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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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Alaska’s Military Family Help Center, led by the State Family Program Director, coordinates Joint Support Services and Warrior & Family Services to provide family assistance centers, family readiness support, youth services, and other programs that support military families.
Populations: Guard and Reserve Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
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
Family program that supports military children and youth by promoting social, emotional, and academic development through various programs, delivered by the Florida National Guard Family Program’s network and staff.
Populations: Guard and Reserve Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
The Alabama Military Stability Foundation’s designated Military Family Liaison curates resources, mentors, and supports military families across the state.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
North Dakota offers 11 military and veteran license plates to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible service members, veterans, and qualifying family members statewide.
Populations: Veteran Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
Free Sports Tickets
Seattle Mariners, Kraken, and Seahawks offer discounted or free “Salute to Service” tickets for military members and veterans, supporting service member engagement through sporting events.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
South Carolina Military Base Task Force
The South Carolina Military Affairs Advisory Council, led by Governor-appointed representatives, the Adjutant General, and Secretary of Commerce, enhances military installation value, supports facilities, and improves quality of life for service members and military families statewide.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
North Carolina’s Hall of Firsts honors military veterans and their families, promotes inclusive opportunities, and recognizes individuals and organizations that support veterans and military family success.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
North Carolina declared November as “National Veteran and Military Families Month” to honor and support service members, veterans, and their families across the state.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
Joint Base Charleston- Charleston Chamber of Commerce
Joint Base Charleston serves as the lead regional organization focused on retaining and expanding military missions and facilities to support service members, veterans, and military families in the region.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
The Key Spouse Program (KSP)
Missouri’s Key Spouse Program enhances unit family readiness by providing peer‑to‑peer support, fostering resilience, and strengthening unit cohesion for military families throughout the military lifecycle.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
Operation E.L.F., a Connecticut National Guard initiative, provides holiday support and year‑round assistance to families of deployed service members with gift cards, toys, and home services.
Populations: Guard and Reserve Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
Family Services office’s Child and Youth Program team
Missouri supports military-connected students and families through a Child and Youth Program team that provides resources, coordination, and transition support to help children navigate school and community changes related to military service.
Populations: Military Children Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
The Alabama Mentorship Hub, a partnership between MSAN and ALMSF, offers 24/7 peer-to-peer mentorship and support for military spouses, including active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve families.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
Chambers of Commerce
Military Affairs Councils at the Chambers of Commerce near Washington’s five major installations — Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Naval Base Kitsap, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), Fairchild Air Force Base, and Naval Station Everett — connect local businesses to programs supporting military families and community integration.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
MCAS Beaufort/ Parris Island MCRD/ Beaufort Naval Hospital Chamber of Commerce
Beaufort County’s Military Enhancement Committee (MEC) works to enhance and protect MCAS Beaufort, MCRD Parris Island, and Naval Hospital Beaufort, supporting military installations and families while guarding against base realignment and closure threats.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
Statewide council of student veterans, across 20+ campuses, who identify issues on their campuses, circulate information and propose solutions, in order to improve the student veteran experience for all.
Populations: Veteran Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
Massachusets has a Women Veterans Network that provides programs, benefits, and advocacy to women veterans
Populations: Veteran Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
Military Appreciation Events
Washington communities near major military installations host annual military appreciation events, parades, and festivals — like Foofaraw in Thurston County and Puget Sound’s SeaFair — to honor service members, veterans, and their families while promoting community engagement and patriotic celebrations.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community Support
The New Hampshire Military Leadership Team (MLT) is an executive committee where key stakeholders coordinate on issues and initiatives to support service members, veterans, and military families (SMVF).
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Belonging/Community 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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