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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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South Dakota offers specialty military license plates to honor the service and sacrifice of service members, veterans, and eligible family members statewide.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
South Dakota 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.
South Dakota 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
South Dakota allows service members, veterans, and their dependents to qualify for in-state tuition, reducing financial barriers to higher education during and after military-related relocations.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: 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
South Dakota credits military service for members of the SDRS, supporting retirement benefits, financial stability, and long-term security for National Guard and Reserve service members.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
South Dakota provides wage compensation adjustments for state employees serving in the National Guard or Reserves during active duty, supporting financial stability, readiness, and family well-being.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Supports the social, emotional, and academic needs of military children and youth in South Dakota by providing resources, information, and partnerships through the South Dakota National Guard Child & Youth Program.
Populations: Guard and Reserve Topics: Childcare, Childcare Challenges, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
South Dakota Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Military Skills Test Waiver and Even Exchange Program
South Dakota allows military spouses, veterans, and service members to waive portions of the CDL skills test and participate in even exchange programs, helping them access employment opportunities and training more quickly in the commercial driving sector.
Allows access to hunting and fishing licenses at resident rates, supporting affordability, recreation, and wellness for service members and their families.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
South Dakota provides reduced tuition rates for National Guard members, supporting access to higher education, career advancement, and family stability while enhancing readiness and reintegration.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Provides access to general hunting and fishing licenses for active-duty service members, supporting recreation and quality of life.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Health & Wellbeing, Health and Wellness, Physical Health Support
Provides access to big game hunting licenses for resident service members and their families, supporting outdoor recreation and family connection.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Health & Wellbeing, Health and Wellness, Physical Health Support
South Dakota provides free tuition at state-supported institutions for eligible children of service members who died during military service, reducing financial barriers to higher education for military-connected families.
Populations: Survivor Families Topics: 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
South Dakota extends the term of driver's licenses for members of the Armed Forces and their depends; the license is valid for as long as the individual's service continues and they remain absent from South Dakota.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Removing Bureaucratic Barriers, Resource Systems Navigation
South Dakota allows state employees serving in the National Guard or Reserves to take leave for military training, supporting career continuity, readiness, and family stability.
Driver's License and Vehicle Registration Final Legislation: official program or initiative supporting service members, veterans, and military families in South Dakota.
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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