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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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Kentucky offers discounted camping rates at state parks for service members, helping make outdoor recreation more affordable.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
MCCYN-PLUS provides childcare through Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) for Army families in areas without nationally accredited care, using state QRIS ratings to ensure high standards.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Childcare, Childcare Challenges, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
The Kentucky Military Affairs Commission coordinates military-related issues across state agencies and the legislature, supporting service members, veterans, and military families through strategic policy and collaboration.
Kentucky offers 37 distinctive military license plate designs for motor vehicles and motorcycles to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible service members, veterans, retirees, and their family members.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
Kentucky ensures that public employees returning from military service are eligible for rehire to their previous or equivalent positions, helping veterans maintain career continuity and access employment opportunities after service.
Kentucky provides housing assistance to eligible service members deployed overseas, helping cover missed mortgage or housing payments and reduce financial strain during deployment.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support, Housing, Housing Concerns/Insecurity
The Service Members, Veterans and Their Families Behavioral Health Initiative aims to strengthen statewide behavioral healthcare systems and services through collaboration at federal, state, and local levels.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Health & Wellbeing, Health and Wellness, Mental Health Support
Kentucky recognizes military-friendly schools that demonstrate strong supports, resources, and points of contact for military-connected students and their families.
Populations: Military Children Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Community Integration Support
Kentucky supports military-connected students and families through School Liaison Officers who help navigate school enrollment, coordinate transitions, and strengthen communication between schools and military installations.
Populations: Military Children Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Community Integration Support
Student Enrollment Support
Kentucky requires school districts to support enrollment continuity for military-connected students, allowing timely placement, attendance, and academic progression when families relocate due to military orders.
Populations: Military Children Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Mobility & Relocation, Relocation/PCS Issues
Kentucky exempts active-duty military pay from state income taxation and provides special tax treatment and filing extensions for service members and spouses, helping reduce tax burdens during and after service.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
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
Kentucky provides workforce and career support through its Career Centers, helping military spouses, veterans, and families access jobs, training, and employment resources.
Kentucky allows state employee military spouses to take paid leave, supporting workforce participation, career continuity, and family well-being.
Kentucky’s KY Valor program connects military spouses, veterans, and service members to jobs, training, and career resources, supporting workforce readiness and family stability.
Kentucky extends income tax filing deadlines for service members serving in combat zones, helping provide flexibility during deployment and transition periods.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Kentucky provides financial support through MFAST to assist National Guard and Reserve members and their families, enhancing readiness, reintegration, and family stability.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Kentucky provides tuition assistance to National Guard members and their families, supporting higher education, career advancement, and family stability while enhancing readiness and reintegration.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Kentucky allows service members stationed in the state to purchase hunting and fishing licenses at resident rates, helping reduce recreational costs during military assignments.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Kentucky follows the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act by excluding eligible military spouse income from state taxation, helping prevent unintended tax consequences when families relocate under military orders.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
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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