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State Toolkit
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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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Ohio became the 7th Hidden Hero state to recorganize and support Ohio's Military and Veteran Caregivers by providing resources, building community, and more.
Populations: Caregivers, Veteran Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
The Ohio Military Friendly Guide is a summary of programs for active-duty service members, Guardsman, Reservists, veterans, and their families.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Healthcare Resource Access, Resource Systems Navigation
The Ohio National Guard Family Assistance Committee (ISFAC) brings together regional, state, and federal agencies to coordinate resources and support for Ohio service members and military families.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Community Integration Support
Ohio offers affordable home loan programs through the Ohio Heroes initiative, helping eligible service members, veterans, and families achieve homeownership.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Ohio’s Department of Public Safety offers an “Armed Forces” designation on driver's licenses and ID cards for veterans and active or Reserve U.S. military service members to recognize military service and support military families.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Community Integration Support
Ohio provides a centralized veteran career information center for military service members, veterans, and spouses, supporting job access, career navigation, and employment readiness.
Ohio offers 81 distinctive military and veteran license plates to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible service members, veterans, retired service members, and qualifying family members statewide.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
The state recognizes schools that demonstrate strong supports, resources, and points of contact for military-connected students and their families, helping foster welcoming, military-friendly school communities.
Populations: Military Children Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Dependent Child Education, Education
Ohio 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.
Ohio provides educator licensing benefits for veterans, service members, and spouses, supporting credential recognition, workforce access, and career continuity in education.
Ohio 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
Ohio recognizes military-friendly colleges and universities 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
JobsOhio is proud to help transitioning military members, veterans, and their families by connecting them to the 8,000+ registered military-friendly Ohio employers that value their skills and experience gained while serving our country
The Ohio Veteran Resource Guide compiles resources available across the state and provides information about how to access them.
The Ohio Hidden Heroes Scholarship Program will enable eligible caregivers who attend participating Institutions of Higher Education to receive additional funding towards tuition, fees, and books, as well as assist with credit transfers and gaining additional credits based on the caregiver’s experience, if applicable.
Populations: Caregivers, Military Children Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support, Other
Ohio 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
Provides coordinated support services, connecting service members, veterans, and military families to health, wellness, and community resources.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Health & Wellbeing, Health and Wellness, Mental Health Support
Ohio Attorney General’s Office Services include services for active duty families and veterans, resources, and handgun license information.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Legal/Justice System Navigation, Resource Systems Navigation
Ohio provides technology-based learning options for military-connected students, helping maintain continuity of education and reduce disruption during military-related school transitions.
Populations: Military Children Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Dependent Child Education, Education
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
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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