Yellow Ribbon Network of Washington County

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

Many citizens who live in Washington County are serving directly or indirectly in the branches of the United States military. Minnesota’s National Guard has particularly been called on for overseas deployment. When duty calls, it is necessary to leave family and friends, take a leave of absence from a job or lose it—unemployment among returned service personnel is four times higher than state average—and then adjust to civilian life afterwards. Families must contend with the absence of a father or mother in addition to children or elderly parents with human services needs that continue through active duty. The Yellow Ribbon Network of Washington County, MN, is a program initiated during 2009 to form a network of Washington County cities and townships to provide support in many ways for military service personnel and their families in addition to existing services. The impetus came from the County Board members learning about the needs for human services for service personnel and their families before, during and after deployment. The County Board is providing on-going leadership and coordination with members of the community and other local governments to build on current successes for future needs.