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Military-Connected Youth January Bulletin

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce sent this bulletin at 01/10/2025 06:00 AM EST

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01/10/2025

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce - Email bulletin

Military-Connected Youth January Bulletin

Dear Military Family Liaisons,

Happy New Year! I hope all of you had a happy holiday season. Next to summer, December and January are the busiest months for military moves. Please reach out with any questions about how to support these students through provisions for active duty enrollment or the Interstate Compact. I wish you all peace and prosperity in the new year.

Wreaths Across America

Every December, volunteers across the country participate in Wreaths Across America, placing wreaths on the graves of veterans to honor their service. In 2024, on December 14, 4 million wreaths were placed in over 4,700 cemeteries in all 50 states and overseas.

On December 9, 2024, the mission of Wreaths Across America was showcased at a special event at the Ohio Statehouse. The event included a wreath-laying ceremony honoring veterans from each branch of service, including prisoners of war and those missing in action. The keynote speaker was Mallory Crabtree, the Gold Star daughter of Sergeant First Class Daniel Crabtree. Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr, the Adjutant General of the Ohio National Guard, emceed the event. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose provided recorded remarks and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Deborah Ashenhurst, Director of the Ohio Department of Veteran Services, conducted the Missing Man ceremony.

Several Purple Star schools participated in the event. The a cappella group “Above the Noise” from Olentangy Orange High School performed throughout, and students from Saint Michael’s Catholic School in Worthington and the Criminal Justice Program at the Medina County Career Center also attended to show their support. These schools are actively involved in fundraising and participate in the Wreaths Across America initiative. Participation in Wreaths Across America can satisfy one of the additional activities requirements for the Purple Star Award.

Olentangy Orange HS Above the Noise

Medina County Career Center

Military Signing Day

On March 11, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, in partnership with schools and communities, will host Military Signing Day for Ohio's students committed to military service. Students in grades 11 and 12 who have committed to military service are invited to attend. This includes Ohio students who: 

Will attend a service academy in the fall; 
Accepted a Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) scholarship; or 
Enlisted for service as active duty, reserve, or National Guard.

This year’s celebration will take place at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, 300 W. Broad Street, Columbus, on Tuesday, March 11. Doors open at 10:00 a.m. for check-in and museum access, and the program will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. Registration is required for all attendees and guests. Students will include their guest’s information as part of their registration. Attendees can view the museum’s exhibits prior to and at the conclusion of the ceremony. Registration will close on Friday, February 28, or earlier if seating is full.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Katie Barnes, ADA coordinator, at ADAaccommodation@education.ohio.gov or 614-387-7716 (voice) no later than February 28, 2025.

Military to Civilian Transitions

Founded by military spouses in 2009, Blue Star Families empowers military families to thrive as they serve. The organization is committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors. They support families on active duty, in the National Guard and reserves, and veterans.

The Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey, which gathered insights from over 100,000 respondents, sheds light on the challenges military families face. Over half the veterans that participated in the survey described their transition from the military to civilian life as difficult or very difficult. One of the top issues for transitioning service members was employment and career development. The Ohio Military Veteran Educators Program (OhioMVEP) assists service members, veterans, and spouses with starting careers in education. The program provides career counseling, hiring bonuses, and access to the SkillBridge apprenticeship program.

SkillBridge

The SkillBridge program provides schools with a unique opportunity to address staffing needs by connecting with a diverse pool of highly skilled, disciplined, and motivated military service members. Through this program, transitioning service members can gain valuable civilian work experience in classified or certificated roles while interning during their final 180 days of active duty. Throughout the internship, their salary is fully covered by the military. Schools and service members who are interested in participating in the program should contact Ohiomvep@education.ohio.gov.

Janet Wynn Memorial Award

The Janet Wynn Memorial Award is presented annually to an Ohio military family or school-aged youth that has displayed exceptional perseverance, grit, and determination throughout a permanent change of station (PCS) move, a transition between school districts, or had a close family member who experienced a deployment. The award is open to families and youth connected to a service member who is on active duty, in the reserves, or in the National Guard in grades Pre-K through 12th grade. Applications are due by May 15. The award is presented by the Ohio Council of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission and is named in honor of Janet Wynn who was a mother, wife, educator, Ohio MIC3 Council member, and a School Liaison Officer who served the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base community.

Purple Star Schools Application Window Closed

Thank you to the new and renewing schools that applied for the Purple Star designation. The application window closed on Dec. 15, 2024, and applications are currently under review. Applicants will be notified via email this month if remediation is required. The Purple Star Awards will be announced in April, the Month of the Military Child.

Coats for Kids Campaign

Operation Warm, in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, is excited to announce the launch of the annual Coats for Kids Campaign. This initiative provides new coats to TANF-eligible families, supporting children across Ohio.

To participate, follow these steps:

Review the program requirements.
Complete the Operation Warm Wish List application.
- Search the name of your school or organization by selecting “yes” to the first question. 
- If your school or organization serves TANF-eligible families, be sure to select “yes” to the TANF question.
Wait for processing. Operation Warm will process the wish list application once steps one and two are complete. If eligible, the Operation Warm team will reach out to request completion of the Beneficiary and Subgrant Agreement.

Please note: If selected, you are required to distribute items to TANF-eligible families within 30 days of receiving the shipment.

Schools or organizations that do not serve TANF-eligible families can still complete the Operation Warm Wish List application to be considered for coats.

Additional Resources

Military-Connected Youth Best Practices

Do you have an idea, event, or best practice that you use to support military-connected youth or enhance your Purple Star program? If so, consider completing the Military-Connected Youth Best Practices form to have your story shared in this newsletter. You can submit a picture to accompany your submission. Any forms or documents should be shared using a hyperlink, as the newsletter format does not allow file attachments.

Ohio Military Veteran Educators Program

The Ohio Military Veteran Educators Program (OhioMVEP) assists service members, military veterans, and their spouses with starting a career in an Ohio school. Contact Ohiomvep@education.ohio.gov with any questions.

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children 

The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is a set of state laws in all 50 states that lowers barriers to education and eases the transition of military-connected students. MIC3Training.net offers access to on-demand training on the Compact. Live Compact 101 webinar trainings are available every month online and are free.