Military-Connected Youth September Bulletin

Dear Military Family Liaisons,

Ohio’s service members may see increased deployments over the next year, and many of you may already know families in your school who have been impacted. Deployments can involve service members from any branch or duty type and may range from a few months to over a year. These assignments can include training, stateside operations, or overseas missions. Some deployments are planned well in advance, while others arise quickly.

Below are steps you can take to assist military families during deployments:

1. Connect with your military families.
   • Schools are required to identify military-connected students. Some families may be hesitant to self-identify due to operational security concerns.
2. Understand the military deployment cycle and its effects on families.
   • The Military Child Education Coalition provides free online professional development.
     • Recommended training:
       • Gone is Gone: Supporting Military-Connected Children During Absences
       • We Serve Too: National Guard and Reserve Children

3. Access school and family resources
   • Direct links to helpful resources are in subsequent sections of this month’s bulletin.

Purple Star Roundtable

A Purple Star Roundtable will be held on Sept. 23 at 3:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for Purple Star schools to receive updates and share best practices on supporting military-connected students.

Purple Star Award Pre-Application Webinar

The Department will host a webinar on Oct. 20 at 4:00 p.m. for schools interested in applying for the Purple Star Designation. Schools completing an initial or renewal application can register for this webinar by completing the online registration form.

Military Families Big Table Conversation

Blue Star Families Ohio is hosting a conversation on supporting Ohio’s military, veteran, and Guard families as part of the Columbus Foundation’s Big Table civic engagement event. Register on the webpage for the event on Sept. 29 from 2 to 3:00 p.m.  

Blue Star Welcome Week

Every year, 600,000 military families relocate nationwide. To support these families, Blue Star Families designated Sept. 26 through Oct. 4 as Blue Star Welcome Week. This week provides military families with opportunities and events that can help them make meaningful connections in their new community. 

For further information about how to engage and welcome military families, access these free resources from the Military Child Education Coalition. 

Student and Family Voice Workgroups

The Department is accepting applications and nominations for Ohio’s Student Voice and Family Voice Workgroups for this school year. Schools and districts can share these opportunities with their grade 8-12 students and all families of students in grades K-12. The workgroups engage in discussions with the Department to support Ohio’s K-12 education system.

Visit the Ohio Student Voice Workgroup and Ohio Family Voice Workgroup webpages for more information and to submit applications. Contact engagement@education.ohio.gov with any questions.

Ohio Military Kids Events

Ohio Military Kids (OMK) is hosting Youth and Teen Resilience Weekends Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 16-18. These weekends are an opportunity for military families to build resilience and connection in an outdoor setting. Contact omkohio@gmail.com or call 614-257-8876 with any questions.  

School and Family Resources

Important Dates

If you or someone you know would like to be featured in this newsletter, submit this form. If you have any questions, contact Jason Scragg at PurpleStar@education.ohio.gov.