Do Your Part is made possible by
Do Your Part
State Toolkit
Do Your Part States is in partnership with ...
And made possible by ...
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.
Search the Database
BSF Ideas
BSF Ideas
Populations
Topics
States
Keywords
Legend
Defense State Liaison Office (DSLO) priority.
Spotlight initiative for state.
Search Results
Please use the filters above to view search results.
Mississippi offers military and veteran license plates to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible service members, veterans, and qualifying family members statewide.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
Mississippi protects reemployment rights for service members returning from military duty, helping ensure job restoration, benefits continuity, and seniority after service.
Mississippi participates in occupational licensing compacts, enabling military spouses to transfer credentials and maintain employment across states, supporting career continuity.
Mississippi 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
National Guard Building Healthy Communities focuses on member well-being, and connecting families with support during deployments.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Health & Wellbeing, Health and Wellness, Healthcare Outcomes
Mississippi offers short-term hunting and fishing licenses to nonresident service members at reduced cost, helping support recreation during temporary assignments or visits.
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
Mississippi allows spouses and children of service members to qualify for in-state tuition, reducing financial barriers to postsecondary education during military assignments and relocations.
Populations: Military Children Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Mississippi’s Office of Military Affairs provides a community guide with training modules for towns hosting military bases, offering best practices to support military family integration and local economic development.
Mississippi offers professional licensing benefits for service members and military spouses, facilitating employment opportunities and career advancement.
Mississippi allows eligible public employees to receive retirement credit for qualifying military service, helping strengthen long-term retirement benefits.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Mississippi provides educational assistance through SEAP for 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
Mississippi exempts qualifying military income from state taxation, including combat pay, certain Guard and Reserve training pay, and all military retirement pay, while excluding nonresident military income earned in the state.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Mississippi provides free or discounted hunting and fishing privileges for eligible active-duty service members and certain veterans, including those with service-connected disabilities, helping expand access to outdoor recreation.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Mississippi allows resident service members on military leave to hunt and fish without purchasing a license, helping reduce recreational costs while home on leave.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Mississippi allows nonresident service members to qualify for in-state tuition, reducing financial barriers to higher education and supporting readiness and family stability during military service.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Mississippi exempts National Guard members from jury duty while on active service, supporting readiness, focus on military duties, and family stability during service.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Exemption from Arrest for Mississippi National Guard Service Members: National Guard and Reserve program providing readiness, reintegration, benefits, or family support resources in Mississippi.
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
Open Enrollment Flexibility Final Legislation
Mississippi 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
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.
Blue Star Families
441 Saxony The Hive/Barn 2
Encinitas, CA 92024
(202) 630-2583
© 2026 Blue Star Families