Supporting Arizona’s service members, veterans, and their families starts with preventing crisis before it occurs

For many military-connected families, stress can build from issues related to employment, housing, relocations, deployments, healthcare, finances, lack of social connection, family tension and even covering everyday basics like food and energy costs. The Arizona Coalition for Military Families exists to make it easier for service members, veterans, and their families in Arizona to connect with trusted resources and coordinated support to ease stress and prevent crisis.

Our Approach

Strengthening support for service members, veterans, and their families requires coordination across many systems.
The Coalition’s approach is built on four key elements.

Upstream Prevention

We focus on strengthening the conditions that support the well-being of service members, veterans, and their families. By supporting stability across the social determinants of health, we help reduce stress and support long-term well-being.

Step 1

Public-Private Partnership

We bring together military, government, healthcare, nonprofit, and community organizations and volunteers across Arizona to strengthen coordination and expand access to support for service members, veterans, and their families.

Collective Impact Model

We serve as the backbone for a statewide effort that brings partners together under a shared approach. By working together with common standards, military-connected people can easily access support through a system designed so there is no wrong door.

Data-Driven Focus

Our work is data-driven and informed by best and promising practices. By combining data from multiple sources, we identify needs, strengthen services, improve support for service members, veterans, and their families, and report measurable results.

Recognitions & Awards

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

National Distinguished Service Award

2023

White House

Conference and Coining with the President of the United States

2023

Office of the Chief Army Reserve

Proclamation Recognizing Arizona Coalition for Military Families

2022

Anthem Awards

“We’re on a Mission” Campaign Recognition

2022

Guidelines for C.A.R.E.

A defining feature of the work of the Arizona Coalition for Military Families is the Guidelines for C.A.R.E. Developed with input from service members, veterans, their families, and partners across military, government, and community organizations, the Guidelines establish shared standards for organizations supporting Arizona’s military-connected community.

The guidelines outline what it means to be equipped to serve individuals and families with a military background and provide organizations an opportunity to demonstrate how they go beyond a military- or veteran-friendly label.

There are four focus areas of C.A.R.E.:

Meet the Leadership Team

Thomas Winkel, MA, LPC

Director

Nicola Winkel, MPA

Project Director