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.
Tennessee’s “Stars and Stripes: Governor’s Council for Armed Forces, Veterans, and Their Families” coordinates programs, enhances collaboration among public and private sectors, maintains a comprehensive inventory of veteran and military family services, and promotes Tennessee as a top state for service members, veterans, and their families.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Community Integration Support
Soldier and Family Readiness Programs assist all military members, families, and veterans, which includes serving as a liaison between chain of command, providing resources for financial needs, crisis intervention, ID cards, EFMP, and more.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Healthcare Resource Access, Resource Systems Navigation
Provides behavioral health services, supporting mental health, resilience, and readiness for service members and their families.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Health & Wellbeing, Health and Wellness, Mental Health Support
Tennessee offers 64 distinctive military and veteran license plates honoring 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 Governor’s Veteran Fellowship Program (GVFP) is a 12-month program that rapidly transitions service members from active duty to state government leaders through broad exposure to state government operations and project-based assignments. By allowing for an exploratory experience, the program creates the opportunity for fellows to pursue a role in state government once their military service has concluded. The program helps retain high-level talent in Tennessee that will allow the citizens of the state to benefit and prosper.
Tennessee 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.
Tennessee 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
Tennessee provides the Helping Heroes Grant to support eligible service members and veterans with education and training costs, helping reduce financial barriers to postsecondary education during the transition from military to civilian life.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Tennessee partners with the U.S. Department of Defense to expand affordable, quality childcare for military families through the MCCYN‑PLUS program, enabling eligible providers with high quality ratings to offer fee assistance and help military families reduce childcare costs covering up to $1,800 each month per child for childcare costs.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Childcare, Childcare Challenges, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Tennessee allows state employees to take paid military leave for required service or training, helping protect income and employment while serving.
Tennessee provides resources and support through the STRONG Act for National Guard members and their families, enhancing readiness, reintegration, career development, and family stability.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Tennessee connects military spouses, veterans, and service members to workforce training and employment opportunities through the Highways for Heroes program, helping them build skills and access careers in transportation and related sectors.
Provides discounted state park passes, supporting outdoor recreation, wellness, and family connection for service members, veterans, and military families.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Allows access to hunting and fishing licenses at resident rates, supporting affordability, recreation, and quality of life for service members and their families.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Allows military personnel on leave to hunt and fish without a license, supporting rest, recreation, and family connection during leave periods.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Tennessee allows service members stationed overseas to obtain a license to ship wine into the state, helping maintain personal purchasing access during overseas assignments.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Tennessee exempts eligible service members from certain motor vehicle sales taxes, helping reduce transportation-related costs.
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
Tennessee provides workforce and career support through American Job Centers, helping military spouses, veterans, and families access jobs, training, and employment resources.
Tennessee provides motor vehicle tax exemptions for eligible disabled veterans, helping reduce ongoing vehicle ownership expenses.
Populations: Caregivers 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.
Blue Star Families
441 Saxony The Hive/Barn 2
Encinitas, CA 92024
(202) 630-2583
© 2026 Blue Star Families