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Explore How States are Supporting Military Families
Across the country, states are advancing thoughtful policies, programs, and partnerships that strengthen support for military and veteran-connected families. This toolkit brings together those efforts in one shared, accessible place.
Select a state on the map to explore local initiatives, or browse the full database below to discover ideas and opportunities being activated nationwide.
Darker shaded states are a Do Your Part state.
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Iowa offers 24 distinctive military license plates to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible service members, veterans, retirees, and qualifying family members.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
Iowa connects service members to civilian training and employment opportunities through the SkillBridge Program, helping military-connected individuals gain skills, experience, and career pathways during the transition from military service.
Licensure Compact
Iowa participates in occupational licensing compacts, enabling military spouses to transfer credentials and maintain employment across state lines, supporting career continuity and family stability.
Iowa excludes qualifying military combat pay from state income taxation and provides filing extensions for deployed service members, helping reduce tax burdens during and after deployment.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Iowa Hunting and Fishing License Exemption for Resident Service Members on Leave
Iowa allows resident service members on military leave to hunt and fish without a license, helping reduce recreational costs while home on leave.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Iowa provides workforce and career support through IowaWORKS Centers, helping military spouses, veterans, and families access jobs, training, and employment resources.
Expands the legal definition of “Armed Forces” to include the U.S. Space Force, ensuring Space Force service members are recognized in state law and eligible for the same benefits, protections, and programs as other military branches.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Removing Bureaucratic Barriers, Resource Systems Navigation
Iowa exempts certain military-related student loan assistance from state income tax, reducing financial burden for service members and veterans pursuing higher education.
Populations: Military Children Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
IOWA CODE 916
IOWA CODE 916 defines "confidential communications," "confidential information," "military victim advocate," "special victims' counsel" and "victim," and explains privileges granted to miliary victim advocates.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Iowa provides tax guidance for service members and military spouses, helping clarify income tax responsibilities, property tax exemptions, retirement benefits, and how military income is treated at the state and federal levels.
Populations: Guard and Reserve Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
IOWA CODE 916.1
IOWA CODE 916.1 defines "confidential communications," "confidential information," "military victim advocate," "special victims' counsel" and "victim."
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Health & Wellbeing, Health and Wellness, Mental Health Support
Iowa allows military spouses, veterans, and service members to waive portions of the CDL skills test, helping them access employment opportunities and training more quickly in the commercial driving sector.
Iowa follows the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act by excluding eligible military spouse income from state taxation, helping prevent unintended tax consequences when spouses relocate under military orders.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Nonresident service members and disabled nonresident veterans can purchase Iowa hunting licenses at resident prices.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Participates in the Military Interstate Children’s Compact (MIC3), which supports military-connected students and families by standardizing school enrollment, placement, eligibility, and graduation requirements during interstate transitions.
Populations: Military Children Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Dependent Child Education, Education
Iowa allows military-connected students to access open enrollment options, helping families choose schools that meet their needs and supporting smoother school transitions during military relocations.
Populations: Military Children Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Dependent Child Education, Education
Iowa provides paid military leave and job protections for state employees called to uniformed service, helping ensure income stability, benefits continuity, and return-to-work rights while serving.
Remote Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration Renewal
Military members living outside of Iowa may renew their license plates online for standard plates, or via mail for special plates. Licenses may be renewed online or receive an exntension if unable to renew online.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Removing Bureaucratic Barriers, Resource Systems Navigation
Your Feedback is Welcome!
This toolkit is launching in 'beta' to demonstrate the incredible potential of state level work. We'll keep refining it and would love your help in making it the most comprehensive, easy to use tool out there. Help us improve the States toolkit by sharing anything that needs attention with Blue Star Families by filling out this form.
A comprehensive overview of the methodology and supporting data can be found in the full technical memo.
Let's work together to support our military families.
The Do Your Part coalition is led by Blue Star Families with support from Craig Newmark and craig newmark philanthropies.
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