Military kids show us every day how remarkable they are.
But even with strong support at home, military life, deployments, and PCS moves take a toll, and military families can use extra help. Thankfully, there are more resources than ever to support military children. Here are a few worth knowing, and we’d love to hear your favorites, too!
Educational Resources for Military Children
1. Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)
MCEC provides support for military-connected students and offers resources for students, parents, and education professionals.
Its mission is to help military children stay on track academically, socially, and emotionally, especially during school transitions related to military life.
2. Seasons of My Military Student
Created by military spouses Amanda Trimillos, EdD, and Stacy Allsbrook-Huisman, Seasons of My Military Student is both a website and companion book designed to support military families of school-aged students and their teachers.
Their resources offer practical tools and strategies to help families and educators support students through frequent school transitions and other challenges.
3. Meg Flanagan Education Solutions
Meg Flanagan, a military spouse and special education teacher, provides consulting and advocacy support for families navigating school systems, especially for students with additional learning needs.
She's the author of the book, Talk to the Teacher, and other guides. Meg offers a free consult, education coaching, advocacy, and free resources. She's an expert advocate for military students, with experience in both IEPs and 504 Plans. Learn more at Meg Flanagan's site.
Resources for Military Kids Going Through the Deployment of a Parent
1. The Comfort Crew for Military Kids
The Comfort Crew for Military Kids is a nonprofit with a long history of visiting military-connected schools around the world, featuring co-founder and popular speaker Trevor Romain.
The Comfort Crew provides supportive resources and programs for military kids, including Comfort Kits for children of deployed parents, the With You All the Way! tours, and the Comfort Crew Academy app.
2. Hug-a-Hero
Originally known as “Daddy Dolls,” Hug-A-Hero creates personalized comfort items for military children using a photo of their deployed parent.
These soft, huggable dolls are designed to help children feel connected to their parent during periods of separation.
3. United Through Reading
United Through Reading is a nonprofit that helps military families stay connected during deployments by allowing service members to record themselves reading books for their children.
Families can access recordings through the app, visit Story Stations at participating military installations, or take part in community events that support shared reading experiences during separation.
Photo by kali9 from Getty Images Signature via Canva.com
Resources for PCS Moves
1. Youth Sponsorship Program
The Youth Sponsorship Program helps ease the transition for military children by connecting them with a peer sponsor before arriving at a new duty station.
This program is typically coordinated through installation youth programs or school liaison offices, helping kids get familiar with their new school and community ahead of a PCS move.
Learn more in our post, Ease the PCS Transition with the Youth Sponsorship Program.
2. Student 2 Student Program
Student 2 Student (S2S), from the Military Child Education Coalition, is a peer support program designed to help military-connected students transition into new schools.
The program pairs new students with trained student ambassadors who provide tours, introduce them to peers, and help them feel more connected during the transition.
3. Military OneSource (Children, Youth, and Teens)
Military OneSource offers a wide range of resources for military children, youth, and teens, including MilLife Guides, articles, and tools focused on school transitions, stress management, and overall well-being.
Families can also access support and referrals for issues related to moving, education, and family life during a PCS.
More Resources for Military Kids and Parents
1. Mil Mom Adventures
Mil Mom Adventures provides ideas and inspiration for family-friendly travel and activities, along with reviews and resources geared toward military families.
2. Operation Purple Camp
Operated by the National Military Family Association, Operation Purple Camp offers free camp experiences for military children.
The program focuses on connection, community, and support among military kids. Campers and families are also connected to additional resources, such as support from mental health professionals.
3. Operation We Are Here
Operation We Are Here offers a comprehensive Military Children & Teen Resource Directory with information and links to programs, camps, books, EFMP resources, and family support tools. It serves as a central hub for discovering a wide range of resources for military families.
During April, Month of the Military Child and always, we can't ever express enough support for our heroes—military kids. Thank you!
