Resources for Military Families
Orientation to Military Connected Youth
Military-Connected Youth include any children with an immediate family member currently serving in the Armed Forces. There are approximately 30,000 to 34,000 Military Connected Youth in the State of Ohio and chances are they are in all of the school districts in the state. The schools within the Greene County ESC service area have a combined enrollment of approximately 450 Military-Connected Youth.
The greatest challenge in serving the needs of Military-Connected Youth is identifying them. They often do not identify themselves as part of a military family. The ESSA military student identifier only designates active families. In Ohio, the National Guard and the Reserves greatly outnumber the active component of the military. Students may be identified by a checkbox on enrollment forms (electronic or paper), Emergency Medical Cards or surveys; identification during Veterans Day and other patriotic activities, class meetings, clubs or conferences; as well as through newsletters, bulletin boards, websites, and announcements.
This is a unique group of students with a unique set of challenges and needs such as dealing with the deployment of a family member or missing major family events like high school graduation. If they are part of an active-duty family, they will attend an average of six to nine different schools during their K12 experience. There are resources available for Military-Connected Youth to support their academic, social/emotional, physical well-being and help them connect with others with similar experiences.
Educational Resources
https://military.tutor.com/home A 24-hour live chat homework hotline for K-12 students in 150+ subjects.
https://www.march2success.com/ March2Success is an interactive online test preparation system. It is an online, self paced course designed to improve student performance on standardized tests. March2Success is free for everyone.
https://eknowledge.com/NewLookAff/Home.php?coupon=14B10241C9 eKnowledge is a leading provider of interactive e-learning products and services. At a much-reduced price for military families.
https://mic3.net/ The Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission purpose is to facilitate timely enrollment of K-12 students in schools during any point in an academic year due to Active Duty assignments of the U.S. Armed Forces. The MIC3 looks to remove barriers due to variations in local school districts and states. Contact - Ohio Commissioner Pete LuPiba [email protected]
https://www.dodea.edu/Partnership/index.cfm The mission is to educate, engage, and empower each student to succeed in a dynamic world. As a part of Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), the Non-Department of Defense Schools Program (NDSP) adopts the DoDEA mission and vision statement.
https://www.va.gov/education/transfer-post-9-11-gi-bill-benefits/ The Post9/11 GI Bill allows service members to transfer unused education benefits to immediate family members (spouse & children) Transferred benefits may be able to pay for college, tuition, housing, books, and supplies after high school. Service members must transfer benefits before separation from the service.
https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Other-Resources/Ohio-Network-for-Military-Families-and-Veterans/Supporting-Ohio-s-Military-Families/Purple-Star-Award The Purple Star Award recognizes schools that show a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. Schools that earn the award will receive a special Purple Star recognition to display on site.
A school will be honored with the Purple Star Award if it completes all the required activities, plus one optional activity. The Purple Star Advisory Board helps decide a school’s eligibility for the award. Contact - Jason Scragg [email protected] 614.466.4109
https://www.militarychild.org/ The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) supports all military-connected children by educating, advocating, and collaborating to resolve education challenges associated with the military lifestyle. With programs for Parents, student’s and professionals.
https://schoolresources.militaryfamilies.psu.edu/ The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State developed online learning modules for school personnel to increase understanding and awareness related to the unique challenges faced by military-connected students and families, and to provide school personnel with strategies and resources to support military-connected students.
General Resources
ohio4h.org/statewide-programs/ohio-military-kids Ohio Military Kids (OMK) is a collaboration between the Ohio National Guard and The Ohio State University’s 4-H Youth Development Program. The goal of OMK is to create community support networks for military youth when they experience a loved one’s deployment.
https://www.ourmilitarykids.org/ Our Military Kids recognizes the sacrifice of children of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or post 9/11 combat-injured service members by offering extracurricular activity grants that build the child's self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community. Up to $300.00 grants for dependents ages 3 - 18 deployed out of country service members.
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/ Military OneSource is a Department of Defense program that provides FREE services to all members of the military regardless of branch or component and their family members.
https://militarykidsconnect.health.mil/ Military Kids Connect is an online community where kids, tweens and teens can connect with other military kids their own age. The website helps military connected youth develop coping skills and build psychological health and resilience.
https://www.sesameworkshop.org/what-we-do/military-families Sesame Workshop provides much-needed support and practical education through Talk, Listen, Connect, a multiphase outreach initiative to help young kids through deployments, combat-related injuries, and the death of a loved one.
https://ohio.uso.org The USO is there to support service members and families in a variety of ways, from deployment and homecoming support to families of the fallen.
https://bluestarfam.org/chapters/dayton/ The families of our all-volunteer military make unprecedented sacrifices these days to serve our country. Blue Star Families was founded by military spouses in 2009 to empower these families to thrive as they serve. We're committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors – individuals and organizations – to create vibrant communities of mutual support. We believe we're all stronger when we take care of one another.
https://www.militaryfamily.org/ Most Americans understand how important it is to support our troops. But NMFA believes it’s important to support their 2.8 million family members, too.
https://militaryimpactedschoolsassociation.org/login A national organization of school superintendents with a higher concentration of military students. Provides useful links for military families and educator resources.
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ Connects veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.
For the Fallen
https://foldsofhonor.org/ To provide educational scholarship to spouses and children of America's fallen and disabled service members.
https://www.foldedflagfoundation.org/ The Folded Flag Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides educational scholarships and support grants to the spouses and children of the U.S. military and government personnel who died as a result of hostile action or in an accident related to U.S. combat operations.
Greene County
https://www.greenecountyohio.gov/340/Veterans-Services
https://greene.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development 4-H is a non-formal educational, youth development program offered to individuals age 5 and in kindergarten to age 19. Ohio 4-H youth development reaches more than 240,000 youth each year – helping kids “learn by doing” through hands-on activities
https://www.greenecountyohio.gov/700/Military-Assistance-Program Ohio Revised Code Section 323.122 allows an extension of time for payment of real estate and manufactured home taxes for members of the National Guard and reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States who have been called to active or other duty under Operation Enduring Freedom.
Mongomery County
https://mcvsc.org/ Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission
https://montgomery.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development 4-H is a non-formal educational, youth development program offered to individuals age 5 and in kindergarten to age 19. Ohio 4-H youth development reaches more than 240,000 youth each year – helping kids “learn by doing” through hands-on activities
Base Resources: Wright Patterson Air Force Base
https://www.wrightpattfss.com/school-liaison
www.wpafb.af.mil
Youth Programs/Centers - Phone 937-904-4700
Youth Centers/Services
156 Spinning Road
Bldg 6933 Prairies
WPAFB, OH 45431
Wright-Patterson AFB School Liaison Officer - Phone 937-656-0942 88th ABW/CVL
2000 Allbrook Drive
Area A, Building 2
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-5315
Family Advocacy Program - Phone 937-257-6429
Family Advocacy Program
4881 Sugar Maple Drive
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-5529
WPAFB Airman and Family Readiness Center Phone (937) 257-3592 2000 Albrook Drive, Bldg. 2
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
Resources for: information and referral, casualty affairs, financial services, employment resources, relocation assistance, transition assistance, deployment support, EFMP program services. Find their monthly calendar of events, workshops and activities on the web site.
https://www.wpafb.af.mil/afrf/
Base resources: Ohio National Guard 178th Wing
https://www.178wing.ang.af.mil/
5319 Regula Avenue
Springfield-Beckley MAP
Springfield, OH 45502
Base Information: 800-851-4503
Family Support: 937-525-2583