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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
Hawaiʻi State Employee Military Caregiver Leave
Hawaiʻi allows state employees serving as military caregivers to take leave, supporting workforce participation, family responsibilities, and well-being for service members and their families.
Populations: Caregivers Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Caregiving Youth Student Leadership Program
South Carolina supports students who serve as caregivers, including military-connected youth, through leadership development, academic support, and resources that help them remain engaged in school and navigate educational transitions.
Populations: Caregivers Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Dependent Child Education, Education
Hawaiʻi allows state employees serving as military caregivers to take leave, supporting workforce participation, family responsibilities, and well-being for service members and their families.
New Hampshire provides need-based financial assistance to eligible veterans and their families, helping cover essential living expenses during times of hardship.
Populations: Caregivers Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Hawaiʻi allows eligible state employees to take extended unpaid leave to care for a family member injured or ill due to military service, helping support military caregivers during recovery periods.
Allows employees to take paid family medical leave to care for a service member suffering from a service related health condition or to help manage needs of a deployed family members
Populations: Active Duty, Caregivers Topics: Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
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
Tax Exemption of Homes of Disabled Persons
In Alabama, a homestead tax exemption for permanently and totally disabled homeowners allows them to exempt their primary residence (up to 160 acres) from all state and local ad valorem property taxes with no age or income limits.
Populations: Caregivers Topics: Fee Waiver, Financial Stability (Fee Waiver, Food Insecurity), Financial Support
Guam allows eligible state employees to take leave for Department of Veterans Affairs disability appointments, helping veterans access needed benefits and medical evaluations without risking employment or income.
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.
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