d love to first thank them for their sacrifice to the military and our nation,” Trefflich said. “I’d like to tell them I admire them for pursuing their dreams despite many setbacks and trials along the way. I’d like to encourage them to seek help during the process if needed. And also, to speak up and advocate for themselves and others regarding this topic. Their stories and experiences matter! Military spouses have many skills and unique experiences to contribute to their communities. Their resiliency and hard work is so inspiring!"
To watch the full hearing, select this August 13 topic on the site state's site: http://www.calchannel.com/video-on-demand/
For more background on 2018 communication to the National Governor’s Association from the service secretaries regarding reciprocity of licenses and quality of schools as consideration points for basing decisions, go to: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1449739/service-secretaries-quality-of-schools-reciprocity-of-licenses-should-be-consid/
For more background on the current administration’s stance on military spouse employment, go to: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/05/09/trump-order-would-improve-governments-milspouse-hiring-practices.html
For more background on assistance to license transfer of military spouses, go to: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1848699/air-force-to-pay-up-to-500-for-spouse-occupational-license-transfer-during-pcs/
The presence of external links does not provide endorsement of non-Air Force information outlets.
| Date Taken: | 08.30.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 11.27.2019 16:26 |
| Story ID: | 353850 |
| Location: | BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 99 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, California military spouse testifies in hearing on state policy affecting career portability, by Capt. Brittany Curry, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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