From applied research solving practical problems to learning resources that support military-connected individuals, the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness is strengthening military service members and veterans and their families. The Social Science Research Institute at Pennsylvania State University has been developing evidence-based data and delivering projects, reports, training, and partnerships. Their mission is “to advance the well-being of military-connected individuals, including Service members, veterans, and their families and communities, through applied research and evaluation, implementation science, education, and outreach.” Simply put, the Clearinghouse Center supports mission readiness and retention, which in turn impacts warfighting capability.
What Makes Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness Special
Penn State’s Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness website offers a plethora of information about what they do. With 18 partnerships, including the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, their services are wide-ranging to organizations that support military members and their families. To date, they have reviewed nearly 1,500 programs identified on the Continuum of Evidence resource, which allows you to locate a program and view its effectiveness. The evaluation criteria regarding the strength of evidence are as follows:
- Effective: Strongest evidence from multiple rigorous studies.
- Promising: Some evidence of effectiveness, but more research is needed.
- Unclear (+): Positive results, but studies may be limited in design or scope.
- Unclear 0: No Evaluations: No formal evaluation; effectiveness unknown.
As an example, the guided tool located in the Continuum of Evidence helps you narrow down the topic area. When selecting “PTSD” and “Veterans”, seven results returned. Among these results, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) was identified as effective, whereas the rest, such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy, the Mission Reconnect online program, Resilient Warrior program, Warrior Renew program, and Warrior Spirit Mission Homefront (and for Couples), were all designated as Unclear 0 or +. Based on the aforementioned criteria, that means veterans with PTSD experiencing chronic insomnia can better understand which programs may be helpful based on evidence.
Even more, the Clearinghouse’s collaboration with the U.S. Army and Air Force led to the creation of various projects supporting family advocacy, military community service, and mental health (including suicide prevention), since 2011 and 2012, respectively. In 2014, the Clearinghouse and DoDEA worked together to establish professional development training for teachers and school psychologists. Approximately 54 projects have been completed in total, including the MySTeP military spouse transition program, with 24 projects currently underway.
Clearinghouse Publication Readiness Brief
The published report on April 23, 2025, dives into the evidence to support the assertion that military family well-being is linked to positive military readiness and warfighting capability in the U.S. Armed Forces. This report outlines many ways in which factors like operational focus, decreased stress, reduced distractions, physical performance, quality of life, and service commitment are enhanced by these key areas below:
- Family Support Empowers Service Members’ Training Efforts and Deployments
- Family Well-Being Protects Service Members’ Mental and Physical Fitness
- Resilience in Families Sustains Force Strength and Retention
Positive Impact
The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness not only provides resources but also a Program Implementation Toolkit. Their primary services cover program selection, evaluation, and implementation. Programs can be searched for or submitted for review. Their services additionally include curriculum development, applied research, and learning solutions such as technology and educational support in eLearning (online), mLearning (mobile), and Blended Learning formats.
Overall, the Clearinghouse Center for Military Family Readiness at Penn State is making a positive difference for our military communities. They can be contacted via e-mail at clearinghouse@psu.edu or by phone at 877-382-9185.
