Topics in this Week's News Include:, 1. NMFA Supports Curbs on Predatory Lenders in Virginia 2. WIC Overseas Brings Many Benefits to Military Families Far From Home 3. President Signs Bill Adding Financial Protections for Military…, Here's the News!!, 1. NMFA Supports Curbs on Predatory Lenders in Virginia, : Organizations concerned about the lending practices of payday loan businesses operating in Virginia verbally sparred with industry supporters last week at a hearing of the Commerce and Labor…, 2. WIC Overseas Brings Many Benefits to Military Families Far From Home:, The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Overseas, a Department of Defense (DoD) special supplemental food program, provides several important benefits for pregnant or nursing women, infants, and young…, 3. President Signs Bill Adding Financial Protections for Military Families:, On September 29, President George W. Bush signed into law the Military Personnel Financial Services Protection Act (S.418). The law shields military personnel from abusive sale practices, bans the…, 4. Free SAT/ACT Offer Extended:, After receiving tens of thousands of letters of thanks from service members world-wide, a group of NFL, NFL Europe, AFL, and CFL football players have announced they are extending and enhancing their…, 5. Is Military OneSource Your One Source for Information and Support?, Have you used Military OneSource lately? Do you have access to a similar program through your employer? Do these programs meet your needs as a military family? Please complete NMFA's new Military…

For the week of February 19, 2008 1. Online Course for Educators of Military Children Available 2. Illinois Launches Warrior Assistance Program 3. TBI Compensation by the VA Questioned by Senators 4…, 1. Online Course for Educators of Military Children Available:, The first online course addressing the needs of military students is currently available for registration through the University of Hawaii at Manoa Outreach College. This ten week, three credit…, 2. Illinois Launches Warrior Assistance Program, : The Illinois Warrior Assistance Program is a first in the nation program that will screen returning Illinois National Guard members for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) while offering TBI screening…, 3. TBI Compensation by the VA Questioned by Senators:, On February 4, 2008, the Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) and fellow majority Committee members submitted a letter to the Director of Regulations…, 4. DeCA Patron Council Rides Again:, After a nearly three year break, the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) has reconstituted the Patron Council and held its annual meeting last week. DeCA Patron Council members represent active duty,…, 5. DoD Reserve Family Readiness Awards:, Thomas F. Hall, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, hosted the 2007 Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Awards last week. First established in 2000, these awards recognize…, 6. NMFA Participates in APA Roundtable:, NMFA, along with the Iraq-Afghanistan Veterans Association, the National Rural Health Association, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Mental Health America and congressional staff, participated in a…, 7. Military Child Education Coalition Contests:, The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is currently sponsoring two separate contests. The first is to encourage the submission of children's artwork, poems, short stories, and films. Selected…