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
Soldier and Family Readiness Group (SFRG)
Missouri State Family Readiness Groups (SFRGs) support military families with social and emotional resources, including information, referrals, and education, working alongside State Family Readiness Staff (SFRSs) to strengthen family readiness and unit preparedness across Missouri.
Populations: Guard and Reserve Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Community Integration Support
Washington National Guard Joint Services Support Directorate
Washington’s centralized support center for Guardsmen, Reservists, veterans, and military families offers family readiness programs, services, and community connection events.
Populations: Guard and Reserve Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Community Integration 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
The North Dakota Military Commission develops statewide strategies to maintain and enhance military forces, bases, and missions. The task force examines current challenges, advises on base retention funding, promotes North Dakota as a military-friendly state, and serves as a liaison for military and state leaders.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Community Integration Support
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
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
Appoint a Compact Commissioner in a timely fashion and designate a point of contact embedded within each state’s Department of Education.
Populations: Military Children Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Dependent Child Education, Education
Moving to Washington Guide for Military Families
The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs publishes an annual “Resources for Military Families in WA” guide and will release an updated Moving to Washington Guide for Military Families in 2025 to help service members and their families access benefits, services, and relocation resources.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Mobility & Relocation, Relocation/PCS Issues
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
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
Washington State Military Transition & Readiness Council
The Washington State Military Transition and Readiness Council (WSMTRC), established by the Governor’s Executive Order, brings together state, local, and federal agencies, military installations, and private organizations to collaborate on supporting the military community across Washington.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Community Integration 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
Hawaiʻi offers 10 distinctive military license plates to honor the service and sacrifice of active-duty service members, veterans, retirees, and eligible family members.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Community Integration 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
Magnify Utah helps military families integrate into their new communities by connecting them with Utah’s diverse cultural traditions through events, workshops, and online resources that foster community engagement.
Populations: Active Duty Topics: Belonging, Belonging & Community, Community Integration 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
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
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.
