Dr. Biden Highlights Joining Forces at Palo Alto Polytrauma Center, Code for America and University of Southern California

Dr. Jill Biden with members of the Building Capacity in Military-Connected Schools project, which is based at the University of Southern California School of Social Work. Dr. Biden visited USC to hear about how educators, parents and military students have benefited from the project, which focuses on improving the climate of civilian schools to be more welcoming and supportive of military children and their families. (by Brian Goodman) (by Brian Goodman)

Last week, Dr. Jill Biden traveled to California for several Joining Forces events – including a visit with wounded warriors at the Palo Alto Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, a veterans’ employment event at Code for America and a roundtable discussion at the University of Southern California about how various community efforts support military children in schools.

Dr. Jill Biden listens to patient experiences at the VA Palo Alto Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center. (by Curt Campbell) January 20, 2012. (by Curt Campbell)

In San Francisco, Dr. Biden joined U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra and Peter Levin, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, at Code for America to highlight Joining Forces at an “Apps for Heroes” event.  Dr. Biden saw a demonstration of three “apps” designed to link veterans with mentoring and job search opportunities and thanked the technology companies who have innovated new ways to support veterans.

At a roundtable discussion to learn more about the USC School of Social Work’s Building Capacity in Military-Connected Schools project, Dr. Biden said the effort was the perfect example of the goal of Joining Forces – to encourage all Americans to understand the challenges faced by military families and to take action to support them. The program is a partnership between USC and eight military-connected school districts to better support military students in schools. Dr. Biden heard from educators, parents and students about the many ways the program is working in schools – from a pride club that supports military students to celebrating the Marine Corps’ birthday in schools to ways teachers are helping transfer students adjust to new schools.

Dr. Biden wrapped up her Joining Forces events with a visit to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Southern California, where she visited with Marines and Sailors and their families. She spent time with Marines preparing to deploy at the Infantry Immersion Trainer, visited with Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians and their families, and met with wounded Marines and Sailors and their families. Read more about the visit here.