This week:

While a basic needs allowance is being considered in Congress to tackle food insecurity, advocates explain what this could mean for the most needy families in the military.

About the guest:

Josh Protas is the vice president of public policy and heads the Washington, DC office for MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. In this role, he coordinates and implements MAZON’s advocacy program, including efforts to protect and strengthen the federal nutrition safety net, with particular emphasis on neglected food security needs in the Indian country and in Porto. Rico and for veterans and military families. Protas is co-author with Abby J. Leibman of MAZON’s groundbreaking 2021 report, “Hungry in the Military,” and has extensive experience working in Jewish community agencies in Arizona and nationally. Protas lives in Takoma Park, Maryland with his wife Abby and their three children.

Crystal Lewis is a published author and communications expert with experience in several areas. She has worked in higher education institutions for over 15 years in teaching and advisory roles as well as curriculum design. She has 10 years of experience as a grant and proposal writer for various initiatives including housing for the homeless with mental illness, work programs for people with disabilities, educational programs for youth and the fight to end the opioid epidemic in the United States. Lewis is an active-duty Navy spouse with two children and has a doctorate in education.

Eileen Huck became Deputy Director of the Government Relations Department of the National Association of Military Families in October 2012 after previously holding positions in the Youth Initiatives and Development Departments. In his current role, Huck oversees quality of life issues for families in Uniform Services. His main area of ​​interest is healthcare, including the military healthcare system, TRICARE and behavioral healthcare. In this capacity, she is the Co-Chair of the Military Coalition (TMC) Health Care Committee and the Association’s representative on the TRICARE for Kids Coalition. Huck currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband, a retired sea captain, and their two children.

About the podcast:

The Spouse Angle is a podcast featuring news from military spouses and their families. Each episode features subject matter experts and military guests who delve into current events from a military perspective – everything from new policy changes to research into family lifestyle challenges. The podcast is hosted by Natalie Gross, a freelance reporter and former Military Times reporter who grew up in a military family.

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