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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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Massachusetts provides career coaching, job placement, and training through MassHire, helping veterans transition successfully into civilian employment.
Job Service Montana assists military service members, veterans, and their spouses in obtaining training and employment.
Massachusetts has a Veteran Ready Business program aims to educate businesses about the value of hiring veterans and their spouses
Kentucky ensures that public employees returning from military service are eligible for rehire to their previous or equivalent positions, helping veterans maintain career continuity and access employment opportunities after service.
Iowa connects service members to civilian training and employment opportunities through the SkillBridge Program, helping military-connected individuals gain skills, experience, and career pathways during the transition from military service.
Mississippi protects reemployment rights for service members returning from military duty, helping ensure job restoration, benefits continuity, and seniority after service.
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.
Wisconsin provides apprenticeships and on-the-job training programs to help military spouses, veterans, and their families gain skills, experience, and career opportunities in high-demand industries.
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.
New York provides paid family leave benefits to eligible military families, helping support caregivers during qualifying military-related events.
Tax and recruitment incentive to bring onboard more veterans for small businesses with 100 or less employees
South Carolina Veteran-Friendly Employer Recognition Program
South Carolina provides a veteran-friendly employer recognition program, supporting employer engagement, inclusive hiring practices, and employment opportunities for military service members, veterans, and spouses.
Missouri’s National Guard’s Eagle Project
Missouri supports military-connected youth through the National Guard’s Eagle Project, which provides mentoring, leadership development, and educational support to help students build resilience and succeed during military-related transitions.
Tennessee allows state employees to take paid military leave for required service or training, helping protect income and employment while serving.
Guam provides government employees who serve in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces with up to 15 days of paid military leave each fiscal year, helping support continued employment during military duty.
Delaware allows state employees called to active military service to continue receiving their state salary, minus military pay, and guarantees a leave of absence during service and for up to 90 days following their return.
Hiring preference in public employment for National Guard service members
Rhode Island Commercial Driver License (CDL) Military Skills Test Waiver form can be used by military members who are current and were required to drive a Commercial Motor Vehicle in their military position in the past year to aooky for a CDL without skill testing.
Idaho allows eligible service members and veterans with military driving experience to waive certain CDL testing requirements, helping them transition more quickly into civilian commercial driving careers.
Vermont allows military spouses, veterans, and service members to waive portions of the Certified Inspection Mechanic examination, helping them access employment opportunities and training more quickly in the automotive and inspection industry.
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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