# Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career Services Act

This bill creates job training and career support programs specifically for Gold Star families—the families of military members who died in service—and for surviving spouses of deceased service members. The goal is to help these grieving family members find employment and rebuild their lives after losing a loved one in the military.

The bill establishes dedicated career counseling, job placement services, and training programs for eligible family members. It recognizes that Gold Star families often face unique challenges when it comes to employment, including the emotional trauma of losing a family member, potential relocation needs, and gaps in work history. By providing targeted support through federal programs, the legislation aims to make it easier for these individuals to access job opportunities and develop new skills. The services would likely include resume help, interview coaching, connections to employers, and information about available training programs.

This bill essentially says that the federal government should treat Gold Star families and surviving spouses as a priority group deserving of special employment assistance, similar to how other veterans' programs work. Rather than making these grieving family members navigate the regular job market on their own, the government would dedicate resources to help them get back on their feet professionally. For the families affected, this could mean easier access to good-paying jobs and a clearer path forward during an incredibly difficult time in their lives.

Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career Services Act

Hassan, Margaret Wood

Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career Services ActThis bill expands eligibility for the Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program to the spouses of certain veterans and members of the Armed Forces. Such program is administered by the Department of Labor and generally provides career and employment services to disabled veterans.The bill expands eligibility for the program to spouses of<ul><li>persons who died while members of the Armed Forces;</li><li>persons who died of a service-connected disability;</li><li>members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who, for more than 90 days, are listed as missing in action, captured by a hostile force, or forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government power;</li><li>persons who have a total permanent disability resulting from a service-connected disability; and</li><li>persons who died while an evaluated total disability was in existence.</li></ul>