R 260800Z NOV 24 MARADMIN 573/24 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP MPO// SUBJ/TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE (TCOP) PROGRAM INITIATIVES OVERVIEW// REF/A/MSGID: SECDEF MEMO/13SEP24// REF/B/MSGID:CONGRESS/29DEC22// REF/C/MSGID:  JTR/1OCT24// NARR/REF A IS THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MEMORANDUM DATED 13 SEPTEMBER 2024.  REF B IS THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023.  REF C IS THE JOINT TRAVEL  REGULATIONS.// POC/OPR IS MRA MPO/EMAIL:  [email protected]/TEL: 703-784-9371// GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  To highlight Calendar Year 2024  Department of Defense (DoD) initiatives and its enduring duty and commitment to American Service members and their families. 2.  Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) Period Increase.  Building on  previous expansions of permanent change of station (PCS)  move-related payments to Service members, the DoD is working with  partners to adjust the TLE reimbursement from 14 days to 21 days  for Service members moving to a new permanent duty station (PDS)  in the continental United States (CONUS).  TLE is an allowance that  partially reimburses a Service member for lodging and meal expenses when staying in temporary lodging during a PCS.  This change aims to make the moving process smoother and more manageable for Service  members and their families.  While the exact timeline for  implementation is still being finalized, we wanted to share this upcoming change in advance, so you are aware of the positive  adjustments underway. 3.  Shipment of Human Breast Milk.  In accordance with reference  (b), Service members can now be reimbursed up to $1,000 for the  costs of transporting or shipping expressed human breast milk during  their PCS travel.  This policy applies to Service members who have  given birth and are traveling within 12 months after giving birth. This initiative supports nursing Service members by allowing them to continue breastfeeding or providing human breast milk for their  infants, even while relocating.  This policy change is intended to help ease the transition during a significant life change. 4.  Pilot Program to Reimburse Travel of Designated Person for  Childcare.  From 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2027, Service  members may be reimbursed for the commercial travel costs of a  designated childcare provider when full-day care is not available at the local child development center (CDC) at the new PDS within 30  days of the Service member's reporting date.  For a PCS move  between locations within CONUS, reimbursement is limited to $500. For a PCS move to or from a duty station outside the continental  United States (OCONUS), the reimbursement is limited to $1,500   Reimbursement is limited to commercial transportation expenses only, including air, rail, or bus fare, transportation to or from the  airport or rail station, and an enroute or departure rental car. This pilot program aims to assist Service members in ensuring their children are cared for during the transition to a new duty station, especially when initial childcare options are limited.  For  additional information regarding this pilot refer to  MARADMIN 537/24. 5.  Uniformed Service Member Dependent Care Flexible Spending  Accounts (DCFSAs).  The DCFSA initiative allows Service members to set aside up to $5,000 per household of pre-tax earnings to cover  qualified dependent care expenses to include preschool and  after-school programs.  This program helps families manage the costs of dependent care, making it easier to balance work and family  responsibilities.  For additional information about the DCFSA, including eligibility and how to enroll visit www.fsafeds.gov.   6.  Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (HCFSA) for Service  Members.  The DoD will make HCFSAs available to Service members for the first time through a Special Enrollment Period in March 2025.  HCFSAs are an optional benefit that enable Service members to set aside up to $3,200 in pretax earnings per Service member to pay for health care costs, such as co-payments, contact lenses,  glasses, dental care, and annual deductibles.  For additional  information about the HCFSA, including eligibility and how to enroll visit www.fsafeds.gov.   7.  Reimbursement of Pet Transportation Expenses due to a PCS.   Effective 1 January 2024, Service members on PCS orders may be  reimbursed for costs associated with relocating one household pet. The reimbursement applies to one household pet, specifically a cat or dog that is owned for personal companionship.  Reimbursement is limited to $550 per CONUS move and $2,000 per OCONUS move.  This policy helps Service members reduce the costs of relocating their pets, ensuring that family pets can accompany them during their transition.  For additional information about the allowance visit https://www.travel.dod.mil/Support/ALL-FAQs/Article/3624131/ pet-transportation-allowance/. 8.  DoD Meal Allowance Pilot for Military Childcare in Your  Neighborhood (MCCYN).  Effective 1 April 2024, this pilot initiative provides a meal allowance to all DoD Service members and civilian  families who receive full-time approved care from the MCCYN program. The purpose of the pilot is to help families offset meal costs in  two scenarios: 1) When meal costs are included in the provider’s  rate; or  2) When the provider’s rate includes meals but exceeds the monthly rate cap of $1,800.  This initiative aims to alleviate financial  pressure on families, ensuring that children receive nutritious  meals while in care.  For further details about the pilot program and how to access the meal allowance, visit  MilitaryChildCare.com. 9.  Health Insurance Enhancements Pilot Program for DoD Civilian  Employees.  On 27 September 2024, the DoD awarded a one-year pilot program contracting International SOS Government Services, Inc. to   provide no-cost supplemental support services to DoD General  Schedule (GS) and Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) civilian employees in Japan.  These services, set to begin on 1 January 2025, will be  available to employees enrolled in the Federal Employees Health  Benefits (FEHB) Program.  The goal of the pilot program is to  improve access to healthcare resources and assist employees in  navigating their health benefits more effectively.  Additional details dedicated to this pilot program will be announced before  Federal Benefits Open Season begins. 10.  For further details regarding these programs please refer to  the appropriate regulations or visit the specified websites.   11.  This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.   12.  Release authorized by Brigadier General David R. Everly,  Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division, Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//