More states are increasing efforts to support military families, according to an assessment for 2021 released by the Department of the Air Force. The report evaluated the ease professional licenses can be moved across state lines, and the quality of pre-K through 12th grade public education surrounding installations. It is the second such report of its kind, the first appearing last year.
“States and installation communities have diligently worked toward the removal of barriers to military family readiness, which faces significant challenges due to frequent relocation,” the Air Force said in a press release.
The increased understanding of these challenges is ever more apparent to local officials, prompting the enactment of more than 60 pieces of legislation aimed at helping spouses find jobs.
“Legislation targeting military spouse licensure [has] increased access to resources for military spouses, removed barriers, accelerated process timelines and reduced costs,” the Air Force stated. “Additionally, states are increasingly working together to create and expand interstate compacts and reciprocity initiatives that allow military spouses the ability to use licenses obtained in different states than which they live due to military-driven relocation.”
The report also cited an uptick in communications among school districts, education agencies, governments and the Air Force itself – all of which are creating avenues of understanding in regards to the specific needs of military school children. Some of these actions have borne fruit, the Air Force said, in the form of improved overall education scores.