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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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Job Service Montana assists military service members, veterans, and their spouses in obtaining training and employment.
The Montana Joint Council of Families (MJCF) builds a statewide network to improve delivery of resources and services for military families in Montana, emphasizing community support for service members and their families.
Populations: Guard and Reserve Topics: Other, Resource Systems Navigation
Montana offers 24 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
Montana provides tuition waivers through the Board of Regents for eligible service members, veterans, and war orphans, reducing financial barriers to postsecondary education for military-connected students and families.
Populations: Guard and Reserve Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Montana provides occupational licensing compacts and military spouse license recognition for military service members, veterans, and spouses, supporting workforce access, credential portability, and career continuity across state lines.
The state 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
Montana House Bill 336, Section 1, Section 52-2-721
Montana House Bill 336, Section 1, Section 52-2-721 simplifies licensing for military childcare providers, ensuring easier access for those military families to approved facilities.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Childcare, Childcare Challenges, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Montana Income Exemption for Nonresident Military Spouses
Montana provides an income tax exemption for nonresident military spouses, supporting workforce participation, financial stability, and family economic security.
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
Montana reimburses SGLI premiums for National Guard members, supporting financial security, readiness, and family stability during military service.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Montana allows National Guard and Reserve members to deduct travel expenses from their income tax, supporting financial stability and readiness while reducing the burden of military service-related travel.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Montana provides emergency financial assistance through the Military Family Relief Fund, helping service members, veterans, and their families address urgent needs and maintain family stability during periods of military service.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Montana 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.
Montana exempts qualifying active-duty military pay from state income taxation, helping reduce tax burdens for service members stationed in or domiciled in the state.
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
Montana Code Annotated 2023, Title 31, Chapter 5, Part 1
Montana Code Annotated 2023, Title 31, Chapter 5, Part 1: resource navigation and referrals connecting military families to benefits, services, and local support programs in Montana.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Removing Bureaucratic Barriers, Resource Systems Navigation
Montana allows public employees serving in the National Guard or Reserves to take paid military leave, supporting career continuity, readiness, and family stability during service.
State licensing restrictions are not required for a childcare provider or facility that is licensed by a branch of the United States Armed Forces, removing barriers for access to care for military families who experience frequent relocation.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Removing Bureaucratic Barriers, Resource Systems Navigation
Best Beginnings helps is a local government program that gives Montana families access to affordable, quality childcare so parents can work and support their children. Families pay on a sliding scale, and licensed providers receive scholarship payments.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Removing Bureaucratic Barriers, Resource Systems Navigation
Montana allows active-duty service members to apply for a military driver's license expiration exemption, keeping their license valid until 90 days after honorable discharge.
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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